The best dog-friendly restaurants and patios in Chicago

Gorge on heaps of housemade pasta on this Wicker Park restaurant's herb-lined patio, which happily welcomes canine companions for lunch and dinner. 

Uptown's longstanding (and beloved) honky-tonk bar has a pet-friendly sidewalk patio with water dishes, in case you'd like to tap your toes to some country hits with Fido by your side.  

Known for its funky craft beer, Off Color Brewing's taproom in Lincoln Park features a patio that welcomes dogs and fans of inventive brews alike. 

You can sip Georgian wine and nibble on Mediterranean bites with your furry friend on this covered flower-lined Andersonville patio—and there's a water bowl nearby in case your dog gets thirsty, too. Bottles of wine are half price from 5pm-6:30pm Wednesdays.

Dogs are welcome both indoors and on Clark Street Ale House’s beer garden, which is set with picnic tables and strung with lights. Grab a draft beer and settle in to watch the game.

Big Star's patio is great, but it's infinitely better when you bump into a cute furry friend. Bring your dog, eat some tacos and drink some margaritas till the sun goes down. Pups are also welcome at the brand new patio at Big Star Mariscos in West Town. Heads up that if you're going to the Wrigleyville location, you'll need to notify the restaurant you're bringing a dog when you make a reservation.

Make a reservation for you and your dog at Mott St.'s vine covered (and water bowl-stocked) patio in Wicker Park.

Both pups and people are welcome at this Lincoln Square and West Town locations of this pizzeria. There's beer for the humans and water bowls for the dogs. 

Feast on rafts of meat and imported Belgian pints from The Publican's impressive beer list (and if you're feeling generous, you can toss a few morsels to your dog, too).

Enjoy pitchers of margaritas and mix-and-match tacos from this friendly taqueria with locations in the Loop, Lincoln Park and Old Town. Your dog can join in on the fun—if they can resist sneaking a little sample of the al pastor.

Munch on Roman-style pies while your dog drinks from a personal water bowl on this River North pizza joint's colorful patio.

The petite patio at this West Loop okonomiyaki restaurant welcomes small breeds, with water bowls available to quench their thirst.

You and your leashed dog can sidle up to one of the picnic tables at this Pilsen brewery's covered patio to enjoy its rotating list of beer on tap—kids are welcome, too.

The sprawling, 14,000-square-foot patio at Recess offers plenty of space for you and your dog to hang out—plus, water bowls and astroturf areas make your pet extra comfortable.

The Southport Corridor is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll with your four-legged friend. Give your pup time to find new smells while you relax with a craft beer on the sidewalk patio.

Share a pitcher of beer with your friends at this River North patio and rest easy knowing that your pup is free to tag along. 

This West Town taproom seeks to straddle the line between the styles of beer favored on the East and West Coasts. More importantly, it welcomes dogs (and their families) inside and outdoors.

Be sure to order this West Loop restaurant's famous chorizo-stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates while dining alfresco with your dog. 

Consult the "Bark-io" menu at this River North taco joint for food options tailored to your furry friend, including plain chicken breast, hamburger patty and dairy-free Woof Cream for dessert—plus, a portion of all proceeds goes toward nonprofit PAWS Chicago.

You'll find a doggy menu (titled "Puppy Ciao") alongside Italian dishes for humans at Siena Tavern, including decadent dessert options like "Pawsibly the Best Sundae Ever" and a doggy doughnut, so they don't have to feel left out when you order the iconic bomboloni.

The doggy menus don't stop! While you enjoy the comforting and contemporary takes on pub classics at Bandit, your pup can sample their "Pup Picks" menu, with grilled skirt steak, a burger or chicken, and of course, the Woof Cream.

Located on Michigan Avenue, this downtown happy hour spot has tons of beer and American bites for you plus treats on hand for your canine friend.

In the mood for a rosemary margarita but don't want to leave your pet behind? Bring your pooch to the cheery, string-light–strewn patios of both the Wicker Park and Bridgeport locations of Antique Taco. 

Bring your pup to this West Loop patio for a bottle of red and plenty of old-school Italian dishes. 

This Wicker Park sports bar is home to flat-screen TVs and tons of fried food, and loves when dogs hang out on its patio.

Kick back with your dog at the massive, inviting and very summery patio space at The Moonlighter, where you'll enjoy summer sippers like a frozen piña colada and housemade sangria.

You and your dog will soak in the Cali vibes while you people watch at the beachy front patio of this Lincoln Park restaurant.

You and your four-legged dining companion will both feel the love at this inviting French American spot in the South Loop. While you unwind with a glass of rosé or a signature house cocktail, your dog can stay hydrated with their own water bowl.

The sidewalk seating at 80 Proof is surrounded by plants and heat lamps to keep you toasty when the weather cools. Groups of all sizes are welcome to enjoy a spicy fried chicken sandwich or a plate of vegan chicken nuggets served with honey mustard or vegan ranch.

Pups can cool off with a bowl of water while you get a taste of New Orleans with a hurricane and a fried shrimp po' boy on the Wicker Park restaurant’s fenced off sidewalk space. Even if you’re just passing by on a walk, you can swing by the to-go window for a Sno-Ball that can be spiked with anything from tequila to cognac.

The brand new restaurant on the Riverwalk offers a taste of coastal Southern fare, such as crab hush puppies with key lime remoulade and fried catfish with pickled okra, which are best paired with an old fashioned or barrel-aged Manhattan. Bring your pup and pretend you’ve taken a trip to Florida or Louisiana together.

Bringing a taste of Rome to Logan Square, Testacio offers water bowls to canines visiting their 80-seat sidewalk cafe, which is surrounded by flowers and strung with lights. Catch live music throughout the summer and visit from 5pm-6pm for specials on wine, cocktails and seasonal crostini.

You and your pooch are welcome to share a spot on the Bucktown bar’s patio, which offers a mix of benches and tables topped with umbrellas. Chill out with a bucket of beers and some classic pub grub like burgers, waffle fries and cheese curds.

Try some new beers by ordering up a flight of tasters to sip on the 4,000-square-foot patio of the brewery incubator. The space is always dog friendly, though you’ll want to come on Tuesdays in June through August for the Dog Days of Summer, which provides a 15% discount if your pooch is part of the week’s general breed grouping like “the scrunchy faces” or “the herders.”

Visit some of the many dog-friendly shops on Southport Corridor and then stop at the tree-lined patio at Port & Park Bistro & Bar. Your pooch will get treats and a bowl of water while you have brunch with $18 bottomless mimosas, or visit during happy hour for $6 glasses of wine.

A special Radio Ruff menu offers grilled chicken, burgers and skirt steak plus dairy-free cream, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting PAWS Chicago. Treat your pup and yourself by enjoying bottomless brunch on the sunny patio.

Cool off with a glass of frosé or a giant shareable mule on the large sidewalk cafe at Ranalli’s in Lincoln Park. There are trees for your pup to sniff while you snack on crispy cheese curds or a spicy pizza made with soppressata and jalapenos.

Dogs are always welcome at River Shannon, which has been serving up Irish whiskey and beer since 1946. Soak in the sun or sit under an umbrella on the sidewalk while taking advantage of rotating happy hour specials offered from 3pm-6pm Monday through Friday.