Local dog-friendly restaurants in Santa Barbara
Overview
Dining with your dog can be a fun experience in California. It’s great for your dog as it provides exercise, socialization, and novelty. Luckily, there are plenty of restaurants in Santa Barbara with pooch-friendly patios. Here are some of the best to visit with your four-legged friend.
Connect with an online vet in Santa BarbaraPlease 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. Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro
Brass Bear is located a block away from the ocean, creating a fun and laid-back atmosphere and a fun dining experience. Established in 2016, Brass Bear Brewing has perfected the art of brewery. They offer high-quality craft beer, a rotating list of beer on tap, wines, and cider. They also offer meals using locally-sourced ingredients. Menu items include charcuterie boards, chicken, shrimp, burgers, and even the occasional shark. Your dog is allowed to dine with you in their off-leash outdoor area. This area is covered with artificial grass turf, so you know that your dog will be comfy. Bowls and dog treats are available upon request.
2. The Cruisery
The Cruisery is the go-to brewery for dog owners. This rustic, vintage-themed brewery offers local craft beers and unique craft cocktails. There are also meals to go with your drink, like tacos, flatbreads, and sandwiches. But what makes The Cruisery perfect for dog parents is its specially-made dog menu. Dog menu items include pupsicles, fido’s burger, and bad 2 the bones. You can even celebrate your dog’s birthday with a reservation and their Dog Birthday Party Package. Dogs are allowed in their outdoor seating area where multiple chairs are available.
3. Santa Barbara Wine Collective
The Santa Barbara Wine Collective is a wine bar with a relaxed and chic atmosphere. In this wine bar, you will be able to taste more wines from family-owned wineries in the area. You can also taste wines with your dog in tow, as long as you are seated on their outdoor patio. While you’re there, be sure to check out their sister property located right next door: Helena Avenue Bakery, which retails hand-crafted artisanal dog treats, among other baked goods.
4. Scarlett Begonia
Scarlett Begonia has been serving local, organic, and thoughtful food since 2011. This casual bistro offers a Cal-American menu with seasonal variations. They offer a breakfast and lunch menu, as well as brunch, afternoon tea, and bakery items. Their French-courtyard-style outdoor patio area is both dog-friendly and picturesque, with a fountain in the center. However, there isn’t any shade in this outdoor area, so keep an eye out for the weather.
5. La Paloma Café
La Paloma is a restaurant with a casual laid-back atmosphere and a menu that transports you back in time. La Paloma’s dishes are inspired by the Californios, early settlers who incorporated Mexican and Spanish influences with indigenous ingredients. You can bring your dog with you to their beautiful outdoor patio, which has multiple tables that can seat groups of up to 10 people. Their entire patio is covered, so you don’t have to worry about the rain. Be sure to ask for dog treats. Treats are made from frying fish scraps until crispy, so nothing goes to waste.
Take your dog dining in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara has plenty of picturesque dining spots that can fill the stomach and soul—and some of them allow dogs on their patio. Whether you’re planning for a whole evening, or just want to stop by for food after walking your dog, these dining areas have you and your dog covered. But before you take your dog to a restaurant, it’s important to make sure your dog is healthy, both for your dog’s safety and for all other dining patrons. Consider booking a virtual vet appointment through Vetster to connect with a veterinarian, right in the comfort of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
- According to AB 1965, often referred to as California’s canine dining law, dining establishments can permit dogs inside a dog-friendly area on the property. This area should be an outdoor area with its own entrance. Dogs are not allowed in any other areas on the property.
- There are a few rules to keep in mind when dining in a restaurant in California. First, you are not allowed to share your utensils, such as a spoon, fork, and plate, with your dog. If you want to feed your dog, ask the restaurant for pet dishes or bring your own. Secondly, your dog should be leashed or crated. It’s best to always keep the leash in your hand or tied to a railing nearby. Lastly, the restaurant has every right to ask you to leave if your dog is misbehaving, so be sure your dog is trained and socialized.
- AB 1965 allows restaurant owners to provide a dog-friendly patio for dog owners. However, restaurants need to follow regulations—and so do the dog owners. One of these regulations is that dogs are not allowed on top of chairs or other furniture. But even if the law didn’t prohibit it, it’s still not a good idea to let your dog on furniture that isn’t yours. It is rude to the staff who has to clean up after your dog, and it is rude to diners who will use the table after you. Plus, it puts your pup within reach of food that may be poisonous or toxic to dogs.
