Local dog-friendly restaurants in Portland
Overview
When you're going out and about with your dog, you'll learn that not every location is dog-friendly. The good news, however, is that a surprising number of locations do accept dogs, even if not all of them do. The same holds true for restaurants. If you're looking for a place to grab a bite to eat in Portland, Maine, consider trying out these dog-friendly destinations.
Connect with an online vet in PortlandPlease note: The following information was correct at the time of publication but may have recently changed. We recommend contacting the business you are interested in visiting to ensure your pet can be accommodated.
1. Duckfat
Duckfat is a unique restaurant that specializes in one great product: duck fat-fried Belgian fries. Since 2005, they've been serving these cones of delicious, golden, crispy fries. Over time, they've expanded their menu, offering salads, soups, sandwiches, and sweets, but the fries are still one of their most well-known offerings, with delicious sauces like truffle ketchup and garlic mayo. They also have an outdoor area where you can sit with your dog while you eat.
2. Eventide Oyster Company
Eventide Oyster Company specializes in oysters on the half shell, which it offers with a variety of accouterments. However, there are also many other seafood options on the menu, ranging from cold tuna tartare and ceviche to hot stews and fried oysters. There's also a full drink menu, with cocktails, beer, wine, and more. Additionally, you're always free to sit outside to enjoy the beautiful seaside air with your dog.
3. Terlingua
Terlingua is named after an abandoned mining town in West Texas located near the Mexican border, and the name represents the unique Tex-Mex styling of the food you'll find inside. On top of their variety of food options, like house-smoked meats, chili, and tacos, you'll also find a full drink menu, including, of course, margaritas. The outdoor seating area is dog-friendly and provides the best experience possible for both you and your pup.
4. The Honey Paw
The Honey Paw looks to evoke the experience of a bear waking from hibernation, enjoying a feast of the most delicious food. With food options ranging from savory wontons to wok-fried noodles and delicious fried chicken, The Honey Paw suits a wide variety of tastes, making it the best option for communal dining, takeout, or even delivery. If you're visiting in person, you can sit at one of their dog-friendly outdoor tables for a delicious meal.
5. Luke's Lobster Portland Pier
If you're in Maine, you'll almost certainly be interested in trying out some lobster, and that's where Luke's Lobster comes into play. Their menu is heavily seafood-based, of course, with options ranging from fried haddock bites to delicious lobster rolls and specialty soups. Located directly on the Portland pier, with a beautiful view out over the ocean, Luke's Lobster is happily dog-friendly and has an outdoor deck and balcony that allows you to sit with your dog.
Enjoy eating out with your dog
Dog-friendly restaurants are a great way to get out with your dog more frequently, whether you're trying to find somewhere to eat on the way home from an outing at the dog park or you're looking to have a fun night on the town. Regardless, however, your dog does need to be well-behaved if you want to enjoy time out with them. If you're worried about your dog's socialization skills, book a virtual vet appointment with Vetster to get a veterinarian’s assistance with the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
- In most cases, you won't be able to bring your dog into the restaurant directly. Most restaurants do not allow pets inside. However, most dog-friendly restaurants will instead have a patio area where you can sit with your dog and eat. If you're not sure where you should sit with your dog at a dog-friendly restaurant, you can always ask the staff where you can sit and how you should order to avoid any issues for other patrons.
- Most food that is good for humans is also good for dogs, but there are a few notable exceptions. You likely think of chocolate as being one of the quintessential foods that dogs can't eat, but dogs also can't eat onions, which are commonly used to add flavor to dishes that humans love, as well as many other foods. Before you give your dog any food from your plate, check to make sure you know what table scraps are safe for dogs.
- All of these restaurants have indicated at some point that they are dog-friendly. However, dog-friendly restaurants can sometimes change their policies and stop allowing dogs, and this can change very rapidly. If you want to make sure that a specific restaurant allows dogs so that you aren't surprised when you get there, always call ahead first. If the restaurant accepts reservations, it may even be able to reserve a dog-friendly spot for you.
