Who's ready for a night out on the town with their furry best friend? We'll tell you all of the best dog-friendly places to eat and drink in Madison, WI.
Have you ever been out on a walk around town with your pup, and wanted to stop off for a bite to eat? But what would you do with your dog? Do you have to tie them up outside while you run in to grab some food to go? Never again! Now you can actually take your dog to a restaurant with you.
As you may have noticed, the pet-parenting trend is growing by leaps and bounds, and this extends to restaurants, bars, and breweries too. More and more eateries are providing pet-friendly patio seating. Now you and your pup can sit side-by-side as you enjoy delicious gourmet foods, craft brews, and spending time with your human friends—and canine friends—in the fresh air and sunshine.
If you're interested in more dog-friendly activities, how about some time at the park? Madison also has some fantastic dog parks and off-leash areas. Your dog will be entertained for hours on end as they run, jump, swim, and play with the other pups at these gorgeous city and county parks.
And don't forget to find the best local pet care professionals in the city. Madison, WI, has tons of amazing dog walkers, cat sitters, pet groomers, and more! Just click here to enter your zip code, and we'll show you all of the top companies nearby.
But if you're ready to try out some of the best cuisines in town, let's take a look at the list below.
The 17 Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants, Bars, and Breweries in Madison, WI:
- Argus Bar & Grill
- Banzo
- Bassett Street Brunch Club
- The Boneyard
- The Coopers Tavern
- Echo Tap and Grill
- Forage Kitchen
- Great Dane Pub & Brewing
- Green Owl Cafe
- Karben4
- Lazy Jane's Cafe
- Lucille
- Madison Sourdough
- Mickey's Tavern
- Red Rock Saloon
- State Line Distillery
- Tipsy Cow
Argus Bar & Grill — Downtown
Argus Bar & Grill is a dog-friendly restaurant and bar located in the downtown area of Madison, WI. They offer stellar burgers, meatloaf, chicken salad sandwiches, meatball subs, and fish fries! And those are just their weekly specials. Don't forget to check out their drink menu. They have bottled, canned, and draft beers, plus red and white wines. And you can enjoy all of this with your pooch on their outdoor, pet-friendly patio.
Banzo — Maple Bluff
Banzo is a dog-friendly restaurant located right by Burrows Park. This restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine, and once upon a time, started with just a simple food truck. Eventually, it grew big enough for two food trucks, and then it became a full-fledged restaurant. "Our made-from-scratch menu is based on traditional Mediterranean recipes, with our own signature Banzo touch. Our focus is on high quality ingredients, which often come from local sources."
Bassett Street Brunch Club — Downtown
Bassett Street Brunch Club is a pet-friendly eatery that specializes in delicious brunch foods. They provide a large outdoor patio where your dog can join you and your friends for a meal. Not only do they serve coffees, teas, and espresso drinks, but their food includes all of your favorite breakfast and brunch classics… with their own special twists. From scramblers, to breakfast sandwiches, french toast, and even fried chicken piled on top of a donut… You'll love anything you try here.
The Boneyard — Burke Heights
The dog park/bar/restaurant trend that is taking over the country is amazing (in our humble opinion) and one of the best is right here in Madison! The Boneyard was founded in 2021 and serves up great beer, wine, drinks, soft pretzels, and good times for all!
The Coopers Tavern — Capitol
The Coopers Tavern on the Capitol Square boasts a patio where dogs are not just allowed but welcomed with open arms. This gastropub specializes in craft beers and hearty, upscale pub fare. Their unique twist on classic dishes, like the bourbon-glazed pork belly or the stout-braised beef short ribs, makes each meal memorable. The view from the rooftop offers a scenic backdrop of downtown Madison, enhancing the dining experience. Coopers Tavern often features local brews, giving you a taste of Wisconsin's finest with every sip. The friendly staff will make sure both you and your pet feel right at home.
Echo Tap and Grill — Downtown
Echo Tap and Grill is a dog-friendly grill and sports bar that has been around for over 70 years. If you're a part of the college crowd, and you love sports, this is the place for you! Not only can you bring your pup along for the ride and sit out on their pet-friendly patio… but you can enjoy great food, great brews, and watch a game with your best friends.
Forage Kitchen — Downtown
Forage Kitchen is all about fresh, unconventional, healthy foods that are creative and delicious. "From farm to fork, we focus on sourcing ingredients seasonally from small, local and organic farms, and Co-ops. All menu items are hand-crafted in house daily and prepared by passionate hearts trying to impact the community." Forage Kitchen has three different locations, with plenty of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.
Great Dane Pub & Brewing — Downtown
Great Dane Pub & Brewing is a dog-friendly brewery and restaurant with five locations. Their interior decor is your typical bar feel with very warm, dark colors, and pool tables throughout. And their pet-friendly outdoor patio is beautiful and cozy with lots of great greenery around.
This brewpub started back in the mid-90s, and has been a neighborhood favorite ever since. Not only do they love dogs, but they are heavily involved in each community of their different locations. This includes things like their annual Adopt-A-Family program every Christmas season. So you can enjoy their specially-crafted brews, delicious food, and feel great about supporting this company.
Green Owl Cafe — Marquette
Green Owl Cafe is a quaint, dog-friendly cafe with a pet-friendly patio. It is actually Madison's only restaurant that is completely vegetarian and vegan. They even have some dishes with veggie burger patties or Beyond Burger patties. The Green Owl Cafe has been open since 2009, and provides a pet-friendly patio for all of their canine guests to join their pet parents.
Karben4 — Reindahl Park
Karben4 is a dog-friendly restaurant with a pet-friendly outdoor patio. This brewery started out with just 15 barrels, and grew into a beer distributor for other retailers and bars. There's always more than enough options of bottled beers or beers on draft to pick from.
Lazy Jane's Cafe — Willy Street
Lazy Jane's Cafe & Bakery is a quirky and cozy spot that welcomes dogs in their outdoor seating area. Known for their scrumptious scones and eclectic breakfast menu, this cafe provides a homely vibe that's hard to find elsewhere. Each dish is made with love, and the bakery items are all baked fresh daily. The walls are adorned with local art, and the mismatched furniture adds to the charm. Lazy Jane's is the perfect place for a lazy morning brunch with your four-legged best friend by your side. Don't forget to try their famous quiche!
Lucille — Downtown
Lucille is a dog-friendly pizzeria with beers, wines, craft cocktails, and even brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am - 2 pm. You'll be so impressed with their meal presentation because the food looks just as amazing as it tastes. It's definitely a restaurant and bar with a gourmet twist! Everything is locally-sourced, and Lucille's will gladly welcome your furry best friend onto their pet-friendly patio dining space.
Madison Sourdough — Marquette
Madison Sourdough is a dog-friendly bakery, cafe, mill, and patisserie. They take pride in their handcrafted breads and pastries. And you can even enjoy a delicious breakfast with your precious furbaby right by your side on their outdoor patio.
"We specialize in naturally leavened, i.e. sourdough, breads using Wisconsin grown wheat, rye, and corn. Our pastries are called Viennoiserie and are based on classic French techniques. Viennoiserie are yeast leavened breakfast pastries. We laminate all of our Viennoiserie with premium Wisconsin butter and enrich our doughs with local eggs and milk."
Mickey's Tavern — Atwood
Mickey's Tavern, set in the Atwood neighborhood, is a historic bar and restaurant with a dog-friendly patio. This establishment stands out for its timeless charm and a menu that elevates comfort food to new heights. Whether you're in the mood for a gourmet burger or a vegan tempeh reuben, Mickey's has got you covered. The laid-back atmosphere makes it a great place to relax with friends and pets alike. On certain nights, you might even catch some live music. Mickey's commitment to sustainability is evident in their use of organic and locally sourced ingredients
Red Rock Saloon — Downtown
Red Rock Saloon is a dog-friendly bar and restaurant with an old west theme. They offer live music, a pet-friendly patio outside, and tons of delicious barbeque classics. And don't forget to try out one of their many cold brews on draft, or one of their classic cocktails. From pulled pork to baby back ribs, and brisket to mac n cheese, onion rings, and wings… this place doesn't disappoint!
State Line Distillery — Northern Court
State Line Distillery brings the best of Wisconsin together. And of course, that includes dogs! State Line serves up some of the best drinks in the city and always has a smile (and a treat!) for your pup.
Tipsy Cow — Downtown
The Tipsy Cow is a classic Wisconsin-style restaurant and bar. This dog-friendly eatery has two locations—one in Madison, and one in Sun Prairie. Established in 2011, the Tipsy Cow has always committed to using "high quality ingredients [and] adding simple touches for a tasty, fresh product." The bar offers a rotating selection of craft beers from all over the US. And "during the warmer months, the wonderful [pet-friendly] outdoor patio provides one of the best views of the Capitol."
Madison Must Love Dogs
Can you believe just how many dog-friendly restaurants there are in Madison, WI? And this is just the tip of the iceberg. With a city full of dog-friendly spaces and places, it's obvious to see that it's a dog's paradise.
For more great articles about dog-friendly activities and pet-parenting advice, check out the Blog at LocalPetCare.com.