LAGuide
Where To Eat With Your Dog In LA
photo credit: Jill Chen / Flickr
There’s no shame in admitting you’d rather hang out with a dog than an actual human being. Regardless of many of your socks that cavapoo destroys, your dog is playful, loving, and makes you feel like the most important person in the world. When you want to take him out somewhere other than the park, consider one of these dog-friendly restaurant patios where you can hang with your pooch and get a good meal.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
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A night at Le Great Outdoor in Santa Monica feels less like you’re eating at a restaurant and more like you crashed an outdoor potluck. The entire operation takes place in a plant-filled corner of a parking lot. You’ll sit on picnic tables, drink wine like its mineral water, and eat vegetables, meats, and seafood that were cooked right next to you on giant Santa Maria grills. Surprising to no one: this is an excellent place to bring your dog.
photo credit: Marie Buck
You're a dog owner, so we assume you believe there are few things more healing than sitting by a crackling fire, sipping something, and petting your most loyal friend in the world (we mean your terrier, of course). That’s why you should head to Benny Boy Brewing's outdoor beer garden in Lincoln Heights. The massive, dog-friendly space comes complete with string lights, tree stumps, and those aforementioned fire pits. Check their calendar for nightly food pop-ups.
You were gazing into your dog’s eyes earlier today when 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 not a joke. For you, the burger is the way to go, but unfortunately, it just comes out on a regular plate.
This taqueria on Cahuenga Pass is a good place to keep in mind whenever you don't have solidified restaurant plans. We don’t mean that as a dig. Roadside Taco is walk-in only and the counter set-up means everyone orders their drinks and food individually—two attributes that always come in handy with a group. There is seating inside, but the spacious, string-lit side patio is where you and your needy canine daughter want to be. Even if you push together a few tables for your group, there will still be plenty of space left over for Princess Waffle to sprawl out and catch the eye of every passerby.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
The second location of Pine & Crane is the rare sequel that’s better than the original. It’s an all-day Taiwanese cafe, market, and cocktail destination wrapped up in one massive warehouse that's easy on the eyes—and ideal for your canine companion. Sit on the covered patio, where the staff supplies little water bowls for dogs. If you’re here for brunch, order the savory thousand-layer pancakes and then head to the adjacent dog park for a post-meal runaround.
A weekend pizza party is always advisable, 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 place in the Arts District essentially operates as one giant patio. There are plenty of tables for you, your friends, and your dog. Get the white pie with sweet potato, fennel, and pesto.
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Your dog has been the emotional rock of your home for years, so reward her with a trip up into the Santa Monica Mountains and stop at The Old Place for lunch. This historic saloon serves some favorite comfort food in town, much of which is now available outside via their pick-up window. So pick up a steak sandwich, grab a table, and enjoy the great outdoors with the only soul who’s never hurt you.
After taking your dog out to Malibu for a canyon hike, you’re both exhausted and hungry. Refuel at Broad Street Oyster Co. behind the Malibu Country Mart. This East Coast-style seafood shack makes a lobster roll so delicious, it's worth a drive out here on its own. Sit on Broad Street Oyster Co.'s parking lot patio with the rest of the low-key, seafood-inclined people who had the same idea as you did.
photo credit: Holly Liss
Though this Baja-style Mexican restaurant in Frogtown has gone through a number of chef changes over the years, one element remains the same—its incredible patio. The dog-friendly space offers plenty of shade and even a gravel area out front in case of an unexpected bathroom emergency.
This cafe and bakery in Hancock Park is always one of our first suggestions to someone looking for a weekday lunch. And, with its big front patio, your four-legged soulmate gets to tag along and be the talk of La Brea. On sunny days, it can get hot out here, but the staff does a great job of making sure both of your water bowls are full at all times. This will come in handy while you eat pork belly hash or cured salmon toast (and your dog stares at you hoping you drop something).
Maybe you and Duke are planning a total Eastside day, walking along the LA River bike path. The obvious move is to head to Alcove afterward. This all-day Los Feliz standby has a massive outdoor patio, meaning your dog has space 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.
photo credit: Golden Road Brewing
There are very few things more naturally euphoric to humans than beer and dogs, and at Golden Road in Atwater Village, you get them both at the same time. The large outdoor space is covered in fake grass for the dogs. There's also 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 beer for you.
Your dog is 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. Expect a patio full of people giving your little princess her moment in the spotlight while you're knee-deep in one of their excellent salads.
photo credit: Jakob Layman
You and Bingo killed it at Griffith Park today, and now you both need some cold water and a snack. The Trails sits at the base of Griffith, and is the ideal spot to recharge in a low-key atmosphere if you want to avoid the brunch chaos of Los Feliz. This is essentially just a walk-up window in a little cabin, but the menu is surprisingly good. Get the avocado sandwich.
An idea: spend a morning with your dog at one of the most underrated beaches in LA (Dockweiler). Then, afterward, go to Playa Provisions nearby. This excellent all-day restaurant is open for all three meals. While their dinner is solid, the best time to be here is during the day for pastries and breakfast sandwiches. Sit on the large patio that's welcoming to dogs and humans alike.
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Blue Dog Tavern, one of our favorite Valley bars, is a low-key neighborhood spot that's essentially under the 405 in Sherman Oaks. We’ve never seen the patio without dogs (a huge selling point, to be honest), so you won't feel out of place if you bring yours. There’s plenty of space and lots of water bowls.
