Cathy MerrittAs a busy working adult, I’m barely at home, which means I don’t get to spend a lot of time with my beloved dog. Fortunately, these days, I’ve found a workaround: instead of going to a dog park, we go to a dog-friendly restaurant!
My dog and I can bond while eating something delicious, and I’ll also be able to pull out my laptop and work for a bit if needed. It’s a win-win situation for both of us.
If you’re in the same boat as me—or if you just want an excuse to hang out with your furbaby—here’s a list of my favorite dog-friendly restaurants in Toronto.
Cafe Landwer
– From: travelfoodiejas
Address: 165 University Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—7:30 am to 10 pm
- Friday—7:30 am to 11 pm
- Saturday—8 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—8 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +16477481165
If you’re thinking about going out to brunch with your dog, Cafe Landwer is worth considering. This restaurant looks like a diner from the olden times, and I find that aesthetic very nostalgic and comforting.
For brunch, I like to get the Landwers Famous Breakfast, which is jam-packed with all my favorite breakfast foods (scrambled eggs, bread, and more). I also really like the shakshuka, which is a tomato dish topped with eggs. It’s so good paired with bread!
Dogs are welcome on the patio (don’t worry, there are tables here, so you won’t be separated from them). Just make sure to keep them leashed.
| Pro Tip: If you’re planning an event with more than 10 guests, you can book Cafe Landwers as a venue. |
Fox and Fiddle
Address: 17 Fort York Blvd
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 2 am
Contact Number: +14166230390
Just like Cafe Landwer, Fox and Fiddle has an outdoor patio that welcomes pets. The staff is also very friendly towards any of the dogs, and if you request water for your baby, they’ll be more than happy to oblige.
The menu is mostly filled with comfort food. I’m a big fan of chicken tikka masala (the rice is so fluffy, and the chicken has a slight BBQ taste) and the smash burger and fries (double patties that are stacked and slathered with Russian dressing—yum!).
To wash everything down, get a cocktail. They have the classic margarita here, but personally, I love the passion tea lemonade. It’s so sweet and refreshing, and the kick from the vodka is instant but subtle.
| Pro Tip: Every day, there’s something exciting happening at Fox and Fiddle. Check this page to see its weekly events. |
Sassafraz
– From: rescued_corgi
Address: 100 Cumberland St
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Thursday and Friday—11:30 am to 11 pm
- Saturday—11 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14169642222
Sassafrz first caught my eye because of its simple yet elegant interior, but I keep coming back here because I’m allowed to bring my dogs to the outdoor seating area!
This restaurant celebrates the very best Canadian cuisine. I recommend the Canadian Atlantic salmon, which is served with green pea purée and roasted corn and pepper salsa. It tastes savory and refreshing at the same time.
There’s also a wide variety of steaks if you’re interested. I’ve splurged on the Wellington County ribeye—which weighs a whopping 16 oz—and I’d gladly do it again. The meat melts like butter in my mouth, and the brown marrow butter is just so good!
| Pro Tips: Book this restaurant as a venue for your private event. You can also have your wedding hosted here! |
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen and Bar
Address: 85 Hanna Ave #104
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—10 am to 3 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—9 am to 3 pm
Contact Number: +14165885695
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen and Bar is another one of my favorite brunch spots in Toronto.
There are two reasons why I love this place so much. Firstly, I love the rustic and modern interior design, and secondly, there’s an outdoor seating area that’s perfect for pets.
My go-to order is Mrs. Biederhof’s Wild Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes. The pancakes are so fluffy and soft like a pillow, and the wild blueberry compote adds the right amount of sweetness and tartness.
When I’m in the mood for something savory, I go for The Manhandler, which is a sandwich made of flat-iron steak and toasted garlic sourdough. It also comes with two sunny-side eggs and a side salad, making it a very satisfying meal.
| Pro Tips: If you like the pancakes so much that you want to recreate them at home, you can buy a DIY pancake kit from Mildred’s Pantry! This store also sells other pre-made products like scones, buttermilk biscuits, and maple syrup. You can have your wedding at Mildred’s! |
The Hogtown Vegan
Address: 382 College St
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Friday—4 to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—2 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165467900
If you’re searching for a great vegan spot that’s also dog-friendly, look no further than The Hogtown Vegan! This restaurant has a sidewalk patio with picnic-style tables, and it’s pretty spacious, too, so your dog will undoubtedly love it here.
I like their version of Southern comfort food, especially the chicken (or as they like to call it, “unChicken”) and waffles. The fake chicken tastes like the real thing, and the waffles are sweet and fluffy. I like to drizzle in a spicy syrup for a little bit of kick.
For the sandwiches, I recommend their rendition of bacon cheeseburger. The patty is made with soy beef and topped with melted Daiya cheese and seitan bacon, and dare I say, it tastes even better than the original!
| Pro Tip: The menu doesn’t list all the ingredients, so if you have an allergy, let your server know beforehand so that the chefs can accommodate your needs. |
Hair of the Dog Neighborhood Pub and Restaurant
Address: 425 Church St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11:30 am to 12 am
- Friday—11:30 am to 2 am
- Saturday—10:30 am to 2 am
- Sunday—10:30 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +14169642708
Hair of the Dog is such a quirky little restaurant near the old Maple Leaf Gardens. It’s got vintage vibes (thanks to its dark, moody interior), and the patio is pet-friendly. What’s not to love?
I always get the butter chicken grilled cheese when I’m here. The chicken is seasoned with spicy curry and then topped with melted cheese, so even if the heat kicks in first, it’s quickly cut by the cheese.
Another thing I like to order here is the duck poutine. I can’t get enough of the crispy fries slathered with slow-cooked veal gravy and the succulent roasted duck pieces (I’m drooling just typing this sentence out).
| Pro Tips: You can book their catering services for your party or any other special event. On a similar note, you can also book this restaurant as a venue. |
Black Lab Brewing
Address: 818 Eastern Ave
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +16473522525
If you’re a big fan of craft beers, you’ll love Black Lab Brewing. Plus, this place is welcoming to dogs (with a name like that, it’s not a surprise), so feel free to bring your baby along with you.
Technically, this is a brewery and not a restaurant, so all that’s being sold here are craft beers. Some of the brands you can find here include Cornerstone Black Lager, Social Parade DDH, and Needs More Dog Munich Dunkel.
Even though the brewery doesn’t sell food, they do have food pop-ups every weekend. You’re also free to bring in food that you order from nearby restaurants, such as Gio Rana’s Really Really Nice (they serve delicious Italian dishes).
| Pro Tip: Every day, there’s a fun event happening (e.g., comedy shows and trivia nights). Check this page to see what exciting events are coming up. |
Lobster Burger Bar
Address: 214 King St W Suite 100
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday and Thursday—4 to 11 pm
- Wednesday—11:30 am to 11 pm
- Saturday—11:30 am to 1 am
- Sunday—11:30 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165982929
For seafood lovers, Lobster Burger Bar is paradise. This restaurant serves a wide variety of seafood dishes, and the ingredients are fresh from local suppliers!
Plus, this spot is incredibly pet-friendly. You can even order something from the menu for them!
The classic lobster roll is the best-selling dish, and it’s also my go-to order. The lobster meat is wonderfully cooked, and the mayonnaise lemon adds a zing that pairs well with the meat’s innate sweetness.
Aside from the lobster roll, I get the lobster bisque (such a comforting soup) and lobster fries supreme (crispy fries and tender lobster meat as toppings? Sign me up!) as side dishes.
| Pro Tip: If you have any comments about the restaurant’s service, feel free to answer the survey on the website. Doing so will give you a chance to win a C$100 gift card! |
Pennies
Address: 127 Strachan Ave
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday—11 am to 1 am
- Thursday to Saturday—11 am to 2 am
Contact Number: +16477484800
Do you love burgers? Then, you might want to check out Pennies! It also has a spacious outdoor patio that’s always packed with dogs, so feel free to bring yours as well.
My favorite burger here is the Korean fried chicken because of how sweet, savory, and spicy the chicken patty is. The Southern honey fried chicken burger is another one that I like. The hot honey ties everything together well.
If you don’t eat meat, don’t worry because there are vegetarian options. There are even vegan tacos if you’re interested.
| Pro Tip: Book Pennies as a venue for any party you’re planning in the near future. |
LOCAL Public Eatery Liberty Village
– From: benny.and.brie
Address: 171 E Liberty St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11 am to 1 am
- Friday—11 am to 2 am
- Saturday—10 am to 2 am
- Sunday—10 am to 1 am
Contact Number: +14169018351
Located just outside of the downtown core, LOCAL Public Eatery (LPE) Liberty Village is a restaurant that appeals to the nostalgic crowd because of its vintage theme. It also has a dog-friendly patio, so your furbabies are going to love it here.
The truffle cheeseburger is my favorite food to order because not only is it savory and juicy, but it’s also rich in umami, thanks to the truffle jam. Another one I like is the BBQ rice bowl. It has pork, fried egg, and seasoned cabbage, making it a filling meal.
Don’t miss out on any of the alcoholic drinks available. I personally like the cocktails (I recommend the Spicy Guava Margarita), but there are also draft beers and fancy wines if you’re interested.
| Pro Tip: Have your party hosted at LPE! Doing so will let you enjoy several perks, such as having a DJ, a dedicated party planner, and custom cocktails. |
The Corner Place
Address: 11 Jarvis St
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday—11 am to 12 am
- Wednesday to Friday—11 am to 1 am
- Saturday—10:30 am to 1 am
- Sunday—10:30 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +14168501738
What I like about The Corner Place is that it has such an eclectic vibe. The interior is bright and colorful, and the menu is filled with Asian-inspired dishes with a modern twist.
You’re also free to bring your dog because there’s a spacious patio with 50 seats. They can even socialize with the other dogs if yours is the friendly kind.
Try the sizzling Korean short ribs. The ribs are char-grilled and served with jasmine rice and kimchi radish, so you’ll be full after eating.
If you prefer sandwiches or burgers, I recommend the jerk chicken burger. The chicken tastes smoky and fiery, and it also has some sweet and fruity notes, thanks to the pineapple mango salsa.
| Pro Tips: This restaurant doesn’t accept reservations, so if you want to secure your spot, come here as early as you can. Avoiding peak hours is also wise. If you’re planning a party, send an email to [email protected] and the team will get back to you within 24 to 48 hours. |
Prohibition Social House
– From: silver.the.golden
Address: 696 Queen St E
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—11 am to 12:45 am
- Thursday and Friday—11 am to 2 am
- Saturday—10 am to 2 am
- Sunday—10 am to 12:45 am
Contact Number: +14167924499
Prohibition Social House is a fancy and moody gastropub in the Riverside neighborhood that also welcomes pets on its patio.
Be sure to get the Thai mussels here. They’re cooked in coconut milk and seasoned with curry paste, so each mussel tastes creamy with a hint of spice. The dish is also served with bread that you can use to dunk into the sauce.
For your main course, I recommend the Chicken ‘N’ Watermelon ‘N’ Waffles. I know at first, it seems like a weird combination, but it works. The chicken is juicy and savory. The waffles are fluffy and sweet, and the watermelon is spiced for a little kick.
Complete your meal with any of their signature cocktails. The New York State of Mind is my favorite because somehow, it makes the sweet and bitter combination work well.
| Pro Tip: If you’re interested in booking an event at Prohibition Social House, fill out this form. |
SCHOOL Restaurant
Address: 70 Fraser Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday—9 am to 3 pm
- Tuesday to Sunday—9 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14165880005
SCHOOL Restaurant is one of my favorite casual restaurants. It just has that chill vibe that makes me feel at home, and the patio outside is designed to look like it’s a picnic area—perfect for my dog and me!
I come here for brunch, and I always get the buttermilk fried chicken and waffles. When I’m starving, I go for The Safe Bet because it’s jam-packed with scrambled eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, and more. I’m full the moment I finish this dish!
When I’m in the mood for something sweet, I order the Krispy Krunchy Fresh Toast. The French toast is topped with peach-raspberry compote, so it tastes tart and fruity on top of being sweet.
| Pro Tip: If you have a friend who loves to go on brunch with their dog, give them a gift card from SCHOOL Restaurant. |
The Stone Lion
– From: coperjp
Address: 1958 Queen St E
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday—11 am to 11 pm
- Thursday—11 am to 12 am
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 1 am
Contact Number: +14166901984
Who says your dog can’t go with you to a pub? The Stone Lion says it’s perfectly fine, so come here when you can!
I always devour the loaded mac and cheese here. As the name suggests, it’s loaded with so many ingredients—pulled pork, jalapeños, smoked gouda and cheddar cheese sauce, and more. The moment I finish it, I’m ready to go into a food coma.
Aside from the mac and cheese, I like the Nashville chicken sandwich. The chicken thigh patty is juicy and tender, and the sauce packs quite a punch!
| Pro Tip: If you’re sensitive to gluten or don’t eat meat, simply ask for the gluten-free, vegetarian, and/or vegan menus! |
