Dog-Friendly Guide to Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., may be best known for being home to the president’s residence, but there’s so much more to the nation’s capital than the White House and surrounding grounds. D.C. is a global hub for culture, history, and entertainment, with an exemplary dining scene, world-class (and often free) museums, dozens of theatres, countless music venues, and more than a few places to shop ‘til you drop. So, if you’ve been racking your brain for where to spend your next weekend (or week-long) getaway, D.C. is a worthy candidate—especially considering the District is very welcoming of pups. 

Now, the only question is, where to go and what to see? Ahead, find our dog-friendly guide to Washington, D.C., to help guide your next adventure.  

Cafes and Eateries

Whether you’re looking for coffee, cocktails, or food, the cafes and eateries below will help fuel your Washington, D.C., adventure with your pup. 

Logan Tavern

1423 P. Street NW
@logantavern

Located in the popular Logan Circle neighborhood, Logan Tavern is a fan-favorite destination for refined American fare. The all-day restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making it a popular spot for brunch and happy hour alike. Pups are allowed on the outdoor patio.

Chef Geoff’s 

3201 New Mexico Avenue 
2201 M Street, NW
@chefgeoffsrestaurant

Chef Geoff’s is another highly rated, dog-friendly restaurant serving contemporary American cuisine, with dishes like baby back ribs, burgers, wings, pizza, and pasta. Best of all, they even offer a patio dog menu, featuring veggie snacks, Scooby snacks, sliders, bacon, and full bowls. Located near the border of Maryland, this restaurant is a great stop for folks heading to explore nearby Chevy Chase while they’re at it. 

Il Canale 

1065 31st Street NW
@ilcanale

Speaking of pizza and pasta, Il Canale in Georgetown is a hot spot for authentic Italian cuisine. With apps like Sicilian-style arancini, bruschetta, caprese, steamed mussels, and prosciutto and melon, as well as a variety of entrees, including margherita pizzas, spaghetti pomodoro, lamb chops, and salmon, Il Canale has something to satisfy nearly every Italian craving. Pups are allowed on the large patio.

El Presidente 

1255 Union Street NE
@elpresidentedc

Have a hankering for Mexican cuisine paired with eye-catching, colorful decor? STARR Restaurant Group’s El Presidente in Union Market is a must. The vibrant neo-retro Mexican eatery serves brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert, plus a robust beverage menu with margaritas, craft cocktails, mocktails, beer, and wine. Pooches are permitted on the spacious covered patio. 

Le Diplomate 

1601 14th Street NW
@lediplomatedc

Le Diplomate is another STARR Restaurant Group gem, beloved for its French brasserie taste and feel. The property’s mouth-watering menu and pup-friendly patio will make you want to visit again and again. Stand-out dishes include the French onion soup, steak frites, beef bourguignon, escargots, and macaroni au gratin.

Pastis

1323 4th Street NE
@​pastis_dc

Pastis is another pup-friendly, patio destination serving up elevated French fare with a side of that coveted, brasserie aesthetic. The cult-favorite dining concept, which has its original location in New York City’s Meatpacking District, serves brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert (with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options), as well as an inviting happy hour. 

Hank’s Oyster Bar

701 Wharf Street SW 
@hanksoysterbar 

For fresh oysters and local seafood with beautiful waterfront views to boot, head over to Hank’s Oyster Bar on the Wharf, where pups are welcome on the patio. 

Guapo’s 

3050 Water Street NW, Suite WG60
@theguaposrestaurants

If Potomac waterfront views are a priority but a seafood-centric menu isn’t your jam, head to the Georgetown Waterfront for delicious Tex-Mex with your pup in tow. The chips and queso are to die for, and the steak quesadillas are hard to beat.  

Breweries, Wineries, and Bars

Boozy brunch, happy hour, or anytime bevs—D.C. has it all. Below, explore some of the most popular dog-friendly breweries, wineries, and bars.

Dacha Beer Garden

1600 7th Street NW
79 Potomac Avenue SE
@dachashaw

German, Belgian, and American craft beers are on tap and in bottles and cans at Dacha Beer Garden in D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood. The Bavarian-style beer garden is a pup-friendly establishment with a rotating menu that will make you want to sit and stay a while. 

Dog Daze Social Club

1100 Rhode Island Avenue NW
@dogdazesocialclub

While Dacha welcomes dogs with open arms, Dog Daze Social Club downright celebrates pups. The beer garden-style dog park serves coffee, cocktails, smoothies, pizza, and sandwiches, plus a menu of light bites for puppers. FYI: Dog Daze requires registering your pup with up-to-date health records, either ahead (to save time) or at the time of arrival. 

Wunder Garten

1101 First Street NE
@wundergartendc

Craft beers, wine, and spirits are on the menu at the ever-colorful Wunder Garten in D.C.’s NoMa neighborhood, along with regular DJs and live music performances. The spacious outdoor beer pavilion welcomes well-behaved pups. 

Midlands Beer Garden

3333 Georgia Ave NW
@midlands_dc

Looking to watch sports with your dog, outside of your home? Midlands Beer Garden is a beer- and sports-lover’s dream, with seven outdoor TVs and another 11 inside, all of which are equipped with NFL Sunday Ticket. As you can imagine, Midlands fills up fast. Book a reservation to hold your spot. 

Wet Dog Tavern

2100 Vermont Ave NW
@wetdogtavern

Well-behaved pups are welcome at Wet Dog Tavern, where beer, wine, seltzers, and cocktails are on the menu. D.C.’s first pet-friendly bar garden, Wet Dog Tavern, goes the extra mile to celebrate doggos, with various events, like fashion shows and Howl-o-ween, scheduled throughout the year. 

Shops

D.C. is home to many shopping districts, many of which allow dogs. Discover dog-friendly Washington, D.C., shopping below.

Georgetown

The intersection of M and Wisconsin Avenue 
@officialgeorgetowndc

Georgetown is one of D.C.’s most popular neighborhoods, especially for shopping and dining. Like a little slice of NYC’s SoHo right in the District, Georgetown is home to favorites like Levain and Sprinkles (which serves doggy pupcakes), as well as cult-favorite clothing stores, including Alo, Skims, Vuori, Anthropologie, and Free People. Well-behaved, leashed pups are permitted to stroll Georgetown’s M Street, and some shops even allow them to step inside. 

Union Market

1309 5th Street NE
@unionmarketdc

Union Market is another must-visit neighborhood in D.C. Known for its vibrant food scene, artisan marketplace, vintage scene (Psst: Union Market’s Vintage Vintage Vintage is D.C.’s largest vintage shop), and industrial-chic vibe, Union Market is a fun place to shop, explore art, discover new flavors, and bond with your pup. 

Milo & Mav

3206 N Street NW 
@miloandmavdc

Milo & Mav is a precious pet boutique in Georgetown that stocks the highest quality dog treats, and the cutest dog apparel and accessories. They even serve coffee for humans, hence their tagline, “A coffee bar, only cooler.”

Chien de Luxe

5140 MacArthur Boulevard NW
@chiendeluxe

Chien de Luxe is another of the District’s premier destinations for doggy apparel and accessories, as well as food, treats, toys, and begging. The popular pup boutique stocks brands like Up Country, Bocce’s Bakery, Canada Pooch, The Worthy Dog, and more. 

The Wharf

760 Maine Avenue SW
@thewharfdc

Enjoy waterside sights and sounds with your pooch at The Wharf. The buzzing waterfront neighborhood is home to various pet-friendly restaurants and hotels, as well as access to water sports. An early-morning paddleboard sesh with your pooch, perhaps? 

Parks and Trails

D.C. might be a bustling city, but it’s dotted with various parks and trails to allow residents and visitors to become one with nature within and just beyond its borders. Check out some of the most popular dog-friendly Washington, D.C., parks and trails below. 

The National Mall

1100 Ohio Drive SW, Washington
@nationalmallnps

You can’t go to D.C. and not visit the National Mall, where the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, World War II Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial (among others) are situated in all their historic grandeur. So long as they’re leashed, your pups are welcome to take a stroll down America’s most famous historic promenade. 

Rock Creek Park

5200 Glover Road NW 
@rockcreeknps

To become more one with nature, head over to Rock Creek Park, where dog-friendly trails amid towering tulip, maple, and oak trees await. For full park rules for pets, see here. 

Swampoodle Park

1140 Third Street NE
@noma.bid

Get your pup’s zoomiest out at the agility course in this 8,000 square foot, dog-friendly D.C. park. Just keep in mind that female dogs in heat aren’t permitted. 

S Street Dog Park 

New Hampshire Avenue and 17th Street, NW, intersecting S Street and T Street, NW

S Street Dog Park is a hot spot for pet parents and pups living in and visiting Dupont Circle. The 5,600 square-foot fenced, turf dog park is heaven for pups who like to romp and run. 

Eckington Dog Park 

227 Harry Thomas Way NE
@eckingtonparks

Eckington Dog Park is a popular, fenced turf park where pups can run freely. And when they get tired and thirsty, there are water stations for them to recover. For full Eckington Dog Park rules, click here. 

Hotels

D.C. has so much to offer, we wouldn’t blame you if you want to forgo a day trip in favor of a full weekend in the District. The dog-friendly hotels below welcome you to extend your visit. 

Riggs DC

900 F Street NW
@riggshotel

Riggs DC is a stunning, femme-forward property in Penn Quarter. Dripping in velvet, florals, and a rich palette of blush, terracotta, chartreuse, and teal, the pet-friendly D.C. property is an absolute sight to behold. Just keep in mind that, while dogs are permitted on property and in rooms, they’re not allowed at any of the hotel’s restaurants. 

Know Before You Go:

• Pet Fee: $100 per stay

• Number/Size Restrictions: Two dogs of any size

• In Room: Pets shouldn’t be left unattended

Kimpton Banneker Hotel

1315 16th Street NW
@thebanneker

The Kimpton Banneker is a prime pick for pet parents looking to stay near the National Mall. The dog-friendly, modern-minimalist property is within walking distance of the monuments and nearby Dupont Circle. 

Know Before You Go:

• Pet Fee: $0 — pets stay free

• Number/Size Restrictions: No restrictions

• In Room: Dogs shouldn’t be left unattended (but it’s not explicitly restricted)

Four Seasons Washington, DC

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
@fswashington

For an ultra-posh stay in Georgetown, book a stay at the Four Seasons Washington, D.C. The beloved hotel welcomes pets with open arms. If you’re traveling with a partner, friend, or family member, consider having them watch your pup while you take advantage of the property’s spectacular, on-site spa. You’ll come out feeling absolutely revived. 

Know Before You Go:

• Pet Fee: $0 — pets stay free

• Number/Size Restrictions: No restrictions

• In Room: Dogs shouldn’t be left unattended (but it’s not explicitly restricted)

The George

15 E Street NW
@hotelgeorgedc

History buffs will love a stay at The Kimpton George thanks to its proximity to Union Station, the Capitol, and the White House. The Capitol Hill property loves pups and welcomes them without restrictions or fees. Pups are even allowed to join the nightly wine reception. 

Know Before You Go:

• Pet Fee: $0 — pets stay free

• Number/Size Restrictions: No restrictions

• In Room: Dogs shouldn’t be left unattended (but it’s not explicitly restricted)

Pendry Washington DC 

655 Water Street SW
@pendrywharfdc

Love the sound of The Wharf? Make a weekend of it at Pendry Washington DC. The gorgeous property features floor-to-ceiling views of The Wharf, along with interior amenities like plush bedding and bath linens, as well as high-end toiletries. If you can, be sure to check out the Moonraker for mouth-watering Japanese cuisine, craft cocktails, and the best views in the hotel, as well as Spa Pendry for massages, facials, and full-body scrubs.

Know Before You Go:

• Pet Fee: $150 per stay

• Number/Size Restrictions: Two dogs up to 60 pounds

In Room: Pets shouldn’t be left unattended