If you are like me, you love taking your dog with you whenever you can. Whether you are visiting Athens or you live in Athens, it’s always good to know of some dog friendly restaurant options so that you can enjoy a meal in the company of your four-legged friend. Due to food and health regulations, dogs are not allowed inside the restaurant unless they are service animals. All of the restaurants on this list have outdoor patios or outdoor seating arrangements that are dog friendly, however, the inside of the restaurants are not suitable for dogs (excluding service dogs). It is also important to only bring your dog if it is well behaved and comfortable in public so that you avoid stressing your dog or disturbing other customers and staff. Here are some current dog friendly restaurants in Athens and remember to always check the restaurant’s rules ahead of time.
Paloma Park
Paloma Park has a very spacious patio that is perfect for you and your pup. Not to mention, they have delicious food and live music. Paloma Park also hosts a wide array of cocktails, margaritas, and drinks on tap. This is a great restaurant if you want to enjoy some live music and drinks in the company of friends and dogs.
Cali n Titos
Cali n Titos is often hailed as one of the best restaurants Athens has to offer. They are known for their delicious yet affordable Latin American cuisine. Their location on Lumpkin St. has lots of outdoor seating that can accommodate both you and your dog.
Ted’s Most Best
Ted’s Most Best has a lovely outdoor seating area that is great for the whole family, dog included of course. You are bound to make everyone happy with options like house specialty pizzas, build-your-own calzones, salads, and sandwiches. Ted’s Most Best seems like an excellent pick for a casual dining experience on a beautiful day.
Mama’s Boy
Mama’s Boy is another classic Athens staple that boasts a killer breakfast/brunch service. Their downtown Athens location is within walking distance from campus and right near part of the Firefly trail. This would be a great place to grab a bite of scrumptious food after a long walk with your pooch. However, the outdoor seating is not as expansive as some of the other restaurants on this list so keep that in mind. That being said, it is still definitely worth a visit from you and your dog.
El Paso
El Paso is a newer restaurant in Athens that is located in the heart of downtown. They have a vibrant and colorful outdoor patio that has live music and karaoke on certain days. As their name implies, El Paso serves up some mouthwatering Tex-Mex dishes as well as refreshing margaritas and cocktails. They also have churros and fried ice cream to satisfy any sweet craving. This is a fun opportunity to snack on some tacos while embarrassing yourself in front of your dog as you attempt to perform karaoke.
Cafe Racer
Cafe Racer’s location on West Broad Street has a drive-thru and walk-up window. This is ideal for dogs who are shy and prefer sticking to the car or for dogs who are friendly and would love lounging on their nice green lawn. The restaurant is known for its biscuits and donuts, but they recently opened up for a dinner service as well. Additionally, they offer pupcakes on their breakfast menu.
Big City Bread Cafe
Big City Bread Cafe is another restaurant with a roomy outdoor patio that can fit multiple dogs, so the whole pack can join. They have both a lunch and brunch menu with options like quiches, sandwiches, biscuits, and salads. It is a local and family owned restaurant that has been serving Athens for more than 20 years.
Trappeze Pub
Trappeze Pub has a small outdoor section situated on the sidewalk just outside of the restaurant. It is located in the center of downtown Athens making it a nice opportunity to watch as people go about their day. They have a variety of pub food such as burgers, sandwiches, and fries in addition to a large assortment of alcoholic beverages. This is yet another excellent choice when scouting for restaurants that allow dogs.