Augie's Place - Dog Friendly Cafe & Licenced Bar

Augie’s Place is a dog-friendly café and licensed bar in Brunswick, built around coffee, food and a welcoming sense of community. The menu runs from made-to-order breakfast, available from 8am to 1pm, through to all-day options, sandwiches, cabinet salads, house-made treats and drinks. Coffee is available with no extra charge for alternative milks, while the drinks list also includes chai, matcha, iced drinks, milkshakes, organic juices and soft drinks. For something stronger, there are brunch cocktails, spritzes, wine, prosecco, beer-free? No beer is listed, and classic cocktails including the espresso martini and negroni.

Breakfast covers familiar café dishes with a few thoughtful details. Eggs can be served scrambled or poached on toast, while the Eggs Benedict comes in ham, spinach Florentine or smoked salmon Royale versions. Avocado on toast is finished with mixed herbs, sundried tomatoes and house-made pickled onions. The all-day menu includes the Brunny Breakfast Muffin, a breakfast wrap, savoury croissants and sandwiches ranging from ham, cheese and tomato to a smoked salmon bagel and an Italian meatball sandwich. There are also house-made-style comfort options listed such as Mumma V’s chicken pie, pork and fennel sausage rolls and a fetta and spinach plait. Children under 12 have their own menu, including waffles with fruit, ice cream and maple syrup.

The space is presented as relaxed, green and calm, with the café sitting among four green spaces in Brunswick. Its character comes from furnishings gathered from different homes, artwork by artist-in-residence Isabella, and a prominent commissioned piece inspired by the owner’s family connections. A Paw-l of Fame wall adds a distinctly dog-friendly touch. The venue’s story is closely tied to family: recipes draw on the influence of the owner’s mother, Nonna, aunt and other women who taught her how to bake, cook and continue Italian traditions.

That combination makes Augie’s a natural stop for people with dogs, families looking for a child-friendly café, and locals wanting to sit with coffee or lunch in an easygoing setting. Solo visitors, friends and small groups are catered for too, with takeaway food, drinks and liquor available for work or home. Dietary choices are marked across the menu, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and low-FODMAP options, with the venue asking guests to discuss their requirements. The café also sells products that support social and artistic causes, including Two Good Co. handwash and Yarnin toilet paper, adding another layer to its community-minded approach.