Dog Friendly Restaurants in Richmond

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. However, Richmond, one of the oldest cities in the US, keeps up with new trends with tons of things to do, see, and eat with your pet. Pets are barking about destinations like the Church Hill Dog Park, Belle Isle, Stony Point Fashion Park, and the Riverfront Canal Walk.

Dogs can tag along all day when spending time at pet-friendly attractions, waking up in accommodations with an open-door policy for dogs, and experiencing the diverse food scene together. Grab a bite to eat at one of these top-rated dog friendly restaurants in Richmond.

The owner/executive chef at the Wooden Spoon trained at the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. She brings her expertise to her restaurant, which opened in 2018 near the city’s West End. She mastered recipes and cooking techniques to craft authentic Spanish cuisine.

European flair is embedded in every detail of The Wooden Spoon’s design. Spanish wine bottles available for purchase line the inside wall, and there are patio table seats for a dog-friendly atmosphere. Pets get perks like a dog water bowl provided on the patio.

The Wooden Spoon specializes in Spanish comfort foods. Shareable tapas like zucchini carpaccio, shrimp ajillo, and Andalusian-style berenjena a la Miel are great for the whole table to sample. The famous paella is the national dish in Spain, and this restaurant takes its time to ensure it’s made just right. The large pot of rice, shrimp, vegetables, and other ingredients takes hours to prepare, so a 24-hour reservation is required if you anticipate ordering it.

Amenities and More: Takes Reservations, Many Vegetarian Options, Accepts Apple Pay, Latinx-owned, Women-Owned, Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar

Address: 5714 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA 23226

Opa! Every day feels like a reason to cheer at More Than Greek. It’s a fitting name for a restaurant showcasing the best Greek cuisine and dishes found in the greater Mediterranean region. It’s a family-owned restaurant that gives you a taste of Greek hospitality.

Aromatic herbs and spices waft through the air to greet your dog’s snout when arriving at More Than Greek. The front patio seating makes it less of a tease, but no dog can resist licking its tongue when you get your food.

Greek food tastes better when it’s homemade, and More Than Greek feels like your personal kitchen. Its regional-inspired dishes include lamb gyro, freshly-made greek salad, doughy spanakopita, and avgolemono soup. Settle your growling stomach with large meals like the Santorini and Greek Pokilia platter. There are vegan and vegetarian Mediterranean menu options, and you can also order traditional Greek desserts.

More Than Greek is open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner hours only.

Amenities and More: Takes Reservations, Vegan Options, Accepts Apple Pay, Waiter Service, Wheelchair Accessible

Address: 8161 Atlee Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23111

Local attractions in the Museum District, like the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, showcase magnificent European works from Picasso and Rubens. However, the Museum District exhibits culinary arts at Izzy’s Kitchen. You’ll have a barking good time dining on the contemporary patio.

During the day, umbrellas give you shade from the sun while dining on the outdoor patio. At night, string lights brighten the space to ensure you don’t leave any food behind on your plate.

Eat until your heart’s content at Izzy’s Kitchen. It serves sandwiches cut in half, so you’re never too stuffed for a dog walk. Try house favorites like the New York Strip Steak sandwich, the Uptown Sandwich, or the Italian sandwich. Burgers are another popular item, with options including the Richmond burger, bacon burger, and crab cake burger. Thirsty eaters can get a glass of house wine, signature cocktails like the French 75, or try a local craft beer.

Amenities and More: Takes Reservations, Offers Takeout, Accepts Credit Cards, Full Bar, Heated Outdoor Seating, Happy Hour Specials, EV Charging Station Available

Address: 2901 Park Ave, Richmond, VA 23221

Scott’s Addition Historic District is reviving with old warehouses converting into distilleries, art decorating the antique walls, and dog-friendly restaurants like Pinky’s springing up to attract the hip pet parent community. It’s one of the best restaurants to eat with pets in Richmond’s fast-growing community.

Join the bandwagon and eat at Pinky’s Restaurants while you can still get a seat on the outdoor patio. Decorative plants between seating transform the space from a former gas station into a trendy dining space to enjoy with your pet.

Pinky’s specializes in Mediterranean dishes. Its list of hearty entrees includes chicken piccata, char-grilled octopus, pork chops, crab risotto, and meatballs. Each dish is made your way. Ask for fresh mozzarella cheese, which goes well on most dishes. Add a bit of grilled chicken to your favorite salad. And those with dietary challenges can also order gluten-free food.

Amenities and More: Takes Reservations, Many Vegetarian Options, Accepts Credit Cards, Full Bar, Covered Outdoor Seating, Waiter Service

Address: 3015 Norfolk St., Richmond, VA 23230

ZZQ Texas Craft Barbecue brings famous cooking traditions from the Lone Star State to Virginia. And no flavor gets lost when crossing state lines! It’s one of the top-rated barbecue spots in Richmond for a dog-friendly restaurant outing.

The head pitmaster, Chris Fultz, blends his experience learned growing up in Texas with local grilling techniques in Virginia to craft his signature flavor. It provides trays large enough to load up with as much of the smoky, tender meat as you can carry. The menu has classic barbecue like pulled pork, beef brisket, and sausages. It also has daily specials like beef ribs available only on Saturdays and prime ribs reserved for Sundays.

Be sure to save a slice of bread for the end to wipe up any remaining barbecue sauce on your tray—it’s so delicious you’ll savor every drop!

ZZQ Texas Craft Barbecue has a dog-friendly patio full of color contrast. The large black smoker rests next to colorful picnic tables that can accommodate groups.

Amenities and More: Vegan Options, Offers Military Discount, Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar

Address: 3201 W Moore St., Richmond, VA 23230

Lunch or Supper? Not only a frequently asked question about when to go out to eat but also the name of one of Richmond’s top-rated dog-friendly restaurants. Indulge in delicious contemporary American dishes for every meal of the day.

The restaurant opened its doors in the Scott’s Addition neighborhood in 2012. As the name implies, it’s open 11 AM – 9 PM during the week. Although it opens earlier at 10 AM on the weekends for brunch. The outdoor dining area is a verdant space lined with plants. It has garden benches to sit on while waiting for your tables and seating in the open air or beneath the covering.

Lunch or Supper taps into southern comfort recipes rooted in the South. The menu has regional specialties like chicken and waffles and shrimp and cheese grits for brunch or lunch. And supper favorites like the summit avenue crab cakes, train wreck, and the Lyons Den sandwich.

Amenities and More: Vegan Options, Full Bar, Heated Outdoor Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Waiter Service

Address: 1213-1215 Summit Ave, Richmond, VA 23230

Put on your sundress and trim your fur because it’s a setting of who’s-who at Lola’s Farmhouse Bistro. Transport to the era of Old America at this farmhouse-themed restaurant set at a traditional American home once home to the Fox Head Inn.

Pets have a special place in the hearts of the owners behind Lola’s Farmhouse Bistro—so much so that they named their restaurant after their pet parrot! The former hotel was renovated and turned into a restaurant in 1962, already earning its own legacy. Brunch is the most popular time to visit. Join the chatter on the patio or sit with your pooch at the porch tables in the shade.

Lola’s Farmhouse Bistro has a mixed menu. You’ll find traditional American dishes like grilled cheese and tomato soup, personalized omelets, and Italian specialties like the Italian chicken sandwich, chicken piccata pasta, and chicken marsala. Save room for dessert because you deserve a slice of lemon mascarpone cake.

Amenities and More: Takes Reservations, Waiter Service, Heated Outdoor seating, Wheelchair Accessible

Address: 1840 Manakin Rd, Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103

Take your dog out to run around the grass lawns and paved trails at Jefferson Park. Feel free to wear yourself out because Union Market is just a block away to refuel yourself with tasty food. So, take the last few paw steps towards the corner brick building and discover the freshness waiting inside.

Bright green umbrellas sprout from the paved patio to provide shade for the outdoor tables. Order your food inside and enjoy it in this dog-friendly space.

Union Market is a deli and vegan food restaurant known for its market-fresh ingredients. It has an extensive list of signature sandwiches, including pastrami, chicken tarragon, pimento cheese, and tuna melt. Vegans have several options, like the Vegan club or requesting a tofu substitute in either of the sandwiches. Your sandwich is made your way once you order it, and you’re even in control of extra ingredients. One of the best ways to order is the ‘Pick 2’ combo to mix up your meal.

There’s an actual market inside Union Market to pick up drinks, snacks, or even ingredients used to make your own sandwich at home.

Amenities and More: Vegan Options, Accepts Android Pay, Accepts Apple Pay, Women-Owned, Wheelchair Accessible

Address: 2306 Jefferson Ave, Richmond, VA 23223

Include your dog on your next burger night. Beauvine Burger Concept opens its outdoor patio with nice weather. It brings artisan craft to a classic American favorite to create a menu full of mouthwatering burgers.

Let out your inner canine as you bite into the juicy beef on each burger. Its signature burgers include the Belle Ringer, Joe Beef, De Leon, and the Bellytimber burger. Each burger has fresh toppings like tomato, onion, pickles, and cheese. Don’t want to stuff yourself with bread? Order your burger with a leaf wrap to substitute the buns for a leafy alternative.

If the burgers are the hero to save you from hunger, the handmade milkshakes are the trusted sidekick. Beauvine Burger Concepts has unique milkshakes like flavor blasts in the fruity pebble milkshake or spiked milkshake cocktails.

Beauvine Burger Concept is the perfect place for late-night burger cravings. It’s open every day until 2 AM.

Amenities and More: Offers Takeout, Pescatarian Options, Waiter Service, Asian-Owned, Women-Owned, Full Bar, Happy Hour Specials, Wheelchair Accessible

Address: 1501 W. Main St, Richmond, VA 23220

Smohk RVA BBQ has the awards to back up its claim for having the best barbecue in Richmond. Diners have voted it as one of the’ top 3 best local barbecue restaurants’ and many other titles celebrating its southern-style barbecue.

Swerve off the 95 with your dog’s tongue hanging out the window to smell the tasty barbecue smoking nearby. Smoke rising from the big black smoker is a good sign fresh meat is being served, so hurry inside. Check the chalkboard announcement for the daily meat and sides specials. Try the smoked meats on platters topped with brisket, pulled pork, and ribeye. Pour or dip in a cup of flavored apple barbecue sauce. After, dig into sides like slaw, collard greens, and Mac and cheese.

Dine onsite with your dog at Smohk. It has picnic tables and tables under a white tent for shade.

Amenities and More: Women-owned, Full Bar, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts Apple Pay, Accepts Android Pay, Many Vegetarian Options

Address: 3112 W Leigh St, Richmond, VA 23230