Olivia TaylorDid you know that Ottawa requires every citizen to register their pets and limit their numbers to three dogs per household? The rules may sound absurd, but despite the city’s strict pet policies, there are many establishments that are pet-friendly.
Take restaurants, cafes, and pubs, for example. Most of them within the city have patios or courtyards that allow pets to dine with you.
So, if you have a furry one and are looking for dog-friendly restaurants in Ottawa, here’s a list of the best places to take your pup out on a date!
Good Eats Cafe
Address: 207 Bell St N, Ottawa, ON K1R 5B8, Canada
Contact Details: +16132313287
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, Friday, 8:00 am to 11:00 pm, Saturday, 9:00 am to 11:00 pm, Sunday, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Good Eats Cafe, situated in Centretown West Ottawa, is a dog-friendly cafe and restaurant that specializes in healthy meals. They offer a rotating weekly homestyle menu with nutritious options like vegetarian and vegan dishes.
The cafe boasts an inviting ambiance and top-notch service. Good Eats also features a large heated patio where patrons can relax with their furry companions while savouring a curated selection of salads, sandwiches, entrees, and baked goods.
Good Eats Cafe also serves breakfast meals like vegan breakfast bowls, eggs benedict, avocado toast, and rice paper bacon.
| Tips: Good Eats Cafe offers pre-ordered meals in a box for people who want to enjoy their food at home. A box starts at $50 and includes a bottle of prosecco. The cafe also allows customers to order through their online store and have them delivered to their doorstep. You can make your orders here. |
The Bridge Public House
Address: 1 Donald St, Rideau Sports Centre, Ottawa, ON K1K 4E6, Canada
Contact Details: +16137419219
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 12:00 am to 10:00 pm, Saturday, 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, Sunday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Situated next to the Rideau River, The Bridge Public House invites hungry diners and their furry pets for riverside dining. They serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner options, including homestyle Canadian dishes and Asian fusion food.
Their bestselling mains include salmon toast, mushroom tacos, steak tacos, flank steak, fish and chips, and seared salmon. Most of their dishes are good for sharing for two people, with vegetarian options available.
They have both indoor and outdoor seating areas, with space enough for guests to host parties and birthdays. If you’re bringing a pet, they may only stay in the outdoor area.
| Tips: The Bridge Public House patios are heated, so you and your pets can stay warm and comfortable when the temperatures drop. They also host trivia and game nights sometimes. They offer beer tasting and prizes for customers, so keep yourself posted by visiting their Instagram page for updates on the next event! |
Pure Kitchen
Address: 357 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON K2A 0E7, Canada
Contact Details: +16136805500
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:30 am to 9:00 pm
Pure Kitchen owners Kyle and Olivia Cruickshank share the same passion for food, travelling the world in search of the best flavours the globe has to offer. When they settled down in Ottawa, they wanted to share their creations with Ottawans.
Their restaurant now has 4 branches across Ottawa and mainly serves vegetarian and vegan food. They serve pressed juices, healthy smoothie bowls, wraps, noodles, and healthy burgers.
Their menu also features Asian fusion dishes like bibimbap bowls and pad thai, giving customers a variety of flavours to choose from. Pets are also welcome to dine with you, but you must keep them on a leash at all times!
| Tips: Pure Kitchen tends to fill up quickly during lunch and dinner hours (noon onwards and 5:00 pm onwards), so it’s best to call them and make a reservation in advance to secure a table. If you’re bringing a pet with you, we highly recommend informing the staff when you make a reservation in order to secure a spacious outdoor table where they can accommodate you. |
Banditos
Address: 683 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3T8, Canada
Contact Details: +16135653663
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday, 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Friday and Saturday, 12:00 pm to 12:00 am, Sunday, 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Banditos is a restaurant you should keep on your radar if you’re craving Southern Californian cuisine. Even better, you can bring your pets along with you and dine on the spacious outdoor patio.
Banditos mainly serves tacos and Californian street food like nachos, tater tot poutine, sweet potato fries, jerk chicken, gorditas, and smoked brisket. They also serve cocktails and beer as well as non-alcoholic beverages like sodas and juices.
The restaurant is mostly an outdoor space, so it’s very pet-friendly so long as you keep your pets on a leash and with you. In case it gets too sunny, Banditos has patio umbrellas to keep you shaded as you dine!
| Tips: Banditos has parking slots right in front of the restaurant, but they’re very limited. There are, however, parking slots in nearby areas in case all the slots have been filled up. Note that these parking slots are paid with a limit of 2 hours at a time. Make sure you keep track of time and pick up your car before the time runs out to avoid clamping! |
BeaverTails
Address: 69 George St, Ottawa, ON K1N 1K1, Canada
Contact Details: +16132411230
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, Sunday, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
If you’re craving uniquely Canadian snacks and bites, head on over to BeaverTails with your pets for servings of hot BeaverTails and more. BeaverTails is a flat donut snack shaped like—you guessed it—a beaver tail!
Safe to say, a visit to Canada’s capital city is not complete without a taste of this sweet street. There are several BeaverTails branches across the city, but the stall at ByWard Market is arguably the best place to get it (since it’s located within a famous landmark).
There are indoor and outdoor seating areas with the latter reserved for guests with pets. You can grab your orders here and eat elsewhere within the market as well to avoid the crowds.
| Tips: If you’re having BeaverTails for the very first time, we highly recommend ordering the classic flavour. BeaverTails are famously sweet, and trying out the classic flavour can help you decide which of the varieties will suit your palate. These treats are also known to be sticky, so don’t forget to ask for extra napkins to keep your hands clean and sugar-free! |
Clocktower Brew Pub
Address: 140 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7B7, Canada
Contact Details: +16135624878
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 11:30 am to 12:00 am, Friday and Saturday, 11:30 am to 1:00 am, Sunday, 11:30 am to 10:00 pm
Clocktower Brew Pub has been serving Ottawans and tourists with in-house craft beer since 1996. The pub is known for its upbeat atmosphere and Happy Hour promos with a large patio reserved for guests bringing along their pets.
If you’re coming here for a drink or two, we highly recommend trying their draft beer brewed in their traditional open-top fermenters. Their flagship brew is the Kolsch, which is a German strain of beer that has smooth and subtle bitterness.
For a lighter option, try their raspberry wheat beer or No. 7 IPA ale. With numerous variations available, don’t hesitate to ask the servers for recommendations, particularly if you’re new or have specific preferences.
| Tips: Clocktower Brew Pub has 3 branches across Ottawa, all with pet-friendly patios. They occasionally hold special events like game nights, trivia nights, and even comedy nights where they invite comedians to host a show for guests. Keep yourself posted for these special events via their Instagram. Note that some events are held in their indoor seating area, so if you plan on joining in on the fun, make sure to keep your pets at home (as they only allow pets in their patios). |
The King Eddy
Address: 47 Clarence St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5P9, Canada
Contact Details: +16136801700
Operating Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, Thursday to Sunday, 10:00 pm to 10:00 pm
The King Eddy is a family-owned diner that’s been serving Ottawans with hearty Canadian comfort food since 2014. The diner is open 14 hours from Monday to Wednesday and 24 hours from Thursday to Sunday.
Their flagship menu item is The King Eddy Burger, which is made fresh for customers every day. They don’t add any additional flavours and additives to their 3-ounce pattie and you get to choose your own toppings.
What sets this dog-friendly diner apart from the rest on this list is that they allow pets inside their establishment. Most dog-friendly restaurants in Ottawa only allow pets in their outdoor patios, but The King Eddy welcomes them inside!
| Tips: Note that while The King Eddy allows pets to dine with you inside the diner, they also have the right to refuse entry for pet owners if their dogs are misbehaving or loud. They allow pets in strollers or leashes so long as you keep them with you at all times (and they don’t disturb other diners inside). The staff is known to also give dogs a cup of whipped cream for behaving, so don’t be shy to ask for some from them! |
The Senate Tavern on Bank Street
Address: 1159 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3X7, Canada
Contact Details: +16137319191
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11:30 am to 12:00 am, Friday and Saturday, 11:30 am to 1:00 am, Sunday, 11:30 am to 12:00 am
Established in 2012, The Senate Tavern is a sports pub and bistro, specializing in smoked barbecue and meat. There are currently three branches across Ottawa, all serving the same menus and hosting sports events and parties.
The SenateTavern on Bank Street is known for its extended patio and hammocks. Many diners drop by to enjoy a pint of beer and smoked barbecue out under the sun with their pets.
If you’re looking for a spot to chill and hang out with your dog, this is a place to visit. They also have a cabana bar open for those who want cocktails and other alcoholic beverages.
| Tips: The Senate Tavern on Bank has additional parking spaces in the back if you’re coming with a car. You’re also allowed to play at the pool table and darts area for an additional fee. These amenities are operated on a first-come, first-served basis, so we highly recommend making a reservation in advance to secure your slot. |
Metropolitain Brasserie
Address: 700 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 1K4, Canada
Contact Details: +16135621160
Operating Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 11:30 am to 10:00 pm, Thursday to Friday, 11:30 am to 11:00 pm, Saturday, 10:00 am to 11:00 pm, Sunday, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
For a more upscale and luxurious dining experience, you can head over to Metropolitain Brasserie located at Sussex Drive to enjoy traditional French cuisine with your furry one.
It’s not usual to find a fine dining establishment that allows pets to dine with you, which is why Metropolitan Brasserie deserves a mention on our list. The restaurant serves French fare like cod croquettes, tartare, steak frites, and bouillabaisse.
The restaurant has a large outdoor seating area reserved for diners with pets. The patio is designed like a Parisian cafe, so it’s also an ideal place to host a romantic date with your partner (and your pets!).
| Tips: Metropolitain Brasserie highly recommends diners make reservations in advance, especially if they want to dine outside. You can make a reservation here and inform them that you’re bringing pets with you. This way, they’ll prioritize patio seating for you prior to your arrival. If you’re bringing a car with you, you can use this parking finder on the restaurant’s website to help you find a slot for your car. Slots are limited, by the way! |
DreamLand Cafe
Address: 262 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1R 7R5, Canada
Contact Details: +16134224200
Operating Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday, 11:30 am to 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
For sisters Coco and Marlo De Leo, pasta is the ultimate comfort food, and they both believe that pasta should be made fresh every time it’s served.
Since its establishment in 2017, DreamLand Cafe has been committed to serving every customer freshly made pasta in a cozy atmosphere. With a constantly changing bar and food menu, patrons always have something new to anticipate.
Their bestselling plates of pasta are red pepper gnocchi, puttanesca, amatriciana, pesto macaroni, creamy pesto, and truffle mushroom macaroni. For dessert, it’s the chocolate strawberry tiramisu––a fruity twist to an Italian sweet classic!
| Tips: DreamLand Cafe’s pet-friendly patio is only open during the spring and summer seasons, and the seats fill up very quickly, as the outdoor space is very limited. Reservations are highly recommended to secure a spot for you and your pet! Also, since DreamLand Cafe has limited seating, they can’t accommodate reservations for more than 5 people every Friday and Saturday. |
Datsun
Address: 380 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1N1, Canada
Contact Details: +16134217411
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday, 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
If you’re craving authentic Asian food like dumplings, dan dan noodles, and bao buns, Datsun is a dog-friendly restaurant in Ottawa to keep on your foodie radar.
The Asian fusion restaurants serve up different kinds of Asian staples, ranging from Japanese ramen to Chinese dumplings. Their dishes are made fresh every day, with draft beer from top Asian breweries like Kagua and Sinha.
Datsun has both indoor and outdoor seating, but reservations are highly recommended as seats tend to fill up fast during peak hours (usually 5:00 pm).
| Tips: Due to Datsun’s location along Elgin Street, parking is very limited, and if you do manage to get a spot, there’s a two-hour limit. Datsun also has a waiting list for walk-in customers. If you make a reservation in advance, the staff will inform you of their availability. It’s best to come at least 10 minutes early to ensure that your slot won’t be given to walk-in customers. |
The Merry Dairy
Address: 102 Fairmont Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Y 1X6, Canada
Contact Details: +16136803144
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Friday to Saturday, 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Once you’ve had your share of good food, why not stop by The Merry Dairy for some scoops of ice cream with your furry one? The ice cream parlour offers a wide variety of ice cream flavours and desserts and welcomes guests with pets on their patio.
They offer vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and alcohol-blend options as well as ice cream sandwiches, ice cream cakes, and ice cream by the pint for you to take home. Bestselling flavours include vanilla, mint chip, maple berry waffle, and salted caramel.
Your pet can also take in some sweet ice cream, so long as you know what flavours are suitable for their diets. You can ask the staff members which flavours are dog-friendly if you’re unsure!
| Tips: If you love The Merry Dairy’s ice cream, you can actually hire their ice cream truck service for parties and events. You can check out this page for more. In case the outdoor patio is filled up, the ice cream shop sits near Fairmont Park, so you can enjoy your ice cream there. There’s no parking at the storefront, so we highly recommend parking on the street nearby and heading to The Merry Dairy on foot. |
Arlington Five
Address: 5 Arlington Ave, Ottawa, ON K2P 1C1, Canada
Contact Details: +16132337959
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Arlington Five started as a small cafe along 5 Arlington Avenue. When it first opened in 2015, the owners made it their mission to create a safe and cozy space for the Arlington community to enjoy cups of coffee and connect with each other.
Today, Arlington Five’s reputation as a community coffeehouse has attracted many artists, activities, academics, and tourists from all over the world. Not only is it a space for people to enjoy coffee and food, but even pets are welcome!
Outdoor seating is available for guests who’d rather enjoy their coffee under the sun with their pets. When it gets hot in the summer, their iced berry match, cold brew, and iced tea are must-tries!
| Tips: Arlington Five is a popular cafe in Ottawa, so expect a long line and filled-up seating areas in the morning and afternoon (around 3:00 pm). Don’t let the two picnic tables out front fool you; they have more seating in the back area. There is limited parking space along the street, so we highly recommend coming here early to get a slot. If you’re coming here via bus, the nearest bus stops to Arlington Five are Bank/Flora and Catherine/Bank. |
Lil Z’s Pizza Parlour
Address: 45 Clarence St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5P4, Canada
Contact Details: +16138603333
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11:30 am to 11:00 pm, Friday to Saturday, 11:30 am to 2:00 am, Sunday, 11:30 am to 11:00 pm
For more casual dining and lots of pizzas, bring yourself and your pet over to Lil Z’s Pizza Parlour. They’re located in the bustling ByWard Market, so if you’re there for some weekend shopping, don’t miss out on Lil Z’s!
The menu consists mainly of pizza, ranging from white sauce to red sauce. Their bestselling red pizza flavours are Hot Fire (spicy soppressata, chilli, jalapeno, and pepperoni) and Meatlovers (fior di latte, sausage, bacon, and pepperoni).
For white pizza, a must-try is the Lil Z, which is a concoction of ricotta cheese, garlic, lemon zest, olive oil, and hot honey bagel crust. Top it off with a classic tiramisu or cheesecake!
| Tips: If you’re dining solo, Lil Z’s Pizza Parlour also sells pizza by the slice, but flavours are only limited to cheese or pepperoni. You can, however, order it in combination with a drink! Every Sunday, Lil Z’s Pizza Parlour hosts Lasagna Day when they serve lasagna all day with a 50% discount on wine or $7 pints of local draft! |
Wise Town Cafe
Address: 329A Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M5, Canada
Contact Details: +16134226999
Operating Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Thursday, 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, Friday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 1:00 am, Sunday, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
If you’re looking for a dog-friendly spot in Ottawa where you can dine and take cute photos with them, Wise Town Cafe is a must-visit for you!
This aesthetic cafe has modern bohemian interiors adorned with live plants, comfortable egg chairs, leather couches, and bar seating. There’s a lot of space for you to enjoy a cup of coffee or a plate of hearty food with your pet here!
The owner doesn’t mind if your furry ones jump on the leather seats or tables. She’s a dog lover too and welcomes them inside the cafe with open arms!
| Tips: Wise Town Cafe is actually a plant shop with a built-in cafe inside. If there’s a plant you want to bring home, you can purchase them off the shelf! Parking here is limited, but the slots along the street are free for the first hour. We recommend paying the $5 fee for two hours of parking in case you spend more time inside the cafe! |
Drip House
Address: 692 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 6P3, Canada
Contact Details: +16136802468
Operating Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm to 12:00 am, Friday and Saturday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm to 2:00 am, Sunday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Looking to cap the day with a cup of coffee or a boozy cocktail with your pup? Drip House is a speakeasy to keep in mind if you’re down for a day of chill drinks.
During the day, Drip House serves drip coffee starting at $2.35, as well as other classic brews like cortado, cappuccino, macchiato, and more. Once 6:00 pm sets in, Drip House turns into a vibrant hub for people to catch up over a pint of beer or cocktails.
If you’re feeling hungry, Drip House also offers a few bites like sandwiches, salads, and breakfast bowls to keep your tummy filled while you drink!
| Tips: Drip House occasionally hosts art-related special events like painting classes, art shows, and DIY jewelry projects that are open to any guest. Reservations are highly recommended in order to secure a slot to participate. You can stay tuned to updates on their latest happenings here. |
Heart and Crown
Address: 67 Clarence St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5P5, Canada
Contact Details: +16135620674
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 2:00 am
Another gem within ByWard Market where you can take your dog out on a date is Heart and Crown, an Irish pub that specializes in beers and spirits. The pub has been operating for more than 30 years and is considered a staple within ByWard Market.
They’re also known for putting up live music shows every weekend, usually in the late afternoons or at 10:00 pm.
You can take your dogs to the outdoor patio (the Hearts and Crown staff welcomes any furry one, and they’ll even feature them on their Instagram page!).
| Tips: It’s best to book a reservation in advance, especially on the weekends when live music shows are happening, to secure a table on the patio. You can reserve tables between 12:00 am and 11:00 pm here. |
