neighbours cafe

Neighbours Cafe is a dog-friendly brunch spot on Chapel Street in St Kilda East, Melbourne, at the corner of Inkerman Street. The focus is straightforward: substantial brunch, good coffee and a relaxed place to spend the morning. The cafe describes its menu as vegan-friendly, with healthy brunch options and more than 30 dishes, giving plant-based diners and anyone after a lighter meal plenty to consider alongside the larger brunch offering.

Two dishes highlighted by the cafe are the Vegan Chilli Hash and Shakshouka. The Vegan Chilli Hash combines sweet potato and mushroom with kale, shallots, roasted cauliflower, chickpea hummus, pomegranate, dukkah and sourdough toast. Shakshouka is made with baked eggs, grilled suzuk, feta, dukkah and fresh herbs, served with crispy kale and toasted baguettes. These are named house favourites rather than a complete picture of the menu, but they show the range between a vegan plate and a more traditional egg-based brunch.

The outdoor courtyard is a central part of the experience. It has open sky and yellow umbrellas, with dogs welcome at every outdoor table. The space is described as large enough to spread out while still feeling personal, making it a practical choice for groups meeting for brunch or locals looking for an unhurried coffee with their dog. Fresh water is kept available, and the cafe has offered a dog menu since it opened. The outdoor area is particularly relevant for dog owners around St Kilda, Elwood and Balaclava.

Inside, Neighbours has a distinctly visual setting, with street murals outside and folk art canvases on the walls. That artwork gives the Chapel Street cafe more character than a purely functional brunch stop, while the location and daily service make it convenient for a daytime visit. It is open daily until 4pm, with earlier starts on Tuesday and Wednesday, and can be reached by the number 3 or 3a tram on Chapel Street. Neighbours suits diners after brunch and coffee, people seeking vegan-friendly choices, and anyone wanting a dog-welcoming courtyard in St Kilda East.