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.

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)
Recommended Videos

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!

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
Can dogs eat coconut? What you need to know
Feel free to share your coconut snack with your four-legged friend in moderation
A dachshund plays with a coconut shell on the beach

No matter what's on the menu, you can all but guarantee that your dog will want a piece. While it's OK to share a small bit of chicken now and then, you do need to be careful about what goes into your pup's stomach. After all, there are some things, like chocolate and grapes that are poisonous to canines, even if they're delicious to humans. But what about other foods? can dogs eat coconut? We walk through everything you need to know about feeding your pet this fruit.
Can dogs eat coconut?

Yes, they can! Dogs can eat both coconut and coconut oil in moderation. As with all treats, you want to limit this to a small portion of their daily food intake, about 10% and not every day. Like just about all fruits, there is some sugar in there, so you don't want to overdo it.

Read more
Is it bad for dogs to eat grass? You’ll want to be extra careful
When to see a vet after your dog eats grass
A black and white border collie eating grass

As a pet parent, you often witness your pup getting up to some strange shenanigans. Actually, you've seen it all--from when your pup is being silly or naughty to when they're downright adorable. However, some canine behaviors are so odd to humans that they're harder to explain.

One of the most common canine behaviors that strikes us as a bit odd is snacking on the backyard lawn. Why do dogs eat grass? Fortunately, your pup isn't telling you to mow the lawn or asking you to feed him a vegan diet, but it's normal to have questions about this behavior. Is your pooch satisfying a nutritional requirement? Is he trying to settle his stomach? We'll get to the bottom of this seemingly strange (yet relatively universal) phenomenon. 
Do dogs eat grass to settle their stomachs?

Read more
Does your dog like to lean on you? Here’s why
The sweet reason your dog likes to lean on you (and when to be concerned)
Dog leaning on human in blue sweater

Our attitude toward dogs has shifted significantly in modern times, with humans considering their pets more like family members that they love just as much (or more) than their two-legged relatives. However, we have long been partners with canines, which have helped us hunt for food and protected us with our lives. This long-running partnership comes even though we don't speak the same language.

Therefore, you may wonder what is going on in your dog's head when they display certain behaviors. For instance, you may ask, "Why does my dog lean on me?" The answer is generally straightforward and sweet. However, a dog leaning on you may be a cause for concern, too.
Why does my dog lean on me?

Read more