How to Find Dog-Friendly Restaurants Near You
As dog owners, most of us want to take our best friend with us whenever we can. Unfortunately, finding places to dine that welcome both you and your four-legged best friend can prove difficult. But… With just a little research and planning, you can find the perfect dog-friendly restaurant to enjoy a dinner date with your #1 pal.
Dog-Friendly Chains
Did you know that some of America’s biggest restaurant chains welcome the whole family, including the family dog?
That’s right! Some of your favorite chains invite Fido to join for dinner out on the patio! Check out the list below for some popular chains who boast a dog-friendly label at most of their locations that offer patio seating. Remember though -- it’s always a good idea to call ahead and double check with your local establishment!
- Johnny Rockets
- Sonic Drive-In
- Applebees
- Olive Garden
- Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar
- Shake Shack (they even have a doggy-menu!)
- Starbucks
- Outback Steakhouse
- Panera Bread
- Joe’s Crab Shack
- In-N-Out
- Baja Fresh
Locally Owned Restaurants
If you’re anything like us, you might enjoy supporting local businesses over industry giants whenever possible. Depending on where you live, finding family-owned, dog-friendly restaurants near you may take a bit more research, but we’re confident you can find something not too far from home. Below are a few tools to help you find some local options.
Google is your best friend when it comes to all things research. Although “dog-friendly restaurant near me” might not pull up too many results, try widening your search a bit with something like “restaurants near me with outdoor seating.” Most food-serving establishments won’t allow pets inside, so finding a restaurant with patio seating is a better place to start.
Once you find something that sounds good, check out the establishment’s Google Overview. Here you will find their website, phone number, location, reviews, and user questions. If you’re lucky, sometimes other people have already asked if they are dog-friendly. If not, give them a quick call to find out.
Foursquare
Foursquare is a free app that uses your location to find nearby restaurants. You can filter by type of food, operating hours, price, and even if they have outdoor seating!
If you’re looking for a place for you and the pup to eat, filter by places with outdoor seating. Check if there is any mention of dogs being welcome and if not just give them a ring to find out if their patio is open to dogs.
BringFido.com
BringFido.com just might be a dog owner’s favorite website. Not only can you search by your location to find dog-friendly restaurants near you, but you can find dog-friendly hotels, activities, and events!
Most places on the website have reviews and ratings from other dog owners. This makes it easy to find out if an establishment is a good fit for you and the dog before you head out!
Found Somewhere Great?
No matter where you and your pooch end up heading for a meal, don’t forget your car seat cover from 4Knines! 4Knines offers a variety of cargo covers, rear seat covers, and front seat covers. No matter where your dog likes to ride in the car, we’ve got you covered!
Our seat covers for dogs are designed to withstand nails, dirt, fur, mud… and pretty much anything else! Don’t believe us? Check out some of our product reviews! Plus, all of our products come with a no-hassle, lifetime guarantee. Our mission is to make traveling with your best friend as easy and mess-free as possible, which means providing the highest quality covers on the market.