Posted by: Kerry O'Brien,
Great restaurants that your dog can eat with
It can be hard to find a dog hater in New Jersey. So many people in this state are obsessed with their dogs. There are even several restaurants in the state where you can bring your dog to enjoy your meal on their patio.
Understanding what a restaurant means when they say they are "dog friendly" can also be tricky to decipher. Are they open to dogs of all sizes, or just the little guys? Are dogs only allowed on the terrace or are they allowed inside as well? To make things easier for you, we've selected 25 restaurants in NJ that perfectly explain their "dog-friendly" policies so you know exactly what to expect when you show up with your furry friend.
These restaurants have welcoming staff, friendly guests and a relaxed atmosphere. Our list of dog-friendly restaurants offers a diverse selection from casual burger joints to beachside picnic tables to upscale fine dining.
1.Wonder bar: Probably one of the most well-known dog-friendly establishments in Central NJ. Wonder Bar in Asbury Park hosts regular Yappy Hour events where dog owners are welcome to take their four-legged friends out for a drink along the coast. This event usually starts at 6:00 p.m. Dogs of all shapes and sizes are welcome on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. On Fridays only small dogs are allowed.
Wonder bar
Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
732-502-8886
2.9e a Coles Tavern: Located in Jersey City, 9th and Coles Tavern is an upscale Northern NJ restaurant with outdoor seating that welcomes dogs during the seasonal months. This dog-friendly restaurant is open 6 days a week, closed on Sundays. They serve high quality American food with extensive beer and wine lists. If you dine with them on a Saturday, you can also enjoy their brunch options.
9e a Coles Tavern
174 Coles Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
201-839-5604
3.Harpoen Henry's: Seasonal dog-friendly restaurant with both indoor and outdoor air-conditioned seating. This Cape May County restaurant features three bars serving frozen drinks and impeccable views of the sunset over Delaware Bay, guaranteed to melt away any stress from you (or your dog).
Harpoen Henry's
91 Beach Dr., Cape May, NJ 08204
609-886-5529
4.Riverside cafe: With outdoor seating and a view of the beach, it's only natural that Riverside Café in Manasquan, New Jersey, is dog-friendly. While you and your friends sip your drinks, the dogs can lie next to you and enjoy the summer sun.
Riverside cafe:
425 1st Avenue, Manasquan, NJ 08736
732-223-2233
5.Java Dog cafe and tea: This Salem, NJ eatery is a cozy place to dine with your pet on the outdoor patio. While dogs are not allowed inside, customers and their canine companions can enjoy their delicious food choices outside during the warmer months.
Java Dog Cafe
144 W.Broadway, Salem, NJ 08079
856-935-1724
6.Zoe's beachfront eatery: Located directly on the beach in Cape May, NJ, Zoe's Beachfront Eatery is one of the best-known dog-friendly restaurants in the southern NJ area. They encourage guests to bring their four-legged friends, and the staff always look forward to the animal's friendly greetings!
Zoe's beachfront eatery
715 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
609-884-1233
7.Witherspoon GrillThis upscale restaurant in Princeton, NJ serves delicious American cuisine, has a lively atmosphere where you and your friends can dine and have fun, and a seasonal outdoor patio that welcomes dogs when it's open.
Witherspoon Grill
57 Witherspoon St., Princeton, NJ 08088
609-924-6011
8.Surf Dog Bar and Grill: This bar in Woodbine, NJ is one of Cape May County's most dog-friendly establishments. They have a nice relaxed atmosphere, allow dogs on the terrace and have been known to allow dogs in the restaurant on certain occasions!
Surf Dog Bar and Grill
1563 Dehirsch Ave., Woodbine, NJ 08270
609-427-6011
9.Brick House Tavern a Tap: While this restaurant has a few locations in NJ, it is their South Plainfield location that is dog friendly, people and their pets can dine together on the outdoor patio.
Brick House Tavern a Tap
4901 Stelton Rd., South Plainfield, NJ 07080
908-753-4892
10.Avenue Bistro Pub: Located in Verona, NJ, this dog-friendly restaurant welcomes leashed companions. Dine on their patio for a memorable meal that will make you want to come back again and again.
Avenue Bistro Pub
558 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, NJ 07044
973-239-7444
11.Back Bay bierhuis: Atlantic City is arguably one of the most popular cities in NJ, and if you happen to drop by with your dog, the Back Bay Ale House will be happy to welcome you. Their outdoor patio is always open to dogs, and the theory of the staff is that if it's warm enough to comfortably eat outside, the dog will be fine too.
Back Bay bierhuis
800 N. New Hampshire Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401
609-449-0006
12.Federicis family restaurant i OwnedKnown for the best thin-crust pizza and Italian food in the state, Federici's Family Restaurant on Main Street in Freehold allows dogs on their patio as long as they aren't directly around the food.
Federici family restaurant
14 E. Hoofdstraat, Freehold, NJ 07728
732-462-1312
13.Rusty seam: This beach bar in Cape May, NJ has become a legendary hot summer destination for locals and tourists alike over the years. With outdoor seating and a relaxed, friendly environment, it's no surprise they allow dogs to dine with their owners.
Rusty seam
205 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
609-884-0017
14.Bernards herberg: Although not previously dog friendly, as of May 2015, The Bernards Inn has introduced Yappy Hour events where you can bring your dog and eat and drink on the patio during the summer season.
Bernards herberg
27 Mine Brook Rd., Bernardsville, NJ 07924
908-766-0002
15.stations: The Station, based in Bernardsville, NJ, is a Somerset County restaurant that recently allowed customers to bring their dogs for meals. Dogs are allowed in the outdoor seating area and can enjoy the sounds of the live entertainment with their owners.
stations
45 Mine Brook Rd., Bernardsville, NJ 07924
908-204-1227
16.McCormack and Schmicks Seafood and Steak: This restaurant in Bridgewater, NJ is an excellent place for people to eat if they love both seafood and enjoying a great meal with their four-legged friend in tow! The restaurant serves high-quality seafood and has an outdoor dining area where puppies can sit with their owners during happy hour. For the protection of all beloved pets, leashes should be kept under control and dogs should not be present on particularly cold evenings or when the patio is closed.
McCormack and Schmicks Seafood and Steak
400 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
908-707-9996
17.Aleathea's restaurant: Aleathea's Restaurant, located in The Inn of Cape May, is a south shore eatery with an outdoor patio that welcomes dogs. However, this restaurant is only open on weekends and serves breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, lunch on Saturday from 12pm - 3pm and dinner on Friday and Saturday. They also host happy hour every Friday from 3-6pm.
Aleathea's restaurant
7 Ocean Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
800-582-5933
18.Courtyard on MainFormerly known as Main Street Bistro, this Freehold, NJ restaurant is a great place for special events, celebrations, or a simple dinner with friends, family, or significant other. Their outdoor dining area is dog-friendly and open to dogs of various sizes.
Courtyard on Main
30 E. Hoofdstraat, Freehold, NJ 07728
732-294-0424
19.The Blue Pig Inn: Another dog-friendly restaurant in Cape May, NJ is The Blue Pig Tavern. This restaurant regularly serves modern American cuisine and allows dogs on the premises in season. Maybe it should be called The BlueDogBar!
The Blue Pig Inn
200 Congress Pl., Cape May, NJ 08204
609-884-8422
20.Real ice cream from Bruster: This outdoor restaurant in Gloucester County NJ encourages diners to bring their dogs for an afternoon of ice cream and fun. Everyone, maybe even your four-legged friend, can enjoy spoonfuls of the tastiest frozen treats in the region!
Real ice cream from Bruster
1008 Rt. 45 Mantua Pike, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097
856-845-5520
21.Verve Bistrobar en Lounge: This Somerville, NJ restaurant offers a gourmet-quality menu, upscale fine dining, and an outdoor area where guests who wish can bring their dogs for meals.
Verve Bistrobar en Lounge
18 E. Hoofdstraat, Somerville, NJ 08876
908-707-8655
22.Boulevard Five 72: This restaurant in Kenilworth, NJ has beautiful architecture, exquisite food and a large outdoor patio where diners are more than welcome to bring their lovely dogs.
Boulevard Five 72
572 Boulevard, Kenilworth, NJ 07033
908-709-1200
23.Bella Vida Garden Cafe: With exceptional outdoor seating and a relaxed, friendly environment, Bella Vida Garden Café in Cape May, NJ is the perfect restaurant to take your dog to in Cape May County.
Bella Vida Garden Cafe
406 Broadway, West Cape May, NJ 08204
609-884-6332
24.Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery: Located in Rio Grande, NJ, Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery seems like an unlikely restaurant where you can bring your dog, but dogs are allowed on the property. While they recently had to restrict the areas where dogs are allowed, they like to see guests bring their furball friends in tow.
Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery
600 S. Railroad Ave., Rio Grande, NJ 08242
609-846-7347
25.Robin's Nest Restaurant: This Zagat-rated restaurant in Mount Holly, NJ is located on the water. The restaurant has an outdoor seating area for all types of guests, both humans and dogs, to enjoy. Robin's Nest Restaurant serves the best French American cuisine in Burlington County!
Robin's Nest Restaurant
2 Washington St., Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-261-6149
Would you visit one of these restaurants with your dog? Which one sounds most interesting to you? Let us know in the comments below!
If you prefer cats to man's best friend, check it outCatsbury-parkin Asbury Park, NJ.
If you don't have a pet, or if you're thinking about dining out and leaving your dog at home, here's a guide tobest restaurants around NJ.
FAQs
Are dogs allowed inside restaurants in New Jersey? ›
When it comes to retail food-serving establishments, dogs (and all other animals) are not permitted inside the venue. This is a New Jersey state law that offers few exceptions, none of which would permit a sunny afternoon with Fido at your favorite ice cream shop.
Are dogs allowed at outdoor dining in NJ? ›In fact, the New Jersey Senate recently passed a bill that specifically permits dogs in outdoor dining spaces (right now the allowance of man's best friend is a gray area in state regulations). As we enter into the dog days of summer, here's where your pooch can feel welcome.
Does Red Bank allow dogs? ›Red Bank is pet friendly! If you need help to decide where to stay, play, or eat with Fido, you've come to the right place. Here's the scoop on our favorite pet friendly hotels, dog friendly activities, and restaurants that allow dogs in Red Bank.
Is American Dream dog friendly? ›American Dream
This shopping center features a variety of restaurants with outdoor seating, along with well-known stores. Please note that some shops do not permit dogs inside, so be sure to ask permission first before bringing Fido in.