Correction (2 October 2026): an earlier version of this page listed places and details we could not stand behind. It has been rewritten, and every place below was checked against its own current information.
A dog is only welcome where the cafe says so, and the cafe’s own words win the argument. We could verify two Kew places that say anything about dogs: Studley Park Boathouse, down in Yarra Bend Park, and Willo Cafe on Willsmere Road. Two is a short list. We would rather print two real places than pad it.
One rule runs through both entries. The Boathouse names its outdoor spaces as the dog-friendly part, and Willo’s statement doesn’t say inside or outside, so treat outside as the safe assumption at both. Bring a lead.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | What it says about dogs | Hours as listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| A river-side stop with a lead rule | Studley Park Boathouse | Dogs welcome in its outdoor spaces, on leash (its FAQ) | Mon-Thu 8:00am - 5:30pm, Fri-Sat 8:00am - 9:00pm, Sun 8:00am - 7:00pm |
| A neighbourhood cafe | Willo Cafe | Dogs welcomed and encouraged, per its Instagram as relayed by Mamma Knows East (July 2025) | 7:00am - 2:00pm Mon-Fri, 7:30am - 2:00pm Sat, 8:00am - 2:00pm Sun (AGFG listing) |
Studley Park Boathouse — 1 Boathouse Road, Kew VIC 3101
Inside or outside only: outside only, per its FAQ: “Pooches of all shapes and sizes are welcome in our outdoor spaces, we just ask that they remain on leash.”
Water, bins, shade: water is covered (the FAQ says it has water bowls and doggie treats on sale on site). Bins and shade are not stated.
The FAQ lists the pavilion, upper and lower decks and the pergola as its outdoor spaces, open seven days a week from 8am. It describes The Perch, the original boathouse cafe, as the setting for post-walk coffees and breakfast and brunch items, but it doesn’t say whether dogs can sit at The Perch. Ask which outdoor spaces are open to dogs when you book or arrive.
Boat hire runs separately, and its FAQ answers the dog question directly: “Yes, you can bring your dog on the boat.” Standard sessions are 60 minutes in total. The Boathouse calls itself the oldest public boathouse on the Yarra River, and the council lists it as part of Yarra Bend Park.
Bring: a lead (the Boathouse asks for one), poo bags and water for the walk down.
Willo Cafe — 56 Willsmere Road, Kew VIC 3101
Inside or outside only: not stated.
Mamma Knows East’s write-up of Willo (11 July 2025) says, relaying Willo’s own Instagram, that dogs are welcomed and encouraged. That is second-hand. We did not find a Willo website, so it is the best evidence on offer, and it says nothing about inside versus outside or about a lead. Restaurant Guru lists outdoor seating and takeaway as features of the cafe, which is listing data, not a statement from Willo.
AGFG lists the hours above and names Allpress Coffee. Mamma Knows East’s July 2025 article prints slightly later closes (2:15pm every day), so check before you walk over.
Bring: a lead, bags and a water bowl of your own, since Willo hasn’t said it supplies one.
Quick answers
Which Kew cafes allow dogs?
Two that we could verify. Studley Park Boathouse, 1 Boathouse Road, says dogs are welcome in its outdoor spaces on a lead. Willo Cafe, 56 Willsmere Road, is reported to welcome dogs by Mamma Knows East in July 2025, citing Willo’s own Instagram.
Can I take my dog inside a Kew cafe?
Neither source says so. The Boathouse’s statement covers its outdoor spaces only, and Willo’s doesn’t say inside or outside. Ask before you step through the door.
Does Studley Park Boathouse need dogs on a lead?
Yes. Its FAQ says: “we just ask that they remain on leash.”
Can I take my dog on a boat at Studley Park Boathouse?
Its FAQ says: “Yes, you can bring your dog on the boat.” Standard boat-hire sessions are 60 minutes in total.
Are there water bowls for dogs?
The Boathouse FAQ says it has water bowls to keep dogs hydrated, with doggie treats on sale on site. Willo hasn’t said either way.
How we checked
On 2 October 2026 we read Studley Park Boathouse’s own website and FAQ page for the dog rules, trading hours and address, and confirmed the venue against OpenStreetMap and the City of Boroondara’s Yarra Bend Park page. Willo Cafe has no website that we could find, so its address comes from AGFG, Restaurant Guru and OpenStreetMap, its hours from the AGFG listing, and its dog statement from the Mamma Knows East article that relays Willo’s Instagram. We could not read the Instagram post itself. Policies change, so confirm with the venue on the day. The photos are illustrative, from Unsplash: they show the kind of scene, not these venues.
Seen something out of date? Email [email protected] with the page link and what has changed, and we will check it again.
Sources
- Studley Park Boathouse: website, FAQs, boat hire, Boroondara: Yarra Bend Park and OpenStreetMap
- Willo Cafe: AGFG listing, Restaurant Guru, Mamma Knows East and OpenStreetMap
