The only part about going out to eat that I absolutely despise, is having to leave my pet behind. I am sure every pet owner can relate, even when you are outside you can’t fully enjoy it because you’re thinking about how your pup is alone at home, sometimes making you wonder why more restaurants aren’t pet friendly. Well, times certainly are changing, more restaurants are starting to be accommodative of pets and many new pet-friendly establishments have begun to surface the streets of New York.
Presenting to you some of the best pet-friendly restaurants in NYC.
The Wilson
The Wilson is a delightful seafood restaurant that serves classic interpretations of high-quality, northeastern style seafood. The Wilson is one of the best dog friendly restaurants NYC has to offer, it is beloved by both pets and pet owners. Known for their outdoor seating, delightful ambience, hospitable staff and of course delicious food, The Wilson is a spot frequented by many of New York’s puppers. The staff are as fond of dogs as you are, they are incredibly welcoming and accommodative. The best part about this restaurant is that your pup will surely enjoy their time there given that they most definitely will encounter some of their furry friends and it is a great environment for dogs to socialize with each other!
The Wilson is definitely super accommodative of pets but not without some ground rules. Your pup must always be on leash. Only the dog food listed in the menu can be served to your dog including water. The dogs cannot eat off of the owner’s plates, or glasses. If your pup has any dietary restrictions talk to your server and let them know how they can best accommodate your dog. Dogs must eat and drink on the floor, they are not allowed on furniture or tables. Also, make sure your pet is potty-trained. If they pee on property, you will be asked to leave, step outside with your dog if they need to go.
| Address | 132 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001 |
| Timings and opening days | Sunday-Thursday7AM-10PMFriday-Saturday7AM-12AM
Brunch Saturdays & Sundays 11AM-3PM |
| Must try | Chicken Waffles, Steak, Tuna Poke Tacos |
| Pet Menu | Grilled Steak, Grilled Chicken Breast, Wilson’s Burger, Pupsicle, Mixed Berries, House made Dog Biscuit, Sliced Apples and Cucumbers |
| Reservation | Required |
Barking Dog- Dog Friendly Cafe NYC
As the name suggests, this cafe in Manhattan is all the hype! It is widely known across New York as one of the best dog-friendly restaurants. The story behind Barking Dog is so wholesome, the owner who is an immigrant from Europe, opened it with the simple idea of creating a friendly neighborhood restaurant where both people and their dogs felt at home. The Barking Dog was largely inspired by the vibrant energy of New York City, and the dog-friendly atmosphere. The Barking Dog is one of the best dog friendly restaurants midtown NYC has to offer.
Oh and did I mention that they are known for their juicy and delicious burgers? Their burgers are delicious, flavorful and among the best in New York.
Enjoy a comfortable atmosphere on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, relish on some of the best casual American cuisine. At the Barking Dog you will surely encounter some of the best and most cooperative staff, but there are some ground rules for you and your pup to follow. Only take a well trained dog outside, make sure they are always on leash and at a safe distance from fellow diners so as to not disrupt anyone. You will not be able to tie the leash to any restaurant furniture including the chairs and tables. Try to keep your pup off of the paths of the servers and other customers as much as you can. Bringing some high-value treats to ensure that your pup has a good and relaxed time while dining out.
| Address | 1678 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10128 |
| Timings and opening days | Sunday-Thursday8AM-10PMFriday-Saturday8AM-11PM |
| Must try | Five Hour Braised Short Ribs, Burgers, Cornmeal-crusted fried calamari, an fried Chesapeake Bay crab cakes |
| Pet Menu | NA |
| Reservation | Required during peak timings, weekends. |
Boris & Horton
Boris and Horton is a pet-friendly hot spot in the East Village and has been the talk of the town since the day it opened. Boris and Horton is one of the best dog friendly restaurants in Manhattan, it is also the very first dog-friendly cafe in the East Village. This spot has become a frequent favorite of New York’s puppers and has become a safe and indoor haven for dogs to have fun. Boris and Horton also makes for a great spot for your dog to socialize with others.
The cafe is a great place to chill with your pup and also serves up some delicious treats for them to enjoy! And if your pup really enjoyed the treats, you can also purchase them for them to enjoy everyday!
The most unique and probably the best thing about this spot is that they are the first cafe in New York where dogs are allowed inside! They host plenty of adoption events, fundraisers and other pet-related events throughout the year. The establishment is home to two of their very own pups, whom the restaurant is named after, Boris, a Pitbull terrier mix and Horton an adorable mystery breed!
| Address | 195 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009 |
| Timings and opening days | Monday-Sunday8AM-7PM |
| Must try | Coffee, Baguette Sandwiches, Mamma Mia Grilled Cheese |
| Pet Menu | Doggy Frozen Yogurt, Paw’reos, Carob Donuts and more |
| Reservation | Not Required |
Ollie’s Ice Cream + Stuff
Ollie’s is one of the best dog friendly restaurants Brooklyn offers to New York’s puppers. It is a typical quirky spot. If your doggy has a sweet tooth, this is the perfect place! Don’t worry, Ollie’s also has a splendid assortment of sweet treats for humans as well. The ice creams are specially made for dogs from apples, peanut butter, bananas and crushed milk bones.
Ollie’s is the perfect place to visit for a once-in-a-while sweet treat for your pup. As for humans, this is the spot to enjoy ice cream with a friend late at night, and the shop itself is so interactive and fun, stop in for ice cream and a fun game with your besties!
| Address | 158 Irving Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237 |
| Timings and opening days | Monday-Friday5:00 PM-11:00 PM, Saturday-Sunday2:00 PM-11:00 PM |
| Must try | Oreo Shake, Brownie S’mores Ice Cream |
| Pet Menu | Pup Cup, Peanut Butter Pumpkin Butt |
| Reservation | Not Required |
Judy Z’s
Judy Z’s is another great place to hangout with your furry best friend, enjoy their delicious american pub specials while pup gets to relish on the special’s from their dog menu. The restaurant takes pride in being all about vintage-modernism and gives off homely and comforting vibes. The food will make you feel right at home.
During good weather, enjoy the beautiful outdoor patio with your furry friend and the both of you can enjoy seasonal drinks and special puppy food! It is also one of the few dog-friendly bars in New York that also offers a special menu for dogs.
It is also a great place to host events. The space and overall atmosphere makes it great for gatherings and occasions.
| Address | 1 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014 |
| Timings and opening days | Monday-Tuesday 5PM-12AM
Thursday-Friday 5PM-12AM Saturday 12PM-2AM Sunday 12PM-12AM Wednesday – Closed |
| Must try | Wings with Special Sauces, Signature Burgers, Nachos and Tacos |
| Pet Menu | Grrrilla, The Saluki Tzu, Dog Beer, Mutt-loaf, Dog Desserts |
| Reservation | Only for events |
Tips for Dining With Your Special Paw-son
1. Make Sure Your Furry Friend is Well Behaved
You deserve to have a good time hanging out with your pet, and so does everyone else. If your pup isn’t trained yet or is known to be hyper around people, it may not be the right time to visit a public space with them since even the pup themself would be quite uncomfortable and unhappy.
2. Leash Up
It is pretty obvious for a multitude of reasons that you cannot let your dog off-leash in restaurants or cafes. Although a few dog friendly NYC restaurants encourage you let your pets off leash, most places don’t normally allow it as there are other customers trying to enjoy a meal as well.
3. Choose Your Seat Wisely
If your dog is trained but still gets restless around a crowd, you can scout the restaurant and pick a corner where your dog is comfortable and nobody else in the restaurant would be disturbed. Calling ahead and checking with restaurants about seating can really help in this case. Besides, most restaurants do not allow pets on seats, so you should choose a spot where your dog can be quite comfortable on the floor.
4. Take Care of Business
You certainly don’t want your little one to pee or poop at a communal eating area. Even if your pup is potty trained, make sure you’ve taken care of business before you dine out.
Winding Up
It is so nice to see an increasing number of dog friendly restaurants in New York City. As a pet owner myself I am always excited to try out new places and exciting new food items for my little one.
These New York restaurants are not only for your pets and that is my favorite thing about it, you can enjoy a delicious meal without having to compromise on your dog’s comfort or habits.
A visit to a cute and quirky pet cafe like Boris and Horton can make for a cute and memorable day with your dog, nothing makes me more happy than seeing my puppy wagging his tail and sticking his tongue out because of excitement.
So, what are you waiting for? Go, have a blast with your furry buddy in any of these amazing restaurants!
