Guides

The best dog-friendly restaurants and cafés in Dublin

Golden retriever dog laying at his owners feet on front of an open fire in an Irish pub.

Dog-friendly dining and drinking is one of Dublin’s most significant upward trends.

Dubliners have always had a thing for pooches, but that love has grown in recent years along with a major rise in dog ownership. And when you love someone that much, you want to bring them with you - which is why so many restaurants, cafés and pubs have adopted a canine-friendly policy. Some have designated areas for your companions, others require them to be on a lead but many are happy for them to join you at your table and even cater for your pet with dog menus, treats, water bowls and dog accessories.

Here are some of the city’s best pooch-positive places to eat and drink.

Dog-friendly restaurants

Enjoy a great meal with the dog in tow at these city restaurants that are happy to cater for your canine companion. 

The Old Spot, Ballsbridge 

With a steady stream of local patrons, The Old Spot gastropub is also a firm favourite with dog owners, who come for the relaxed atmosphere and good grub. Dogs are only allowed in the front bar so be sure to ask for a table here when bringing the pooch.

Media captionSomeones eyeing up the prize.

The Dog House and Blue's Tearoom, Howth

The clue’s in the name at the seaside Dog House and Blue's Tearoom, where pups can curl up on their own double bed while you kick back in the outdoor living room with something from their extensive menu, including pizza from the wood-fired oven. The owners are bona fide dog lovers – even the place is named after their late German Shepherd ‘Blue’ so expect plenty of dog paraphernalia and pooch pampering amid the colourful, quirky decor.  

Media captionA home away from home for our furry friends at the Dog House Blues Tearoom.
Media credit@thedoghousehowth

Fumbally, Liberties

Renowned for its tasty grub and homely atmosphere, it’s no wonder dogs feel right at home at Fumbally, where they can laze on the floor at their owners’ feet or even on one of the squishy sofas. The café is spacious so there’s plenty of room to spread out, linger over the weekend papers and enjoy one of the city’s top lunches.  

Urbanity, Smithfield

Pups get a warm welcome at Urbanity, a bright and breezy café that serves an all-day breakfast and a cracking lunch menu. While they whip you up some breakfast eggs, your pup can nibble on their homemade doggy treats made from squash and other ‘good’ ingredients. They even have their own adorable mascot, a blue Staffy called ‘Fia’.  

The Orange Goat, Ballsbridge and Killester

There’s good reason why The Orange Goat clocks in as a firm favourite, with or without your furry pal. Apart from its Cloud Picker coffee and famous breakfast buns it caters well for your canine who will be greeted with fresh chicken and treats, and even some breakfast eggs should they fancy it. Go regularly enough and they might even throw your pooch a birthday party complete with presents.  

Media captionAll the cool dogs have their birthday at The Orange Goat.

Isabelle's, South Anne Street

Just a short walk from the streams of busy shoppers on Grafton Street, Isabelle's is a great spot to people-watch with your pup while chowing down on flavourful dishes. Book a table in their covered outdoor terrace and let your dog chill out as you feed your appetite with their chargrilled squid and prawns pesto linguini. 

Media captionEnjoy a bite to eat on the terrace at Isabelle's.
Media credit@0rlaaaith_

Angelina's, Baggot Street

You and your furry companion are in for a lovely, relaxing dining experience at Angelina's, where you'll find Italian dishes made with local ingredients and views overlooking the canal. Welcoming dogs of all shapes and sizes, choose between their front and back outdoor terraces (we recommend the back terrace for the best views of the canal) before sitting down to devour their selection of pizzas. Angelina's also have puppucinos on the menu so your pet won't be pestering you for a cheeky slice.

Bonobo, Smithfield

In 2023, Time Out named Smithfield as the second-coolest place on the planet so it's safe to say it has its fair share of good places to grab a bite, one of them being Bonobo. With a laid-back atmosphere, a wide selection of draft beer and signature cocktails, they provide the perfect setting for a chilled evening, whether you and your pup choose to relax inside or cosy up in front of the outdoor fireplace on the patio. 

Kodiak, Rathmines

As the younger sister of Bonobo, Kodiak brings the same great cocktails, sourdough pizza and mid-century design to Rathmines. With comfy sofa nooks, wooden canteen-style tables and benches, plus super high ceilings, there are plenty of places to curl up with your pup as you dine.

Media captionTry out the incredible pizzas at Kodiak with your pet.

Table 45, Hogan's Place

Recently opened in early 2024, Table 45 is the joined venture of husbands Dan Kavanagh, Dan Rivera and their fur baby Ella. Since they live just above the restaurant, they wanted to make the space an extension of their home so, it's fitting that Table 45 welcomes humans and dogs alike. Book a table for you and your dog, and feast your eyes on their wide menu of South American tapas dishes, or attend one of their regular puppy clubs and paw parades to introduce your pup to Ella and other dogs in this neck of the woods. 


Dog-friendly cafés

Little Bird, Portobello

When you’re finished your downward dog at Little Bird’s yoga studio, order yourself a healthy lunch from the stellar menu where the focus is vegetarian with plenty of colour and twist. The buzz here is casual, friendly and dogs, in all shapes and sizes, are welcomed with a bowl of water and a cuddle from the dog-loving staff.  

Two Pups Coffee, Liberties

As the name suggests, dogs are the guests of honour at Two Pups Coffee in the Liberties, which serves speciality coffees and a seriously good brunch menu, especially on Sundays when it becomes a regular meet-up spot for local dog-lovers. Dogs are welcome inside but the outdoor seating means your pooch can people watch too.

Media captionTwo Pups is a regular meet-up spot for local dog-lovers.
Media credit@two_pups_coffee

Ruff Café, Clanbrassil Street and DSPCA Rathfarnham

The name and the mantra at Ruff Café - ‘All dogs welcome. Humans allowed’ - says it all. For lunch try one of their tasty sandwiches while your pet muses over the doggie menu which includes pupcakes, peanut butter doughnuts, blueberry crepes, banana cookies and chicken paws. If they feel like posing for a photo, they’ll hang it on their ‘wall of fame’. 

Timbertrove Café, Rathfarnham

If you’ve worked up an appetite with a hike in the Dublin Mountains, a stop at the Timbertrove Café with your four-legged companion will hit the spot. Freshly baked scones are their specialty, but you can get soup and sandwiches, as well as pancakes and pies. Their Doggie Deal includes a ‘pupcake’ and a ‘puppucino’; a percentage of the cost is donated to the DSPCA, so you’ll be giving back while enjoying some good grub.  

Media captionTimbertrove Café is the perfect stop after a hike in the Dublin Mountains.

The Cosy Bean, Churchtown 

Regulars flock to The Cosy Bean for the almond croissants and the coffee but also for the water bowls and treats tailored to dogs. Space might be limited inside but outdoor tables mean you can chill out with the pooch on those lovely sunny days. 

Media captionGood Coffee and friendly dogs at the Cosy Bean.
Media credit@thecosybean

Dash Container, Phoenix Park

Park your food truck on the edge of the Phoenix Park and you’ve got the ideal location for a post-walk refuel. That’s the winning philosophy at Dash Container, which serves fresh smoothies and delicious ‘doorstep’ sandwiches that are perfect for a picnic with your pup. Show up on a Thursday and they’ll treat your fur baby to a complimentary puppuccino.  

Happy Out, Bull Island

There are dog bowls aplenty and puppuccinos on the menu at Happy Out on Clontarf’s Bull Island. For humans there are sensational toasties, which you can eat in the outdoor seating area on the edge of the beach with fine views of the city.  

Shoe Lane Coffee, Dún Laoghaire and Tara Street 

Following a pier walk dogs can get spoilt with treats and ear rubs from the animal-loving staff at Shoe Lane Coffee, a Dún Laoghaire stalwart that also serves up organic pastries healthy bites. The original café is on Tara Street, which was once known as ‘Shoe Lane’ because of the number of cobblers that used to populate the street. 

Media captionSavour the treats at Shoe Lane Coffee and try to leave a few crumbs for your furry friend.

Cloud Café, North Strand

For those with small pooches who are craving tasty, rustic sambos, salad bowls or desserts, head on over to Cloud Café on North Strand. Dogs on leads are welcome in both the indoor and outdoor seating areas where there are several water bowls to quench their thirsts. Before you and your buddy continue on your stroll, check out their in-house shop which boasts unique jewellery and trinkets from local artisans.

Grove Road, Rathmines

If you and your furry friend fancy a good people-watching spot, Grove Road never disappoints. Perched on the corner of Rathmines Road Lower, get comfortable on their window-facing stools and browse their menu of healthy brunch options such as their chia seed pudding and the veggie chilli hotpot. They even offer dog-friendly snacks so your dog can dine too.

Blas, Rotunda

With rotating menus covering all sorts of cuisines, you never know what you'll find at Blas. One standby is their Marrakesh Breakfast, served with free range eggs, grilled vegetables, yoghurt, Za'atar flatbread and their own hummus. If you're dog parent to a big fur baby, don't worry, dogs of all sizes are welcome in all seating areas, with plenty of water bowls available. 


Dog-friendly pubs

Fancy a quiet pint? These Dublin pubs are happy to welcome you and your canine companion with refreshments for everyone. 

Barbers Bar, Stoneybatter

According to the owners of the Barbers Bar, they’ve thrown more doggy birthday parties here than Snoop Dogg himself. But even if you’re not celebrating a doggy birthday, the red carpet is rolled out for your canine with kennels, bowls of chicken broth, doggie ‘beer’, plenty of treats and the honour of their portrait on their famed doggy wall. In their own words, they’re the dog’s boll*x.  

Media captionThe Barbers Pub is a popular location for doggy birthday parties.
Media credit@barbersbardublin

PYE, Dundrum

PYE in Dundrum has a doggy entente cordiale which comes as no surprise given it’s a sister establishment of the Barbers Bar. Bringing your pooch is hugely encouraged here, there’s even a doggy vending machine selling toys, treats and beer-biscuits, dog-themed accessories and dog beds in the lounge where your furry friend can cosy up while you enjoy a pint.  

Cat & Cage, Drumcondra 

Despite the name, pups get a warm welcome at the Cat & Cage, one of the city’s oldest watering holes. This former coach house served as a postal stop for rebels during the 1798 rebellion and was later a favourite drinking haunt of Sean O’Casey’s. These days, it welcomes dogs (and their patrons) with killer pizzas and a pint.  

Media captionFormer postal stop now doggy local, at Cat and Cage.
Media credit@nessyrua

Board, Harold’s Cross

As one of Dublin's completely non-alcoholic bars, Board's focus is on their selection of delicious mocktails, zero-percent beers and their impressive stock of new and old-school board games. Another plus is that your four-legged friend is also welcome, so grab a drink and enjoy a game of your choice with your pup by your side. 

Media captionBring out your competitive side with a game at Board.

The Bath, Bath Avenue

For rugby fans who find themselves on a long dog walk on the day of the big match, stop by The Bath to keep up-to-speed. With large TV screens inside and outside that play all the important matches, sit up with a fresh pint as you and your pet cheer on your team. 

BrewDog Dublin Outpost, Grand Canal Dock

Operating as a pub and a microbrewery, BrewDog Dublin Outpost have an impressive range of 32 craft beers on tap, plus games to keep you entertained. Whether you opt for a quiet drink in one of their red leather booths, a game of shuffleboard or a drink by the lit fire pit, your pooch can come with you wherever you go, regardless of their size. 

Mary's Bar and Hardware Shop, Wicklow Street

An old-style pub and a hardware shop all rolled into one, Mary's Bar and Hardware Shop brings rural Ireland into the city centre. Bring your dog along on a Monday night and take part in their weekly quiz. If you happen to win, reward your furry teammate with one of their dog treats on offer. 

Humphreys, Ranelagh

Set in the thick of the action in Ranelagh, Humphreys has an impressive calendar of events to fill almost every night of the week, including chess nights, quiz nights and trad sessions. Dogs are allowed in all seating areas and there's even a doggy wall of fame filled with polaroids of past canine patrons. If you find yourself craving a bite, head to the Fuppin Delish food truck in the beer garden for a platter of fresh tacos. And for your little friend, pick up some small dog treats from the bar. 

Media captionStop by Humphreys while out on your daily dog walk.
Media credit@the.dublin.doodle

Fidelity Bar, Smithfield

The brain child of The Big Romance on Parnell Street and Dublin-based brewery Whiplash, Fidelity makes for an audiophile's dream night out. Decked out with a custom audio HiFi system, listen to every beat of your favourite songs with your pet in tow and enjoy a drink (alcoholic or not) while your furry friends takes advantage of the free dog treats. 


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