The Best Dog-Friendly Places in Austin: City Guide

The Best Dog-Friendly Places in Austin: City Guide

Howdy Austin, BARKLOOM's hometown! The coolest thing about the city is almost EVERYWHERE you go is dog-friendly. I don't think we've ever been denied entry with a pup out here (except for maybe Costco once :D). We obviously won't even come close to listing them ALL, but we will go through some of our favorite dog-friendly places in Austin!

Dog-Friendly Restaurants and Bars in Austin

Eating out with your pup is one of the great joys in life (at least, we think so). And thankfully, there's no shortage of dog-friendly bars and restaurants in Austin TX! Here are some of our favorite restaurants that roll out the red for pups and their humans:

girl-with-a-dog-at-a-dog-friendly-restaurant

Downtown Austin


Upstairs at Caroline

πŸ“621 Congress Ave #201, Austin TX 78701

This is a great spot to dine with your pup on the large outdoor deck overlooking Congress Ave. The menu is full of American classics with a twist and the service is wonderful. They also have a special "dog menu" for your pup that includes house-made pupcakes!


Irene’s

πŸ“506 West Avenue, Austin TX 78701

Irene's is a neighborhood bar with a great patio that's perfect for bringing your pup. The menu is full of bar favorites like wings and burgers, and they have a large selection of beers on tap.


Hold Out Brewing & Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

πŸ“406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703

Located next to each other, these two spots are great for a day or night out with your pup. Hold Out Brewing has a covered patio that's perfect for enjoying a craft beer or two with your four-legged friends. They also have a great food menu. And when you're ready for a caffeine fix, head next door to Better Half for coffee, cocktails, and light bites. They also have a patio where dogs are welcome.


Mozart's Coffee Roasters

πŸ“3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

Mozart's is a local favorite for coffee and pastries, and they have one of the larger outdoor patios with a great view of Lake Austin, so you can enjoy the scenery while you sip on your coffee.


Rainey Street

Virtually all places on Rainey welcome dogs! Each place has an outdoor area and tons of character, and you can see a lot of people with their pups. One downside - it can get pretty packed and loud on weekends, so if your pup isn't a fan of crowds, it might be best to avoid this area.


East Austin


Easy Tiger

πŸ“709 E 6th St, Austin TX 78701

Easy Tiger is a great spot for lunch or dinner with your pup. They have a great outdoor space with games like cornhole and ping pong, and the menu features pretzels, sandwiches, salads, and more, and we recommend picking up some bread....they make amazing bread. They also have a full bar with a great selection of beers, wines, and cocktails. There are two more locations - in South Austin and the North.


Sour Duck Market

πŸ“1814 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78722

Sour Duck is a great place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The menu features a variety of dishes inspired by different cuisines, and they have a full bar with craft cocktails. There's a big outdoor dog-friendly patio.


Austin Eastsiders

πŸ“2113 Manor Rd, Austin TX 78722

Austin Eastsiders is a great bar for happy hour or a night out! They have a fantastic selection of their ciders with a dog-friendly taproom.


Jacoby's Restaurant & Mercantile

πŸ“3235 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

This might literally be the best brunch spot on earth (in all of Austin at least!). It has a beautiful vintage outdoor area with a view, and the food is incredible. If you get a chance to try the fried chicken, do it. You will not regret it!


North Austin


Doghouse Drinkery

πŸ“6900 Burnet Rd, Austin TX 78757

This place is a dog lover's dream! It's an entire bar and restaurant dedicated to dogs and their humans. They have a large outdoor patio with games and plenty of space for your pup to run around. The menu features American classics like burgers and wings, and they have a full bar.


Yard Bar

πŸ“6700 Burnet Rd, Austin TX 78757

This is another great spot for dogs and their humans!!! Goes to show you how dog-friendly Austin really is. This is a bar & dog park combined, so pups can play while the dog owners enjoy a drink. They also have food trucks on-site, so you can get your grub on.


The Domain

πŸ“11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin TX 78758

For those who haven't checked it out yet, The Domain is an outdoor mall with a ton of great shops and restaurants. It features high-end shopping, great bars, and eats for every taste. All of the Domain (surprise!) is dog-friendly and all stores allow dogs inside. Some of the best restaurants & bars at the domain are:


South Austin


Full disclosure, BARKLOOM is biased towards South Austin because that's our home, so we found quite a few dog-friendly restaurants in South Austin, and bring our pups there all the time. So, this list may or may not be a little longer than others :D


Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden

πŸ“121 W 8th St, Austin, TX 78701

This place is a local favorite for coffee, pastries, and beer. They have a very big outdoor patio with games and plenty of space for your pup, and they usually have food trucks on the property to grab a bite.


Moontower Saloon

πŸ“10212 Manchaca Rd, Austin TX 78748

This place is a great spot for a night out with your dog! They have an outdoor patio with games and live music. The menu features Texas comfort food like burgers, BBQ, and tacos, and they have a full bar. The place also has its very own volleyball court, where you can join a league or come and play with friends while sipping a drink.


Armadillo Den

πŸ“2219 S Lakeshore Blvd, Austin TX 78741

A local favorite for a good Saturday night. This place is a bar, dance hall, and live music venue all in one. They have a huge outdoor patio with games, and the inside is huge with a dance floor and stage. They have food trucks on the property & a full bar. A lot of the outdoor seating has a firepit so winters are a go :)


Lustre Pearl South

πŸ“10400 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78748

This place is a great spot for day drinking with your pup! They have a big outdoor patio with games, and the inside is decorated with vintage furniture and chandeliers. The menu features American classics with a twist, and they have a full bar. Lustre Pearl has two more locations - one on Rainey and one in East Austin, and all of them are just as charming!


Still Austin Whiskey Co.

πŸ“440 E St Elmo Rd Bldg 6, Austin TX 78745

A distillery located in South Austin with a tasting room and cocktail bar. They have a small patio out front that's perfect for pups, and they offer tours of the facility. The cocktail bar features creative takes on classic cocktails, and they have a small food menu.


The Little Darlin'

πŸ“6507 Burnet Rd, Austin TX 78757

This place is a bar and dance hall with a huge outdoor patio. They have live music and DJs, and the menu features American classics like burgers and wings. The Little Darlin' has a full bar and plenty of space for your pup to run around.


Opa Coffee & Wine Bar

πŸ“6705 US-290, Austin, TX 78723

A great spot for coffee, pastries, and wine. The patio is so simple and charming that you'll fall in love at first sight! It's perfect for getting some work done in the morning over a cup of Greek coffee, or catching their happy hour with friends in the evening.


We might have to pause here but please don't let that stop you from exploring more - South Austin has some of the most authentic, laid-back bars and restaurants in the area, and we have never had a bad meal (just like we have never been kicked out with a dog :). Most of the patios are dog-friendly!

Dog-Friendly Hiking in Austin

Austin has endless hiking trails, and hiking is one of the best dog-friendly things to do in Austin! Here are a few of our favorites:

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The Barton Creek Greenbelt

This trail has something for everyone - it's 12 miles long with multiple entry points and features a diverse landscape including forests, creeks, cliffs, and caves. Bring your dog to explore for hours and never get bored!


Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail

This is an awesome hike: Lady Bird Lake is 10 miles long and is one of the most popular trails in Austin. It's a great place to walk, run, or bike with your dog, and there are plenty of scenic spots to stop and take a break. It has some of the best downtown views and water access to paddleboard or kayak! The trail runs through Downtown Austin so it's a perfect workout for Austin dog owners before grabbing a cold drink in one of the dog-friendly spots nearby.


McKinney Falls State Park

McKinney Falls State Park is located just outside of Austin and is a great place to spend a day with your dog. The park has a hiking on-leash trail, swimming holes, and scenic views. Dogs are welcome in all areas of the park except for the inside of buildings, and they must be on a leash at all times.


Mt. Bonnel

Mt. Bonnel is a short but strenuous hike that leads to one of the best views in Austin. The trail is only 0.7 miles long, but it's very steep in parts so be prepared for a workout! Enjoy scenic views of the Colorado River and a nice warm day. Dogs are welcome on the trail as long as they are on a leash.


There are plenty of other places to take your pup for a hike, but these are some of our favorites. There are not as many off-leash dog trails in Austin, because most of the time leash is a safety measure for your pup, bet there are a few. And for the gotter days, grab a guide to keep your pup cool & happy! :)

Dog Parks in Austin, Texas

One of the favorite things to do with your dog in Austin is going to dog parks! That's where pups meet new friends and have fun. Here are a few for you to choose from:

dog-wearing-bandana-in-a-park

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Emma Long Metropolitan Park

πŸ“ 1600 City Park Rd, Austin, TX 78730

This is a large park located near Lake Austin with plenty of space to run around. Dogs are allowed off-leash in designated areas, and there are also hiking trails and a lake where you can cool off. The park has a 2.5mi off-leash trail (Turkey Creek Trail).


Zilker Metropolitan Park

πŸ“ 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746

Zilker Park is a huge park with plenty of space to explore. Dogs are allowed off-leash in designated areas, and there's also a dog beach where your pup can cool off! Zilker offers stunning views of Downtown Austin and is a beloved


Walter E Long Metropolitan Park

πŸ“ 6614 Blue Bluff Rd, Austin, TX 78724

This park is located near Walter E Long Lake and has a large off-leash park area for dogs to play. There's also a swimming area where your pup can cool off on hot days.


Onion Creek District Park

πŸ“ 5600 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78749

This park has a small dog park as well as a large off-leash area. Dogs are allowed to swim in the creek, and there are also hiking trails and a playground!


Shoal Creek Preserve

πŸ“ 809 W 45th St, Austin, TX 78756

This preserve has a large off-leash area for dogs to play, as well as a swimming hole and hiking trails. Dogs are not allowed on the trails, but there's plenty of space to run around.


Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park

πŸ“ 12138 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753

This is a large park with plenty of space. Dogs are allowed off-leash in designated areas, and there are also hiking trails for leashed dogs and a creek where you can cool off.


There are a lot of dog-friendly Parks in Austin, and these are just a few of our favorites. If you're looking for a place to take your pup to play, there's sure to be a park that's perfect for you.


DID YOU KNOW? Dog bandanas can help with overheating & bugs


Dog-Friendly Hotels in Austin

When it comes to dog-friendly hotels in Austin, there are two categories - hooman and dog hotels! :) And there's plenty of both down here in Austin.

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Hooman Dog-Friendly Hotels


A few hotels we know and love, that go out of their way to make your pup's stay comfortable:


The Line Hotel

This hotel is located in the heart of Downtown Austin and is close to all the best restaurants and bars. They have a special package that includes a welcome mat, food and water bowls, and a treat! Dogs stay for free :)


Hotel San Jose

This hotel is located in South Austin, on South Congress, and is close to all the best shops and restaurants. They welcome dogs of all sizes and prove you with grain-free dog treats. There's a $20 fee for your pup.


Hotel Ella

This hotel is located in Central Austin and is just a short walk from the University of Texas. They offer a "Paws on Property" package that includes a bandana, food and water bowls, and treats. There are no additional fees.


Flying to Austin with your pup? Read these flying tips!

Pet Hotels & Daycare in Austin

If you're looking for a place to leave your pup while you're out and about, there are plenty of options! Some vacations are meant to be "child-free" :D Now, when it comes to boarding, our team is very particular and we will not recommend any hotels and boarding places we haven't tried ourselves. So the list will be short, but 100% BARKLOOM-tested.


D Pet Hotel

πŸ“7101 West, State Hwy 71, Austin, TX 78735

This hotel is located in South Austin and offers both boarding and daycare. We love this place because it's all indoor, so pups are out of the hot summer temps and it's kept extremely clean. All dogs are grouped by size and temperament for maximum fun. They offer daycare, grooming and boarding, and when you board your pup, you can pick a suite from 3 different categories, the top tier one has a large bed, pillows, and a TV :)


Work & Woof

πŸ“5201, South Congress Ave Suite 2218, Austin, TX 78704

We couldn't decide for a while where to list this one. We absolutely love WW and here is why. This is a daycare facility that also offers dog training AND a co-working space for us, the dog parents. It's a great place if you're looking for a one-stop shop! They offer puppy camp, and enrichment sessions, and have a combo of indoor-outdoor space so the weather is never an issue. We have set up a travel BARKLOOM office at Work & Woof a few times and loved it. There's nothing better than watching your pup having the best fun while you're getting some pawesome work done.

Austin is perhaps one of the best cities for dog parents and their pups. With so many activities, parks, trails, and hotels that cater to dogs, you and your pup are sure to have a blast!

Do you have a favorite dog-friendly spot in Austin? Let us know!



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