Amelie CameronWhenever it’s a sunny day and I’m in the mood to go outside, I tend to head to a cafe and treat myself to coffee and a good pastry. Lately, I slightly changed my routine to make the experience better: this time, I’m bringing my dog with me.
I’m honestly pleased to discover that many cafes in Toronto allow dogs—be it on the patio or inside. Some even sell dog-friendly treats, so my beloved furbaby won’t feel left out as I’m drinking coffee and eating cookies.
If you’d like to take your dogs out to a cafe in Toronto, here’s my list of recommendations.
Boxcar Social
– From: thekenraymond
Address: 235 Queens Quay W
Operating Hours:
- Monday—9 am to 5 pm
- Tuesday and Wednesday—9 am to 10 pm
- Thursday to Saturday—9 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—9 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +18447269227
Boxcar Social is one of the most beloved cafes in Toronto, which is why there are several locations within the city. My favorite is one by the Harbourfront because I like seeing the view of the water and the Toronto Islands while enjoying my cup of coffee.
I like staying on the patio with my dog because that’s where I can enjoy the view and the fresh breeze the most. Sometimes, there will be a fellow dog on the patio, and I let my dog play with them (if the owner allows us, of course).
When it comes to food, I usually order the Boxcar Breakfast Sando because it’s jam-packed with fried egg and maple bacon and served with an arugula salad on the side. I’m instantly full the moment I finish eating that.
For my drink, I keep it simple and just get a cappuccino. Sometimes, I get a chamomile lemongrass tea whenever I’m feeling stressed.
| Pro Tip: Sometimes, Boxcar Social holds weekly specials, such as half-priced glasses of wine or a discounted price for drip coffee. These specials change often, so take advantage of them when you can. |
Cafe 23
Address: 728 Queen St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—7 am to 7 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—8 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +15149940465
What I like about Cafe 23 is that pets are allowed both inside and on the back patio, and they even have a dedicated dog menu! So, throughout our stay, my dog can enjoy his own pup cup and dog-themed treats.
This cafe mainly has pastries sourced from local bakeries, and my favorite thing to order is the croissant. The classic butter croissant is great, but I also like trying the different versions, such as the pain au chocolate and almond chocolate croissant.
Hot chocolate is my beverage of choice here because I like dunking my pastry into it. I also like mixing in spoonfuls of whipped cream to make the hot chocolate a lot creamier.
| Pro Tip: This cafe can get crowded on the weekends, so I recommend coming here on a weekday instead. Coming here early in the morning is also advisable. |
Rooster Coffee House
Address: 568 Jarvis St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +16475304779
Rooster Coffee House has that warm, cozy vibe that always makes me feel at home. Plus, they give free dog biscuits to my pet! How can I not love it here?
While I like getting a hot drink when I’m in a cafe, I prefer cold drinks here. In particular, I’m fond of the fresh-pressed lemonade because it’s so refreshing. The cold-pressed juices are also great—sweet and organic as well.
For my food, I usually treat myself to a banana chocolate chip muffin or blueberry buttermilk scones. If I want to add something healthy to my meal, I would get the Kale Caesar. I like the addition of smoked pineapple to the fresh kale and cabbage!
| Pro Tip: This cafe also has a shop where you can buy coffee and tea blends, beer wine cider bottles, and packaged snacks. |
Bevy
Address: 738 Dundas St E
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—8 am to 5 pm
- Friday and Saturday—8 am to 6 pm
Bevy is an interesting establishment because most people know it as an event space and an art gallery. But it’s also a cafe by day—and a dog-friendly one at that!
You can bring your pets inside the cafe, but personally, I like sitting on the picnic tables outside. My dog likes to bark for no reason sometimes, so it’s best if we sit outside to avoid disturbing other people.
They have a small yet decent selection of pastries here. I recommend the blueberry scone, which is perfectly crumbly and has the right amount of sweetness. Usually, I pair that with a classic cappuccino, but sometimes, I go for a matcha instead.
| Pro Tip: Be sure to check out some of the art pieces displayed in the gallery. You might find a new local artist to support. |
The Roasted Nut Cafe and Eatery
Address: 768 Queen St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—8 am to 8 pm
- Sunday—8 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +14165461935
Located near Trinity Bellwoods Park, The Roasted Nut Cafe and Eatery welcomes dogs at their outdoor tables (so long as they’re leashed). Plus, this cafe is more than happy to give your pet a pup cup as a treat!
I’m a big fan of the pastries here because they always look so delicious. So far, I’ve tried and loved the pecan cheesecake (its texture is both crunchy and silky) and the black bean brownie (so fudgy and decadent).
As for the drinks, they have the classic options, but there are also unique ones. For example, they have peanut butter mocha, which is a coffee-based drink that almost tastes like dessert. This is my go-to every time I’m here.
| Pro Tip: This cafe has a shop selling jars of butter, oat milk, coffee beans, and packaged nuts. |
Red Rocket Coffee
Address: 1364 Danforth Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—7 am to 5 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—8 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14164060880
While Red Rocket Coffee is considered a pet-friendly cafe, your dog will have to wait outside while you drink and dine here. That said, once you’re ready to leave, you’ll get to give them a treat for waiting patiently.
While you’re here, I recommend getting their scones. They have the sweet variety (I like the lemon cranberry one because it has that tartness that balances out all the sweetness), but there are also savory scones if you prefer.
When it comes to my beverage, I go back and forth between lavender green tea and cortado.
| Pro Tips: If you like the taste of coffee here, you might want to buy the cafe’s coffee beans. They also sell a scone sampler, an assortment of frozen, ready-to-bake-at-home scones. |
Daily Dose Coffee Bar
Address: 125 John St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—7:30 am to 5 pm
- Saturday—8:30 am to 5 pm
- Sunday—9 am to 5 pm
If you’re in the Entertainment District, you might want to check out the Daily Dose Coffee Bar. This cafe has cozy patio seating where your dog can relax and eat their treats by your side.
The pastry selection here is pretty modest and changes often, but from what I’ve tasted, I can say they’re good. I like getting the browned butter chocolate chip cookies because they’re so addictively fudgy and sweet!
Their drink menu is also small, but the items are interesting. For example, they have these “superfood lattes,” which are coffee-based drinks mixed with a superfood. I’ve tried the turmeric latte and really liked it; it’s sweet with earthy and gingery notes.
| Pro Tip: This cafe is small and has limited seating, so I recommend avoiding coming here during rush hour (around lunchtime). Instead, come here as early as possible, preferably when the cafe is about to open. |
Dark Horse Espresso Bar
Address: 215 Spadina Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—7:30 am to 7 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—8 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +14169791200
The main reason I was drawn to Dark Horse Espresso Bar is its interior design: it looks both rustic and industrial, and somehow that aesthetic makes me feel cozy. But when I heard I could bring my dogs inside and on the patio, I became a returning patron.
They have a great variety of food and drinks here. My go-to order is the banana chocolate loaf (so dense and chocolatey), but I’ve also liked the lemon raspberry crumble muffin (the sweet-tart combination always hits the spot).
To wash everything down, I usually go for the iced mocha because I like the balance between the boldness of coffee and the sweetness of chocolate.
| Pro Tips: There are seasonal drinks available here for a limited time. Try them out when you can! You can host a private event at any of the Dark Horse Espresso Bar locations. If you already have a venue, you might want to book their catering services instead. |
The Black Pony
Address: 1481 Gerrard St E
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14164667669
The Black Pony Pet is a snack bar by night, but by day, it’s a cafe. No matter when you decide to come, you’re free to bring your dog so long as you take a seat on the outdoor patio.
There’s a good selection of coffee and tea drinks. I usually go for either cappuccino, hot chocolate, or mocha if I’m craving coffee, but when I’m in the mood for tea, I like the elderberry hibiscus because it’s the most calming for me.
If you want to eat something, they have sandwiches as available. I recommend the chicken schnitzel, which is glazed with spiced honey, so every bite is sweet with a kick of heat.
| Pro Tip: Avoid coming here on a Sunday during lunchtime because it gets crowded. Coming on a weekday is your best option. |
Forest Cafe
– From: bearthelab
Address: 56 Forest Manor Rd Unit5, North York
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +16473500777
Forest Cafe embodies the essence of tranquility and romance, which is why I like coming here. I also like that my dog can come with me so long as he’s leashed and we’re sitting at an outdoor table.
My favorite drink here is Peach Peach Iced Tea, which is sweet and refreshing. The Grapefruit Black Tea is also great; it’s sweet with malty and earthy notes.
For food, I recommend getting the Forest Sandwich. It’s filled with cheese, bacon, beef sausage, and vegetables, making it a satisfying meal.
If you have a sweet tooth, treat yourself to a Croffle (a croissant-waffle hybrid). The Lotus Biscoff Croffle is my favorite because it’s so sweet (it tastes like crispy caramel if that makes sense).
| Pro Tip: Every season, the cafe comes up with a menu that’s available for a limited time. Be sure to try some of the items when you can. |
