Now that the weather is warming up and more folks are getting their COVID vaccinations, dining out with friends is becoming more popular again. If your best friend is a fur baby, locating a dog friendly restaurant is a top priority.
How to Find a Dog Friendly Restaurant
Our favorite resource for finding local dog friendly eateries in the US is Bring Fido.
No matter where you live or travel to, this easy-to-use online resource will direct you to a nearby coffee shop, cafe, brewpub, or restaurant that welcomes your pup for outdoor dining. Simply enter the name of a city into the search bar and click “Fetch.” Bring Fido will return a collection of dog friendly dining options, along with menu descriptions, business hours, addresses, phone numbers, reviews, and website links.
Our Top Dog Friendly Eateries in the West
Puppy Panache is based in Newport Beach, California, so we’ve had some opportunity to put Bring Fido to the test. Here are some of our favorite dog friendly restaurants in the Western US:
Las Brisas – This classic Southern California eatery offers outdoor seating that overlooks the gorgeous Laguna Beach coastline. The menu features sea-to-table specialties infused with the flavors of Mexico. Here we are, enjoying the sunshine, fresh air, and unbeatable views.
Wilma’s Patio – Looking for casual dining in Newport Beach? You can’t beat the home-style cooking and hospitality of this family-owned restaurant, located just steps from the beach on Balboa Island.
LULU California Bistro – If brunch is your favorite meal, you won’t want to miss Lulu’s three-course weekend brunch. It will set you back a mere $20 bucks. Bonus: their easy-breezy outdoor seating provides plenty of people-watching opportunities in downtown Palm Springs.
Boozehound – Slated for opening on April 27, this globally-inspired bar and restaurant in Palm Springs will boast a 1,168-square-foot glass atrium and 2,020-square-foot outdoor lounge. Better yet, it will offer menu options for dogs, including the Weenie-Tini, featuring chicken broth, chicken whipped cream with a doggie biscuit crumble. They will also host pet adoption drives with the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.
Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar – Las Vegas’ top dog-friendly eatery has dozens of locations in 7 states, and dogs get their own menu. Bowls of water are free, but begging, barking, and biting are discouraged.
Shhhh…. Secret Dog Menus
Speaking of menu options for dogs – did you know there is a secret Starbucks dog menu featuring the Puppuccino? But that’s not all. Here are 14 chains and 25 restaurants offering menu items for dogs. Try them out and tag us on social with #PuppyPanache!
Can I Dine Indoors With My Dog?
You have probably noticed that all of these dog-friendly diners offer outdoor-only options. This is because health codes don’t allow dogs inside restaurants.
The exception is service animals, which are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Even then, it’s important to remember that some people are allergic to dogs, afraid of them, or simply prefer not to be around pets while they are eating. In addition, some religions discourage followers from touching dogs or interacting with them.
So please keep your furry friend on a leash, and keep a close eye on them to ensure they are not interfering with the enjoyment of other diners. Also remember that different states have different rules for outdoor dining with your dog. In fact, only nine states explicitly allow Fido on restaurant patios, while Virginia now allows dogs at breweries and wine tasting rooms.
Dressing Up for Dining Out
Another important factor is making sure our four-legged friends are ready for their next public dining outing. Whether you’re fine dining al fresco or just grabbing a snack on the sidewalk, you’ll want to make a good impression.
Our bling-heavy Puppy Panache Collections are the perfect solution. The shiny metal studs never fail to impress, and the Swarovski crystals twinkle like stars in the Spring sunshine.
“Bone” appetit!