Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

This is the best way to find incredible dog-friendly restaurants near you

Here's how to find a dog-friendly restaurant near you, thanks to Yelp's helpful new list

By

Dog eating bread
Unsplash

Going out to eat is a fun experience that everyone should be able to enjoy on special occasions–even pet owners! After all, if parents can bring their children to restaurants, why can’t dogs sit next to the table? Bringing a four-legged friend along means that the entire family can enjoy a meal together, but not every restaurant is up for accommodating canine guests.

Recommended Videos

So how can you find a dog-friendly restaurant? There are many ways to locate a new place to dine with dogs, but Yelp’s new list, “Top 100 Dog-Friendly Places to Eat 2023,” is a fantastic place to start. Let’s break down the places on this list and how to find your new favorite place to eat. If you’ve ever done a Google search for “dog friendly restaurants near me,” then this is the list for you.

Woman relaxing at an Italian restaurant with her dog.
Shutterstock

Yelp’s top dog-friendly restaurants and places to eat: Who’s on the list?

This expertly compiled list features 100 restaurants across the United States with many reviews mentioning “dog friendly.” They ranked the restaurants and chains based on several factors, including dog-related keywords and a passing health safety score.

The top 5 restaurants on Yelp’s list include:

  1. Tin Shed Garden Cafe — Portland, Oregon (American, Breakfast & Brunch)
  2. Morrison Atwater Village — Los Angeles, California (Gastropubs, Burgers)
  3. Yellow Dog Eats — Windermere, Florida (Sandwiches, Barbecue)
  4. Hideaway House — Sedona, Arizona (Pizza, Italian)
  5. Lost Dog Cafe — Folly Beach, South Carolina (Breakfast & Brunch, American)

It’s so cool to see a wide variety of foods offered at the top locations on the list and a wide variety of locations. There are many dog-friendly places to live across the country, and this list is a great reflection of those places.

A brown miniature Poodle stands on a chair at a restaurant
Alison Pang/Unsplash / Unsplash

What makes a restaurant dog-friendly?

Not every dog-friendly restaurant will have the same policies, so it’s never a bad idea to double-check before you go. For example, canine guests (besides service animals) may only be allowed to sit outside or in a specific section. However, you’re more likely to enjoy perks like a water bowl for your dog, or even a selection of yummy dog treats to buy. Some restaurants even offer meals for dogs, so don’t forget to ask about a doggie menu!

A Chow Chow dog stands outside of a restaurant
Svetlana Gumerova / Unsplash

How to find dog-friendly places to eat near you

If you don’t live near any of the restaurants on this list, it’s up to you to locate the best spot to dine with your furry friend. But how do you know what to look for?

Aside from searching for reviews mentioning the words “dog friendly,” you can also look for this key detail in a restaurant’s name– the word “dog”! Yep, it’s really that easy. The vast majority of restaurants with the word “dog” in their name are going to be dog-friendly.

Local dog community groups are bound to have suggestions

When in doubt, you can always ask other dog owners for their favorite restaurant suggestions. Whether it’s an in-person conversation with a friend or a post on your local Facebook group, word of mouth is a great way to find new places to take your pet.

Look for dog bowls outside restaurants or signs on restaurant windows

If you’re already out and about for the day, you might need to find somewhere to dine with your dog on short notice. No worries! While you’re walking or driving around, keep an eye out for a water bowl sitting outside a restaurant. This is usually an indication of a dog-friendly location. Signs and stickers in windows can be harder to spot, but these can also tell customers where they can bring their four-legged family members.

When in doubt, it’s never a bad idea to call a restaurant and ask about their dog policy. Review-based websites like Yelp can be a wonderful tool for this exact purpose, too, so why not take advantage of the tools other dog parents have already created? ‘Bone’ appetit!

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…

Editors’ Recommendations

Can dogs eat pasta? Here are some facts to know before giving your pet this type of treat
What type of pasta is safe for dogs? Here are the facts
Woman giving her large dog a treat

The Lady and the Tramp movie photo has icon status. Pampered and temporarily displaced pooch Lady and free-wheeling terrier mix Tramp — the epitome of opposites — share a noodle and meet in the middle. Pasta must be a safe (even beloved) food for dogs, right?

Maybe. As you likely know, Disney isn't always the best representation of reality. However, it would be nice to get invited to join a kingdom because you have the correct shoe size (Cinderella) or shoot icicles and learn you're the fifth spirit (Frozen's Elsa). Can dogs eat pasta safely in real life? As you're likely also aware, some foods like chocolate are toxic for dogs. Others, like blueberries, serve as safe, low-calorie treats. Pasta is somewhere in the middle (right where Lady and Tramp met on their date). Here's what to know about pasta safety for dogs.
Can dogs eat pasta? What pasta is safe for dogs?

Read more
Are hydrangeas toxic for dogs? Read this first before letting your pup near your flowers
What to do if your dog eats hydrangeas — and whether they're poisonous
Greyhound on a leash in a yard

Pet parents may know the potential dangers of certain foods, like chocolate, for pets. However, risks within a home — and outside of it — aren't limited to pantry staples. Eating certain plants can also lead to short-term discomfort, long-term health issues, and even death. Holiday-favorite poinsettias are one of the more well-known examples of plants that are toxic to dogs.

There are others, including ones commonly found in gardens and bouquets each spring and summer. What about hydrangeas? Are hydrangeas poisonous to dogs? This one is a great question, given how ubiquitous hydrangeas are around the country. They thrive in various conditions and soils and add bulk and beauty to gardens — a true bang-for-your-buck plant for green thumbs, but what about pet parents? Here's what to know about hydrangeas, toxicity, and dogs.
Are hydrangeas poisonous to dogs?

Read more
Should dogs eat eggs? What you need to know
Eggs are a delicious treat you can share with your dog
A dog eating soft-boiled eggs in the bowl

Many of us enjoy eggs — on toast, in a quiche, or maybe the hard-boiled type. When you sit down to a plate full of delicious scrambled eggs, your dog might stare up at you, begging for a bite. But should dogs eat eggs? We have good news for both you and Fido: You can absolutely share this breakfast with your pooch (as long as you follow a few basic rules). The next time you decide to cook yourself a couple of yolks, consider frying one up for the fur babies as well.
Can dogs eat eggs? Should dogs eat eggs?

For the most part, yes, you can feel free to give your beastie an egg now and then. Eggs have lots of nutrients and are chock full of protein, making them a healthy snack for four-legged buddies. Remember that treats should only make up about 10% of a pup's daily intake of food. The majority of the meals need to be just kibble (or other vet-approved dog food), specially designed with a canine's system in mind. But extras are good when they're low in sugar and carbs. Eggs certainly fit that bill.

Read more