Looking for dog-friendly restaurants in Santa Cruz? We’ve put together a list of great options. Whether you’re in the mood for coffee, brunch, burgers, seafood, or barbecue, we’re sure you’ll find something to suit your craving. And, of course, your dog is welcome to come along. Click the map below for more information on each location, and scroll down to learn about the best of what Santa Cruz has to offer in dog-friendly dining.
Top 10 Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Santa Cruz
- Aldo’s Harbor Restaurant
- Betty Burgers
- Cafe Campesino
- Cafe Limelight
- Firefly Coffee House
- Harbor Cafe
- The Walnut Avenue Cafe
- Windmill Cafe
- Cole’s Bar-B-Q
- Kelly’s French Bakery
1. Aldo’s Harbor Restaurant
- enjoy breakfast and lunch with plenty of seafood options at this casual harborside spot
- dogs are welcome on the patio
- if you’re in love with the view and would like to host an event here, consider booking a private party at Aldo’s
2. Betty Burgers
- a great burger and sandwich place with delicious sides, shakes and soda floats
- dogs are welcome on the patio
- Betty Burgers may be more expensive than your average burger place, but most customers say the food is worth it
3. Cafe Campesino
- enjoy delicious and authentic Mexican lunch food al fresco
- dogs are welcome on the patio
- Cafe Campesino is a small operation, so you may have to wait longer for your food
4. Cafe Limelight
- enjoy soup, salad and sandwiches for lunch (served every day) and dinner (Tuesday through Sunday, 5:30-8:30)
- dogs are welcome on the patio
- Limelight has a dog menu, and also a secret menu
5. Firefly Coffee House
- enjoy coffee and espresso drinks along with a wide variety of bagel plates, from 6:30 AM to to 2:30 PM daily
- dogs are welcome on the patio/porch area
- give yourself some extra time to find parking if you’re driving
6. Harbor Cafe
- enjoy award-winning American style breakfast and lunch dishes, with classic brunch drinks
- dogs are welcome on the patio
- Harbor Cafe has a dog menu
7. The Walnut Avenue Cafe
- enjoy breakfast, lunch, burgers, and weekend brunch at this cozy downtown cafe
- dogs are welcome on the patio
- check out the dog menu (does your dog like bacon?)
8. Windmill Cafe
- breakfast and lunch with plenty of healthy options (e.g. smoothies with natural supplements)
- dogs are welcome on the patio
- vegans and vegetarians will find plenty of dishes to choose from
9. Cole’s Bar-B-Q
- choose from a variety of barbecued meats, sandwiches, burgers, and sides
- dogs are welcome on the patio
- Cole’s can serve up a lot of food, so consider splitting if your eyes tend to be bigger than your stomach
10. Kelly’s French Bakery
- enjoy breakfast, lunch, and an array of delicious baked goods
- dogs are welcome on the patio
- try to come early weekends, because this place is known to have a line out the door
We hope you and your dog find just the right spot to eat while you’re in Santa Cruz. But, if you’d rather dine out without your pet, Rover is here to help. Check out our dog-sitters in the Santa Cruz area.