Best Dog Friendly Restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Matt Heikkila
- Jun 28
- 13 min read
Ok I won't claim to know the best, but these are my favorites so far. Since we're located in Martinez and serve Contra Costa County we focus on these first, but then expand to the rest of the East Bay and the greater Bay Area. Finally we include some suggestions for great mostly coastal weekend getaway spots throughout California.
I not only own a pet company, but my wife and I also like to bring our own dogs Maggie and Roo to dine out at restaurants with us when possible. We've racked up some favorites over the years and these are a few of them.
Contra Costa County
Martinez has no shortage of dog friendly restaurants so here are a few of our favorites all in Downtown Martinez. You can even drop off your dog for Daycare or Grooming at Diablo Dog and walk to these!
La Tapatia
This is a Mexican restaurant that has outdoor seating right in front along Main Street. They have umbrellas they'll have open if it's sunny. In Winter they have had heaters available in the past.
Food: They have pretty standard sit down restaurant Mexican food. We love their warm chips and salsa and bean dip that comes out along with the water. Drinks: Margaritas. You can't go wrong with individual margaritas or a pitcher!
536 Main St, Martinez, CA 94553
Slow Hand Barbecue
This nice little bbq spot has a nice little covered patio in the back and often live music. This is the second location to a spot in Pleasant Hill.
Food: I like their hot link sandwich, warm German potato salad and vinegary cole slaw.
Drinks: They have beers but I generally just enjoy a Coke from the fountain that comes with a meal.
601 Main St, Martinez, CA
Troy
My wife Kim and I partially did our honeymoon in Greece. We mostly went for the food. The patio is very covered with a little wall lining the sidewalk which is great if your dog is easily distracted.
Food: The thing we got at every meal was a Greek salad (Horiatiki) and they make a pretty good version here. They do the other staples well too.
Drinks: We like the margarita here. They have a large selection though.
720 Main St, Martinez, CA
Barrelista Coffee House
They have a small patio area out front and on the side. The location turns into a bar as well in the back. Food: I generally get the avocado toast which is delicious with large portions. Drinks; I like a chai latte from this spot.
736 Main St, Martinez, CA
Luigis Deli
Another spot with live music and patio seating that's covered and green. Food: People love the sandwiches here. I tend to get a smoked turkey sandwhich on sliced sour dough. Drinks: Massive soda selection!
537 Main St, Martinez, CA 94553
Roxx on Main
Another spot with patio seating in front with heaters or umbrellas depending on the season. Food: Nice fresh menu. Drinks: They have wine and a really fun cocktail menu.
Florence Italian
Same strip of Main Street as the rest of these so the outdoor seating is similarly sandwiched between sidewalk and street (protected by iron fencing).
Food: Some nice Italian offerings. Wine: Nice wine list!
627 Main St, Martinez, CA
Five suns brewing
They have a lot of seating and generally have a food truck for dinner even on weekdays and often lunch, particularly on weekends.
Food: Varies by food trucks but there's no shortage of great trucks in our area.
Drinks: I'm not a beer drinker but those that do look happy.
626 Main St, Martinez, CA
Pleasant Hill
Wences
They have a charming covered outdoor seating area with heaters as needed.
Food: The food is great! Particularly the seafood. Everything I've had has been delicious.
Drinks: They got everything but I like margaritas and they do a good one.
1922 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA
Latte Da
This is a little coffee shop in the same parking complex as Wences. Mostly a breakfast/brunch/lunch spot with friendly owners.
Food: I love the works on a bagel, croissant, or English muffin. The bacon is thin and unbelievably crispy, the egg is always fluffy and seasoned. Avocados are always gorgeous. The cheese is melted. My trick is substituting tomatoes for the mushrooms.
Drinks: I'm not a coffee drinker but that's their main thing. I'll get their tea or a soda.
1902 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill
Jacks
I haven't been here and I don't know why. It's a beloved local spot by the Pleasant Hill movie theater and it has very nice umbrella topped outdoor tables.
Food: American
Drinks: Beers, wine, cocktails and they look like they have great happy hour prices.
60 Crescent Dr Suite A, Pleasant Hill,
Gotta Eatta Pita
Very small outdoor area but it's a good lunch spot.
Food: I tend to get the schwarma in pita with spicy s'hug sauce and tahini to balance it out.
Drinks: Small selection of fountain drinks and bottled drinks.
35 Crescent Dr F, Pleasant Hill, CA
Five Guys
They only have a couple of tables but if you want a burger you can do worse.
Food: Good burgers and underrated hot dogs. Drinks: Fountain drinks!
100 Crescent Dr Suite 7A, Pleasant Hill, CA
Zachary's Pizza
A Bay Area pizza chain known for deepdish with a nice patio. Food: Deepdish and thin crust pizza are both great and to me the star is a spicy caesar salad. Drinks: Small selection of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages.
140 Crescent Dr, Pleasant Hill, CA
Special mention:
Off the Grid Foodtruck event
This only operates from Spring to Fall and it's busy. They generally have about 8 food trucks, live music, and a lot of active happy, friendly families and lots of dogs too.
Food: I'm just gonna throw this out there: Ceviche and Co is my favorite food in the area. Everything on the menu is fantastic.
Drinks: They have a beverack truck with wine, beer, and I believe canned cocktails
138 Trelany Rd, Pleasant Hill, CA
Walnut Creek
Benvenuti
Some of the best Italian food in the area and a very shady dog friendly patio.
Food: Solid Italian fare. Drinks: Wine and other drinks.
1627 N Broadway, Walnut Creek, CA
Toyosu
In my mind this is the best sushi restaurant in the area and the waygu is amazing and they have some outdoor tables. Food: The sushi isn't generally the crazy complicated roles, just quality fish prepared expertly.
Drinks: When in Rome...er Japan, I tend to try the sake. They have a nice variety.
1552 Locust St, Walnut Creek, CA
Lettuce
This is a fantastic salad and sandwich spot with some outdoor seating. Food: Great variety of delicious salads and customize it to your heart's content. Drinks: Mostly non-alcoholic beverages. It's mostly a lunch spot.
1632 Locust St, Walnut Creek, CA
Alamo
EJ Phair
A brewery with brew types of food and they're proud of pizza. Haven't been to this location but looks like the patio is very dog friendly. Food: Solid brew foods. Drinks: Beer!
225 Alamo Plaza, Alamo, CA
Concord
Yardhouse
Yardhouse is a sports bar with a dog friendly patio in the Veranda complex.
Food: A large variety of bar or sports bar type food. Good nachos!
Drinks: Large beer selection, wine, and some cocktails
2005 Diamond Blvd, Concord, CA
Puesto
Latin food spot with dog friendly patio
Food: I've enjoyed what I've had
Drinks: Beer, wine and a big selection of cocktails.
2035 Diamond Blvd #100, Concord, CA
Eureka
American food spot with some dog friendly outdoor seating.
Food: Good variety of American food and other options.
Drinks: Good variety of drinks.
1975 Diamond Blvd Ste. C 160, Concord, CA
Danville
Sideboard
I have not been but it's on my list. It has a gorgeous patio and a fun menu.
3535 Plaza Way, Lafayette, CA
Revel
Nice upscale bar and restaurant with a dog friendly patio. Food: Fantastic variety of food. Drinks: Beer, drinks, cocktails.
960 Moraga Rd F, Lafayette, CA
Peasant & the Pear
Nice restaurant and bar with a dog friendly patio. Food: Large selection of delicious foods. Drinks: Cocktails, beer, and wine.
111 W Prospect Ave, Danville, CA
Lafayette
The Hideout
Nice brunch spot with a dog friendly, if crammed patio.
Food: Great breakfast and brunch options.
Drinks: Mimosas and blood marys
32 Lafayette Cir, Lafayette, CA
Sideboard
Nice local lunch spot with a dog friendly patio.
Food: Fresh creative takes on lunch food. Drinks: Nice small selection of coffee drinks, wine, cocktails.
3535 Plaza Way, Lafayette, CA
Horn Barbecue
BBQ spot that moved from Oakland with fantastic a la carte options. Food: The sides are as good as the mains. Drinks: Soda. I am not sure if they have a liquor license yet.
3422 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA
Social Bird
Another nice brunch spot with a dog friendly patio.
Food: Delicious shareable items in the apps and a selection of burgers and salads.
Drink: small cocktail, wine and beer menu.
Port Costa
Bull Valley Roadhouse
Worth the drive. They have a nice patio and welcome dogs.
Food: Fantastic upscale shareable dishes.
Drinks: Cocktails, beer, wine.
14 Canyon Lake Dr, Port Costa, CA
Crockett
Crockett Cocina
I haven't been but it has a good reputation and a dog friendly patio.Food: Supposed to be some of the best in the area.
1207 Pomona St, Crockett, CA
Rodeo
Tommys BBQ
Only recently discovered and haven't yet gone in person but it's dog friendly and the food is dynamite.
Food: Genuinely my favorite bbq in the area right now.
Drinks: Beer and soda
1611 Sycamore Ave Suite C, Hercules, C
Alameda County
Berkeley
310 Eatery
Korean fusion with some fun twists on American classics. Only a couple tables out front but they're meant for dogs.
Food: Very fun and worth going back repeatedly to try the whole menu. Massive portion sizes.
Drinks: Soda and beer spot.
747 San Pablo Ave, Albany, CA
Oakland
Sierra Market
Small grocery store with some made to order vietnamese food and a couple of tables outside. It's only open weekdays 8-5.
Food: I'm just picking this for the food. They have an incredible filet mignon banh mi sandwich.
Drinks; Variety in the store.
311 Oak St STE C3, Oakland, CA
Livermore
Locanda Wine Bar
Gorgeous outdoor dog friendly dog patio with fire tables (I love those)Food: Fantastic. The pizza is special
Drinks: Nice cocktails, with wine and beer selection.
2293 First St, Livermore, CA
Poada Alta Cocina
Nice restaurant with a small outdoor dog friendly seating area.
Food: Very good latin food.
Drinks: Nice cocktails, beer and wine.
988 Murrieta Blvd, Livermore, CA
Santa Clara County
Sunnyvale
Laughing Monk Brewing
This spot we found when looking for a place to break up a trip and watch a Warriors playoff game (we won!) The patio is nice and dog friendly overlooking a pond and there's even a dog park nearby.
Food: Great bar food: soft pretzels and nachos and more. Drinks: Good cocktails and beer obviously.
1235 Oakmead Pkwy, Sunnyvale, CA
San Jose
Maza Restaurant
Fantastic Mexican/Asian fusion spot that is so much better than that sounds. Beautiful patio and welcoming your dog.
Food: One spot where you wouldn't be crazy to get ceviche and sushi but they also have more standard tacos. Drinks: Margaritas are good. Haven't tried anything else.
782 N 13th St, San Jose, CA
San Francisco
We go into San Francisco with the pups regularly so there are far too many restaurant options to put here. I may do a blog on just SF based dog restaurants in the future.
Scoma's
Classic Italian restaurant on the water. Great food and some outdoor seating with iffy outdoor heaters! Lots of room for dogs since it's just one row of tables with a wide walkway along the water. Food: The food is worth the trip. Drinks: Solid wine selection, cocktails, and beer.
1965 Al Scoma Way, San Francisco, CA
Tavola Rustica
One of the best Italian restaurants in the city that empties out after brunch on weekends and is very kind to allow dogs in the back patio.
Food: Delicious.
Drinks: Great cocktails. Also wine and beer.
215 Church St, San Francisco, CA
Biergarten
Wide open hipstery beer garden with brewery food and a dog friendly outdoor area with outdoor heaters. Food: Warm pretzels and sausage mostly, why do you ask? Drinks: Beer!
424 Octavia St, San Francisco, CA
Mission Rock Resort
Great brunch spot on the water that allows dogs.
Food: Lots of seafood based brunch and lunch options.
Drinks: Good mimosas and bloody marys.
817 Terry A Francois Blvd, San Francisco, CA
California Fish Market Restaurant (closed until November 2025)
Fantastic Italian seafood restaurant right next to the also fantastic Sotto Mare which has a shared history. Food: I discovered calabrian chiles here and never looked back. Linguine Granchio with crab is incredible. Drinks: It's where you get wine.
550 Green St, San Francisco, CA
Park Chalet
Very dog friendly place to get beer and some solid food.
Food: Light appetizers. Drinks: Beer mostly
1000 Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA
The Cavalier
This is British style pub where your dog can join you inside on the nice cool floor.
Food: You can enjoy your pub food while your dog enjoys their dog menu.
Drinks, Beer mostly and drinks
360 Jessie St, San Francisco, CA
Treasure Island
Mersea Restaurant
This is a gorgeous mostly outdoor spot with a view of San Francisco from a unique spot. It has great brunch and lunch food and is very dog friendly.
Food: Very seafood heavy ever changing menu.
Drinks: Great cocktails, wine and beers.
699 Avenue of the Palms, San Francisco, C
Napa County
Napa
Coles Chophouse
Our favorite steakhouse in the Bay Area, with a nice covered patio and it's low key dog friendly (when you make a reservation mention your pup!) Highly reccommend visiting a dog friendly winery and doing a tasting in the area (Rutherford Hills has been good to us) then punctuating the day with dinner at Cole's. Make sure to get reservations.
Food: The steak is fantastic and the sides are maybe even better. Drinks: It's Napa so you know the wine selections is unbelievable.
1122 Main St, Napa, CA
Sonoma County
Santa Rosa
Bird and the Bottle
This is a nice lively spot with a dog friendly porch. Food: They have a fun menu and their specialty is crispy chicken skin. Drinks; Good cocktails, wine and beer selection.
1055 4th St, Santa Rosa, CA
Other Bays and Coastal Getaways
I want to suggest some other options in areas of the state that are fantastic for long weekends with your dog.
Santa Cruz
Hula's Island Grill
Fantastic poke and other seafood options and a dog friendly outdoor seating area.
Food: I was really all about ceviche and poke but the whole menu is delicious. Drinks: If you like tiki drinks this seems to be the spot.
221 Cathcart St, Santa Cruz, CA
Lupulo Craft Beer House
We didn't get to try this spot but it's right next door. Seems like the spot to go if you like tapas and beer.
233 Cathcart St, Santa Cruz, CA
Monterey
Compagno's Market & Deli
Incredible deli sandwiches and a lot of fun novelties in the market with a couple of dog friendly tables.
Food: The sandwiches are amazing.
Drinks: Grab yourself a Jolt Cola probably.
2000 Prescott Ave, Monterey, CA
Mendocino
McCallum House Inn Restaurant
We discovered this place because it's attached to a very nice, very dog friendly Inn that's one of our favorites anywhere. The food is upscale and definitely worth walking over from your room!
Food: The food is excellent and upscale and the restaurant is lovely. Drinks: Cocktails, wine and beer.
Luna Trattoria
We didn't get to try this spot but it's a popular Italian spot with a gorgeous outdoor dog friendly patio.
955 Ukiah St, Mendocino, CA
Trillium Cafe & Inn
We didn't get to try this spot but it's a popular New American spot with a lovely outdoor dog friendly patio.
10390 Kasten St, Mendocino, CA
El Granada
Breakwater Barbecue
They have some outdoor seating that is dog friendly and importantly absolutely fantastic bbq.
Food: Their brisket chili was special. Everything is that we had. Drinks: Beer and soda mostly
10151 Cabrillo Hwy, El Granada, CA
Half Moon Bay
Ketch Harbor Pub
Seafood restaurant on the water that has a dog friendly patio.
Food: Lots of great seafood.
Drinks: Expansive drink menu.
17 Johnson Pier, Half Moon Bay, CA
Moss Beach
Moss Beach Distillery
Dog friendly patio at a seafood restaurant with an incredible cliffside view. Food: Lots of good seafood. Drinks: Beer, cocktails and wine.
140 Beach Way, Moss Beach, CA
Fort Bragg
Princess Seafood Restaurant
This spot is right on the water and you get to hear live music and live sea lions as you eat delicious seafood. And dogs are welcome! Food: Lots of crab based things and my wife Kim loved the clam chowder.
Drinks: Non alcoholic drinks and alcoholic beers.
32096 N Harbor Dr, Fort Bragg, CA
Southern California
Because why not?
Simi Valley
Green Acres Market
I've been going here since I was in Animal Training school for their tri tip sandwiches. There's a dog friendly patio but also take a stroll through the market and pick me up some of their bbq sauce.
Food: I'm gonna be honest. I've never gotten anything besides the tri tip sandwich then I slather their barbecue sauce on it. It's peak tri tip on garlic bread and the tangy sauce brings it over the top. Drinks: I just get a Mexican coke but they have beer and wine and other drinks.
2918 E Los Angeles Ave, Simi Valley, CA
Santa Barbara
Reunion Kitchen + Drink
Fantastic dog friendly brunch spot on the water.
Food: Great big brunch menu.
Drinks: You know, mimosas or bloody marys.
1118 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA
Malibu
Broad Street Oyster Company
Great seafood and a dog friendly patio (and outdoor heaters!) They have more locations around the state.
Food: Great seafood options. I enjoyed the lobster roll.
Drinks: Beer and wine mostly.
23359 Pacific Coast Hwy #3874A, Malibu, CA
Thank you for reading
If you have a dog and need any number of services in Martinez or Contra Costa County please check out the rest of our website. If not, please enjoy our suggestions and add your own in the comment section.
In the future I will put together a blog on dog friendly getaways with dog friendly hotel and lodging suggestions. Matt Heikkila
Diablo Dog
725 Alhambra Ave, Martinez, Ca
925-215-0410
Diablo Dog is a petcare company in Martinez that serves Contra Costa County. We offer dog training, dog grooming, dog walking, doggy daycare, and sell a selection of local and national pet supply and food brands.
If you want to dine out with your pup but are worried they aren't well trained enough, need a groom, and maybe have too much energy for the experience, we can help with training, grooming, and walking or daycare!