The best pet-friendly cafés in Singapore

It’s rare for the phrases “pet-friendly” and “fine dining” to be heard together, but Nude Seafood brings that vision to life by providing diners with a classy venue that has a pet-friendly alfresco area. Nude Seafood specialises in Asian fusion seafood, ranging from their Spanish pork jowl ($19.80) to their miso halibut and udon ($27.90). To get a bang for your buck, you can also curate your own dining experience with Nude Seafood’s feast for two or four ($99 and $189 respectively), ensuring that no one will leave hungry.

If you’re feeling a little cooped up from working at home but don’t want to leave your precious pup alone, Well Collective has you covered. The pet-friendly space is meticulously designed with gatherings and productivity in mind, and is equipped with power sockets and complimentary Wi-Fi. As if it could not get better, Well Collective prides itself on being a dietary-inclusive café, offering vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Why not enjoy working at a pretty café with your beloved pet chilling on the seat beside you?

You’d think there would be more pet-friendly restaurants that serve Southeast Asian cuisine seeing as we’re a part of the region, but Hathaway is one of the few restaurants to do so. Their menu celebrates different cultures found in the region, including dishes such as milkfish sinigang ($24) from the Philippines, and gulai kambing ($32) from Indonesia. Hathaway is also halal-friendly – meats are halal-sourced and they do not serve pork or lard. Diners with pets are also seated at the alfresco dining area to avoid any contact.

Beat the heat and enjoy a delectable steak at Tomahawk. The restaurant allows dogs to come indoors and enjoy the luxurious interior with their owners. The steaks at Tomahawk have been wet-cured, meaning that they have been submerged in a brine or marinade to ensure that the meat retains its moisture. This results in a beautiful crust on the outside while the meat remains incredibly tender. While the steaks are definitely a must-try, their pasta and rice dishes such as the smoky, spicy Chilean sea bass paella ($53) and salmon carbonara ($36) are nothing to scoff at either.

If you and your family enjoy cycling on the weekends, make a pit stop at Hub & Spoke before heading back home. This family-friendly restaurant  has an alfresco dining area that is pet-friendly, so the whole family can enjoy the lush greenery with a delicious meal. The menu consists of both local and western dishes, ranging from rendang chicken ($11.90) to their signature duck confit ($16.90). Certain items have also been marked as kid-friendly, in case you have a fussy eater in the family.

Calling all girls who love the vanilla girl aesthetic, this is the place for you. It is impossible to find a cosier space than East Coast Commune – besides its pet-friendly outdoor area and a play space just for kids, the interior is decorated with marine-themed artwork by local artist Wu Yanrong, creating a comfy and relaxing space for all. Beautiful interior aside, East Coast Commune’s menu offers a myriad of dishes that are sure to fill you up without any post-meal guilt. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are on the menu, one of which is the Tindle katsu ($21), a plant-based ‘chicken’ with curry mayo and a creamy pomme puree.

Away from the buzzy Katong street lies a tranquil hideout. The Brewing Ground, located on the site of the old Telok Kurau Primary School, offers a quiet spot for those looking to get their coffee and brunch fix. The glasshouse-inspired interior feels warm and bright, and the breezy alfresco deck comes fitted with extra seating to accommodate those with pets. Drop by and sample an eclectic menu of jazzed-up brunch plates. Must-trys include a sourdough that comes topped with eggs, prepped in the style of Japanese omurice ($27), crabmeat and ikura; and a Breakfast Burger ($22), a rendition of the fast-food classic where brioche buns come sandwiched with a pork sausage patty, scrambled eggs, caramelised onions, and cheddar cheese.

On weekends, drop by Zorba the Greek Café's breezy alfresco dining deck, complete with waterfront views of the Singapore River, and tuck into a brunch menu inspired by Hellenic cuisine. Try the Avga ($20), a spin on the usual eggs Benedict where muffins come replaced with toasted pitas. There’s also the Tsoureki ($16), where slices of traditional Greek Easter sweet bread are turned into French toast, served alongside banana and caramel.

Stepping into Canopy HortPark, you will be forgiven for thinking that you have entered a greenhouse. The garden café, the second outlet of Canopy Garden Dining at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, comes fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows to let in plenty of sunlight, while verdant greenery lines the place. For owner Lee Kian Chong, he wanted to create a space that integrates and connects with the natural environment. And that means tapping onto biophilic design elements – green walls, a pet-friendly alfresco area, and more – to bring diners closer to nature. Canopy HortPark serves up classic brunch plates and all-day dining options. Beat the summer heat the cold angel hair pasta ($42), where the noodle comes coated in a lip-smacking truffle-butter sauce, topped with scallops, salmon roe, and a drizzle of truffle oil. For heartier mains, order the smoke-kissed grilled Spanish pork ($27) or rosemary-scented chicken ($25).

If you're looking for somewhere to spend with your family (fur pal included), Bee's Knees at the Botanic Gardens is purr-fect. After spending time exploring the flora and fauna of the gardens, drop by this all-day dining bistro, which serves up a whole range of croissants, fruit bowls, pizzas, pastas and sweet treats (they have vegetarian options too!). Highlights include the pandan pancakes ($15), laksa tiger prawn pasta ($20) and beef cheek cheese fries ($16). 

Lola's styles itself as a 'backyard café', and it sets to emulate that homely vibe by encouraging the use of hands to eat instead of the usual fork and spoon. Being at home also means having your pet with you, and accordingly, the café welcomes your fur pals at its outdoor seating area. Its extensive menu offers brunch staples like eggs benedict, jazzed up with pulled pork and avocado ($16), bangers and mash ($11) and even a miso salmon grain bowl ($18) for the health nuts. The beverage menu is designed to give you options, from coffee and tea lattes to sodas and craft beers. 

Located on the ground level of The Summerhouse, Wildseed's verdant setting makes for stunning photos with your pets, and its outdoor setting is completely sheltered from the sun, with numerous wall fans around the dining area so you can keep cool. Menu offerings include a Wagyu beef pie ($15) and sesame chicken pita ($16), along with a selection of sweet treats, smoothies and milkshakes.

Canopy Garden's a great hangout, especially on weekends and evenings, when you're looking to while your time away with friends and family. What's even better is that it's located in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park, so you can run free with your pet before settling down for a dinner or pick-me-up. The joint has a wide outdoor patio that's great for pets, and it dishes up classic western dishes like Boston bay blue mussels ($18), ragu alla bolognese ($19), and a wide assortment of sweets and beverages.  

Located on the outskirts of Changi, this casual dining hotspot is spacious and airy, flooded with natural light due to its floor-to-ceiling windows. If you're bringing your furry friend along, sit amidst its lush greenery outdoors. The menu has a range of sharing plates like har cheong gai (prawn paste chicken) ($14), crispy pork ribs ($16) and wagyu cubes ($24).

After a day romping around at the beach with your fur pal, the best way to chill is by lazing on a deck chair, Mai Tai in hand. At Coastes, you can do just that. Besides tropical cocktails, the deckside restaurant stocks a formidable array of draft and bottled beers ($13-$19), and the nosh is unfussy yet vibrant enough to live up to the restaurant’s beachy vibe.