The Ultimate Dog-Friendly Guide to Houston

Houston is the energy capital of the world, and it also happens to be a great place for pups to get their energy out. With a bevy of expansive parks, sprawling shopping districts, and countless dog-friendly restaurants, breweries, and wine bars, Houston has it all for pet parents looking to get away.

Ahead, peruse our robust dog-friendly guide to Houston. With more than enough to fill a weekend, don’t blame us if you find yourself wanting to plan multiple visits.

Cafes and eateries

Houston is home to a diverse dining scene brimming with barbecue, Tex-Mex, elevated American, Italian, and more. Below, a sampling of the best dog-friendly Houston restaurants.

Mia’s Table

3131 Argonne St.
@miastablehouston

Mia’s Table is located in Houston’s upscale Upper Kirby neighborhood. The popular casual eatery, which features a spacious dog-friendly covered patio, serves up burgers, barbecue, tacos, and Southern comfort favorites. While there are many flavorful menu options, the restaurant is particularly famous for its Jalapeno Cream Gravy, which can be found on the Chicken Fried Chicken and Chicken Fried Steak, as well as on the Nashville Kickin’ Chicken Sandwich.

Rodeo Goat Houston

2105 Dallas St.
@rodeogoatburger

Rodeo Goat Houston receives rave reviews for its craft burgers and craft beers, as well as its dog-friendly patio. If burgers and beer aren’t your thing, rest assured, Rodeo Goat also offers salads, sides, and shakes, plus cocktails and wine.

D’Amico’s

5510 Morningside Dr.
@damicoscafe

For a change of pace, head over to D’Amico’s in Rice Village (aka Houston’s Little Italy). Specializing in Sicilian cuisine, D’Amico’s serves lunch and dinner, featuring sandwiches, salads, wood-fired pizzas, and homemade pastas. Pups are permitted to join on the patio.

Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino

3215 Westheimer Rd.
@giacomoshouston

For Venetian Italian, consider Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino in Houston’s River Oaks District. The dog-friendly, casual Italian cafe serves dinner and showcases a menu of mouth-watering homemade pasta, plus a variety of hot and cold small plates, larger entrees, and desserts. Fun Fact: When you order the seasonal dessert, Giacomo’s donates the proceeds to Rescued Pets Movement. We love to see it!

Valencia’s Tex-Mex Garage

2009 W 34th St., Ste. A
@texmexgarage

Tex-Mex is a must when visiting Houston. At Valencia’s Tex-Mex Garage, pups can join on the patio for a meal you won’t soon forget, whether you go for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. House specialties include Rotisserie chicken relleno, various enchiladas, and carne guisada.

Breweries, wineries, and bars

Whether you’re looking for just a drink or a meal accompanied by small-batch beers, craft cocktails, or high-quality wines, the dog-friendly Houston breweries, wineries, and bars below are worth adding to your itinerary.

Saint Arnold Brewing

2000 Lyons Ave.
@saintarnoldbrewing

Few things are as relaxing as a Saturday spent at a beer garden. If that’s your vibe, pop over to Saint Arnold, where beer is flowing, tasty bites are readily available, and pups are more than welcome to partake.

Sonoma Garden Oaks

1227 W 34th St.
@sonomagardenoaks

More of a vinophile? Sonoma Garden Oaks welcomes people and their pups to unwind on their bright, turf patio with many wine and cheese pairings to choose from.

Karbach Brewing Co.

2032 Karbach St.
@karbachbrewing

Karbach Brewing Co. is a fan-favorite with its massive biergarten featuring covered picnic tables, lawn games, cooling fans when it’s hot, heaters when it’s cold, and a dog-friendly area that’s open all year. The large German-style brewery serves beer, small bites, pretzels, large bites, salads, pizza, and dessert.

8th Wonder Brewery

2202 Dallas St.
@sip8thwonder

8th Wonder Brewery is located in East Downtown (EaDo) and features a one-acre biergarten where pups are permitted on leash. The popular brewery specializes in beer and THC beverages, while rotating food trucks provide plenty of fare to fuel your visit.

Truck Yard

2118 Lamar St.
@truckyardbeer

For a seriously cool brewery experience, head over to Truck Yard, where craft beer culture combines with quirky, rustic design. In addition to an in-house food menu, Truck Yard also has a rotating food truck and event schedule, so visitors can expect a variety of food and entertainment. With a karaoke room, Ferris wheel, and photo ops around every corner, you’re bound to have a blast at this cult-favorite hangout.

Shops

Houston impresses visitors with its many dog boutiques and dog-friendly shopping districts. Below, find a handful of can’t-miss, dog-friendly Houston shopping destinations.

Furrever Doggies

711 Milby Space 5 
@furreverdoggies

Treat your pup to a cool new outfit at Furrever Doggies. The popular pet shop sells homemade apparel and accessories, from collars and harnesses to dresses and sling carriers.

Three Dog Bakery

2402 Rice Blvd.
1141 E 11th St.
@threedogtheheights

Stock up on some extra special treats at Three Dog Bakery, where pastry chefs whip up cookies and custom cakes for good boys and girls. The precious pet shop also stocks national dog food brands like Earth Animal, Primal, and Fromm, as well as toy and gear brands like DubDog, GoDog, and Ruffwear. Meanwhile, if sports apparel is your jam, the shop has plenty of jerseys and branded collars and leashes to choose from.

Funny Fur

3636 Greenbriar Dr., A-103
@funnyfur

Funny Fur is another popular Houston pet shop, featuring shelves brimming with brands like Tavo, Planet Dog, Stella & Chewy’s, and Kurgo.

Rocky & Maggie’s

2929 Weslayan St., #103
@rockyandmaggies

Treat your pooch to a high-end shopping spree at Rocky & Maggie’s, where national brands like Bocce’s Bakery, K9 Sport Sack, The Foggy Dog, and Wagwear fill the shelves alongside boutique brands like Bestia Dog Gear and Susan Lanci Designs.

Uptown Park

1121 Uptown Park Blvd.
@uptownpark

Meanwhile, if you’re looking to shop for yourself, Uptown Park is Houston’s premier upscale shopping destination. The open-air mall is lined with restaurants and shops, many of which allow pets. But it’s always best to double-check before just strolling in. Make sure to stop by Van Leeuwen for their on-dairy Peanut Butter and Banana Ice Cream for Dogs.

Highland Village

4055 Westheimer Rd.
@houstonhighlandvillage

Houston’s dog-friendly Highland Village is home to dozens of restaurants and shops, including retailers like Anthropologie, Away, Lululemon, Luchese, Lilly Pulitzer, New Balance, and Paper Source. The open-air shopping district allows pups to stroll through, though individual establishment rules may vary.

River Oaks Shopping Center

2030 West Gray St.
@riveroaksshoppingcenter

River Oaks is another popular dog-friendly Houston shopping destination, with stores like Barnes & Noble, Sephora, Sunglass Hut, and Sur La Table at the forefront. Many of the restaurants in the area allow pups on the patio, so there’s always the option to shop and refuel. Must-try, pup-friendly eateries include Brasserie 19, Hudson House, Perry’s Steakhouse, and Zanti.

Parks and trails

Houston is a huge city with all the accompanying sights and sounds. Give your (and your dog’s) senses a break by visiting the dog-friendly Houston parks below.

Baker Road Pocket Park Hike & Bike Trail

368 Baker Rd.

The Baker Road Pocket Part Hike & Bike Trail spans just half a mile, making it a leisurely place to get some steps in with your pooch.

Gene Green All-Inclusive Park 

6500 East Sam Houston Pkwy. N.

The Gene Green Dog Park is a popular off-leash dog park with 3.5 acres of fenced fun for big dogs and 0.7 acres for small dogs. Where the large dog area has a pond for swimming, the small dog area has splash pads. Both areas have fountains and shade, making the overall park a great place to play, rest, and mingle.

Alexander Deussen Park

12303 Sonnier St.

Alexander Deussen Park surrounds the South side of Lake Houston and features four trailheads for leashed exploration, as well as a fenced dog park for off-leash fun. The dog park is grassy and shaded and features obstacles for extra energy exhaustion. In other words, the Alexander Deussen Dog Park is a great place to help get your pup’s zoomies out.

Johnny Steele Dog Park

1800 Allen Pkwy.
@buffalobayou

The Johnny Steele Dog Park at Buffalo Bayou Park is a beloved destination for pet parents, as it has large and small dog sections, well-maintained grounds, a pond for splashing and swimming, and dog-washing stations to clean up once it’s time to head home.

McWilliams Dog Park

1700 Hermann Dr.
@hermannpark

McWilliams Dog Park is a fenced dog run within Hermann Park Conservancy. With sections for large and small dogs, interactive water stations, and shade to cool off under, the park earns high praise from locals and visitors alike. 

Hotels

Houston has so much to offer; it’s home to the NASA Space Center, various major-league sports, an extensive museum district, and a world-class dining scene. To fully immerse yourself in the city, you may wish to stay the night (or a few). The dog-friendly Houston hotels below make that hope a reality.

Magnolia Hotel Houston

1100 Texas Ave.
@magnoliahotels

Magnolia Hotel Houston is a boutique property in downtown Houston. Built in 1926, the historic hotel showcases stylish design, city views, and a rooftop pool you’ll most definitely want to visit. Plus, pets are welcome for no extra charge.

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $0 — Pets stay free

• Number/size restrictions: Two dogs of any size

• In room: Pets shouldn’t be left unattended.

Hotel ZaZa

5701 Main St.
@zazamuseumdistrict

Located in Houston’s Museum District, Hotel ZaZa is conveniently located within walking distance of some of the city’s cultural highlights, not to mention just a few miles from NRG Stadium, where the Houston Texans play and where the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is held. 

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $100 per pet, per stay

• Number/size restrictions: Two dogs of any size

• In room: Pets shouldn’t be left unattended.

Thompson Houston

1717 Allen Pkwy.
@thompsonhoustonhotel

For an ultra-posh getaway, book a room at Thompson Houston. The downtown, dog-friendly property is nestled inside a glistening 36-story skyscraper, with a must-visit rooftop pool featuring stunning city views. As for the rooms, they’re spacious and gorgeously designed. 

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $0 — Pets stay free

• Number/size restrictions: Two dogs of any size

• In room: Pets shouldn’t be left unattended.

Blossom Hotel Houston

7118 Bertner Avenue
@blossomhotelhouston

If you’re headed on a girls' trip or simply enjoy more feminine, romantic design, Blossom Hotel Houston is calling your name. With pops of bubblegum pink and aqua blue all around, the dog-friendly hotel has a chic, inviting feel.

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $150 per pet, per stay

• Number/size restrictions: Two dogs up to 75 pounds

• In room: Pets shouldn’t be left unattended.

Hotel Saint Augustine

4110 Loretto Drive
@hotelsaintagustine

Meanwhile, if bold, eclectic design is more your style, Hotel Saint Augustine is hard to beat. The dog-friendly property boasts moody interiors with bursts of color and texture that keep guests marveling with each step. 

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $50 per pet, per stay

• Number/size restrictions: Two dogs of any size

• In room:  Pets shouldn’t be left unattended.