The Most Dog-Friendly Restaurant in America

Posted by Billy Francis

What does it take to be the most dog-friendly restaurant in America? The editorial team at BringFido has selected 10 lip-smacking nominees for this drool-worthy achievement. These culinary candidates make four-legged diners feel at home, offer delicious dog menus, feature awesome places to play off leash, and more.

Rather than anoint the top dog ourselves, the winner will be chosen by “pupular” vote. Read on to see how these restaurants go above and beyond to make every pup’s visit a mouthwatering one. Then, vote for your favorite by June 24, 2022. The winner will be announced the following week.

The Island Cow

Sanibel, FL
“Give me a minute for my meal to digest first.” Photo by BringFido/Melissa Halliburton

Reserve a table for breakfast, lunch, or dinner on the pet-friendly patio at The Island Cow. From Florida stone crabs to patty melts and chicken fajita sandwiches, this much-loved eatery on beautiful Sanibel has an eclectic menu for human diners, but it caters to canines, too. If you’re visiting for breakfast, order your best friend Daisy’s Day Break, a delicious mix of scrambled egg and bacon. Don’t worry if you miss the cut off for the first meal of the day. Bella’s Burger, Hank’s Hot Dog and Chewy’s Chicken are available during lunch and dinner. Pups who order from the Happy Hound Menu all receive a Frisbee to play with at nearby Gulfside City Park.

Dawg Park Gourmet Grill

“Fido at the head of the table, of course.” Photo by Facebook.com/dawgparkgrill

Dawg Park Gourmet Grill goes one step beyond dog-friendly with pooch-themed decor and both indoor and outdoor dining for four-legged guests. Reflecting the diversity of the canine community, the menu includes unusual eats like a tempura battered Ninja Dawg and an avocado topped California Dawg. While you chow down on a unique hot dog, Fido can enjoy a rice bowl made just for him, topped with chicken or beef. Before you pay the bill, snap a memorable picture of your pup inside the astroturfed Puppy Playground.

Boris & Horton

New York, NY
“This is why we call ahead, Mom.” Photo by Facebook.com/borisandhorton

Boris & Horton is sending the call out to hip hounds in the East Village who want to work remotely with other mutts. This bright and spacious cafe serves flavorful coffee roasts and tantalizing pastries that can be enjoyed in a designated dog-friendly indoor section. Or, soak in the atmosphere on the pet-friendly patio outside. In addition to food and drink, buy branded swag and delicious treats for your best friend to enjoy.

The Forge

Carmel, CA
“The only restaurant I’m willing to get wet for.” Photo by BringFido/Pam

Located in Carmel, The Forge rolls out the red carpet for people and pups making a stop on a Pacific Coast road trip. Dine with your pooch on the Dog Pound Patio. While you enjoy eclectic international cuisine, he can snack on Plain Ol’ Kibble or the heartier Hot Diggity Dog, Quarter Hounder or chicken strips. If you really want to spoil him, treat Fido to a Good Dog grilled and sliced New York steak. Traveling Terriers who enjoy John Steinbeck’s adventures with his best friend Charley will be interested to hear that his seminal American novel, "The Grapes of Wrath," was reportedly inspired here.

The Shacks Dining & Dog Park

The Colony, TX
Is this the best view on the planet? Photo by Facebook.com/theshacksaustinranch

Pay a visit to The Shacks Dining & Dog Park, home to not one, but six restaurants attached to a shared off-leash area. From ramen, burgers and tacos to coffee, "grrrowlers" and more, this unique dining experience has something for everyone, so there’s no need to argue about where to go for dinner. Enjoy your food and drink of choice on the large open-air patio that overlooks a one-acre dog park under the shade of oak trees. Bacon’s Dog Park is divided into a section for small and large canines. Both areas are equipped with agility equipment and benches where humans can rest while the pups play.

Pub Dog Colorado

Colorado Springs, CO
“I think that bowl is mine!” Photo by BringFido/Kailee

Pub Dog Colorado welcomes leashed pups inside the restaurant and on the outdoor patio. Food is served counter-service style (in dog bowls!), and the restaurant boasts an impressive canine menu. Order the Dog Pile Nachos for yourself and choose from a Pupsicle, Puppy Patty, Bacon, Bark Bowl or Celery and Carrots for Fido. He can burn off the calories at Pub Dog Colorado’s private 3,000-square-foot fenced dog park, complete with toys to play with and plenty of other four-legged friends.

“Clean plate, cute face.” Photo by BringFido/Ian

If you’re searching for a five-star dining experience complete with five-bone goodies for your pup, head to Posana in downtown Asheville. The restaurant’s cuisine is based on locally sourced and sustainable ingredients, so their menu changes regularly. What doesn’t change is the outstanding quality of their food, which includes some truly drool-worthy puppy chow. Your furry foodie can start her feast with two homemade biscuits. For the entree, she can choose between the grilled Carolina bison burger, grilled chicken breast or Doggie Beefloaf, all served over quinoa. Her epic doggie meal will end with a scoop of bacon soy ice cream.

Tin Shed Garden Cafe

Portland, OR
“Mush love!” Photo by @captainandtony

Tin Shed Garden Cafe invites dogs to enjoy a meal on the cozy covered patio year-round. The Shed’s famous Fido Food is a home-cooked dish of sweet potatoes and chicken that pups love, but be sure your pooch saves room for a serving of the Doggy Dessert: peanut butter banana ice cream with yogurt and a dog biscuit. For humans, there’s the Tim Curry, a hearty combination of roasted sweet potato, seasonal greens, veggies and tofu in a yellow curry sauce topped with avocado, raisins, and peanuts.

Mutts Canine Cantina

Dallas, TX
“I don’t think that’s for sitting on.” Photo by Facebook.com/MuttsCanineCantina

Go for lunch and stay for an afternoon of fun at MUTTS Canine Cantina. Dine on the outdoor patio and try a MUTTS Original Chicken Sandwich and wash it down with a Barkarita. While your pooch sits by your side, order him a Pupsicle made of beef broth, peanut butter and a bone, or a Doggie Dog beef frank. Then, let him loose in the one-acre off-leash dog park, which features separate areas for large and small dogs. Attendants are on duty to pick up after pups and ensure they stay hydrated.

Snow Eater Brewing Company

Liberty Lake, WA
“Don’t eat yellow snow!” Photo by @phe_tom_enon

Snow Eater Brewing Company is touted as the place where “beer and adventure collide.” Head to the dog-friendly patio, equipped with cooling misters for summer and warming heaters during winter. There, sip a Sunrise Park Hazy IPA and chow down on a tasty Chicken and Waffle Sandwich, while Fido devours Snow Eater's signature “chew”cuterie board. This epic offering looks just like a charcuterie board from a fine dining restaurant, except it’s covered in carefully curated chews and treats. Be sure to toast with Fido and his Dog Beer, a glass of bone broth topped with whipped cream.

Vote Now

Now it’s time to cast your vote for the Most Dog-Friendly Restaurant in America. Click here to make your selection by June 24, 2022. And then share this article with fellow dog lovers. The winner will be announced the following week.

Do you have a favorite dog-friendly restaurant that didn’t make our top 10 list? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by Facebook.com/MuttsCanineCantina.