10 Best pet-friendly spots for a fun day with your furry friends

Pinkies up – and tails wagging! The iconic Afternoon Tea at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is not just for humans anymore.

This pet-friendly experience welcomes well-behaved furry friends to join in the elegant fun - You, your fur baby, and a tea tray laden with delicate sweet and savoury delights, all set against the lush garden backdrop of The Nelly.

Dress to impress (matching outfits encouraged) and enjoy a sophisticated afternoon that treats both two-legged and four-legged guests like royalty. 

If you’re in need of the ‘hair of the dog’, why not shake it off at  Massimo’s in Hout Bay.

Best of all your pooch can also grab a bite to eat too, as Massimo’s has a dedicated dog menu. 

Deletectable treats to choose from include “The Rock”, which is a frozen hoof stuffed with chicken and butternut, and even a bone-shaped dog-pizza! 

Did you know: For every Margherita pizza sold, a donation is made to the Border Collie Rescue Cape Town.

Noordhoek Farm Village is an all-in-one dog-friendly venue.

The Café Roux and the FoodBarn are village restaurants that welcome dogs with their owners. 

The little shops, delis and cafes enclose a central grassy patch for the dogs to cavort on and charm passers-by. 

Human children are also welcome here and it is sweet to watch the friendships that arise between furry and non-furry children. 

Did you know: Noordhoek beach is only a 5-minute drive from the Village. It’s perfect for grabbing a takeaway coffee from one of our restaurants, and a treat for your four-legged friend. 

Like teenagers, dogs enjoy hanging out with other dogs at the mall. The Eden on the Bay mall is your destination of choice if you want to hang out with your pet at the mall.  

All the restaurants are dog-friendly, so you and your hound can take your pick where to eat in this beachfront mall, including the Fat Cactus and the Happy Folk restaurants. 

Alternatively send your spouse to do the weekly  grocery shopping while you and Spot wile away the morning over a cup of coffee. 

Did you know: The mall is also home to Bergzicht Animal Hospital and they often host interesting workshops or pet events. 

You can enjoy the beach and the surrounding areas with your dog, however adhere to specific leash regulations. 

Maybe you want to savour your early morning coffee whilst watching your dog savouring the early morning smells. 

Let your pet loose on the Rocklands Road Park lawns in Vredehoek, whilst you sip your morning kickstarter at the adjacent Deer Park Café.

Your dog can exchange sniffing gossip with his canine friends whilst you catch up with human gossip at the café. 

If you are wanting to watch the rugby or share a beer with mates (including the four-legged variety), the Forrester’s Arms, in Newlands, is the place to be. 

Forrester’s Arms, referred to by locals as ‘Forrey’s’, is one of the oldest bars in the country and is popular for watching sports.

Dogs can enjoy sipping at their pints (of water) while their owners sip happily at their froth-topped glasses.

Take in the magnificent views of Noordhoek and the ocean, whilst sitting amongst the milkwood trees at the Thorfynn Restaurant at the Monkey Valley Resort. 

The restaurant is popular amongst pet-lovers as dogs are welcome on- and off-leash (if they behave themselves nicely) and the restaurant is set in such a tranquil oasis, sheltered from the south-easter and surrounded by trees.

Did you know? Thorfynn’s is named after a Viking ancestor of the resort’s owner, whose family name evolved from “Thorfynn” to “Topping” over time. So while you sip a cold drink under the milkwoods, you’re also soaking up a slice of Viking history. 

There is always something for everyone in Cape Town, including cats!

On a mellow Sunday afternoon, you can find walkers ambling along with their fluffy felines by their side at Green Point Park. 

Dogs are required to be on leash at all times (except in a special fenced-off area), so cats are safe to step out in style. 

Set within the historic Company’s Garden in the CBD, this leafy oasis offers charming outdoor seating under grand oak trees, perfect for relaxing lunch dates with your pooch.  

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor area, and water bowls are provided, making it an ideal spot for a calm, canine‑friendly meal.  

As you dine under the shade of historic trees, take in the century‑old botanical wonders - and keep an eye out for cheeky squirrels hoping for a treat! 

Did you know? The Company’s Garden is South Africa’s oldest garden, originally planted in 1652. Today, it remains home to the oldest cultivated pear tree in the country, planted that very same year, and remarkably, it continues to bear fruit after more than 370 years. 

Cecilia Forest in Newlands is a lovely place to go walking in nature with your pooch. The 4km hiking trail dips through both forests (so try some zen-like forest-bathing with your loyal companion) and fynbos. 

Leashed dogs are welcome on this trail (and there are some areas where they are allowed to gambol about off-leash too). 

READ: ​​12 best Southern Suburb green trails not on the mountain