San Diego takes on Dog Friendly Dining

If your best friend walks on four legs, you know how much of a challenge finding dog-friendly dining options can be. Fortunately, San Diego offers many delicious dining choices that allow your pet. These restaurants not only welcome your pet, but some even have menus for them as well! When hunger strikes after a long walk with Fido, try visiting one of these restaurants for breakfast, beachside dining or even Happy Hour at a bar that allows your furry friend inside.

Downtown San Diego is full of restaurants that offer outdoor seating, which is perfect for people-watching and pet-friendly dining. You and your dog will both appreciate the bay view from Sally’s Seafood on the Water’s outdoor patio. Sally’s prides itself on being dog-friendly and dogs are welcomed with fresh water and dog biscuits. A perfect option for lunch or dinner after a day of exploring downtown, Seaport Village, or boating on the bay, Sally’s is famous for their jumbo lump blue crab cakes, fresh seafood and sushi. Be sure to check out their 3-course Prix Fixe menu for $35 that changes weekly for an excellent dining experience at a reasonable price. 

Not far from Sally’s is Brickyard Coffee and Tea, a delicious breakfast and lunch spot that is parallel to the Seaport Village Trolley Station. Offering handcrafted coffee, espresso, and tea drinks, freshly baked goods and breakfast staples from quiche to burritos, Brickyard has a large, cozy patio that’s perfect for your pup.

Happy dogs are plentiful in Little Italy, enjoying their leisurely walks and cafes like Caffe Italia. Caffe Italia allows you to bring your dog inside when you order and displays a canister of dog treats next to their cream and sugar. Italia has a picturesque courtyard in the back of the café that is not only perfect for sipping cappuccino, but also great for dining alongside your dog. Their menu highlights grilled paninis, salads and homemade gelatos. Try their “Tacchino” panini—roasted Turkey, melted Provolone, roasted red peppers and pesto, all grilled in between fresh baked Italian bread. Italia’s blended gelato drinks are the perfect sweet pick-me-up, especially the Caffe Emmline (2 shots of espresso blended with homemade rich and creamy vanilla bean gelato and topped with whipped cream). 

Another perfect option for lunch or a caffeine fix in Little Italy is Influx, a dog-friendly café that offers espresso drinks, sandwiches, salads and baked goods. Influx is infamous for their buttery Croissant Melts, specifically their ham and Brie melt that is sandwiched between flaky croissants and served alongside creamy, spicy Dijon mustard. If craving something lighter, try the Spicy Vegan—spicy hummus, cucumber, tomato and onion atop a bagel of your choice. Be sure to leave room for one of their delicious homemade cupcakes. If there are no water containers outside for the pups, simply ask and they will be more than happy to give you one.

If hunger should strike while exploring rich history or hearing ghost stories in Old Town, 25 Forty Bistro and Bakehouse is a dog-friendly establishment both you and your dog will love. You will find its’ charming heated outdoor patio comfortable for both you and your canine. You will also find 25’s weekly specials easy on your wallet. On Wednesdays, $20 gets you a 3-course dinner and a glass of wine. Tuesday-Friday between 12-2 is their $8 Lunch All-You-Can-Eat Lunch Buffet, and every day between 4-5 is 30% off of your meal with the Early Bird Special. Menu includes bistro staples such as salads, grilled cheese and soups. For a unique and delicious dish, try the Duck Fettuccini, consisting of homemade pasta and slow-braised duck. The fresh pasta, along with the tenderness and juices of the duck, intermingle into an incredibly tasty, hearty dish.

If you and your pup enjoy the sand beneath your feet (and paws), dog-friendly beachside dining is fortunately plentiful. Papalulu in La Jolla offers casual breakfast and lunch dining with plenty of umbrella-shaded outdoor seating. Their signature dish, the Papadilla, is a quesadilla stuffed with mashed potatoes, grilled onion and cheese and topped with a variety of different options, from feta and tomato to chipotle-honey pork.

After a long walk down the boardwalk, you and your pup can get some shade in one of Pacific Beach’s pet-friendly patios. Two perfect options for this are The Fish Shop and Fig Tree Café. The Fish Shop has plenty of outdoor seating and even a big jar of dog biscuits on their counter. Known for their quality and utmost freshness, they offer a variety of fish that is marinated and prepared to your liking for a reasonable price. Try their incredible fish tacos, Lobster Lumpia or Fish and Chips. Another Pacific Beach option, Fig Tree Café, welcomes your pup onto their large outdoor patio. While your dog enjoys the ocean air, you can enjoy their Crab Cake Eggs Benedict or French Toast. Bananas Foster French Toast will have your dog begging for a piece with its’ rich, Brioche toast covered in caramelized, sticky Bananas Foster. 

If you find yourself in Golden Hill, Krakatoa Cafe is the perfect spot to bring your dog. Enjoy coffee, fresh baked goods and sandwiches in their lush, shaded patio filled with greenery. Look for the jar of dog biscuits before you sit down to enjoy their free Wifi or unique sandwiches like the Ubehebe (turkey, bacon, cream cheese and cranberry sauce on toasted Mexican flatbread.) While in Golden Hill, if you’re craving a good beer, head to Hamilton’s Tavern—and, yes, you can bring your dog inside! With 28 beers on tap, you’re sure to find one you like, and if not, Live Wire in North Park and Whistle Stop in South Park are also dog-friendly bars. Another South Park staple, The Station, serves up amazing burgers in a pet-friendly atmosphere your dog will love.

Finally, if you’re looking for a place that has a menu for both you and your dog, look no further than The Wine Pub in Shelter Island. They offer a great selection of wines, small plates like cheese boards and bruschetta, and entrees such as Kobe Beef Meatloaf. Order your dog the Lulu (chicken and rice), Frankie (peanut butter and flaxseed biscuits), or savory chicken and vegetable biscuits. In addition, dining with your dog on “Woofer Wednesdays” gives 10% of your bill to Loving Arms Pet Adoption. Not only will you enjoy a great meal with your pup, but you will support a great cause! These pet-friendly restaurants, cafes and bars will ensure that you don’t always have to leave your best friend at home.