Find Dog-Friendly Restaurants

I remember the first time we tried to eat out with Hugo. It was in Visby, summer, packed outdoor seating. We approached and asked if we could sit with our dog. The waitress looked at Hugo, looked at us, and said "sorry, we don’t allow dogs".

We stood there with two hungry kids and a Cavapoo who didn’t understand why we weren’t sitting down.

Since then, we always ask first. And we have become significantly better at finding the right places from the start.

Why it's worth the hassle

With two kids and a dog, the logistics quickly become complicated if we leave Hugo alone. Either we split up – one eats while the other watches the dog – or we skip the restaurant altogether.

But when we find a place that welcomes dogs? Then dinner becomes part of the vacation instead of a problem to solve. Hugo lies under the table, the kids eat their pasta, we drink wine and watch the sunset. Those are the evenings we remember.

How we find dog-friendly places

Google Maps. Search for "dog-friendly restaurant [city]" or scroll through reviews and search for "dog". Other dog owners' experiences are invaluable.
Ask locally. The hotel, cabin host, tourist office – they usually know which places accept dogs. We always ask at check-in.
Look for other dogs. If we pass an outdoor seating area and see a dog lying under a table – then we know it’s okay.
Call ahead. If we find a place that looks good but can’t find information about dogs, we call. It takes 30 seconds and saves awkward situations.
Facebook groups. There are groups for dog owners in most Swedish regions. "Dog-friendly places in Skåne" and similar. Gold for tips.

Outdoor seating is key

Inside the restaurant, it’s almost never okay. The Food Agency has rules, and most restaurants say no.

But outdoor seating? That’s often welcome. Not always – but often enough to make it worth asking.

What we look for:

A slightly secluded corner where Hugo isn’t in the way
Shade if it’s warm
Enough space under the table
Not too cramped between the tables

The perfect spot is a table at the edge of the seating area, preferably near a wall or planter, where Hugo can lie without people needing to step over him.

Preparations that make a difference

Walk beforehand. Always. At least 30 minutes. Hugo should be physically satisfied and have done all his business. A restless Cavapoo under the restaurant table is not ideal.

No hungry dog. We feed Hugo before we go out to eat, or bring treats so he has something to chew on. A dog begging at the table is annoying for everyone.

Pack the right stuff:

Water bowl (collapsible)
Chew bone or treats
His blanket to lie on
Short leash

The blanket is more important than you might think. It smells like home and defines "his spot". Hugo lies on the blanket and understands that’s where he should be.

At the restaurant

Ask the staff where to sit. They know which tables work best. They often have a habit and a preference – follow it.
Short leash. Hugo lies under the table with the leash attached to the chair leg. He shouldn’t be able to walk around and greet other guests or beg at the neighboring table.
Under the table. Not next to, not in the lap, not on the chair. Under the table, out of the way. That’s where dogs belong in a restaurant.
No food from the table. Never. Even if it’s tempting, even if he looks at you with those eyes. It teaches him to beg – and it disturbs neighbors. Bring your own treats and give them discreetly.
Check on him. Now and then, I put my hand down and pet him, confirming he’s doing well. It keeps him calm and reminds him he’s doing the right thing.

When it doesn’t work

Sometimes it doesn’t work. Hugo gets anxious, barks at passersby, wants to get up, refuses to lie still. It happens.

What we do:

Take a break. I take Hugo and walk around the block. Five minutes, a little movement, a few new impressions. Often that’s enough for him to settle down when we come back.
Change seats. Sometimes the location is the problem. Too much traffic, too close to the entrance, too sunny. We ask if we can move.
Abort. If nothing helps – we ask for the bill and leave. Better to finish early than to stress through a meal that no one enjoys.

It’s okay. Not every restaurant visit with a dog goes well. But most do.

Alternatives when the restaurant doesn’t work

Take away and picnic. Honestly, we do this at least as often as we sit at a restaurant. Pick up food, find a park or a beach, let Hugo run around while we eat. The kids love it. Read more in our guide about activities with dogs on vacation.
Take turns. One eats inside while the other sits outside with Hugo and the kids. Then we switch. Not romantic, but practical.
Restaurants with their own outdoor area. Some places have gardens or backyards that are more relaxed than outdoor seating facing the street. Worth looking for.
Cabin dinner. We often cook ourselves on vacation, just to be able to eat together without logistics. A barbecue evening at the cabin beats most restaurants.

Why consideration matters

Every time we behave well at a restaurant with Hugo, we increase the chance that the next dog owner will also be welcome.

Every time a dog behaves poorly – barks, begs, lies in the way, poops on the sidewalk – it decreases that chance.

We represent all dog owners. It sounds exaggerated, but it’s true. Restaurant owners who have had bad experiences stop accepting dogs. Those who have had good experiences continue.

So we clean up if Hugo has an accident (has happened once). We apologize if he barks. We thank the staff for accepting dogs. And we leave a tip – it never hurts.

Our best restaurant memories with Hugo

Fish restaurant in Smögen. Outdoor seating with a sea view. Hugo fell asleep under the table before the starter arrived. The kids ate shrimp and counted boats. We stayed for two hours. Find more dog-friendly accommodations on the West Coast.

Pizzeria in Visby. (Not the same place that turned us away.) Small backyard, only four tables. The owner came out with a water bowl for Hugo without us asking. We went there three evenings in a row. See our dog-friendly hotels in Gotland.

Farmhouse outside Ystad. Farm restaurant with its own garden. Dogs explicitly welcome. Hugo got to run loose on the lawn between courses. The kids played. Best dinner that summer. Check out dog-friendly hotels in Skåne.

Eating out with a dog requires a bit more planning. But when it works – when Hugo lies calmly, the kids are happy, the food is good, and we can actually sit down together – then it’s worth every preparation.

And when it doesn’t work? Take away in the park is underrated.

/Love & Hugo