“Are you awake yet?” Snort, sniff, lick. Repeat.
“Mom, are you up? It’s Sunday. Take me to brunch. And I have to pee.”
I stretch and make eye contact. Henry’s tail wags. I melt and then I google, “Dog friendly restaurants – SF.”
Does this Sunday scenario sound familiar?
Courting a high-maintenance canine: the best dog friendly brunch spots in San Francisco
Okay, Mister Henry. What are you in the mood for?
I present my dog with a few options:
El Rio
It’s in Bernal Heights. Huge heated back patio and dog friendly bar, shuffleboard and lots of furry friends for him to hang with outside.
Henry loves the vibe and El Rio’s motto, “Be Kind, Be Pretty, Adopt a Dog, Be Generous, Be Lovely and Be Loved!!!” But Henry isn’t in the mood for BBQ and he isn’t sure he wants to hop on MUNI today, so we scroll down.
Palomino Restaurant & Bar
It’s in the Financial District. Beautiful dog-friendly patio on the Embarcadero with views of the Bay and walking distance to AT&T Park.
Henry would like to try the crème brule french toast and Bloody Mary bar. But it’s not as casual as he wants and Henry doesn’t feel like brushing and styling his golden retriever coat of hair.
Park Chalet Garden Restaurant
It’s actually in Golden Gate Park and sits directly across from Ocean Beach. Live music all summer long, bottomless champagne and packs of people and dogs chilling out on a huge back lawn area.
Henry loves the open air dining room and ocean view, but he is still dog tired from Film Night at Dolores Park last evening and wants to find somewhere a bit more mellow.
Mission Rock Resort
It’s in the Dogpatch. This has to be a slam dunk, right? Boasting the freshest sustainable seafood available and amazing views from every possible sit, stay, or lay position.
But Henry says that as a canine, dining in the “Dogpatch” is just too cliché for him. And while he’s heard wonderful things about Mission Rock’s extensive Raw Bar, he is feeling more carnivorous than “pescatarious” today.
Liverpool Lil’s
It’s in the Marina, across from the Presidio. Established in 1973, it’s a San Francisco staple and local favorite. Heated dog friendly patio out front and the air is filled with the smells of the ocean, burgers, and fish and chips.
Henry perks his ears. Great grub and across from the Presidio? He checks his iCal and yes, we can also head over to Off the Grid’s Picnic at the Presidio after brunch for some lawn games. And Henry would love to buy a new Niner bandana at Off the Grid’s mobile dog boutique, K-9 Unit. He slobbered on his last one and the red has faded.
Henry heads for the door. Hey, not so fast buster.
Before I agree to brunch, we go over a few rules—doggy dining etiquette, if you will.
No pulling
If I have to walk away from the table, he is not allowed to pull the table across the room to get to me…even if he can.
I reiterate to Henry that he is not allowed to bark, even if a tennis ball rolls right in front of him, if that Boston terrier starts growling smack, or if I stop rubbing his ear before he’s done.
No begging
He is not to beg for food, but I agree with Henry that he can’t help it if someone offers him a treat just because he is so flippin’ cute.
We shake on it and pack our own dog friendly water dish to go.
“Great, it’s settled. Thanks, mom. Now, take me out to pee.”
