<em>All dog owners know the guilt: your little pup staring up at you with sad eyes as you head out for dinner, leaving them all alone. But these days, this need not be the case. Plenty of eateries welcome four-legged friends with open arms – and indeed offer special menus for canines. Here we bring you the very best dog friendly restaurants in London, where the staff will be just as excited to see you as your fluffy companion. From glamorous hotels to cosy neighbourhood spots, these restaurants give dogs the luxury treatment they deserve – from puppaccinos to afternoon tea and pawsecco. Fear not: humans are well-fed too.
Pet Insurance
As well as treating your four-legged friend to meals out, keep them safe by investing in pet insurance. M&S Pet Insurance has four different levels of cover to choose from, ensuring peace of mind for both you and your pet. Dogs can be protected from aged eight weeks, and if you have more than one pet you can add another and get a 10 percent discount for each pet insured. Insurance will include access to vetfone, a free 24-hour helpline to assist with any questions about your pet’s health, plus up to £10k cover, with no complicated excesses to worry about. And rather than one big payment, you can spread the cost of your insurance over 12 months at no additional cost, paying by Direct Debit. With M&S Pet Insurance, if you were to find your Dachshund began struggling with back problems, or your Yorkie started showing signs of stress, you’ll be assisted in getting them back to health as efficiently as possible, without breaking the bank.
M&S Pet Insurance can’t cover everything, some of the things M&S Pet Insurance doesn’t cover are:
- Any pre-existing conditions you or your vet were aware of before the policy start date
- Any illnesses which you or your vet were aware of in the first 14 days of your policy start date
- The cost of vet treatment for an illness your pet must be vaccinated against
Exclusions apply. M&S Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd (RSA). Get a quote now at bank.marksandspencer.com.
Best Dog Friendly Restaurants in London
The Greenhouses
Looking to host a private event where your dog can join the fun? Check out The Greenhouses in Marylebone, a collection of pretty private dining spaces offering Mediterranean-inspired fare amid pretty floral surroundings. They’re outdoors (with heating in winter, and air conditioning in summer) which means they’re well-suited to four-legged friends.
1 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 4AQ; chameleon.london
Pawsitive Cafe
Pawsitive Cafe in Notting Hill is a truly unique and uplifting experience for dog lovers and foodies alike. Owner Alicia’s mission to create a space for mental wellbeing and positivity has resulted in a cafe that is not only stylish and fun but also educational and therapeutic. The dog-friendly menus include their very own afternoon tea set, a custom-built dog play area, and seasonal therapeutic activities that make this cafe a must-visit for both dogs and their owners. The fusion of English and Malaysian cuisine offers an indulgent and playful dining experience, with dishes like the Nasi Lemak (Malaysia’s national dish) and Burgerdict (a play on a classic beef burger and Eggs Benedict). The attention to detail in the decor, with feng shui and colour therapy in mind, creates a harmonious and uplifting environment that makes it the perfect place to spend your afternoon. Celebrating your pup’s birthday? The team can whizz up a homemade cake (and sing happy birthday).
52 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5SH; pawsitivecafe.com
Great Scotland Yard
Treat your pup to afternoon tea at Great Scotland Yard, the London hotel housed in one of the city’s most historic buildings. Taking place in The Parlour, the experience has been created in partnership with Talula Eats, and includes organic meat and vegetables, a slice of homemade doggie cake and ‘dogestive biscuits’ served with a ‘pupcake’. Human guests, meanwhile, can tuck into finger sandwiches, quiche and plenty of sweet treats. There’s also a multi-sensory element, thanks to a collaboration with Floris London, with key notes of the brand’s scents infused throughout the dishes.
3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London, England, United Kingdom, SW1A 2HN; hyatt.com
40 Dean Street
Combine your love of pasta and pooches with a trip to Soho‘s cosy Italian eatery 40 Dean Street. The buzzing family-run restaurant has been satisfying Italian-esque taste buds across London for over 17 years, serving up the likes of creamy burrata and seafood linguine whilst welcoming pups to join in with the indulgent fun. For those (and we mean humans) who adore truffle, the gnocchi with porcini mushrooms and smoked mozzarella is a must, infused with copious amounts of delicious truffle oil, perfect for dipping bread into. But the pièce de résistance has to be the pistachio tiramisu – light and airy, yet simultaneously indulgent with layer after layer of ladyfingers, chocolate, coffee and cream, with glorious hints of pistachio. The pistachio might not be for pups, but they will be given plenty of water and attention from the incredibly warm staff.
40 Dean St, London W1D 4PX; fortydeanstreet.com
Sloane Place
Sloane Place Restaurant serves up some of the most delicious food in Chelsea with a mouthwatering all-day dining menu showcasing European/Javanese cuisine and a killer bottomless brunch menu at the weekend too. It also loves welcoming doggy guests who can enjoy dining with their masters and mistresses at both the Sloane Place Restaurant and The Roof Terrace at The Sloane where water bowls and treats will be dished out.
60 Lower Sloane St, London SW1W 8BP; sloaneplace.com
Smith & Whistle
A few years ago Smith & Whistle launched the first ever Dogtail menu, so you can enjoy a few tipples alongside your four-legged friend. Treat your dog to a G&T Ginger Tails: a mix of fresh ginger and tonic, or Bubbly Bow Wow: a dog-friendly Prosecco mixed with liquidised blueberries. The bar’s ideal location opposite picturesque Green Park means you can enjoy a post-drink stroll too.
Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, Piccadilly, London W1J 7BX; smithandwhistle.com
Gaucho
Upmarket Argentinian steak restaurant Gaucho now has it’s own doggy menu, The Muttropolitan, alongside a new dog policy which means pups are allowed all day between 12-6pm. Their ‘Doggy Sundays’ have also been given a makeover, with a selection of dog brands taking over the terrace on the first Sunday afternoon of each month. Book a table under your pooch’s name, and waiters will offer treats and entertainment for them, including a doggy bag of treats and surprises to take home.
Various locations; gauchorestaurants.com
Paws For Coffee
This cute café is not just dog friendly, it’s actually dedicated to furry pals and their walkers. Pups can choose from their very own menu, featuring puppuccinos, doggie sausages, and homemade dog treats, before having a quick snooze in one of the comfy dog beds. Oh, and humans can eat here too – think traditional lunch brunch, salads, paninis and smoothies. With one branch in Hampton and another in Richmond, both are perfectly placed for a dog walk round the park afterwards.
41 High St, Hampton Hill, Hampton TW12 1NB; pawsforcoffee.co.uk
M Victoria
Pups are welcome year-round at M Victoria: a ‘Dine with your Dog’ menu is available, complete with Pawsecco for your Canine Companion. Or if your dog is more of a brunch fan, they can tuck into their own brunch menu of either bacon and peanut butter cookies or dried chicken livers. The £5 cost will go towards Battersea Cats and Dogs Home.
Zig Zag Building, 74 Victoria St, London SW1E 6SQ; mrestaurants.co.uk
Egerton House Hotel
Who wouldn’t want to go for afternoon tea with their dog? The Egerton offers a unique experience in which dogs are offered their own afternoon tea menu, featuring homemade dog biscuits, chicken and beef meatloaf, and a special dog-friendly ice cream to finish. Meanwhile humans can dine on an equally delicious menu, with options for vegetarians, vegans and those with a gluten intolerance.
17-19 Egerton Terrace, London SW3 2BX; egertonhousehotel.com
Vinoteca
Inspired by the wine bars of Spain and Italy, Vinoteca pairs an impressive wine list with seasonal, fresh dishes. The best bit? You can have your dog by your side as you sip and eat away.
Various locations; vinoteca.co.uk
Bluebird Café
Pups are more than welcome at long-standing Chelsea haunt Bluebird Café, a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the Kings Road. After being greeted with a warm welcome by staff, dogs are given a bowl of water (with a choice of tap or still), and a goody bag of treats to devour while you tuck into an idyllic Saturday morning lunch.
350 King’s Rd, London SW3 5UU; bluebirdrestaurant.co.uk
Milestone Hotel
For afternoon tea by the fire with your best friend, head to the glamorous Milestone Hotel. Tuck into macaroons, tartlets, a multitude of finger sandwiches and tea or coffee while your dog sits happily with a treat or two.
1-3 Kensington Ct, London W8 5DL; milestonehotel.com
Outsider Tart
The days of feeling bad for eating a slice of cake whilst your dog watches with sad eyes are over. The Outsider Tart provides everything from sweet pies to brownies for humans alongside a special Barkery for your fluffy companion, offering a variety of canine-tailored homemade treats. Who will leave the bakery happier? It’s a tough call.
Lyric Square, London W6 0QL; outsidertart.com
Colbert
In the centre of Sloane Square, this French-inspired restaurant is the convergence point of Chelsea, Knightsbridge and Belgravia. The upscale cuisine will have you staying for a few hours, but the people watching will keep you there for a good while longer. Lucky you’ll have your trusty companion to keep you company.
50-52 Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AX, colbertchelsea.com
Pizarro
Indulge in some traditional Spanish cuisine at Pizarro alongside your puppy pal. Owners and their pets can sit on the window counter seats so your dog can watch passers-by to entertain themselves – and they may even see a fellow furry friend wandering the streets of London. It’s a dog’s life…
50-52 Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AX; josepizarro.com
Maggie Jones’s
Temporarily closed until 2024
This intimate restaurant has been a favourite with the locals for over 40 years thanks to its friendly charm. Fresh and dried flowers hang from the ceiling and occupy the tables, along with candles placed in champagne bottles. Dogs are welcome ‘as long as they behave’ and given a fresh bowl of water upon arrival.
6 Old Ct Pl, London W8 4PL; maggie-jones.co.uk
Featured image: Great Scotland Yard Hotel