From artist Gray Malin's "Dogs of Boston" series, "Welcome to Fairmont Copley Plaza."
Photograph: Gray MalinFrom artist Gray Malin's "Dogs of Boston" series, this piece is entitled "Welcome to Fairmont Copley Plaza."
Photograph: Gray Malin

The best pet and dog-friendly places in Boston

Grab your leash and get ready for a treat. Here's where to find restaurants, hotels and other venues that welcome dogs in Boston.

Jacqueline Cain
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One of the most walkable cities in the country, Boston is a great place for dogs. Not only does the city boast verdant parks and hiking trails, but our beer gardens and restaurant patios are more dog-friendly than ever before. Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration added a public pet policy in 2023, with nearly 60 Boston restaurants taking advantage this season. Meanwhile, some nearby cities like Cambridge, Somerville, Everett and Newton have been more welcoming to dogs for years. 

The following spots are our furry friends’ faves. In all cases (except for Park-9), dogs must stay outdoors at the following establishments. Owners are expected to stay with their leashed dogs—and no paws on the tables, please. 

Whether you’re looking for a casual meetup with your crew or a brunch date with Fido, here’s a comprehensive list of dog-friendly spots around Boston.

Dog-friendly places in Boston to check out

This Everett venue became New England’s first indoor dog park and bar when it opened in 2023, with on- and off-leash areas inside the 10,000-square food venue and outdoors. The clean area is managed by dog professionals (it even offers doggy daycare) with rules around safe play. Memberships are available for frequent visitors, or you can register onsite for a doggy day pass with a drop-in fee. Humans are always free. Through October 31, 2024, Park-9 is also popping up in the Fenway neighborhood with an outdoor bar and dog park offering free food delivery from Time Out Market.

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  • Jamaica Plain
  • price 1 of 4
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

It’s only fitting that the seeming living room of Jamaica Plain—the Brendan Behan Pub—invites dogs to enjoy its streetside patio. The neighborhood is extremely dog-friendly.

  • Allston/Brighton

While its Somerville taproom is for humans only, Aeronaut Brewing Company welcomes dogs at Aeronaut Allston, Boston’s original pop-up beer garden. Along with a selection of brews, live music and local food trucks set up on site every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through September 14, there are plenty of dog treats to go around. There’s also a Wall of Woof at the Western Avenue lot featuring photos of some cute past patrons.

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  • Shopping
  • Markets and fairs
  • Somerville
  • price 2 of 4

With an evolving lineup of exciting small businesses, Bow Market is an awesome amenity in Somerville. And all of its outdoor areas are dog-friendly, from the main courtyard to the patios of Remnant Brewing and Rebel Rebel Wine Bar.

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  • American
  • South Boston
  • price 2 of 4

This South Boston spot is a go-to gathering place for the neighborhood—and that includes its many dogs. The Broadway has a dog-friendly patio in Southie. 

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  • Things to do
  • Allston/Brighton

A historic property in Brighton, the Charles River Speedway is home to several small businesses centered on a dog-friendly courtyard. All outdoor areas are dog-friendly, from the beer garden at Notch Brewing to the small but lively patios outside The Koji Club, Super Bien, Rite Tea & Espresso Bar and Birds of Paradise cocktail bar.  

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  • Bistros
  • Downtown

Dine with your pup at Dovetail in the picturesque Charlestown Navy Yard. The quiet, cobblestone walkway between historic buildings has a few outdoor tables and string lights, with a designated dog-friendly section. It’s open on a walk-in basis for lunch and dinner daily, with a wide-ranging menu bistro from the team behind Brewer’s Fork.

  • Contemporary American
  • South End
  • price 3 of 4

With an umbrella-shaded patio overlooking Copley Place and Back Bay Station, the Salty Pig is a perfect spot for after-work drinks and snacks with your crew and a dog or two. 

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  • American creative
  • North End
  • price 3 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

With a harborside patio overlooking the Zakim Bridge and TD Garden, Alcove is an outdoor sanctuary for humans and dogs alike. The former can tuck into New England-inspired cuisine and an awarded wine list, while pets will enjoy complimentary bowls of water.

  • Cocktail bars
  • Kendall Sq
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

This Kendall Square bar is a neighborhood mainstay known for beer-and-shot combos, hot chicken sandwiches, awesome desserts, and the always-dog-friendly State Park patio.

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  • American
  • South Boston

If you follow Moonshine 152 chef-owner Asia Mei on Instagram, you know she’s a huge dog lover. So it makes sense that her welcoming South Boston eatery is a big fan of pups: The well-landscaped outdoor dining area is dog-friendly.

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  • Quincy Market
  • price 2 of 4
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

If your dog is accompanying you along the Freedom Trail, you can both take a break at this classic watering hole. The Bell in Hand’s patio on historic Union Street welcomes pets.

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  • Breweries
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

This local beverage company has grown over the years and includes a couple seasonal beer gardens. Night Shift headquarters in Everett has long had a dog-friendly patio; and now the seasonal outdoor beer gardens along the Esplanade, in Allston’s Herter Park and at Dewey Square on the Greenway are also for the dogs.

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  • Cocktail bars
  • Roxbury
  • price 2 of 4
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

If your dog is in tow at Bully Boy, head to the outdoor “cocktail garden” across the street from the beautiful bar hidden inside Boston’s first craft distillery. The summer-seasonal, outdoor pop-up with rotating frozen drinks and vacation vibes is dog-friendly.

The parking lot-side patio of Long Live Roxbury is welcoming to all manner of furry friends and their humans.

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For the morning walk, at mid-day, or in the evening, lead your furry friend to Shy Bird in South Boston. The all-day cafe and rotisserie restaurant serves up espresso drinks, fried chicken sandwiches, and wine bar-worthy plates on its dog-friendly patio.

  • East Boston

This East Boston bar is known for loaded hot dogs. It’s also where hot dogs can take a load off—that is, tired pups seeking dog-friendly refuge in the form of an outdoor patio.

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  • Breweries
  • South Boston

Dogs are welcome at both locations of Castle Island Brewing Co. during patio season. The South Boston taproom has a lively patio on the corner, while the Norwood HQ is more kid-friendly, too. Both locations feature plenty on tap plus a full-service menu by Bardo’s Bar Pizza.

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  • Breweries
  • Seaport District
  • price 2 of 4

All the Boston proper locations of beloved brewery Trillium offer dog-friendly options. (If you plan to visit the Canton location, you should leave your pets at home.) Expect to see a lot of pups and pints at the beer garden on the Greenway, as well as on the patios of the Fort Point and Fenway-area taprooms.

  • Mexican
  • South End
  • price 2 of 4

Bright yellow tables and a container bar bedecked with florals and string lights surround the South End location of Yellow Door Taqueria. You might also spot a dog or a few out on the patio, because they’re welcome here. Bring them by for Shuck It Sundays, where you—the human—can enjoy $1 oysters all night.

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