Editor’s note: This article has been updated since its original posting to add Caliente Mexican Craving to the dog-friendly dining list.
Sure, the Capital City has its annual pup parades and a dog gala. But, there’s no need to wait for a special event to take your hound on the town. Any day or night of the week, you can take Fideaux and friends to frolic in one of BREC’s five dog parks, and then out for dog-friendly dining and drinks.
For example, La Divina Italian Cafe offers a frosty treat for patrons with paws—a “dog” gelato made with peanut butter, apples and banana.
Open 11 a.m.-midnight during the week and until 2 a.m. on weekends, Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant is great for a late-night bite (of food rather than people, preferably). Lucy’s menu includes canine cuisine, such as the Hot Diggity Dog for lunch and dinner and Eggs Rover Easy for brunch.
“There are a bunch of downtown residents who come with their dogs, particularly on the weekends,” says Lucy’s general manager Marcus Lasseigne. “We tend to see more dogs when there are events downtown, but we have an outdoor patio with water bowls and treats available all the time.“
Established in New Orleans in 1994, The Bulldog has been canine-conscious since the start—from its logo down to the leash-hooks at the tables. Since the Baton Rouge Bulldog opened in 2009, pups and their people have been welcome on the patio.
“It makes the restaurant warm and inviting, and it gives it a sense of community,” says Bulldog general manager Remi DeMatteo.
On the third Thursday of every month, 20 percent of all sales from 5-7 p.m. are donated to the animal welfare charity of the month.
“We promote the charities on our chalkboard and website,” DeMatteo says. “People will stop by all month and drop off money to help the animals.”
Even if they don’t specifically cater to canines, many establishments recognize pets are part of the family and welcome them in areas that don’t violate health codes. Quite a few eateries with outdoor dining areas welcome well-behaved, leashed, friendly dogs—and maybe even a few of their feline friends.
But remember: Etiquette is everything. Avoiding beastly behavior that makes other diners uncomfortable is key to keeping patrons and their pups in the brewhouse or coffeehouse and out of the doghouse.
Neili the dog at the Bulldog’s Yappy Hour
Restaurants and bars that allow well-behaved dogs in their outdoor seating areas
Bistro Byronz
5412 Government St. and 8200 Village Plaza Court bistrobyronz.com
