Top 10 Dog Friendly Places in London

What would a outing in London town look like if you could be sure that your canine best friend would receive a warm welcome wherever you go?

For many London dog owners their precious pets pose a problem: Whether you simply want to hole in and enjoy a hot beverage somewhere, take your pooch out on a drinks date, or even restaurant dining.

All these perfect plans can be snipped brutally in the bud, by establishments that don’t allow our four-legged friends.

Read on to discover how London can become your veritable oyster, brimming with opportunities for you and your wolf pack.

London Town – brimming with possibilities for you and your wolfpack. Both indoor and outdoor, (which is a jolly good thing considering the changeable weather). Photo credit Photo by Jack Finnigan on Unsplash.

It’s a Dog’s Dinner

Let’s start strong, demanding a lot!

Let’s face it you’re going to struggle somewhat if your ultimate dream is to head out to a restaurant and dine with your dog. There are many who may even doubt that a doggy dinner date is feasible.

Here, your Fido’s Fairy Godmother is here with a whole list of haunts that will accept you both with open arms, or paws.

Dogs in restaurants. Photo credit by Yuliya Kosolapova on Unsplash

L’Escargot

French fine-dining in London is a classy experience and one that you might rightly less excludes those not walking on their hind legs with uppity, species related discrimination.

Fear not. L’Escargot has a choicy menu to rival the best of them. Feast on bonafide French cuisine in their downstairs restaurant. If you and Fido want to go even more exclusive then head on up to the newly refurbished members-only club.

The ultimate fashion four legged friend: The bulldog. Photo credit by Meghan Schiereck on Unsplash.

Their resident English Bulldog, answering to the name Doris will greet you. Enjoy free dog food and chews.

Abuelo, Covent Garden

Abuelo is located in the heart of London’s Covent Garden on Southampton street.

It’s rare for a restaurant this central to be dog loving, but you see Abuelo already has its own resident pup, Annie; a friendly, fluffy Golden Doodle.

Here Australian meets South America, the modern menu reflecting this heritage.

The food is fresh and organic. Their offerings delight the carnivorous as well as those with lighter appetites and specific dietary requirements.

Pretty as a picture, but not too good to eat. Photo credit @abuelocoffeelondon from Instagram

Veggie options are a strong suit: Enjoy honey whipped mascarpone on sourdough,  fresh figs & crushed pistachios or the truffle mushroom toastie. The coffee to finish off your meal, which uses South American beans and Australian brewing techniques is out of this world.

The timber in this restaurant tells a sentimental story. You see, the restaurant’s name ‘abuelo’ comes from the owner’s grandfather, Alberto de la Vega.

He was responsible for handcrafting the timber for the prestigious Zigolini’s restaurant in Sydney. As an homage to his woodwork Alejandro, his son, handcrafted timber joinery from Australian New South Wales Spotted Gum trees.

The warm wooden interieur is the perfect place for you and your pooch to kick back in the heart of London, enjoying delicious fresh food and exemplary coffee.

Canine Cafés

Clapham Common rhymes with Dog-Lovers.

It doesn’t hurt that this area of South-West London is beloved by sporty, sloaney types whose idea of a good time includes: dinner parties, pubs and dogs.

Cafe labrador. Just look at those begging eyes!  Photo credit by Steffen Kastner on Unsplash.

Ben’s Canteen

Ben’s canteen describes itself as a relaxed neighbourhood hangout. Situated on St John’s Hill a stone’s throw from Clapham Common and its droves of dog walkers, this place probably wouldn’t be in business if they weren’t cool with canines.

They’ve been voted one of the Top Brunches in London by the Evening Standard and also whip up nice Coffee and allegedly “banging Bloody Ben’s Bloody Marys” for those who may be walking off a hangover with their faithful friend.

You can take your pup out to dinner here too. There’ll be dog treats and water bowls a plenty, as well as many other doggy types accompanied by their beasts.

The Watchhouse

The Watchhouse at Tower Bridge. Photo credit taken by @hughleask from Instagram

This is a hip dog friendly café with four East London locations to offer you.

You’ll find this slick outfit on Bermondsey street, Tower Bridge, Fetter Lane and Spitalfields.

Their pro-mutt Manifesto extends to staff members who are welcome to rock up to work accompanied by their four-legged family.

And your pet will be made to feel top dog with all the fuss and dog biscuits being doled out by the baristas.

A dog’s life – lounging around and enjoying cafe culture. Photo credit by Mahkeo on Unsplash.

Hounds and Hotels

Some of the smartest places that you might wish to stay in London have digested the fact that very many successful people come accompanied by a canine companion.

It would be madness to cut off all this extra business revenue by a bigoted, speciesist “No Dogs Allowed” agenda.

Thus, whilst in your average basic chain hotel, only guide dogs will be joining you for the night, yet in some of the capitals classiest overnight abodes the story is somewhat different.

The Rosewood

The Rosewood London. Photo credit by @rosewoodlondon on Instagram.

The Rosewood, which resembles an old English stately home or rather grand manor house in its decor and ambiance, is blessed with its own four-legged mascot: Pearl the Golden Retriever. This hotel is only a hop, skip and a jump away from Covent Garden and a quick tube journey to Soho.

The Chesterfield Mayfair

Film night

Photo credit by Kyle Smith on Unsplash

Hanging with your hound doesn’t have to all be outside. If it’s raining and you fancy snuggling in to a cushy cinema seat with a cone of sweet and salty, the good news is you don’t have to ditch your dog.

London Picturehouse

The wonderful people at London’s Picturehouse cinemas understand that a great film, squishy chair and snacks could only be improved by adding a dog’s company. Here you have your dream Sunday with you and your ride-or-die both snuggled up at one of their regular dog-friendly viewings.

Seats are covered with blankets for those who might be shedding fur and inclined to hop up, there are doggy bowls of water that your pup can lap at as you sip your diet coke.

Further details can be found here.

Doggy Drinks

Some people get a dog when they’re ready to settle down. It’s a big commitment. Perhaps a step away from having a baby, but considerably more than a cat.

Others, of course, adopt their pup, but refuse to quit the partying London lifestyle. However, as they get more attached, it brings them down that their new best friend isn’t welcome in most of their favourite drinking haunts.

Ever been on a sunny rooftop and thought, ‘I miss my dog?’

Look no further than Hackney’s Netil360.

This is how they would describe the experience they offer London’s cool kids and their canine pals:

Not only is Hackney’s Netil360 one of the best rooftop bars in London, it also has its own resident dog called Tres who wanders the premises. 

Other well-behaved dogs are free to join their owners on the roof, making it a must-visit drinking spot for dog owner and dog fans alike.

I’m guessing if you’re a true rooftop rookie and dog lover, you’ve probably stopped reading and plugged this joint into your CityMapper to head straight on over.

You will be forgiven, (just this once).

Photo credit by Bonjourbonggu from Pixabay.

Tourist Attractions

Perhaps it’s your furry friend’s first time in London and you’re keen to show them the sights.

Maybe you are also in the market for a first rate London tour, in which case look no further: we’ve got you covered, here.

Whilst many indoor attractions are off limits the Tower Bridge Exhibition is not.

Tower Bridge. Photo credit by Pierre Blaché from Pixabay.

This attraction boasts two 42m-high bridge walkways. Views over the city are quite simply stunning. There is a glass floor as well as a Victorian steam engine room overflowing with history.

If your canine companion is well behaved and on a lead, they are more than welcome  on the walkways and in the engine rooms.

Head here early in the morning to avoid large crowds. If your pet is more hound than lap dog then opt for the lifts on offer, so you don’t have to carry them all the way up.

Besties & Boats

For those of us who have nautically minded pets dogs that fancy themselves Captain’s dog, London has activities up its sleeve for you!

Photo credit, James Homans from Unsplash.

Paddle boarding burst onto our collective conscience a few years back when it got Insta famous. It seemed like the activity that every bronzed Californian yoga goddess was doing with her (downward) dog every weekday afternoon.

Whilst we cannot promise you the sun, remember this article is focusing on dog friendly London? We can serve up an excellent Paddleboarding address, with the guarantee that your furry monsters will be more than welcome as long as they do basic obedience and are happy to slip into a lifejacket.

City Paws Club

Photo credit by Alex Blăjan on Unsplash

These three-hour Dog and Human SUP group sessions take place in a leafy part of West London, starting right by Kew bridge, handily providing pub breaks at half time.

The club also run canoeing sessions held just a little further out at Teddington.

In a nutshell, not only is this a great day out and pup/human quality bonding time, it’s also a healthy, fresh air activity (prior to the pub pit stop that is), plus a golden opportunity to take selfies with total strangers. Hell, you could even bag a date here if you’re single.

Gagging, or panting, to sign up? Details over here.

So there you have it a comprehensive collection of canine delights. Enjoy at your leisure, share with your friends and most importantly, never feel that glum sense of dread at having to leave your best friend at home when you’re out on the town discovering novelty and having adventures.

From here on in it’s both of you pacing the pavements of London town like you’ve got the keys to the city and a whole lot of swagger.

London River – Image sourced from Unsplash

As celebrities have made it seem reasonable to demand that your anxiety alieving animal accompany you on flights and the changing face of company culture ensures than many hip Start Ups relish the fact that their employees pitch up with Rover, the ultimate accessory to go with the Open Office, hot desking and expensive coffee machines: It might just be the best time every to take your precious pooch around one of the smartest cities.

Together you’ll paint the town red and tail wag past doors that just a while ago would have been firmly closed against you.

What a wonderful turn up for the books!

Enjoy Dog Lovers and companions.