Ruff Guide: 17 pet-friendly cafes and restaurants in Dubai

This is the ruff guide you really need…

Because you shouldn’t have to choose between responsible pet ownership and a great meal, What’s On has scoured the city to find Dubai’s best venues for enjoying both. Grab a leash and let’s go walkies.

1. Arrows & Sparrows

A recent addition to dog-happy ‘hood The Greens, Arrows & Sparrows sports a sunny, tree-lined patio, doggie treats, fresh water (for both of you), a decent cup of Joe, and an even more decent list of café grub.

Emaar Business Park, Buiding 4, The Greens, Dubai, daily 8am to 6pm. Tel: (04) 5588141. Taxi: Emaar Business Park. facebook.com/arrowsparrows

2. Bounty Beets

Bounty Beets is the ever-popular health cafe, favoured by Dubai’s health-conscious crowd (and bloggers in search of Dubai’s most Insta-worthy spots) and now, they welcome dogs. Sit in the lush green garden, with your faithful friend by your feet as you tuck into plant-powered dishes, healthy smoothies and, of course, silky-smooth coffees.

Bounty Beets, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai, daily 8am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 511 7373. bountybeets.com

3. Social Company

Proving once again that The Greens is one of the city’s top pet-friendly neighbourhoods, check out this new cafe for size. As a dog-friendly hotel, dog owners are encouraged to treat their fur babies to puppy play dates outside Social Company – the lobby level bar and cafe.

Onyx Tower, The Greens, Dubai, zabeelhouse.com/en/thegreens

4. Chicago Meatpackers

The clue’s in the name but Chicago Meatpackers are serious about their carnivorous dishes, which will likely please your furry friend if you’re in the habit of giving them some snacks as you dine. Situated at The Pointe on the Palm Jumeirah, the view from their terrace is truly gorgeous as it gazes out to Atlantis The Palm. Alongside the meatier dishes like the Tomahawk steak or cajun spiced lamb chops, order a side of the crispy Brussel sprout chips with a soy caramel glaze. Plus, if you visit with your pet pooch, you’ll receive 15 per cent off your bill.

Chicago Meatpackers, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, Sat to Thurs, 12pm to 11pm, Fri & Sat, 11am to 11pm. Tel: (04) 580 7983. chicago-meatpackers.com

5. The Duck Hook

A family-friendly country pub that’s now open at the Dubai Hills Golf Club, The Duck Hook offers pub grub meets modern European fare. Not only is it great for sports’ fans, it’s responsibly dog-friendly too, so you can bond over a drink with both your pooches and your friends.

Dubai Hills Golf Club, Sat to Wed noon to midnight, Thur and Fri noon to 1am. Tel: (800) 666353. facebook.com/theduckhookdxb

6. The Irish Village

The original dog-friendly location, this beloved Celtic pub offers a massive and well-shaded dog-friendly patio where you can dig into a juicy burger. Meanwhile your little pal can sip from water bowls and keep a watchful eye for stray chunks of meat, which you’re sure to drop if you opt for burgerlord status and take on Irish Village’s unwieldy – and super cheesy – Angus beef burger.

Dubai Tennis Stadium, Dubai, daily 11am to 1am. Tel:(04) 2824752. Taxi: The Irish Village. theirishvillage.com

7. Lime Tree Café

This secluded doggie oasis in the middle of Jumeirah hooks up sun-soaked slobberers until 6.30pm. Plenty of shade and water bowls are available outside in the front garden and seating area. Lime Tree’s other locations in Al Quoz and on Sheikh Zayed Road are also pet-friendly.

Beach Road, Dubai, daily 7.30am to 6.30pm. Tel: (04) 3256325. Taxi: Jumeirah Mosque. thelimetreecafe.com

8. Bert’s

Good coffee, dog-friendly vibes, and a light menu of scrambles, croissant, bagels, and crêpes feed your morning soul at this mini but mighty joint. As with all the venues in Dubai, dogs are only allowed outside, which is great because the squishy alfresco seating is awesome especially when there’s a dog at your side.

The Greens Community Centre, The Greens, Dubai, daily 7am to midnight. Tel: (04) 3619292. Taxi: The Greens Community Centre. bertsdxb.com

9. Nofara JLT

Hang out with your four-legged pal on the quaint, 30-seat patio serving homemade and wholesome comfort food. Dogs get their own water station – as indicated by the adorable blackboard stand.

Swiss Tower, Cluster Y, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, Sun to Fri 7.30am to 7pm. Tel: (800) 663272. Taxi: Cluster Y. nofaracafe.com

10. Senara

The hound-happy, Palm fish restaurant offers something he’ll dig (a faux-patio by the water), something you’ll dig (a daily two-for-one happy hour on cocktails between 6.30pm and 8pm), and something you’ll both dig (seafood buckets full of freshly-grilled shrimp, scampi and crispy calamari). They’ll hook your dog up with bowls of water.

Palm Views West, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily noon until 11pm. Tel: (04) 4516460. Taxi: Palm Views West. senararestaurants.com

11. Barrel 12

Grab a bowl from home, then head to the Palm to the pet-friendly patio by the water, which is happy to host your d-o-double-g until closing. And while he tucks into the snacks you brought, you’ll dig into hearty pub grub and gigantic grazing platters.

Palm Views East, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, Sun to Thur noon to midnight, Fri and Sat noon to 2am. Taxi: Palm Views East, Palm Jumeirah. Tel: (04) 5524000. barrel12.ae

12. Cycle Bistro

Considered the doggy social club of Dubai Motor City, this bicycle café lets you and your hound chill and chow outside. With dog-/people-friendly staff, healthy smoothies and a brilliant paleo menu with generous portions, you and your mutt will feel right home.

The Cycle Hub, Dubai Autodrome, Motor City, Dubai, Sun to Tue 8am to 8pm, Wed 8am to 9pm, Thur 8am to 8pm, Fri and Sat 8am to 5pm. Tel: (04) 4253000. Taxi: Motor City. facebook.com/thecyclebistro

13. Baker & Spice

Could there be anything better in life than tucking into Baker & Spice’s shakshouka with your favourite four-legged friend by your side? That’s a rhetorical question, folks. Sit on the dog-friendly patio in the sunshine and enjoy.

Marina Promenade, Dubai Marina, Dubai, daily 8am to 11pm. Tel: (04) 3624686. Taxi: near to Dubai Tram JBR2. facebook.com/bakerandspicedubai

14. Reform Social & Grill (The Lakes)

This fantastic family-friendly gastropub is finally pet-friendly, too. There’s a big patch of grass behind the playground to walk your pups and the food is great. Ask the staff nicely and they may even rustle up something simple for your four-legged friend as well.

The Lakes, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4542638. reformsocialgrill.ae

15. 1762 – Stripped

The warehouse meets farmhouse aesthetic at 1972 is a full-on success here, with a range of made-to-order breakfast options (huevos rancheros, eggs benedict, brulee brioche) and coffees, all served by probably the most polite staff in all of Dubai. Best of all, the JLT branch has a big patio where dogs are welcome to sit out and enjoy the sunshine with their owners.

JLT One, daily 8am to 4pm. Tel: (800) 1762. Taxi: JLT One. 1762.ae

16. Breeze

Club Visa Mare on Palm Jumeirah is a predominantly pet-friendly destination. The two venues that are particularly popular for pet owners are Breeze and The Tap House (below). Breeze is situated on the end of the row of restaurants and serves beach barbecue style cuisine with a Caribbean twist.

Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, Sun to Wed 11am to midnight, Thur 11am to 1am, Fri and Sat 9am to midnight. Tel: (04) 5683000. breeze.ae

17. The Tap House

Meanwhile The Tap House, is more of a hearty pub grub affair, but just as pet friendly. Just look how happy these two are…

Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, Sun to Wed 11am to midnight, Thur 11am to 1am, Fri and Sat 9am to midnight. Tel: (04) 5683000. thetaphouse.ae

18. Raw Coffee Company

This cool space is not only a working coffee roastery but also a fabulous café with a carefully crafted menu featuring favourites’ from around the world. It’s great to go with friends, but you can also take your pet along with you while you enjoy a cuppa. With upcycled old coffee palettes and coffee sacks to upholster comfy sofas, Raw is also striving to create a friendly, green space in the industrial Al Quoz area.

Raw Coffee Company, Al Manara Road, Dubai. Tel: (0)4 339 5474. @rawcoffeecompany  

Images: Supplied