Pizza with puppies? Coffee with kittens? A late-night cocktail among the cockatoos? At these Phoenix restaurants and cafes, you can enjoy a tasty meal or beverage alongside furry or feathered animals.
From fries with Fido to burgers with bears, we’ve rounded up eight of the Valley’s best animal-friendly and -themed eateries — and one that’s worth the day trip — where you’ll come face-to-face with fascinating wildlife, adoptable pets, and even mechanized critters.
Phoenix Zoo
When it comes to dining with animals, there’s no better place in Greater Phoenix than the Phoenix Zoo. As one of the largest nonprofit zoos in the U.S., covering more than 125 acres in Papago Park, it’s home to more than 3,000 animals, many which are threatened or endangered.
As for food, escape the heat in the Savanna Grill in the central plaza, which serves burgers, sandwiches, salads, and kids’ meals. The Crossroads Cafe, located near the camel rides, offers quick-service Mexican dishes, while Safari Snacks, situated on the African Trail next to the rhino habitat, has hot dogs and frozen treats. Guests can also bring their own food and drinks too, and can enjoy lunch and snacks at benches and stops around the park. 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, phoenixzoo.org
Stray Café
The Valley’s newest experience with animals opened in mid-August in Central Phoenix. Taking a cue from the ubiquitous Tokyo-style cat cafes that have popped up around Arizona and the U.S., this dog and coffee cafe supports Rockstar Rescue, a recovery facility with a focus on saving dogs who are at high risk of euthanasia in county shelters, and rehabilitating them for adoption.
Guests can reserve time in the comfy living room-style setting where they can play with puppies, enjoy a little canine therapy, or even find a new best friend to take home. The small cafe also offers coffees, teas, and Rockstar Rescue merch for sale. 530 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, straycafe.org
Pizza to the Rescue
Just about everyone can agree that two of the best things in life are pizza and puppies. And you can find both at this Neopolitan-style pizzeria whose motto is “Eat Pizza. Save Puppies.”
Pizza to the Rescue partners with Almost There Rescue, which focuses on saving stray pregnant and nursing dogs and their babies, and is conveniently located next door to the restaurant. Enjoy artisan pizzas and pastas, cocktails, and wine and beer. And if that’s not enough, every evening, volunteers from the rescue bring puppies from the shelter to the eatery’s patio for socialization and adoption.
You can even bring your own dog to dine with you. Bonus: 25% of all pizza sales goes directly to the rescue, so you can indulge while knowing that your meal is making a difference. 2601 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, pizzatotherescuephx.com
O.H.S.O. Brewery Has Animals
The Valley is full of dog-friendly patios, but no one does it better than O.H.S.O. Every night, the expansive courtyards at each of the local chain’s six locations are filled with dogs of all breeds and sizes. Dogs receive their own personalized water bowl, and free treats are readily available, each made by the brewery from leftover brewing grains, flour, egg, and peanut butter.
Humans will enjoy a full menu of fresh, flavorful salads, burgers, sandwiches, and more. Longtime favorites include the Steak & Fries, with skirt steak, cotija cheese, and poblano aioli, all covered in gooey queso; the PBJ Burger; and the Brisket Mac made with cavatappi topped with chopped brisket, onion strings, and barbecue and Boursin sauce.
Wash it down with one of the brewery’s award-winning beers. O.H.S.O. also offers a special “Bark Bites” menu for pups, with items including bacon, cucumber slices, turkey or burger patties, and sweet potato fries. Multiple locations, ohsobrewery.com
Phoenix Cat Cafe
Phoenician cat lovers can get a feline fix at the Phoenix Cat Cafe’s two locations in downtown Phoenix and north Glendale. The full-service cafes serve a selection of coffees, teas, smoothies, and Italian sodas, as well as snacks such as chips and cookies.
Of course the real reason to visit is to spend time playing with and cuddling the cats and kittens that are available for adoption through local rescues. Reservations are required, and the entrance fee of $18 per person for a one-hour experience, helps support the cafe’s mission of finding furever homes for cats and kittens in need. 147 E. Garfield St., Phoenix; and 4330 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale, phxcatcafe.org
The Perch Brewery
The Perch is one of the Valley’s most beloved and unique dining destinations. In addition to the upscale pub fare and more than two-dozen house-made beers, it’s celebrated for the lush garden setting and flock of rescued birds.
Guests come as much for the food and drink as they do to hang out with such exotic feathered friends as Bubba the Hyacinth macaw, Carmine the African gray parrot, and Bogey the green wing macaw. More than 50 rescued tropical birds live at The Perch in downtown Chandler. However, keep in mind that the restaurant’s second location in Gilbert is bird-free. 232 S. Wall St., Chandler, perchpubbrewery.com
Animals at the Zoo and Dillon’s KC BBQ
The Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium is home to more than 600 species of animals, most from Africa and South America, including lions, giraffes, rhinos, primates, camels, bears, and many more. While there, make sure to stop by Dillon’s KC BBQ for lunch or dinner. Not only does this family-friendly eatery serve tasty smoked brisket, pulled pork, and ribs, along with a selection of burgers, sandwiches, and even salads, it’s the only place in the Valley where you can dine next to a live shark.
The dining room looks into the aquarium’s 60,000-gallon tank, which is home to a bonnethead, blacknose, and zebra shark. Or, if thoughts of Jaws hinder your appetite, head to the outdoor deck that offers views of the flamingo exhibit, where the only teeth noshing are your own. 16335 W. Northern Ave., Litchfield Park, dillonsrestaurant.com
Rainforest Café
Animatronic animals rule the jungle at this classic ’90s throwback. Kids will love the mechanical monkeys, elephants, talking birds, and frogs, including Cha-Cha, the chain eatery’s red-eye tree frog mascot. The experience begins at the front door, where guests enter through a large aquarium tunnel surrounded by coral and colorful tropical fish.
Once inside, the dining room replicates a tropical rainforest, filled with leafy trees and vines. Thunderstorm and rain sound effects and cascading waterfalls add to the adventurous atmosphere. Barstools painted to look like animal legs and feet add whimsy to space. Located in Tempe’s Arizona Mills Mall, it’s the perfect place to bring the family after a day at Legoland Discovery Center or the Sea Life aquarium, which is the only place with real, live animals. 5000 S. Arizona Mills Cir., Tempe, rainforestcafe.com
Bearizona
Okay, so it’s not in Greater Phoenix, but a visit to this wildlife park in Williams is worth the drive. After all, where can you spend the morning touring the habitats of grizzly and black bears, wolves, bison, badgers, reindeer, and more, and then enjoy a full-service meal overlooking a jaguar enclosure?
Bearizona’s Canyonlands Restaurant serves burgers, sandwiches, mac and cheese, and soups and salads, along with a selection of vegetarian and gluten-free options. For something a little lighter, the outdoor Bearizona Grille offers hot dogs, sandwiches, and finger foods such as chicken tenders and nachos. You can even get popcorn, cotton candy, or churros to snack on while driving through the park. 1500 E. Route 66, Williams, bearizona.com
