Pups are people, too. Right? Which is why they’re welcome at these pet-friendly eateries.
Tired of having to leave Rex at home every time you eat out? Don’t fret. We’ve rounded up some Rover-friendly restaurants where pooches are welcome. (As always, if we’ve left anything out, please add it in the comments below.)
Our Top 10 Dog-Friendly Restaurants
1. Foodbarn
Where Noordhoek
What The Foodbarn’s Fido-friendly country setting is just one of the reasons we love coming here (Franck’s food is another). As well as providing water and treats to keep your pooch happy and sated, the restaurant also has a grassy outdoor area where dogs can play while their owners enjoy some of the finest cuisine in Cape Town.
Contact 021 789 1390, info@thefoodbarn.co.za
Location Noordhoek Farm Village, Corner Village Lane and Noordhoek Main Road, Noordhoek
2. Massimo’s
Image credit: Safarinow
Where Hout Bay
What Luna, the owners’ border collie, is a bit of a celebrity at this cosy pizzeria. She even has a pizza named after her, and for every Luna pizza ordered, the restaurant donates R10 to DARG (Domestic Animal Rescue Group). Visiting dogs are provided with a bowl of water while they wait for their owners outside, though they may be allowed inside if they’re well behaved.
Contact 021 790 5648, info@massimos.co.za
Location Oakhurst Farm Park, Main Rd, Hout Bay, Cape Town
3. Lighthouse Café
Where Simon’s Town
What There’s plenty for your canine companion to love about the peaceful seaside getaway of Simon’s Town – just ask Just Nuisance – and The Lighthouse Café is one of them. The presence of pets enhances the eatery’s warm hospitality.
Contact: 021 786 9000
Location: 90 St Georges Street, Simon’s Town, Cape Town
4. Olympia Cafe
Image credit: Go2Africa
Where Kalk Bay
What The food is fresh, and so is the sea air, at this dog-friendly deli-restaurant-bakery on Kalk Bay’s main drag – which makes it the perfect place to take your pawed pal after a walk along the beach.
Contact: 021 788 6396
Location: 134 Windsor Road and Main Road, Kalk Bay
5. Maria’s Greek Café and Restaurant
Image credit: Guy with Camera
What This traditional Greek taverna spills onto a cobbled piazza, where dogs mingle freely with diners. Water is provided – and even the odd lamb bone – so your four-legged friend can appreciate the tasty Mediterranean cuisine and laid-back vibe while you do the same.
Contact: 021 461 3333, info@marias.co.za
Location: 31 Barnet Street, Dunkley Square, Gardens
6. Café Paradiso
Where Kloof Street
What One of Madame Zingara’s charming restaurants, Café Paradiso entices diners with the aroma of baking bread and a charming garden and courtyard, where pooches can run around while you enjoy your meal.
Please note The garden is closed when the southeaster is blowing a gale, and the courtyard can not accommodate too many dogs, so call ahead to book if you want to bring your pet.
Contact 021 423 8653, cafeparadiso@madamezingara.com
Location Café Paradiso
7. Company’s Garden Restaurant
Where CBD
What Another of Madame Zingara’s restaurant, this unique eatery is a haven of tranquility amid the bustle of Cape Town central. It has a giant chessboard, large, hanging weaved-nest chairs for lounging in, as well as open green spaces where you and your canine friends can run free.
Contact 021 423 2919, companysgarden@madamezingara.com
Location The Company’s Garden Restaurant
8. Lazari Café
Where Vredehoek
What Simple yet delicious food is what has made this cosy café one of Capetonians’ favourite eateries. It serves all-day breakfasts, specially created dishes to accommodate your dietary requirements, picnic baskets and all kinds of baked goodies. If your pooch is well behaved, he too can enjoy the serene atmosphere of Lazari Café.
Contact 021 461 9865, lazari@lazari.co.za
Location Lazari
9. Forester’s Arms
Image credit: Travelground
Where Newlands
What One of the oldest bars in the country (founded in 1852), this is where rugger-buggers head to watch sport on the big screens while glugging down a brewski, while their pooches guzzle water – on the house, of course.
Contact 021 689 5949, info@forries.co.za
Location 52 Newlands Ave, Newlands, Cape Town
These restaurants also welcome pooches:
- Loco Lounge, Claremont
- Villa 47, Bree Street
- The Backyard Restaurant, Sea Point
- Cascades on the Promenade, Sea Point
- Cafe Neo, Mouille Point (dogs allowed indoors)
- Bootlegger Coffee Company, Bantry Bay, Kenilworth and Sea Point (dogs allowed indoors)
- Leopard Bar at 12 Apostles, Camps Bay (small dogs only)
- Cafe Mozart, City Bowl
- La Belle Restaurant, Mouille Point, Constantia
- Lisa’s Restaurant, Milnerton
- On a Roll, Mowbray
- Red Herring Restaurant, Noordhoek
- Rhodes Memorial Restaurant and Tea Garden, Newlands
- Deerpark Café, Vredehoek
- Ons Huisie, Bloubergstrand
- Chardonnay Deli, Constantia
- Peddlars & Co, Constantia
- Sotano, Mouille Point
- Just Sushi, Simon’s Town
- Root 44 Market, Stellenbosch
- Tasha’s, Constantia
- Yo! Meatball, Cape Town Central (dogs get a free meatball)
- Societi Bistro, Gardens
- Duchess of Wisbeach, Sea Point
- Maggie’s Cafe, Greenpoint
- Suikerbossie, Hout Bay
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27 Responses to “The Best Dog-friendly Restaurants in Cape Town”
Raphael ( & Marley)
Camps Bay Social Club – I just had to share that Camps Bay Social Club is incredibly dog-friendly! 🐾 They welcome pups with open arms, making it a fantastic spot for those who love dining out with their furry friends. Plus, there are sports grounds nearby for your dog to run around and play, and being off the main strip of Camps Bay makes it a safe spot for everyone. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the staff is super accommodating. Definitely a must-visit for dog owners
Gordon jones
Look forward to hearing from you
Great
Gordon jones
Look forward to hearing from you
Ammie
The Olive Bistro in Durbanville
Carol Amos
Hi Can you add some dog friendly restaurants in the Northern Suburbs too please. Brackenfell, Cape Gate area
Bamboo Garden Restaurant, Cape Garden Nursery
There are also wine farms that allow dogs in the gardens. You could take a picnic basket
Stephen Scott
Hey Joe brewery is a top place for dogs! Huge grass area for them to run and they supply you with a complimentary bottled”hondbier” (just chicken stock) and they have a doggy menu too. Bricklane eatery in century city is also super accommodating for dogs
Vanessa Connellan
Very informative
Michelle brandt
Jonkershuis constantia wine estate is also dog friendly, dogs must be in a leash
Tanya Weiner
Please can you do a similar article but for wine farms that allow dogs
Suzet
It turns out Root 44 is NOT really DOG FRIENDLY. (Or perhaps they just discriminate against single people with dogs.) Big sign in the parking area saying dogs on leash welcome, but this morning while standing in the queue for coffee (with my dog, on leash, sitting next to me), I was informed that my dog is not allowed in the food tent. The only way to purchase any food and drink is from inside the food tent. Please be aware of the fine print when you plan to go to Root 44.
P Hare
Dogs allowed outside at Root 44.
Not amongst the food stalls but someone can go and order and you can sit outside in the grass or amongst the trees
Jacqueline Meny-Gibert
Was disappointed to see no a single recommendation in the Northern suburbs. Here is one:
Eat @ Altydgedacht http://altydgedacht.co.za
Food, wine, scenery and ambience great too!
Natasja Manie
Little Stream, Klein Constantia Road has now opened it’s doors to our 4-legged furry pals. Bring your dog along and have breakfast or lunch in our haven with the most beautiful gardens.
Lauren
There is a difference between accepting dogs, and dog FRIENDLY! We have 2 Jack Russells (!!), so we love to find places where they can actually run around and get rid of some energy.
I can second Southey’s in Somerset West – there is a grassy play park area for the kids, so if the dogs are child-friendly then they can play with the kids.
Eagle’s Nest on the Constantia Wine Route is also great – rolling lawns to play, as well as Warwick Wine Farm in Stellenbosch.
Blue Peter in Blouberg also has a lot of furry friend visitors – especially on Sundays. There is a lawn but it’s open onto the road (wish they would put a small gate up).
🙂
Candice Guest
Con Brio Bistro on Deer Park Drive, Vredehoek is super doggy friendly and the food is delicious, too! They have a great little undercover area which is technically “outside”, but so well covered and with a toasty heater to keep you and your fur-baby warm. Honestly, it’s so much better than be chucked outside to freeze just because you have a dog with you. Plus they have really good winter specials, something like R150 for a 2 course meal and R180 for a 3 courselves meal. Highly recommend the B.A.F. pizza, so yummy! Anyway, this is my favourite place for a yummy, cosy Cape Town winter with my doggies. 🙂
Keith
Die Damhuis and The Heart – Beach Rd, Melkbosstrand. Both exceptionally pooch friendly.
Thyme at Rosemary. Gansbaai
Lovely garden and fresh water bowl. Three Toy Pomeranians residents. Please just call and inform your arrival time and see comments on Trip Advisor if necessary.
Jane
Pastis and Greens at Groot Constantia, dogs outside only. Water available.
kerry
Castela Almare bottom of 5th avenue on the beachfront in Melkbos . Super dog friendly spot .
goozberry
Cafe Roux in the Noordhoek Farm Village is a great spot outdoors for doggies and close by for walkies on the common.
trudy thoss
hi try Sweetwell on R44 Stellenbosch they love their own pets and welcome dogs . we recently went for a big birthday celebration. Chef Hennie made a special meal for our dog without a blink of the eye, Yesterday i popped in for some breakfast and one again saw a furchild been treated as if he was the king staff treat pets with respect and from what i have seen happy to have furchilden in the restant . absolute pleasure .
Claire
Had a recent very Un-pet friendly experience at cafe paradiso a few weeks ago. No suitable water bowls available and staff scared of dogs. NOT RECOMMENDED for dogs. Management completely arrogant about it. Big pity.
Rael
Lime Tree Cafe is known to welcome dogs 7 days a week!
Arleen
The Spice Route & Dunstone are both dog friendly in the winelands.
Carmel
Gosh only one spot in the winelands?! We recently took our puppy to Southeys in Somerset West, which has a lovely outdoor play area for kids. We weren’t certain whether they allowed dogs but they welcomed us. We also spotted regulars who had also brought their dog.
Lorin
Don’t forget Ferdinando’s Pizzeria, 205 Lower Main Road, named after the owners’ DARG rescue dog, Ferdinando 🙂