It’s nearly weekend! After a busy week of work, there is nothing better than getting the family together and enjoying a meal at a local restaurant. There is nothing worse than the sad Puppy-Dog-Eyes you get as you leave your beloved pooch at home.
We are here to turn that puppy frown upside down with a list of local (and a few not so local) Dog-Friendly Restaurants situated close to your favourite dog walk areas in the Western Cape. Now Fido can join in the family fun – Hooray.
Massimo’s Restaurant – Hout Bay
One of Cape Town’s coolest dog friendly restaurants is Massimos Pizzeria situated on the way to Hout Bay. Well behaved dogs are welcome to dine alongside their humans by selecting from their very own Dog Menu.
Pooches can be tempted by dishes such as the Kim Jong Un – A Bone Shaped Mini Pizza with Ham and Root Veg or The Husky – Biltong Flavoured Lactose Free Ice Cream.
Even better, proceeds from the dog menu are donated to DARG and the UnderDog Project.
After a run on Hout Bay Beach, treat your best friend to a proper date-day
Oh – and the human food is fantastic as well!
Café Roux – Noordhoek
The heart of the popular Noordhoek Farm Village, Café Roux allows well behaved leashed dogs of all sizes in their large outdoor seating area. Enjoy a walk with the pooches on Noordhoek Beach (off-lead walking area) or in Noordhoek Common (on-lead walking area) before sitting down to a delicious lunch.
Open for Breakfast and Lunch, Café Roux is renowned for their delicious market-style menu, large kids play area and fantastic weekend entertainment. It is always best to call ahead and book and to let the restaurant know you are bringing your best friend.
Aegir Project - Noordhoek
Also situated in Noordhoek (in place of the old Red Herring), the restaurant at Aegir Project Brewery is a fairly new kid on the block.
Dog-loving owners, Rory and Carey have created a stunning family friendly craft beer taproom and restaurant with beautiful views out to the ocean.
Off-lead doggos have been spotted here but it is always a good idea to keep your pooch on leash in the restaurant seating area.
Ice Cold Craft Beer on tap, beautiful views and your dog by your side. #Bliss.
La Parada – Constantia Nek
Constantia Nek is undoubtedly one of the busiest hiking spots in Cape Town. The parking area and surrounding roads are known to fill up by 07h00 on a weekend morning. Get there early for a morning hike and then skip across the road to La Parada for Breakfast.
Open from 09h00, La Parada welcomes happy pooches who are pooped after a glorious run on the mountain.
La Parada is open for Breakfast, Lunch and evening Tapas. Please note that dogs are allowed in the outside seating area so bringing your dog for evening tapas in the winter might not be the best idea.
Eagles Nest – Constantia
Fancy a lazy weekend with a spot of wine tasting with no physical activity? Sometimes you and your pooch just want to chill out after a busy week.
Dog-Friendly Eagles Nest in Constantia is just the place for that. Pooches can sit with their humans in the outside area or on the Pavilion and must be on leads at all times.
Pair a delicious wine with one of their mouth-watering platters and have a relaxed day in the sun.
PS it is imperative that the Biltong Platter is shared between humans and dogs!
Oranjezicht City Market – Cape Town
The Oranjezicht City farm is a non-profit project promoting Urban Agriculture. Their vision is to improve under-utilised public green spaces by creating demonstration gardens for hands-on community-wide food gardening education and increasing access to fresh vegetables.
Take your Pooches for a run in De Waal Park (Off-lead Oranjezicht Dog Park) and then stroll on over to the City Farm Market. The Popular Produce Market is open Saturday and Sunday from 09h00 to 14h00.
Dogs are welcome at the Market and it has become a popular Dog-Watching site for City Dwellers. Pet-owners are asked to please abide by the following rules:
1. Dogs must be kept on a short leash.
2. Dogs must be under control and by the owner’s side at all times.
3. Keep dogs away from produce, plants, and other food products.
4. Dogs must be friendly with other dogs and children to earn the right to be at the market.
5. Be considerate – not everyone loves dogs and some customers are allergic to animals.
6. Don’t forget to clean up after your dog.
Hickory Shack - Elgin
Hitting the road for a weekend away? It wouldn’t be a proper road trip without bringing the ENTIRE family along, would it?
The Hickory Shack is a traditional barbeque smokehouse situated on the N2 in Elgin en route to Hermanus and surrounding areas.
The popular road trip pit stop offers traditional wood-smoked meats such as Ribs, Briskets and Pulled Pork accompanied by delicious BBQ Sides (Think re-fried beans and corn-on-the-cob).
Be warned – These delicious BBQ meats will cause excessive drooling from both Pooch and Human.
Stanford Hills Wine Farm - Stanford
The quaint town of Stanford (located 30 minutes from Hermanus), offers that relaxing small-town feel that everyone needs when they want to get away from it all.
Stanford Hills Wine Farm offers a multitude of activities for human and dog visitors. From dog-friendly on site accommodation to lovely farm walking trails, you and your pooch will be constantly entertained.
Dogs are allowed off-lead in the gardens surrounding the Tasting Room, Restaurant and Lake. Please note that dogs must be well socialised as there are many other dogs, horses and other farm animals around.
There you have it. Dogs are a big part of the family and therefore it is important that they are also included in the family outings.
Above are just a few of our amazing Dog-Friendly Western Cape Restaurants and Wineries. Other amazing dog friendly establishments include:
Lime Tree Café – Bergvliet
Chardonnay Deli – Constantia
Jonkershuis Restaurant – Constantia
Dunes Restaurant – Hout Bay
Foresters Arms – Newlands
Peddlars on the Bend - Constantia
Simons - Groot Constantia
If you fancy dining at a non-dog friendly restaurant. Remember that Hackett Hounds is open every Saturday rain or shine 08:00 - 17:00. Treat your dog to a play sesh with his besties.