Dine With Your Canine: Pet-Friendly Restaurants

By: Carolyn Hall | May 14, 2024
Woman eating italian pasta while sitting with a dog at a pet-friendly restaurant on the street. Maremma, italian shepherd dog

As the weather warms, many pet owners love to take their pets out and about, even to join them for a meal. Metro Detroit is a paradise for pet owners who love to dine out with their furry friends. As the area embraces pet-friendly dining experiences, a number of establishments have stood out for their welcoming atmospheres and excellent food. Here’s a look at some of the best places where you and your pet can enjoy a meal around Metro Detroit.

CRAWFORD’S KITCHEN

542 Starkweather Street, Plymouth

Crawford’s Kitchen is a brunch spot that offers a charming outdoor patio where pets are more than welcome. Known for its breakfast and lunch menus for over 15 years, Crawford’s serves up hearty, comforting dishes with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. The food here is inspired by a 3-H philosophy: healthy, hearty, and homemade. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic eggs Benedict or a fresh salad, you can enjoy it alongside your pet in a cozy, casual setting. Try a croissandwich, a skillet, cinnamon swirl pancakes, or a delicious wrap of your choosing.

pupsicle stand

The Chevy Trax offers style and practicality, perfect for making every drive fun for the whole family.

DETROIT FLEAT

1820 9 Mile Road, Ferndale

Located in Ferndale, Detroit Fleat is Metro Detroit’s first food truck park and patio area that caters not only to foodies but also to their pets. With a spacious outdoor seating area, it’s the perfect spot to relax with a group of friends and your four-legged companions. The diverse selection of rotating food trucks means there’s always something new to try, from tacos and mac and cheese to ice cream and pastries, ensuring that every palate is catered to. In addition to food trucks, Detroit Fleat has its own menu full of burgers and bites, cocktails, and more. 

TASHMOO DISTILLING

51043 Washington Street, New Baltimore

Although primarily a distillery, Tashmoo in New Baltimore offers a pet-friendly environment where you can enjoy locally handcrafted spirits and cocktails. The outdoor area provides ample space for pets to lounge, making it a great spot for socializing with other pet owners while enjoying some of Michigan’s best spirits. It has a variety of seating spaces, a fire pit, and even an outdoor bar. For the pups, there are water bowls and treats available too! 

BROOKLYN STREET LOCAL

1266 Michigan Avenue, Detroit

Located at Brooklyn Street, Brooklyn Street Local is a Corktown favorite. This café focuses on sustainability and local sourcing, creating a community-oriented vibe that extends to pet owners. Their outdoor seating area is welcoming to pets, and the menu features delicious, health-conscious options. Whether you’re there for the brunch poutine, quiche of the day, or á la carte salads, you can share the experience with your pet by your side.

THE CONGREGATION

9321 Rosa Parks Boulevard, Detroit

A truly unique Detroit spot, The Congregation is a coffee house, bar, and bistro housed in a beautifully restored 1920s church in the Boston-Edison area. It offers a spacious garden space perfect for a meal on a nice day. The menu includes breakfast items, sandwiches, and snacks, and a great selection of beers and coffees, making it ideal for any time of day. One pet-friendly event The Congregation has been hosting has been Cats & Cocktails, where patrons are welcome to bring their adventurous cats to join them in the garden. Keep up with its social media for other fun events and seasonal menu items.

COMO’S

22812 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale

Famous in Ferndale for its pizza and vibrant atmosphere, Como’s features a large, heated patio that is perfectly pet-friendly. Its menu features Italian-American classics with a flair, including a variety of pizzas and pasta dishes, all of which you can enjoy in the company of your pup. Start your meal with crab stuffed mushrooms or fried ravioli, and continue with an antipasto salad before an elevated Detroit-style deep dish pizza, like The Wimp (chilies, jalapeño, banana peppers, and spicy honey) or Jessy’s Girl (basil pesto, bacon, arugula, and Italian dressing). 

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