Here’s a list of pubs and restaurants who can take your dog to, when you're out and about across Northern Ireland.
Canines welcome along the Causeway Coast
Take a brisk stroll with your furry mate along two-and-half miles of golden sand that runs along Portrush before stopping off at 55 Degrees North for a top-class meal. Sit outside on the balcony with your trusted canine companion and enjoy the amazing views overlooking Portrush East Strand beach.
Further along the Causeway Coastal Route, The Fullerton Arms in Ballintoy is the perfect getaway for you and your four-legged friend. It offers both a dog-friendly dining area and a room available for them to rest their head for the night.
Howls of delight in Belfast
When it comes to dogs, The Dirty Onion in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter is not to be sniffed at. Home to one of Belfast’s biggest beer gardens and with a cosy peat fire inside, this place has got you covered all year round. It is also renowned as one of the most dog-friendly establishments in town. You can stop off for a pint and your dog can enjoy some complimentary water and some tasty home-made doggie treats at the Doggie Dock. They even host seasonal social events for your four-legged friend.
With a reputation for traditional, folk and bluegrass music, it’s hardly surprising that the owners of The Sunflower have little truck with hounds. This place is bells and whistles free and is a great and gritty night out with a drink and some live music.
A firm favourite in Belfast, news that St George's Market accepts dogs will be music to a lot of ears! Come down with your furry friend (on a lead) and enjoy local delights including a Belfast Bap or filled soda while you take in the sights and sounds of this popular weekend market.
A dog bowl for two in County Down
Your dog will love County Down. With the smell of heather and the wide-open spaces this corner of Northern Ireland is a little piece of poochy paradise.
Pier 36 is a multi award-winning bar and restaurant with a reputation for exceptional food and service. You’ll find it perched right on the pier in Donaghadee and dogs on a lead are welcome in the bar and outside where a water tap and bowls are available. The bar area is traditionally decorated with a real open fire and is a great place to sample one of Ireland's finest pints of Guinness and some fresh local seafood. The restaurant to the rear has a magical atmosphere and a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest places to eat on the whole island.
On the shores of Strangford Lough, you’ll find the lovely whitewashed cottage of Saltwater Brig where you can be assured of a warm welcome for both you and your dog. Sit outside and enjoy the fresh soda bread and pancakes hot off the griddle while looking out over Strangford Lough.
Nearby Hillsborough Castle and Gardens is the official residence of the Royal Family when they come to these parts so it kind of makes sense to have a pub nearby that welcomes corgis. Not that they’re too snobby at The Plough Inn. Here they’ll welcome any dog that is well-behaved and ok with waiting outside with an ice cool bowl of water. Or across the road you'll find a warm welcome by the open fire at The Hillside Bar, where there's a dog-friendly bar area to enjoy a drink or delicious meal.
After a brisk walk along the Newcastle promenade, stop off at Hugh McCann's for a tasty bite to eat and relax with your pooch in the Hogg Snog - presumably you can bring your pet pig too.
On the road back towards Belfast is Hinch Distillery, which opened its dog-friendly cafe in 2023. Drop in between Wednesday to Sunday (10am - 4pm), to enjoy delicious refreshments in stunning surroundings.
Northern Ireland has a lot to keep your tail a waggin’.
55 Degrees North is a Modern Family run restaurant established in 2005, set in the heart of coastal Portrush with breathtaking views overlooking the Skerries Islands, East Strand and Scotland. There is also a Bistro and Coffee Shop downstairs.
A tour at Hinch Distillery is not just an exploration of history, production and their bold range of triple distilled whiskeys; it’s an invitation to sit and learn from the characters that bring it to life through an immersive sensory journey.
A favourite stop off for tourists and locals alike. You'll find a tasty selection of food and drinks, stunning bedrooms, friendly staff, a relaxed atmosphere and handy tips on exploring the nearby area.
The Dirty Onion is Belfast's oldest building, dating back to 1780, the building was used as a bonded spirit warehouse from 1921. It was then known as ‘STACK N’ – a reference to its position on the north side of Waring Street.
Sunflower is a simple corner pub, it is free of gimmicks or themes, and it is one of the few remaining. It is instantly recognisable by the security cage on its front door, a relic from 1980s Belfast. Music is very much part of the pub's life.
St George’s Market one of Belfast’s oldest attractions and is one of the best markets in the UK and Ireland. It has been voted for numerous local and national awards for its fresh, local produce and great atmosphere.
The Pub On The Pier at Donaghadee, serving tasty bar snacks all day with fresh fish, delicious local beef, pork, lamb and game for lunch and dinner.
The famous Saltwater Brig pub and restaurant lies just outside Belfast, between Kircubbin and Portaferry, on the Ards Penninsula. Established circa 1765. "Destination Strangford Lough Tourist Information Point available in these Premises".
Come and explore Northern Ireland's royal residence, where worlds and minds meet. Relax in 100 acres of picturesque gardens, explore the State Rooms still used today and indulge in delicious food and drink in our café.
The Plough Inn is the perfect place to enjoy a friendly pint in the bar, a hearty pub lunch or a gastronomic delight in the evening. The traditional surroundings provide the perfect backdrop to relax and dine in a welcoming environment.
The Hillside is a charming, rustic pub situated in the historic village of Royal Hillsborough, County Down, only 15 minutes drive from Belfast city centre. The Hillside first opened its doors in 1752 and has been enjoying a busy trade since, thanks to an excellent food and drinks selection and the friendly, welcoming service.
McHughs is within a grade A listed building, built between 1710 and 1720, making it officially the oldest building in the city of Belfast, enjoying a long history and a sometimes colourful reputation.
