Grand Rapids is known for its hospitality, and we’re just as welcoming to four-legged visitors (and residents) as we are to their owners. From the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, which includes an indoor pet relief area with an innovative grass system and fire hydrant, to dozens of pet-friendly hotels and dog parks in every corner of the region, we roll out the red carpet for your furry companion(s).
Dog-Friendly Restaurants by Region
You can even enjoy some of the city’s best food and drink with your furry friend at your side, on 50 or so dog-friendly restaurant patios. Our pet-friendly restaurants welcome dogs that are well-behaved and on a leash, and many offer special amenities like water bowls and treats. Many are equipped with heaters and firepits to extend outdoor dining well into the fall, and a few are open year-round.
Here are some of our favorite pets-on-the-patio spaces for dining, drinking and dog-bonding:
Downtown
Back to Top of ListUccello's Ristorante has a dog-friendly patio and may greet your furry friend with a fresh bowl of water.
Photo by Haley Chicoine for Experience GR.
City Built Brewing Company
Featuring many food dishes, beers and other craft beverages influenced by Hispanic, Latino and other global cuisines, City Built Brewing Company is “where cultures collide.” That includes dog culture, given the number of pooches lounging about on the outdoor patio in warm weather. Sixth Street Bridge Park, just across Monroe Ave. from City Built on the banks of the Grand River, is a great place to stretch two and four legs after your meal. You can also check out “Fido & Stitch,” a pet store boutique right next door.
Grand Rapids Garage Bar & Grill
The outdoor covered patio at Grand Rapids Garage Bar & Grill welcomes dogs in just about any weather. Servers will bring your furry friend a water bowl and often a treat while you partake of craft beer and delicious pub grub.
Roam by San Chez
This global street food restaurant has a dog-friendly patio right across the street from DeVos Performance Hall and DeVos Place Convention Center. Roam’s sister restaurant, the Mediterranean-flavored San Chez Bistro, also has a dog-friendly patio, just a 10-minute walk away.
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea
Coffee, tea and pastries for you, a pup cup featuring made-in-house whipped cream over ice for your dog. Settle in on Sweetwaters’ streetfront patio to enjoy – just beware that there are apt to be cars passing by pretty closely.
Tupelo Honey Cafe
Dig into scratch-made Southern dishes at this restaurant on the ground floor of the Hyatt Place Grand Rapids Downtown Hotel. Ask for Tupelo’s dog menu and order your pet a bite to eat on the outdoor patio.
Uptown
Back to Top of ListVisitors can savor great food while enjoying the company of their pups at Harmony Brewing Company.
Photo by Experience GR
Furniture City Creamery
This year-round ice cream parlor turns out homemade ice cream in creative flavors – including a tongue-smacking, all-natural, peanut-butter banana frozen yogurt just for dogs. Furniture City Creamery allows dogs on their back patio, which includes an ordering window so you can stay with your pup and order your ice cream at the same time.
Harmony Brewing Company
The sunny patio at Harmony Brewing Company is perfect for a doggy date and the brewery has hosted several patio etiquette seminars for pets and their owners. Harmony offers its own craft beers and house-made spirits plus delectable pizzas, sandwiches and other pub fare.
Vivant Brewery + Spirits
Situated in a refurbished funeral chapel, Vivant Brewery + Spirits is known for its Northern France/Southern Belgium-inspired food and drink. And its pet-friendly patio, of course. Vivant has hosted several “Dining with Your Dog” classes – four-week training sessions designed to get you and your pup used to eating out together.
Northeast
Back to Top of ListEvery Monday, the brewery hosts Pups & Pints for pets and their owners.
Photo by Aly Zuiderveen for Experience GR.
Archival Brewing
Dogs are always welcome on the wraparound deck and the outdoor biergarten at Archival Brewing, which pairs historical beers and other beverages with hearty, rustic fare. They have dog burgers for purchase and the servers are known to distribute dog treats. Every Monday in good weather, the brewery hosts Pups & Pints, inviting humans and their pets to socialize in the biergarten.
Vander Mill
Your pooch will get a bowl of water while you peruse the menu at Vander Mill, which offers its own artisanal hard ciders, beers and cocktails in addition to burgers, wraps, sandwiches, charcuterie and more. The patio is spacious and the tables well spaced to give you and your dog plenty of room.
Northwest
Back to Top of ListPink Barrel Cellars
Pets are allowed in the beer garden in front of the barn at Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm, where you can enjoy beer, wine and hard cider crafted right on site by Pink Barrel Cellars, as well as a hearty menu of home-cooked food. Pups are allowed into other areas of the farm during occasional special events.
The Mitten Brewing Company
“The Outfield” patio at this baseball-themed microbrewery has recently been reconfigured with more green space, new furniture and shade sails offering relief from the sun, pleasing people and pets alike. The Mitten is known for expert pairings of its handcrafted beers with awesome pizzas.
Southeast
Back to Top of ListHop Hog Backyard Brewpub
Lowell’s Big Boiler Brewing is now Hop Hog Backyard Brewpub, featuring a new menu of sandwiches, burgers, BBQ and gluten-friendly items along with favorite Big Boiler brews and signature cocktails. Hop Hog continues the Big Boiler tradition of welcoming dogs on its outdoor patio.
Biggby Coffee
There are 30+ Biggby Coffee locations in the Grand Rapids area – including stores in Kentwood and Cascade in southeast GR – and most offer some variation of a “pup cup,” featuring whipped cream, sprinkles and sometimes a dog treat for good measure.
Southwest
Back to Top of ListDogs are welcome to join their owners in the spacious cidergarten.
Photo by Rachel Greiner for Experience GR
Alebird Taphouse and Brewery
The covered patio at this restaurant and brewery was the first official pet-friendly patio in Byron Center. Enjoy burgers, sandwiches and other delicious fare paired with beers from Alebird and other featured brands.
Farmhaus Cider Co.
Sip delicious ciders made right here in a rustically beautiful outdoor setting on a 150-year-old farm. The roomy Farmhaus Cider cidergarten is pet-friendly and it’s serviced by a curated selection of local food trucks. Grand Ravines Dog Park, a 21-acre off-leash dog park, is just two minutes away.
Visit our Restaurant page and check “Pets on Patio” under Narrow Your Search on the left side of the listings to find more pet-friendly destinations!
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