14 Must-Try Dog Friendly Restaurants in Austin
Austin, Texas, is a city that truly understands the love and companionship we share with our furry friends. From parks to patios, there are plenty of places in Austin that welcome dogs with open arms. In this guide, we’ll explore the best dog-friendly restaurants in Austin, where you can enjoy a delicious meal while your canine companion is by your side. So grab your leash and let’s dive into the top spots for you and your four-legged friend.
Sunny’s Backyard: A Vegan Pub with a Cause
Located in East Austin, Sunny’s Backyard is a vegan pub that not only caters to dog lovers but also supports animal rescues. The pub’s owner named the establishment after their own pup, showcasing their dedication to all four-legged creatures. At Sunny’s Backyard, you can indulge in delicious Asian-inspired comfort food like the Korean Fried Chicken made without any chickens and the Backyard Burger made with an Impossible patty. The massive patio area is perfect for you and your dog to enjoy a meal together while supporting a great cause.
Austin Eastciders: More Than Just Booze
Known for its delicious ciders, Austin Eastciders in Barton Springs offers more than just refreshing beverages. This dog-friendly restaurant features an all-day dining menu with salads, pizzas, sandwiches, and even kolaches. Whether you’re craving a specialty coffee or a cold cider, the massive outdoor terrace provides the perfect setting for you and your pup to relax and enjoy your meal. Austin Eastciders also frequently supports organizations that find homes for furry friends, so you can feel good about dining here.
Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden: Where Dogs and Drinks Collide
Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden in South Austin is a hidden gem that has something for everyone. With great caffeine options, boozy cocktails, and a misted outdoor area, you’ll be in dog-friendly paradise. The food trucks on-site, including Leroy and Lewis, Tommy Want Wingy, and Pueblo Viejo, serve up delicious snacks and mains to pair with your frozen drink in the summer. The spacious seating, kid-friendly atmosphere, and blazing fire pits in the winter make Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden a must-visit spot for you and your furry friend.
The Cavalier ATX: When Dogs Can Go to Work
The Cavalier ATX in East Austin has taken dog-friendly to a whole new level with their genius puppy payroll program. When you visit this establishment, simply write your dog’s name and your Instagram handle on a punch card and ask the bartender to “clock” your dog in. With repeated visits, you can earn free goodies like complimentary snacks, cocktails, or beers. The Cavalier ATX also offers a little pooch prize pack and even features a photo mounted behind the bar for the dog that shows up the most. With two covered patios, free treats for your pet, and an all-hours dog policy, it’s easy for your dog to go to “work” with you at The Cavalier ATX.
Batch Craft Beer + Kolaches: A Hidden Gem in Cherrywood
Tucked away in the Cherrywood neighborhood, Batch Craft Beer + Kolaches is a dog-friendly restaurant that offers a unique dining experience. Known for their creative kolaches made with delicious sausage from Micklethwait Craft Meats, Batch Craft Beer + Kolaches is a great place to satisfy your cravings. The drink selection is outstanding, with beer and wine on draft and additional crafty selections available in a glass-fronted cooler. The patio area provides ample seating, shade, and even a large natural area for your four-legged friend to explore.
Sour Duck Market: Casual Charm and Culinary Delights
Sour Duck Market in East Austin is a dog-friendly establishment that exudes casual charm. This full bakery, coffee shop, bar, and restaurant is committed to supporting local farms and producers. The huge shaded patio is the perfect playground for your pup while you indulge in a range of delicious food options. From fun snacks like tater tots with deviled egg dip to a fried/smoked half chicken, Sour Duck Market has something for everyone. Don’t forget to try their frosty beers, cocktails on tap, and wine, all available at happy hour prices three days a week.
Nomadic Beerworks: A Haven for Beer Lovers and Dogs
If you’re a beer lover and a dog owner, Nomadic Beerworks in South Austin is a must-visit spot. Founded by two brothers with a love for travel, this brewery offers a variety of inventive beers that rotate through the taps. From a blackberry orange blossom sour to a raspberry milkshake IPA, there’s always something new and exciting to try. With a nitro cold brew on tap, morning pastries, and solid WiFi, Nomadic Beerworks is a great place to enjoy a beer while spending quality time with your furry companion.
Fresa’s South First: Tex-Mex with a Dog-Friendly Patio
Formerly known as Freddies, Fresa’s South First is a popular spot for dog lovers in Austin. This dog-friendly restaurant has a massive patio where you can enjoy Tex-Mex cuisine and sip on their famous prickly pear margarita. While dogs are only allowed on the patio for safety reasons, you can still treat your furry friend to a tasty treat. With family-style plates and a vibrant atmosphere, Fresa’s South First is a great place to relax and enjoy a meal with your dog.
Home Slice Pizza: A Slice of Heaven for Dogs and Pizza Lovers
Home Slice Pizza is an Austin favorite, and luckily, they welcome dogs on their patios. With two locations on South Congress and North Loop, Home Slice Pizza offers ample space for you and your dog to enjoy a meal. The patios are equipped with misters to keep you and your pup cool on hot days. While you indulge in a delicious slice of pizza, your canine companion can relax in the fenced-in, turfed play area at the North Loop location. Whether you’re craving pizza or antipasti, Home Slice Pizza is a dog-friendly restaurant that won’t disappoint.
Butterfly Bar/Patrizi’s: Old Austin Vibes and Italian Delights
For a taste of old Austin, head to the Butterfly Bar/Patrizi’s in Cherrywood. This unique establishment combines a theater, bar, and Italian food truck to create a truly memorable experience. With patio lights, a small stage, and mismatched tables and chairs, the ambiance is enchanting. Savor a signature infused cocktail or carafe of sangria alongside delightfully truffle-y popcorn or homemade pasta from Patrizi’s. Keep an eye on the calendar for trivia nights, movies, and special performances while you and your dog enjoy the atmosphere.
Revelry on the Boulevard: A Pub Grub Haven for Dogs
Revelry on the Boulevard is a dog-friendly restaurant with two locations on East 6th and North Lamar. Known for its love of dogs, Revelry has participated in Dog Restaurant Week and even had its own Pups of Revelry Instagram account. While they offer house-made treats for your furry friend, the menu mainly caters to humans with elevated pub grub. Indulge in dishes like smoked salmon carpaccio, honey-sriracha glazed crispy wings, and mouthwatering burgers. With happy hour deals and wing offers on game nights, Revelry is the perfect spot to enjoy a meal with your dog.
El Mercado South: Tex-Mex, Music, and Dog-Friendly Patios
El Mercado South is a Tex-Mex restaurant in South Austin that knows how to cater to dog owners. With two dog-friendly patios and a playscape, this establishment ensures that all family members, including the furry ones, are welcome. During “Yappy Hour,” dogs receive free treats, and a special menu is available upon request for your hungry hound. El Mercado South offers live music, bargain margaritas, and a menu filled with OG Austin Tex-Mex dishes. Before you go, make sure to check out their specials and parameters for a truly memorable dining experience.
The Buzz Mill: A Rustic Hideaway for Dogs and Lumberjacks
The Buzz Mill on Riverside is a unique 24-hour establishment that combines a lumberjack aesthetic with a bar and coffee shop. With its rustic charm and cabin in the woods vibes, The Buzz Mill is a popular spot for dog owners. Enjoy a cup of coffee, infused cocktail, kombucha, or craft beer while sitting on the patio surrounded by other dog-loving patrons. The food trucks on-site serve excellent fare, with many options being vegan-friendly. Whether you’re looking for a casual hangout spot, free WiFi, or a chance to learn survival skills at the Lumber Society Survival Series, The Buzz Mill has it all.
The Git Out: A Dog-Friendly Addition to South Austin
With a dog in its logo, The Git Out in South Austin proudly embraces its dog-friendly atmosphere. The patio is open to canine companions, complete with free treats and water bowls to keep your pup happy and hydrated. This zero-waste establishment has seamlessly blended into the South Austin neighborhood, offering crafty cocktails and comfort-food fare like “pork popcorn” and trash fries. The friendly staff and familiar ambiance make The Git Out a welcoming spot for you and your four-legged friend.
In conclusion, Austin is a city that truly understands the bond between humans and their dogs. With a wide range of dog-friendly restaurants to choose from, you can enjoy a delicious meal while your furry companion is right there by your side. Whether you prefer vegan cuisine, Tex-Mex delights, or a slice of pizza, there’s a dog-friendly restaurant in Austin that will cater to both your taste buds and your pup’s needs. So why leave your best friend at home when you can explore the best dog-friendly restaurants in Austin together?
Going to all these restaurants and bars is truly the best way to enjoy your dog. If you need any help working towards that goal, let us know! We’d love to help you and your pup explore Austin together.