If there's one thing that our four-legged friends love, it's their food. It may be their food, or it may be our food, but they love it all the same. And after all that holiday ball chasing, surf dodging and beach running, not to mention mountain climbing and being generally fantastic, it's only right that their adoring owners (that's us folks) find somewhere for them to put their paws up and partake of a yummy snack or two as a reward for all that effort.
With many eateries clocking on to the fact that visitors often come with a four-legs in tow, many now offer a gourmet menu not only for humans, but for their hungry hounds too. We’ve searched high and low across the UK to find a selection of the best dog-friendly pubs and restaurants around - at the very least, they will allow hungry hounds in, but more importantly, we have chosen places where the staff really love dogs, have fresh water available and dog biccies on offer, with some even having special menus just for four-legged customers.
Below, we take you on a tour of the UK, showcasing our favourite dog-friendly places to eat in each area - there's also a link to guides for each area so that you can discover your own favourite!
Want to skip to your favourite region? Choose from our contents guide below:
🐶The South West
🐶The East of England
🐶The South Coast
🐶The Heart of England
🐶The North of England
🐶Wales
🐶Scotland
TOP DOG EATERIES IN THE SOUTH WEST:
BEST CORNWALL PLACE TO EAT
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Driftwood Spars credit: Instagram @amyasgodfrey
A truly Cornish coastal watering hole and one of our favourite pet-friendly pubs, The Driftwood Spars at Trevaunance Cove in St Agnes is a must-visit on your itinerary. With excellent home-cooked food, a fantastic location with beautiful views as well as local ales and three cosy bars with roaring winter fires, you and your dog will find it difficult to tear yourselves away.
BEST DEVON PLACE TO EAT
This fantastic waterfront location offers extensive views of the ocean and Westward Ho! beach below. It’s a great place for big groups to get-together with space for dogs indoors and also a good choice for families looking for somewhere accommodating to eat. Enjoy a delicious Sunday roast but book ahead as it's a very popular place. Whenever you go, you will see a selection of dogs sitting with their owners after a long walkies or waiting for the rain to stop before getting back out to it across the sands!
BEST SOMERSET PLACE TO EAT
As you may expect from the name, canine companions are wholly welcome at this award-winning, dog-friendly pub - your pup may even sniff out those tasty dog treats that are sometimes hiding behind the bar! The children’s playground ensures families are wonderfully catered for – kids can blow off steam outside before eating or head out for an after-dinner adventure while the grown-ups enjoy a natter and a cup of coffee, their faithful friend at their feet.
BEST DORSET PLACE TO EAT
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The Grove Arms credit: Instagram @meganshave29
One of the most dog-friendly eateries in Dorset, this charming pub offers its own ‘Mutts' Menu’ for doggy diners to choose from. Your four-legged friends can meet Buddy the resident Labrador while you tuck into burgers, salads or pies – the menu caters for lots of special diets too. Of all the pubs that allow dogs in Dorset, this is certainly one of the friendliest.
BEST COTSWOLDS PLACE TO EAT
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Located in Bourton-on-the-Water, this lovely traditional English pub is the place to head if you are addicted to Sunday roasts. Dogs are also invited to join you in the bar if you fancy some time unwinding after a long day of touring around the area. Dishes are created with locally sourced ingredients from Cotswolds farmers and butchers - booking ahead for the restaurant is advised as it can get busy. Your pup can enjoy some tasty bar snacks too like beef jerky!
TOP EATERIES IN THE EAST OF ENGLAND:
BEST NORFOLK PLACE TO EAT
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The Orange Tree credit: Instagram @miss_tusler
You don’t have to compromise time with your hound to enjoy some stylish fine dining at one of Norfolk's best dog-friendly restaurants. This trendy village gastropub welcomes gastro-pups too, as it offers a dedicated doggy menu! Canine cuisine includes meaty treats and Scooby snacks while humans can dine on pub classics, sharing platters and mouthwatering desserts, all with a foodie flair and an impressive commitment to alternative diets.
The UK is home to some gorgeous dog-friendly beaches, just the spot for a post-lunch stroll with a view - our guide below will point you to some of the best.
BEST SUFFOLK PLACE TO EAT
This dog-friendly restaurant bucks the trend of the dark and dingy inn, with tall windows letting in light – creating a bright and stylish atmosphere perfect for a relaxed morning or afternoon meal. With options like brie wedges, nachos and fish finger sandwiches on the menu - or even a selection of burgers and jacket potatoes to choose from - it’s just the place for a tasty lunch after walking the seafront of Southwold.
BEST LINCOLNSHIRE PLACE TO EAT
How about breakfast at a café specifically for dogs? Waggy Tail is just that! Having been opened by the human-serving restaurant Petit Delight to accommodate their growing doggy clientele, Waggy Tail offers a top dog menu for pups which includes tasty ‘pupcakes’ and a luxurious dog platter with plenty for your dog to get his teeth into.
TOP EATERIES ON THE SOUTH COAST:
BEST KENT PLACE TO EAT
From Instagram: @sometimessheflies
Whitstable and Seasalter are well-known for their pet-friendly establishments - dotted across the town and on the beach, you'll always find a place to dine with your four-legged chum after a long beach walk. The Michelin-starred Sportsman in Seasalter is one such establishment - an iconic upmarket seaside gastropub, it's as down to earth as they come, welcoming everybody from local farmers to food writers who come down from London to see what all the fuss is about.
More Kent pup stops
BEST SUSSEX PLACE TO EAT
From Instagram: @robfendick
A lovely country pub in the heart of the Sussex countryside, The Coach and Horses prides itself on serving ales, ciders and wines from local breweries, farms and vineyards. Dougal, the resident golden retriever may also be on hand for an extra-special doggy welcome. He has a long list of girlfriends however, so make sure that your pooch makes her presence known!
BEST NEW FOREST PLACE TO EAT
Heading out to the outskirts of the New Forest, this stylish pub provides a wonderful space for you and your canine friends to relax and enjoy a tasty dinner out – there are even dog biscuits at the bar you can spoil your pets with. Cosy up in this welcoming pub then let the dogs out onto the Canada Common for a run around after your meal.
BEST ISLE OF WIGHT PLACE TO EAT
Highdown Inn credit: Instagram @studiowolgers
Whether you’ve spent the day splashing in the waves of Freshwater, Colwell or Alum Bay, or felt the wind in your fur admiring the famous Needles landmark, this dog-friendly Isle of Wight coastal pub offers a warm welcome for all. Select your meal from the daily blackboard specials (we particularly recommend the seafood and shellfish), and help yourselves to some complimentary water and dog treats. A roaring log fire inside will soon dry off damp paws, while a glorious garden and patio area awaits canine explorers wanting to soak up the last of the sunshine outside.
TOP EATERIES IN THE HEART OF ENGLAND:
BEST PEAK DISTRICT PLACE TO EAT
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Deep in the Hope Valley, full of high fell walks and trails, this wonderful gem of a gastropub is a very cosy prospect. It’s the perfect dog-friendly pub as the staff all love to give your dog a wonderfully warm welcome! Dine fireside and soak in the lovely atmosphere at this classic dog-friendly gastropub. The food’s pretty good too!
TOP EATERIES IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND:
BEST YORKSHIRE PLACE TO EAT
This dog-friendly pub nestled into the Yorkshire Dales is sure to delight pups whose favourite TV programme is All Creatures Great and Small. The inn was actually used as The Drovers pub in the famous vet TV series, so you'll all be thrilled to pop in for a pint and a look around. Just reassure your faithful pal that vet James Herriot isn’t lurking around the corner with his stethoscope!
BEST LANCASHIRE PLACE TO EAT
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This one is most definitely for dogs with a refined palate! Just south of Lancaster on the edge of the Forest of Bowland AONB, this lovely restaurant welcomes well-behaved dogs in the café bar. You can enjoy a coffee, a glass of wine or a pint of ale while your dog has a slurp of some fresh water - just don't miss out on one of the fluffy pastries which are high on our list of delicious eats at this spot.
BEST NORTHUMBERLAND PLACE TO EAT
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The Joiners Arms credit: Instagram @joinersarmsnorthumberland
In the delightful coastal resort of Newton by the Sea is The Joiners Arms, which describes dogs as “a very big deal” – and we couldn’t agree more! As well as bowls of water and a warm welcome, four-legged visitors can try their very own dog beers – the hardest decision will be choosing between the beef and chicken flavours.
BEST LAKE DISTRICT PLACE TO EAT
From Instagram: @leebolton
The northern Lake District also has some lovely expanses of water, including Bassenthwaite Lake and Ullswater with its spectacular Aira Force waterfall. With a name that would tempt any working hound, the Gun and Dog is an extremely dog-friendly pub that will not only fill hungry human tummies with its hearty food (try the amazing Hungarian goulash), but it also has its own doggy menu for puppers who can feel their post-walkie tums rumbling too.
TOP EATERIES IN WALES:
BEST NORTH WALES PLACE TO EAT
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The Black Lion just outside the Anglesey village of Llanfaethlu is one of our favourite dog-friendly pubs in the UK. The current landlords are proud owners of two chocolate Labradors who love relaxing around the bar. You can find dog treats on the bar and water bowls on request - just don’t mistake the Scooby snacks for crisps!
BEST SOUTH WALES PLACE TO EAT
The Bell at Skenfrith credit: Instagram @willking_
With seven different circular walks starting from this chic riverside inn (including the 4-mile Knights Templar trail), it’s a perfect spot for a post-walkie treat. Canine chums won’t believe their luck when they find The Dog and Boot Bar, where humans can refuel, and pups can enjoy some complimentary biscuits. And for those pups who are sporting a little bit more muck on their paws than usual, there is a Pooch Parlour in the rear garden featuring a shower, metal bath and dog towels.
TOP EATERIES IN SCOTLAND:
BEST SCOTTISH PLACE TO EAT
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Perth is a superb choice for a dog-friendly holiday, and this pub is close to many of the best dog-friendly attractions such as Scone Palace. Based at a converted, 200-year-old coaching house, the Pitcairn Green Inn is now a thriving country pub that offers a good range of country fare. Dogs are made to feel very welcome in the bar where there is a nice atmosphere. The pub is a very good example of a quaint Scottish pub, perfect for relaxing and perfect for a snooze with a lovely garden too.
Have a leaf through our ultimate guide to days out with your dog and discover some excellent dog-friendly places to visit all across the UK.
Come and stay with us!
Need somewhere to sit back and relax after sampling the best pet-friendly restaurants and pubs across the UK? Our collection of canine cottages offers everything you might need for a holiday away with your four-legged tribe - from houses with enclosed gardens to those with warming wood burners to stretch out in front of, we will have the perfect retreat for you to come back to after discovering our green and pleasant land.
Have a paw through our canine cottages to see which one is the perfect fit.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.