Celebrate the “howlidays” by indulging in a festive feast without the guilt of a jealous pup eyeing your plate. Reserve a table at one of these dog-friendly restaurants where Fido can enjoy his own merry spread.
Howliday Menus For Santa's Little Helper
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Doggie Brunch at Terrestrial Brewing Company
Each Sunday throughout the year, Fido is invited to Doggie Brunch at Terrestrial Brewing Company. But on Sunday, December 14, the Cleveland brewery welcomes four-legged patrons to Grinchmas Doggie Brunch. In collaboration with Spoiled Boss Dog, Terrestrial will be serving a special canine menu with delicious holiday items your pup is sure to love. The Grinch himself will even make an appearance for photos. While Fido’s chowing down, you can enjoy a pint with biscuits and gravy or breakfast tots. If you can’t make it for Grinchmas, plan to attend NYE Doggie Brunch on December 28 instead.
Stay close to the brewery at this cozy home near Lake Michigan. If you’re in town for New Year's Eve, head to the rooftop and watch fireworks over the skyline of Cleveland, or cuddle up with Fido beneath the cozy igloo.
Skillets Cafe & Grill
While humans enjoy breakfast favorites served in porcelain skillets, two-legged diners celebrating the season at Skillets Cafe & Grill can dig into Tail Wagging Turkey and all the fixin’s. Described as “more than a holiday feast,” this marvelous meal combines sauteed turkey with brown rice, pureed peas and carrots, low-fat yogurt, wheat germ and olive oil. If your Terrier prefers something other than turkey, Bugsy’s Beef & Barley is a beautiful blend that’s bound to fill your pup up.
For the “pawfect” place for Fido to finish his leftovers, reserve a ground-floor room at Holiday Inn Express Hilton Head Island. Before bedtime, go for a sunset stroll on the paved trails at nearby Coligny Beach Park.
Judy Z's Sports Tavern & Kitchen
Just like “howliday” gatherings at homes around the world, Fido can eat, drink and be merry at Judy Z's Sports Tavern & Kitchen. The Furbaby Cafe menu boasts The Grrrrrilla, featuring grilled chicken, sweet potatoes and string beans; Mutt-Loaf with lean ground beef, peas, carrots, panko, rice and steamed veggies; or The Saluki Tzu, Alaskan salmon and steamed rice. Pups can wash their meal of choice down with Pooch Hooch, Dog-Pawrignon or Fetchme Grigio. Meanwhile, humans can try the 50 Yarder Burger, truffle lobster mac n’ cheese, or pulled pork sliders.
Book a room at Hotel Hugo, where you and your pup can doze off together after your big holiday meal. While you’re in the neighborhood, pick up last-minute gifts for furry friends from PupCulture SoHo and DoggyStyleNYC.
Dogue
If you’re planning a weekend in dog-friendly San Francisco during the holidays, swing by Dogue, where they’re reimagining a dog’s dinner. This fine-dining canine restaurant doesn’t have human items on the menu, but instead boasts human-grade, French-inspired courses that use local organic, seasonal ingredients. Push the boat out for your Boxer this holiday season with a menu that features wild game meats, grass-fed beef, seafood and goat dairy, and like a true “grr-met” experience, changes depending on what’s in season. For dessert, order a Parisian pastry and “dogguccino.” When you see your pup’s plate, you’ll be the one salivating for once.
Head into the city to Laurel Inn, which makes a great base camp for people hoping to get a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. This boutique inn is located within walking distance of a host of local parks and grassy spaces.
Twisted Laurel
Nothing says Christmas dinner like sprouts. Don’t hold it against the little green vegetables for their stinky reputation from your childhood. Modern chefs have transformed the flavorless boiled sprouts of yore into much-loved crispy creations in joints everywhere. Dogs can get in on the action at Twisted Laurel with grilled sprouts packed full of vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. The dog menu also offers asparagus, sweet potatoes, grilled trout and more. For humans, Twisted Laurel goes one step further by adding Eastern North Carolina barbecue, blue cheese, pecans and chili mayo to this delicious side dish.
Waddle back to your room around the corner at Kimpton Hotel Arras in downtown Asheville, where your pooch can finish up his doggy bag and enjoy his very own welcome bag, too. During your visit, swing by Biltmore Estate or the North Carolina Arboretum to check out the holiday light displays.
Boozehounds
Not all pups love the hectic nature of Christmas dinner with the extended family. “Int-Rovers” can indulge in a classic doggie TV dinner instead at Boozehounds. This alternative meal for mutts contains beef meatloaf smothered in dog treat gravy with peas and carrots on the side. Pups can follow up their main course with a refreshing gazpacho that contains watermelon, whipped cream and basil. Don’t forget to treat yourself to your own celebratory spread that includes a traditional cheese board and crispy Brussels sprouts.
Exit through the Boozehounds’ Doggy Door and head back to The Inn at Palm Springs for a comfortable night at this funky boutique hotel around the corner. Spend the next day Christmas shopping at nearby Bones-n-Scones Marketplace.
Stella of New Hope
Stella of New Hope is a dog-friendly restaurant with a view overlooking the Delaware River from the covered and heated outdoor patio. To get a special holiday ambiance, ask for a table near the decorated fireplace. While you’re working your way through festive classics like roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts, Fido will be distracted by his big bowl of ground beef, chicken or salmon with farro and peas.
Keep spreading holiday cheer with a night in twinkling downtown Philadelphia. If Fido has any room left, he can order “Mutt Loaf,” “Mutt’za Ball Soup” and more from the canine room service menu at The Rittenhouse.
The Cove Restaurant
After hitting the links with your Lhasa Apso at Peninsula Golf Course, head to The Cove Restaurant for a meaty meal as quintessentially festive as your mutt’s mistletoe-wrapped collar. Pups are welcome on the patio of this family-style restaurant that overlooks the dog-friendly course, where they can gobble down Haida’s Turkey Bites or go for a fish supper of salmon or halibut instead. People can enjoy their own turkey feast when they order The Gobbler, a house-roasted turkey sandwich, or sample something from the Christmas menu.
For an affordable post-turkey stay, check out Chautauqua Lodge. If she has any room left, your pooch can scoff down a treat at check-in. Burn off those extra calories the following morning with a hike on the Discovery Trail.
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