Pet friendly restaurants in New York

The only part about going out to eat that I absolutely despise, is having to leave my pet behind. I am sure every pet owner can relate, even when you are outside you can’t fully enjoy it because you’re thinking about how your pup is alone at home, sometimes making you wonder why more restaurants aren’t pet friendly. Well, times certainly are changing, more restaurants are starting to be accommodative of pets and many new pet-friendly establishments have begun to surface the streets of New York. 

Presenting to you some of the best pet-friendly restaurants in NYC.

The Wilson 

The Wilson is a delightful seafood restaurant that serves classic interpretations of high-quality, northeastern style seafood. The Wilson is one of the best dog friendly restaurants NYC has to offer, it is beloved by both pets and pet owners. Known for their outdoor seating, delightful ambience, hospitable staff and of course delicious food, The Wilson is a spot frequented by many of New York’s puppers. The staff are as fond of dogs as you are, they are incredibly welcoming and accommodative. The best part about this restaurant is that your pup will surely enjoy their time there given that they most definitely will encounter some of their furry friends and it is a great environment for dogs to socialize with each other! 

The Wilson is definitely super accommodative of pets but not without some ground rules. Your pup must always be on leash. Only the dog food listed in the menu can be served to your dog including water. The dogs cannot eat off of the owner’s plates, or glasses. If your pup has any dietary restrictions talk to your server and let them know how they can best accommodate your dog. Dogs must eat and drink on the floor, they are not allowed on furniture or tables. Also, make sure your pet is potty-trained. If they pee on property, you will be asked to leave, step outside with your dog if they need to go. 

Barking Dog- Dog Friendly Cafe NYC

As the name suggests, this cafe in Manhattan is all the hype! It is widely known across New York as one of the best dog-friendly restaurants. The story behind Barking Dog is so wholesome, the owner who is an immigrant from Europe, opened it with the simple idea of creating a friendly neighborhood restaurant where both people and their dogs felt at home. The Barking Dog was largely inspired by the vibrant energy of New York City, and the dog-friendly atmosphere. The Barking Dog is one of the best dog friendly restaurants midtown NYC has to offer. 

Oh and did I mention that they are known for their juicy and delicious burgers? Their burgers are delicious, flavourful and among the best in New York. 

Enjoy a comfortable atmosphere on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, relish on some of the best casual American cuisine. At the Barking Dog you will surely encounter some of the best and most cooperative staff, but there are some ground rules for you and your pup to follow. Only take a well trained dog outside, make sure they are always on leash and at a safe distance from fellow diners so as to not disrupt anyone. You will not be able to tie the leash to any restaurant furniture including the chairs and tables. Try to keep your pup off of the paths of the servers and other customers as much as you can. Bringing some high-value treats to ensure that your pup has a good and relaxed time while dining out.

Boris & Horton 

Boris and Horton is a pet-friendly hot spot in the East Village and has been the talk of the town since the day it opened. Boris and Horton is one of the best dog friendly restaurants in Manhattan, it is also the very first dog-friendly cafe in the East Village. This spot has become a frequent favorite of New York’s puppers and has become a safe and indoor haven for dogs to have fun. Boris and Horton also makes for a great spot for your dog to socialize with others. 

The cafe is a great place to chill with your pup and also serves up some delicious treats for them to enjoy! And if your pup really enjoyed the treats, you can also purchase them for them to enjoy everyday! 

The most unique and probably the best thing about this spot is that they are the first cafe in New York where dogs are allowed inside! They host plenty of adoption events, fundraisers and other pet-related events throughout the year. The establishment is home to two of their very own pups, whom the restaurant is named after, Boris, a pitbull terrier mix and Horton an adorable mystery breed! 

Ollie’s Ice Cream + Stuff

Ollie’s is one of the best dog friendly restaurants Brooklyn offers to New York’s puppers. It is a typical quirky Brooklyn spot. If your doggy has a sweet tooth, this is the perfect place! Don’t worry, Ollie’s also has a splendid assortment of sweet treats for humans as well. The ice creams are specially made for dogs from apples, peanut butter, bananas and crushed milk bones. 

Ollie’s is the perfect place to visit for a once-in-a-while sweet treat for your pup. As for humans, this is the spot to enjoy ice cream with a friend late at night, and the shop itself is so interactive and fun, stop in for ice cream and a fun game with your besties! 

Judy Z’s 

Judy Z’s is another great place to hangout with your furry best friend, enjoy their delicious american pub specials while pup gets to relish on the special’s from their dog menu. The restaurant takes pride in being all about vintage-modernism and gives off homely and comforting vibes. The food will make you feel right at home. 

During good weather, enjoy the beautiful outdoor patio with your furry friend and the both of you can enjoy seasonal drinks and special puppy food! It is also one of the few dog-friendly bars in New York that also offers a special menu for dogs. 

It is also a great place to host events. The space and overall atmosphere makes it great for gatherings and occasions. 

Tips for Dining With Your Special Paw-son

• Make Sure Your Furry Friend is Well Behaved 

You deserve to have a good time hanging out with your pet, and so does everyone else. If your pup isn’t trained yet or is known to be hyper around people, it may not be the right time to visit a public space with them since even the pup themself would be quite uncomfortable and unhappy. 

• Leash Up

It is pretty obvious for a multitude of reasons that you cannot let your dog off-leash in restaurants or cafes. Although a few dog friendly NYC restaurants encourage you let your pets off leash, most places don’t normally allow it as there are other customers trying to enjoy a meal as well. 

• Choose Your Seat Wisely 

If your dog is trained but still gets restless around a crowd, you can scout the restaurant and pick a corner where your dog is comfortable and nobody else in the restaurant would be disturbed. Calling ahead and checking with restaurants about seating can really help in this case. Besides, most restaurants do not allow pets on seats, so you should choose a spot where your dog can be quite comfortable on the floor. 

• Take Care of Business

You certainly don’t want your little one to pee or poop at a communal eating area. Even if your pup is potty trained, make sure you’ve taken care of business before you dine out.

Winding Up: 

It is so nice to see an increasing number of dog friendly restaurants in New York City. As a pet owner myself I am always excited to try out new places and exciting new food items for my little one. 

These New York restaurants are not only for your pets and that is my favorite thing about it, you can enjoy a delicious meal without having to compromise on your dog’s comfort or habits. 

A visit to a cute and quirky pet cafe like Boris and Horton can make for a cute and memorable day with your dog, nothing makes me more happy than seeing my puppy wagging his tail and sticking his tongue out because of excitement. 

So, what are you waiting for? Go, have a blast with your furry buddy in any of these amazing restaurants!

Aysh shams