The 15 Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Houston

If you’re a dog owner living in or visiting Houston, chances are you love to take them out and about to enjoy Houston’s moderate year-round climate. The good news is that there are plenty of outdoor activities in the Houston area that are dog-friendly, including various dog-friendly restaurants for a bite or a brew.

We’ve rounded up the best pet-friendly restaurants and dog-friendly bars around Houston below, including:

1. Barnaby’s Cafe
2. Good Dog Houston
3. Saint Arnold Brewing Co. Beer Garden and Restaurant
4. Eight Row Flint
5. Little Matt’s
6. Backstreet Cafe
7. The Burger Joint
8. West Alabama Ice House
9. The Pit Room
10. Onion Creek Cafe
11. Little Woodrow’s
12. FM Kitchen and Bar
13. Axelrad
14. Henderson Heights
15. Buffalo Grille

Let’s get started!

1. Barnaby’s Cafe

Named for the founder’s childhood sheepdog, Barnaby’s Cafe has several dog-themed restaurants around the Houston area, including in the Heights, Museum District, and downtown. This dog-friendly restaurant offers pet-friendly outdoor seating, water bowls, and a puppy menu featuring ground beef or sliced chicken over brown rice, scrambled eggs over brown rice, and doggie ice cream.

Barnaby Cafe’s “human” menu is also versatile and offers generous portions at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We recommend trying the “green egg” scramble plate with spinach, artichokes, and Jack cheese, its Chinese chicken salad, or the buffalo, falafel, and tuna burgers.

2. Good Dog Houston

Good Dog Houston originally started as a food truck and now has a popular brick-and-mortar location in the Heights neighborhood. Customers can choose from a variety of handcrafted signature hot dog combinations and local craft beers on the restaurant’s dog-friendly patio.

3. Saint Arnold Brewing Co. Beer Garden and Restaurant

If you’re a fan of local craft beer and in search of a good weekend hangout, look no further than Saint Arnold. This Houston brewery offers expansive outdoor seating in its covered beer garden and additional open-air outdoor seating, all of which is dog-friendly. In addition to beers, it also has ciders, seltzers, and wines available, as well as burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and more for when the hunger pangs hit.

4. Eight Row Flint

Conveniently located near the Heights hike and bike trail, Eight Row Flint is perfect for area residents looking for a car-free jaunt and hangout after walking your furry friend. This bar features a dog-friendly outdoor patio, as well as a variety of unique cocktails and a menu filled with tacos. Go for the Brussels sprouts taco—trust us, you won’t be disappointed.

5. Little Matt’s

Located in West University Place, Little Matt’s is a popular spot heralded for being both kid- and pet-friendly. Its covered outdoor seating area has picnic-style tables for the whole family to enjoy staples like salads and burgers. The dog-friendly restaurant also features a candy shop and mini game room that are sure to please the little ones in attendance.

6. Backstreet Cafe

Backstreet Cafe is known as a great Houston brunch and dinner spot, but did you know the trendy River Oaks restaurant is also dog-friendly? Get your fix of fancy southern eats like smoked duck gumbo and bacon-wrapped quail with your pet in tow on the outdoor patio space.

7. The Burger Joint

If you love burgers (and your dog loves when you drop burgers on the ground), you can’t miss hitting up The Burger Joint, located in Montrose. Featuring a dog-friendly wrap-around patio, this restaurant has a variety of burger options and craft beer offerings to choose from, as well as a dog water station, organic dog treats, and puppy shakes for your sidekick.

8. West Alabama Ice House

Based entirely outdoors, this Upper Kirby watering hole is a longtime favorite among locals. Featuring beer, wine, and cider, as well as a taco truck stationed next door, West Alabama Ice House also provides access to water buckets for the dogs, large sports TVs, and a basketball hoop, cornhole, and ping-pong to keep yourselves entertained.

9. The Pit Room

Barbecue is a quintessential Houston cuisine option that even locals don’t want to miss out on. Located in Montrose, The Pit Room features typical items like beef ribs and smoked chicken, as well as brisket tacos and chicharrones. Dog owners can set up camp at the next-door patio bar to enjoy a meal while sharing scraps with their pets.

10. Onion Creek Cafe

Located in the Heights, Onion Creek Cafe is a popular breakfast and happy hour hangout known for its frozen cocktails that really hit the spot during Houston’s hot summers. The patio offers an oasis to enjoy a refreshing drink and burger while relaxing with your pup and catching up with family and friends.

11. Little Woodrow’s

Little Woodrow’s is a popular hangout for evening brews and cocktails. While it has several Houston locations, its Midtown one has a large patio that is particularly great for dogs that love to play with others or curl up on their own couch. It also has rotating food trucks and weekly steak nights to make a meal out of your outing.

12. FM Kitchen and Bar

FM Kitchen and Bar is also known to be a popular Montrose brunch and lunch spot. Bring the pups and settle in at an outdoor table, where you can enjoy signature favorites like chicken fried steak and brunch flautas with beers or frozen margaritas.

13. Axelrad

If you’re in search of a beer garden where you won’t be limited to offerings from one brewery, this is your spot. Located between Midtown and the Museum District, Axelrad is also next door to Luigi’s, where you can order pizza by the slice or a whole pie and bring it over to the beer garden for a casual hangout in the outdoor beer garden with your pet.

14. Henderson Heights

Another great option for those who like to enjoy the latest sporting events with their pups in tow, Henderson Heights is an outdoor bar with an expansive pet-friendly patio, offering a variety of beers on draft, a specialty cocktail menu, as well as burgers and bar food to get whatever fix you’re after.

15. Buffalo Grille

With locations in the West University and Tanglewood areas, Buffalo Grille is a great option for breakfast lovers who tend to get a late start on the weekends, as it offers breakfast all day. Enjoy plate-sized pancakes and cinnamon pecan coffee with your pooch on its expansive patio.

Want to enjoy Houston with your dog?

In sum, if you’re new to Houston and interested in keeping your pup entertained in your daily life, there’s no shortage of pet-friendly dining establishments around the area. If you’re considering moving to Houston, be sure to check out Landing, which offers pet-friendly and fully furnished apartments throughout town, all with flexible leases that let you stay in Houston on your terms. Learn more about our membership options today!