There’s no shame in admitting you’d rather hang out with a dog than an actual human being. After all, they’re playful, loving, and make you feel like the most important person in the world, no matter how many of your socks they destroy on a daily basis. And when you want to show them off, a restaurant patio is always the way to go. Here are 18 great spots for hanging with your pooch—while also getting a good meal in the process.
THE SPOTS
There are few things more healing than sitting by a crackling fire, sipping a drink, and petting your most loyal friend in the world (we mean your dog, of course). That’s why you need to head to Benny Boy Brewing. The massive, dog-friendly space includes a separate taproom and cider house, but you’ll probably be spending most of your time out in the outdoor beer garden, complete with string lights, tree stumps, and those aforementioned fire pits. Check their calendar for nightly food pop-ups.
The second location of Pine & Crane is the rare sequel that’s even better than the original. It’s an all-day cafe, market, and cocktail destination all wrapped up in a massive space that's easy on the eyes—and perfect for your canine companion. We particularly love the covered patio and the fact that they supply little water bowls as well. If you’re there for brunch, don’t miss the thousand-layer pancakes, or the adjacent dog park for a post-meal runaround.
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A weekend pizza party is always a good thing, but a weekend pizza party with dogs involved? That’s heaven, and one of the many reasons to never turn down an evening at De La Nonna. This pan-style pizza shop in the Arts District is essentially one giant patio with plenty of tables for you, your friends, and your dog. Get the white pie with sweet potato, fennel, and pesto.
Heavy Handed, one of our favorite burger trucks in the city for years, now has a full brick-and-mortar on Main St. in Santa Monica. The space is essentially just a walk-up window, but there’s a big front patio perfect for eating delicious smashburgers and letting your four-legged roommate steal the hearts of every person who walks past.
Your dog has been your emotional rock this year, so reward her with a trip out of town and up into the Santa Monica Mountains. The Old Place is a historic saloon with some of our favorite comfort food in town, and it’s now available via a pick-up window on the property. So pick up a steak sandwich, grab a table, and enjoy the great outdoors with the only soul who’s never hurt you.
Lady Byrd Cafe
Sure, your dog isn’t above eating other dogs’ poop, but deep down, you know he’s still a fancy boy. So take him to Lady Byrd. The new all-day cafe in Echo Park has one of the coolest pandemic-proof patios in town, complete with mini-greenhouses that make the place look like an English garden.
Plain and simple, Hatchet Hall’s parking lot patio is one of the most impressive in town. There’s umbrellas, heat lamps, foliage, and plenty of room in between tables for your dog to live their best life. Every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, Hatchet Hall hosts a fantastic Low Country boil that’s sure to be your dog’s social event of the season.
After taking your dog out to Malibu for a canyon hike, you’re both exhausted and quite hungry. Go refuel at Broad Street Oyster Co. Located behind the Malibu Country Mart, this East Coast-style seafood shack has excellent seafood (the lobster roll alone is worth the drive out), a low-key crowd, and big new patio in their parking lot.
Though this Baja-style Mexican restaurant in Frogtown has gone through a number of chef changes over the years, one thing remains the same—its patio is one of the best you’ll find in LA. The entirely dog-friendly space is adorned with plenty of shade and even a gravel area out front in case of an unexpected bathroom emergency.
Sycamore Kitchen continues to be one of the best weekday lunch spots in town, and with its big front patio, your four-legged soulmate gets to tag along as well. On sunny days, it can get hot out there, but the waitstaff does a great job of making sure both of your water bowls are full at all times. You’re eating the spicy Vietnamese salad or cured salmon toast, while your dog gets to be the talk of La Brea.
Superba is large and bright with a side patio where all the canine action goes down. As far as the food goes, there really isn’t a bad order, but you should definitely give considerable attention to the pastry counter—those morning buns and “everything” croissants are life-changing. Also life-changing? The pictures you’ll take of Georgie while he’s wearing his fedora.
You were staring into your dog’s eyes earlier today and it hit you - he deserves the world. What better way to show your appreciation for his unconditional love than taking him to the most dog-friendly restaurant in LA: The Morrison. The Atwater gastropub doesn’t just have a great front patio for your pooch, they have an entire “Doggy Menu” where the bone selections come out on a silver platter. That’s real. For you, the burger is the way to go, but unfortunately it just comes out on a regular plate.
You and Duke have had a total Eastside day, walking along the LA River bike path, flirting with each other, and building up a strong appetite. The obvious move is to head to Alcove. The all-day Los Feliz standby has a massive outdoor patio, meaning Duke has all the space in the world to spread out and have himself a Saturday. The sandwiches and salads are all solid enough, but don’t leave without getting a slice of cheesecake to-go.
There are very few things more naturally euphoric to humans than beer and dogs, and at Golden Road, you get them both at the same time. There’s a large outdoor space covered in fake grass for the dogs, a shaded “doggie deck,” complimentary dog beds, plenty of water bowls, and even dog biscuits by the bag. And, of course, all the Golden Road brews for you.
Your dog’s a star. You know, she knows it, we all know it. And there’s no better place to give her the attention she deserves than at Joan’s on Third. The 3rd St. marketplace is still one of the most popular lunch spots in Beverly Grove with an expanded patio full of people giving your little princess her moment in the spotlight. As for you, you’re already knee-deep in one of their excellent salads.
You and Bingo killed it at Griffith Park today, but you both need some cold water and a snack fast. The Trails sits at the base of Griffith, and is the ideal spot to recharge in a low-key atmosphere if you aren’t feeling comfortable with the brunch chaos of Los Feliz. It’s essentially just a walk-up window in a little cabin, but the menu is surprisingly solid, and the avocado sandwich is a real must-order.
There’s really no better feeling in the world than a day at the beach with your BFF/dog. And after a few hours of frolicking in the sand at one the most underrated beaches in LA (Dockweiler), you’re both looking for some quick R&R. Playa Provisions is an excellent all-day restaurant with a large new parking lot patio perfect for eating pastries and loving your dog unconditionally.
One of our favorite Valley bars, Blue Dog Tavern is a low-key neighborhood spot essentially under the 405 in Sherman Oaks, and among the most dog-friendly spots in town. We’ve never been there when there haven’t been other dogs on the front patio (a huge selling point, to be honest), so you’ll never feel like that one person who brought their dog to the bar. There’s plenty of space on the patio, lots of water bowls, and even dog-safe burger patties.
