Houstonians love their pups, and restaurants, bars, and hotels have taken note of that fact. Gone are the days when Rover resided in a dog house in the backyard. Pooches today are commonly referred to as “fur babies” and their “parents” enjoy taking them everywhere. While Houston has a number of pet-friendly patios and restaurants to explore, there are places that go the extra mile where dogs have their own menus and can enjoy a specially-prepared meal or even a puppy mocktail.
In maintaining safety for all dogs dining out in Houston, please keep pups leashed up at all times when in public spaces and their vaccinations and flea prevention up to date.
And, if you don’t yet have a canine companion of your own, the city’s countless animal shelters and rescue organizations are overflowing with fluffy-butts in need of a good home. Consider adopting, and you and your new buddy can check out all of Houston’s best dog-friendly establishments for a pup cup, a beefy bowl, or a playcation Downtown.
Where to Eat & Drink
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
Lazy and not-so-lazy dogs are allowed on the patio at all three Houston-area Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar locations, and there are two dog meals available to them. Owners can choose from chicken or beef, with rice and veggies. For humans, there is an extensive menu of burgers, sandwiches, and entrees like ginger soy salmon and flat iron steak. There are numerous cocktail and beverage options as well. 20030 Northwest Fwy., Cypress, lazydogrestaurants.com
The Dog Bar
The name says it all at this quirky Montrose establishment. Part pet store, part puppy hangout, the Dog Bar offers all kinds of goodies for your fuzzy friend—from duck feet to doggy sundaes. There are even “puptails” like Hawaiian Pawty Punch, and dog beers such as Crotch-Sniffin’ Ale. Grown-ups can enjoy an adult beverage while watching their dogs run around and make new friends. Seating is limited to outdoors, naturally, but you can find toys and pet accessories for sale at the indoor shop. 2404 Montrose Blvd., Houston, the-dog-bar-myshopifyhtx.com
Pucci Cafe
Pronounced “poochie”, this coffee cafe, wine bar, and luxury dog boutique puts the “ooh” in the “ooh-la-la”. If your pup was a Kardashian, this is where they would shop. There are high-end carriers, stylish dog clothing, and an entire “barkery” dedicated to pup treats like peanut butter bites and dog birthday cakes. Your precious pup can even have a birthday party on the patio, with advanced reservations. Pucci Cafe is more than glitz and glamour. The restaurant supports and represents a number of dog rescues. They are known to connect interested pet parents with organizations that offer plenty of wannabe dog divas itching for a sugar daddy or momma to spoil them as they deserve. 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy, puccicafe.com
Barnaby’s Cafe
There are eight locations of this dog-friendly restaurant across the city, plus a Baby Barnaby’s in Montrose. The smiling face of the founder’s late English sheepdog and the multitude of rainbows lets diners know that this cafe is inclusive. Pups are allowed on the patio, but there are a few rules to keep compliance with the Texas Health Department, such as not allowing dogs on the tables, or letting them eat from your plate. There are complimentary bowls of water for pooches, plus a $7 menu of doggy dishes like ground beef, sliced chicken breast, or scrambled eggs, all served with brown rice. Pet parents can also treat their babies to a doggy ice cream for $4. Multiple locations, barnabyscafe.com
Slowpokes
For dogs and their owners who like to live life in the slow lane, this cafe with multiple locations across the city offers a laid-back vibe for sipping on a specialty latte or a glass of cabernet. There are breakfast items, flatbreads, and sandwiches for humans, plus pup cups for non-humans. Select Slowpokes locations also feature locally-made dog treats. The patios are pet-friendly, but the Richmond Avenue outpost has the added bonus of being adjacent to Levy Park, which boasts a bustling dog park with dedicated areas for small and large dogs. Multiple locations, imaslowpoke.com
Lick Honest Ice Cream
Founded in Austin in 2011, this Texas ice cream brand uses high-quality ingredients for its unique flavors like goat cheese, thyme, and honey and Texas sheet cake. The waffle cones are homemade and ready to be filled with caramel salt lick or fresh mint and chocolate chunk. For dogs, the gluten-free pup cups are made with oat milk and peanut butter. While the two Houston shops don’t have patios for pups, the Autry Park location has ample public green space for humans and canines to work off the calories of an ice cream splurge. Multiple locations, ilikelick.com/houston
Three Dog Bakery
This franchised bakery for dogs has two Houston locations, in Rice Village and the Heights. The frosted pastries look good enough for humans to eat, but they’re meant for dogs. If you’re throwing a bow-wow birthday party, they have celebration rounds and bone-shaped cakes in flavors like peanut butter, carob, and carrot. In addition to bakery items, the shops sell toys, accessories, spa products, and premium pet food. Go forth, and spoil your fur baby. Multiple locations, threedogbakeryhtx.com
Where to Stay
Hotel ZaZa
Both Houston locations of this boutique hotel permit pets for a non-refundable deposit of $100 per animal. They each have green spaces nearby, but the Museum District location is steps from Hermann Park and features nearby jogging trails for active people and pups. Dogs are allowed in the hotel’s lobby, hallways, and rooms, but not in the restaurants or pool area. Hotel ZaZa does not enforce a weight limit, but dogs should be crated when left unattended. Its sister hotels in Dallas and Austin are pet-friendly too. Multiple locations, hotelzaza.com
Four Seasons Hotel
This is one of Houston’s premier 5-star luxury hotels that does not charge fees for pets. There is, however, a limit of staying with two pets, up to 25 pounds each, or one dog at 50 pounds or less. Bowls and dog beds are provided, and there is a pet menu with some seriously fancy fare. Your pooch can enjoy the Pawsh Puppy Plate with beef tenderloin, the chicken delight, or the salmon sit-stay for $35 each. With the hotel’s close proximity to Discovery Green and its enclosed dog run, there is ample room to explore steps from the property. 1300 Lamar St., Houston, fourseasons.com/houston
Post Oak Hotel
Part of Tilman Fertitta’s Landry’s empire, this posh paradise is the only Forbes Five-Star Hotel and Spa in Texas. There is a $150 fee required for pets, with a limit of two dogs per room, up to 75 pounds each and a signed waiver is required. Pets get treated like high rollers with plush dog beds and food bowls in the room, plus a complimentary bandana, treat, and toy to take home. The luxe dining options for pooches include a menu of salmon and egg scramble, chopped filet mignon and bananas “a la bark”. 1600 W. Loop S., Houston, the postoakhotel.com
Hotel Granduca
If your pup appreciates la dolce vita, there’s no need to stress them out with a long haul flight to Italy when there’s a Tuscan-style luxury hotel in the heart of Houston’s Uptown District. Hotel Granduca has a dog-friendly policy, with a $150 non-refundable pet cleaning fee. Pet-friendly rooms are all located on the second and third floors, and there is grassy area and waste station to utilize on the property, while exploring. 1080 Uptown Park Blvd., Houston, granducahouston.com
Marriott CityPlace
Located in the Springwoods Village enclave, this hotel is nestled among the trees, with plenty of outdoor green space and trails for dogs to explore. There’s also a park and a plaza with regularly scheduled events like yoga and movie night. Several restaurants are within walking distance including Common Bond, Tarka Indian Kitchen, and Island Grill, but the hotel has its own restaurant and bar, too. There is a $75 non-refundable fee with a limit of one pet per room, weighing up to 50 pounds. 1200 Lake Plaza Dr., Houston, marriott.com
The Woodlands Resort
The whole family, dogs included, can have a fun time at this wooded oasis in the Woodlands. Guests can arrange for a round of golf, rent a tennis or pickleball court, or relax in the lazy river. While dogs can’t participate in those activities, they can enjoy long, peaceful walks along the trails or a romp at one of the nearby dog parks. There is a dog policy agreement required to stay at the hotel, and a one-time fee of $100 for up to four nights. The weight restriction is 40 pounds, with no more than two dogs allowed per room. While most indoor areas of the resort are off-limits for pets, dogs are welcome on the terrace of the resort’s restaurant, Back Table Kitchen & Bar. The restaurant hosts Yappy Hour on occasion, so check its events page for upcoming dates. 2301 N. Millbend Dr., The Woodlands, woodlandsresort.com
Thompson Hotel
Newly opened in Houston, the Thompson Hotel is dog-friendly and allows pets up to 50 pounds with no fees (up to two per room). Comfy dog beds are provided, along with bowls and a chew toy. Dogs cannot be left unattended in the room, so guests may not be able to visit the onsite restaurants, but 24-hour room service is a major perk. Situated along Buffalo Bayou Park, the hotel promises strolls under majestic oak trees leading to Johnny Steele Dog Park, a massive space for furry fellows to play in the sand, grass, and even a shallow pond. Pet owners should be prepared with wipes or towels, should their dogs choose to take a dip. 1717 Allen Pkwy., Houston, hyatt.com/thompson
