There’s no doubt that we are a nation of dog people, and by the number of doggy dedicated Instagram accounts we’re seeing popping up amongst our friends and families the obsession is only intensifying. Over the pandemic they basically became our proxy children, and with the cost of living going the way it is, this may need to become a permanent substitution. We also got very used to having our furry friends with us 24/7 over the last couple of years and now that we’re shifting back into gear, we plan on bringing them along for the ride, so here are some of the best places we’ve come across that will allow (well behaved) dogs on-site while you enjoy your meal.
Happy Out, Bull Island & Donnybrook
Happy Out are dog friendly in both locations, but Bull Island is the paw-fect spot to get a bite with your pooch before a brisk walk on the beach. They serve coffee, toasties and treats from their beach-side container with ample outdoor seating, and there are always tons of other dogs to make friends with.
Little Bird Coffee & Yoga, South Circular Road
Vegetarian neighbourhood café Little Bird in Portobello is attached to a brilliant yoga studio, so whether you’re visiting for some downward dog or grabbing some brunch with your furry friend, this place is for you. They are dog mad, so you’ll usually come across one of the ‘resident’ dogs roaming around to make new friends.
Two Pups Coffee, Francis Street
You can’t have a name like Two Pups and not welcome the puppers through the doors, can you? This café is a regular meet-up spot for local dog-lovers of the Liberties to grab some grub. As well as being dog-friendly, this is one of our favourite spots for brunch and their supplier list is second to none, so you know you’re getting the best.
Brindle Coffee & Wine, Lennox Street
We’d almost follow Brindle’s Instagram account for the dog content alone. They have a steady stream of four-legged friends accompanying their owners while they pick up their low intervention wines and provisions, and they rarely leave without a little treat of their own.
Bread 41, Pearse Street
Croissants + great coffee + that bread + pizza + custardos + dogs = the ultimate café. Bread 41 are back open for sit-in with a new upstairs eatery, and pups are welcome downstairs for coffee, pastry and whatever new creations the dynamo team has come up with.
The Fumbally Café, Fumbally Lane
The Fumbally in Dublin 8 can almost feel like you’re in someone’s living room, with its mish-mash furniture, comfortable couches, and books strewn about for people to leaf through. So, you shouldn’t be surprised to pop in for some healthy, seasonal food and see a dog lazing by someone’s feet as if they were in their own home.
Bear Market, Various Locations
Bear Market was set-up by two architects and you can feel it the second you walk in to any of their locations. The shops are beautifully decked out with hardwood flooring, exposed copper pipes, and lots of light. What’s more beautiful though is how you have a really good chance of finding a dog to chat to, from a distance, while waiting for your coffee. Note: The IFSC location gets really busy so doesn’t let dogs in for now.
The Orange Goat, Ballsbridge
Located on Serpentine Avenue, The Orange Goat has indoor and outdoor seating and a warm welcome for those visiting with their dogs. It’s also right near the DART, for dogs on the go.
Two Boys Brew, Phibsborough
One of our favourite brunch spots on the northside has been hosting dogs of all sizes since they opened in the heart of D7 in 2015. They took all that they learned while living in Melbourne and sampling the best cafés they had to offer, added a dash of furry friend love and opened the ideal café for your weekend excursions.
Press Café, Beggars Bush
Hidden within The National Print Museum on Haddington Road is a café serving up seasonal fare with constantly changing specials. They have been a favourite of locals since their opening in 2014, and will always have a dog or two amongst the brunch crowds, either indoors or in their covered outdoor area which they opened last summer.
Network Café, Aungier Street
Any café that has a ‘Dogs’ highlight on their Instagram page gets our seal of approval, and they have plenty of material as their four-legged customers have been a mainstay of Network since they opened on Aungier Street in 2016. If this sounds like your kind of place, pop in here for brunch or a coffee while your pup brings you for a walk around town. We’re fans of their 'Notions on Toast' which is loaded with avocado of course, and their toasties are hard to beat.
Blas, Kings Inns Street
Fresh and seasonal food is the focus in Blas and your dog can join you for breakfast, lunch, or weekend brunch; plenty of pupportunity (sorry) for some bonding time. It’s a big spot so we’re hoping that well-spaced tables mean that dogs can be accommodated as easily as they were before, but there are external benches and lots of grab-and-go food options if you want some fresh air.
Storyboard, Islandbridge
Some dog-friendly spots fall into the “look, we’re letting your dog in so don’t expect too much from the food” category, but Storyboard is very much not one of those thanks to their seasonal food and great coffee. They're back open for eat-in now, but there's also the option to grab and go instead before you hit the Phoenix Park for a picnic with your pooch.
Urbanity, Smithfield
Great for groups thanks to a menu with plenty of meat, vegetarian, and vegan options, your dog won’t go hungry for food or attention thanks to the treats and puppy love dispensed generously by staff at Urbanity. Plus there's plenty of lovely shaded outdoor seating.
Gaillot et Grey, Clanbrassil Street
Perhaps the only 'French-style' pizza around Dublin, Gaillot et Gray serves up their crispy based wood-fired pizza which is loaded with emmental cheese alongside a menu of sourdough sandwiches and pastries. They're dog-friendly so expect a few snouts sniffing around your feet for crumbs.
MVP, Clanbrassil Street
MVP on Clanbrassil Street is owned by the same crowd as The Bernard Shaw, and we like to think of this dog-friendly pub as their kind of cool, laid-back little sister. While there’s usually some sort of event going on, be it quizzes or flea markets, it’s usually pretty chilled with people meeting up, dog in tow, for some hair of the dog to sort out any hungover heads.
The Bernard Shaw, Drumcondra
The Bernard Shaw has something for everyone – whether you’re frequenting the Eatyard food market or looking for a boozy brunch, karaoke or somewhere to watch the match, and you’ll be pleased to hear that you can bring your dog along to join in on the action.
The Circular, The Magnet and Lucky's
These cool spots all have the same owner, and they’re clearly dog lovers as all of their premises are dog-friendly, inside and out. So, if you’re a local of Rialto or the Liberties you’ll be spoilt for choice on your next outing with Coke Lane Pizza served in both Lucky’s and The Circular.
The Old Spot, Dublin 4
There’s nothing nicer than the whole family around the table for dinner with the dog snoozing at your feet. Thanks to The Old Spot, you can do this without having to be the one to cook or wash-up afterwards. Dogs are allowed in the bar at the front so be sure to ask for a table there when booking if you’re bringing the pooch along.
Brewdog, Grand Canal Dock
If you're looking for somewhere to go pinting with your pooch, the Brewdog Outpost site which is home to their very own on-site brewing tank could be a winner. They have two outdoor areas but also welcome dogs inside, so no need to freeze while you enjoy your drink. They also have a full food menu, including a stellar vegan and vegetarian line-up.
If that's not enough for you, take a look at Sarah Hanrahan's (@i_come_undone) comprehensive list of '90 Dog-Friendly Dublin Eateries' for even more recommendations, and if you know any other spots that are particularly great for dogs, let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.
