Luckily, Miami's tropical climate ensures plenty of places with outdoor spaces designed for you and your pooch to enjoy together.
Although most restaurant patios welcome you and your four-legged friend, some go far beyond the complimentary water bowl by catering to canines with special doggie dishes and freebies. Think pet-friendly sushi, meaty treats for Fido, and exclusive "puppy" menus that include house-made dog biscuits and desserts.
To show your furry friends some extra appreciation this year, we've compiled a list of the best pet-friendly places in South Florida to chow down and enjoy some good eats — with your pooch, of course.
You and your pup can order a plate of bacon at Bacon Bitch in Miami Beach.
Photo courtesy of Bacon Bitch
Bacon Bitch
860 Collins Ave., Miami Beach305-900-7371
baconbitch.comTake your favorite little bitch to this restaurant and stretch out on the inviting patio. Bacon Bitch is so dog-friendly the kitchen is more than happy to customize any item on the menu just for your pooch. While there's plenty of egg and cheese goodness to go around, we're pretty sure there isn't pup on this planet that would say "no" to a giant plate of Nueske's bacon along with any of the offerings of the "Extra Bitch" menu, including strip steak and turkey sausage.
Casa Sensei
1200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale954-530-4176
casasensei.com If you want to spoil your dog, bring them to Casa Sensei for a truly "woof-tastic" good time. Casa Sensei offers guests and their dogs a spacious outdoor patio where you can enjoy the breeze and dog-friendly bites overlooking the Himmarshee Canal. Pups can choose from a choice of savory "doggie sushi," hand-rolled bites that include the "woof roll" prepared with beef, rice, carrots, and peas rolled in soy paper, as well as special dog-friendly "salmon delight" and "chicken lovers" stir-fries. Casa Sensei also hosts special monthly happy hours for pups.
Cielito Artisan Pops
2750 NW Third Ave., Suite 20A, Miami305-397-7392
cielitoartisanpops.com This paleta shop in the iconic black-and-white-striped Wynwood Building offers frozen treats for you and your dog. Whether you dip your pop in dark or white chocolate or dress it up with an endless variety of toppings, order one of the special dietary-friendly doggy pops for pups to enjoy. That means you can treat your dog to a "pup-sicle" of his own, with flavors such as banana with peanut butter, pumpkin with yogurt, and watermelon pineapple.
InterContinental Miami
100 Chopin Plaza, Miami305-577-1000
icmiamihotel.com
InterContinental Miami is already a well-established location for dog lovers thanks to its "Pets & Points" package, offering discounted pet fees and amenities, complimentary food and water bowls, mats, and snacks. The hotel has partnered with two local female-owned businesses — YumPup! and Hola from Lola — to make visitors feel even more pampered. Stays include eight-ounce cups of YumPup!, dog food crafted with fresh ingredients like beef, quinoa, and sweet potatoes, while Hola from Lola created an adjustable double-sided logo bandana that fits over existing dog collars. Both items will be distributed to guests upon check-in. Not staying at the hotel? A spacious dog park and walking path are just steps from the hotel entrance, where guests and their pets can enjoy the fresh air and views of Biscayne Bay. And dogs and their owners ready to mingle need look no further than the InterContinental's Bayside Terrace, which becomes "Paws Patio" from 5 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday. The open-air event is free and open to the public. Water bowls are on hand for all canines, while adults can enjoy "Dirty Dog" martinis, "Mutt" mules, and other libations from the cash bar. For more information on ICM's pet-friendly services, visit the ICM website.
Kush Wynwood
2003 N. Miami Ave., Miami305-576-4500
kushhospitality.com This pet-friendly Wynwood dining destination has a table outside with you and your pup's name on it — and a select menu made just for fur babies. If your four-legged friend is hungry, guests can order doggy-style dishes like "Chichi's Chicken & Rice" — a bowl of grilled chicken, brown rice, carrots, and peas. While Bosco chows down, humans are encouraged to enjoy the restaurant's ever-rotating list of quality craft beers, locally sourced food, and engaging art created by local artists.
Lokal
3190 Commodore Plz., Coconut Grove305-442-3377
kushhospitality.com When Lokal opened its doors in December 2011, the Coconut Grove restaurant quickly became a gathering spot for locals and their furry friends. To that end, the establishment's standalone doggy menu offers pups the chance to indulge in doggo-only dishes like "Chichi Get the Meatloaf," featuring a homemade meatloaf with egg and tomato puree, or "Yeyo's Chicken & Rice" that combines grilled chicken, brown rice, carrots, and peas. Pair each with a "Bowser Beer," a non-alcoholic beer for pups served over ice.
Negroni
3201 Buena Vista Blvd., Miami786-510-0075
negronius.comYour pup won't be subjected to begging for scraps if you dine at Negroni in Midtown. The dog-only menu is available for pups seated outdoors and includes two of the most luxurious puppy chow selections in the Magic City. Dine here, and your dog can also enjoy dishes like the chicken nigiri made with organic grilled chicken breast, sushi rice, and carrot spaghetti or beef tartare made with grass-fed ground beef, steamed sushi rice, and boiled vegetables. While your pup enjoys their meal, indulge in Negroni's happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. daily, when everything on the menu is priced between $8-$10 and includes dishes like the rock shrimp and tuna tartare tostadas and cocktails such as Negroni's signature Negroni sour.
Saw Restaurant is not only dog-friendly — it has a dedicated dog menu to boot.
Sawa Restaurant photo
Sawa Restaurant & Lounge
360 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables305-447-6555
sawarestaurant.com Swanky Coral Gables canines can indulge in a little retail therapy at Shops at Merrick Park and then lounge on Sawa's patio, where a special dog-only menu awaits. Your pampered pup can start her meal with tapas offerings like gourmet baked mini biscuits, bully strips, and Purina Beggin' Strips. From there, it's a choice between a chicken breast or filet mignon kebab. And for the final course, Fifi can finish with a scoop or two of pup-friendly ice cream.
Shooters Waterfront
3033 NE 32nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale954-566-2855
shooterswaterfront.comIf it's a relaxing afternoon you're after, you can spend it at Shooters — preferably with a drink in hand and your dog's leash in the other. While you enjoy the Intracoastal views, your pup can order dishes prepared by Fort Lauderdale-based Meals for Dogs. The meals offer a savory, veterinary-approved dish carefully prepared for man's best friend. Options include the "Ocean Reef Turkey," "Boca Chica Chicken," and "Bahia Beef," each made with a variety of vegetables and grains, including lentils, whole wheat macaroni, butternut squash, sweet potato, carrots, and kale, and fortified with pumpkin, hemp, or flaxseed oils and a blend of essential vitamins and minerals.
Frenchies and French fries at Quarterdeck
Photo by @MallowFrenchie
Quarterdeck
1035 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale954-524-6163
quarterdeckrestaurants.comMiami's favorite chill hangout knows how to make your dog feel special. Grab a table at Quarterdeck's outdoor patio area and treat your pooch to a meal from the exclusive "Puppy Chow" menu. The selections range from $2-$10 and include grilled chicken with rice, bacon strips, sweet potato treats, and an unseasoned hamburger patty — all served with a bowl of ice water. While your pup is chowing down, people are encouraged to enjoy a Tito's "Puptail" (not intended for animal consumption) like the "Brindle" made with Tito's vodka, orange juice, and sparkling mineral water, topped off with fresh blackberries.
