Spend just a few minutes in Austin and you’ll quickly find that where the locals go, their dogs go. This applies to retail shops, parks and hiking trails, and of course, restaurants. While health codes usually prevent dogs from sitting inside, Austin's nearly 300 days of sunshine each year make patios and beer gardens the perfect place to dine al fresco with your best friend.
These ten dog-friendly Austin restaurants will welcome both you and your pup with delicious eats and refreshing drinks. A few quick tips before you go: call ahead to confirm hours and current pet policies, always keep your dog leashed unless you're in a designated off-leash area, and bring water on hot days — Austin summers are no joke, even for the most heat-tolerant pups.
Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden
With over 200 beers on tap — the largest selection in Texas — Banger’s on Rainey Street has plenty to delight people and pups alike. Their massive outdoor beer garden welcomes dogs with water bowls and a special dog-friendly sausage called the Woof Wurst, with proceeds benefiting local shelter and rescue organization Austin Pets Alive! After your pooch has had a drink and a snack, let them loose in the small on-site dog run for a romp with new friends.
Yard Bar
Dogs aren't an afterthought at Yard Bar — they're the whole point. The off-leash dog park comes stocked with agility equipment, toys, and hydrants, and "Bark Rangers" keep an eye on things to make sure everyone's getting along while you have a cocktail or cold beer. There's also a separate area for small dogs, so every size of pup can play comfortably.
Good to know: Off-leash dog park; day passes and memberships available.
Courtesy of Jester King Brewery.
Jester King
Set on a 165-acre ranch about 18 miles southwest of downtown, Jester King is part-brewery, part-restaurant, and part-working farm — and a genuine day-trip destination. Dogs must stay leashed, but there are walking paths around the property where you can explore alongside the resident Nigerian Dwarf goats. Grab a gourmet wood-fired pizza and one of their award-winning farmhouse ales while you're there.
Good to know: Leashed dogs welcome on the grounds and outdoor seating areas.
Bouldin Acres
Bouldin Acres n South Lamar leans fully into the dog-friendly life. The outdoor space is carpeted in turf grass with a fenced off-leash dog area where your pup can play while you eat tacos or brisket from the on-site CM Smokehouse food truck. Pickleball courts, lawn games, and a full-service bar round out the experience. The brand has since expanded to multiple locations across Austin, so check their site for the location nearest you.
Good to know: Fenced off-leash area; turf patio. Multiple Austin locations. South Lamar, North Austin (Braker Lane), and South Side (Menchaca Rd).
Blue Lacy. Credit Angela Hinson.
Blue Lacy
Named after the Texas state dog breed, Blue Lacy is an all-day eatery inside the Origin Hotel Austin in the Mueller neighborhood. The dog-friendly patio comes with a dedicated pet menu — think Bowser Beer and doggie ice cream — while you work through the breakfast Monte Cristo or Texas fries. It's a great stop if you're also staying at Origin, which is itself pet-friendly.
Easy Tiger
This beloved Austin bakeshop and beer garden is a genuine oasis for humans and pups alike. Easy Tiger's South Lamar location offers over 10,000 square feet of covered patio space, a rotating lineup of local brews on tap, and house-made pretzels worth lingering over. Staff have been known to bring water bowls out to four-legged guests without being asked.
Loro
Pitmaster Aaron Franklin and chef Tyson Cole of Uchi fame teamed up to create Loro, an Asian smokehouse that's become one of Austin's most beloved restaurants. Their spacious outdoor patio is shaded by leafy oak trees — a genuine relief on a hot Austin day — and fresh water bowls are available for dogs. You'll want the smoked brisket with Thai herbs and a boozy slushee.
The ABGB
The dog-friendly, shaded patio at The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company (ABGB) has watering stations, doggie biscuits and artisan pizzas — something for every member of the family. The ABGB also puts their money where their mouth is: they commit 10% of yearly profits to organizations aligned with their values, including Austin Pets Alive!
The Little Darlin’
Way down In South Austin, The Little Darlin’ offers Southern-style comfort food (the fried chicken sandwich is a standout) in a sprawling backyard setting with live music, picnic tables and cornhole. About 80% of the space is patio, so your dog will have plenty of room to stretch out under the restaurant's shady oaks. Cats on leashes are welcome too, if your household leans in that direction.
Hank's
Hank's in Windsor Park is a coffee shop, bar, and café all in one, with a large covered front porch that welcomes leashed dogs. Staff bring out water bowls and treats for pups, and the happy hour deals — frozen cocktails, tap wine — make it a great late-afternoon stop. The food is reliably good any time of day.
Plan Your Dog-Friendly Austin Trip
Austin is one of the most welcoming cities in the country for dogs, and the restaurants above are just the beginning. Before your visit, check out our guide to dog-friendly things to do in Austin for parks, trails, and more. And if you're bringing your pup along for the whole trip, browse pet-friendly hotels in Austin so you can find a home base that welcomes the whole crew.
Contributed by Kate McDermott.
Kate McDermott is a local copywriter, content writer, and mocktail enthusiast. She writes about and for restaurants, hotels, event companies, and more from her home in Way South Austin.
Website: lastcallcopy.com
Instagram: @lastcallcopy
