Dog-Friendly Dublin: What to do With a Dog in Dublin

Dublin, the capital of the Emerald Isle, is full of dog-friendly places to explore. From historic parks perfect for a leisurely stroll to cozy cafes where you can grab a coffee with your canine companion, there’s plenty to keep local pet parents and those house sitting in Dublin happily busy.

Share it with your friends, share it with your Dublin pet sitter; here’s your ultimate guide to dog-friendly Dublin.

Dog-friendly cafes, Dublin

Dublin’s cafe culture is alive and brewing, and thankfully, lots of the best spots welcome furry friends! Here are some of the coziest nooks to bring your dog for a bite to eat, a hot drink, and some good old-fashioned people watching.

The Fumbally

This popular community cafe serves healthy, Middle Eastern-inspired dishes along with locally roasted coffee. Pooch pals are more than welcome to join inside, where bowls of water are often ready and waiting.

Location: Fumbally Ln, The Liberties, Dublin 8, D08 HFF2, Ireland

Two Pups Coffee

As the name suggests, four-pawed pals are welcome throughout Two Pups! This specialty coffee shop is known for its delicious brunch and lunch menu, which features French toast, Mexican eggs, and shakshuka.

Location: 74 Francis St, The Liberties, Dublin 8, D08 KA43, Ireland

Happy Out

Starting as a shipping container cafe on Bull Island, Happy Out became so popular that it wasn’t long before more locations opened up! A variety of breakfast classics, toasties, and other nibbles are served, and most importantly, pups are greeted with an array of dog bowls to choose from.

Location: 81 Morehampton Rd, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, D04 X8R5, Ireland

Blas

A popular place to work, read, or study, Blas has been serving delicious brunch and lunch bites right in the heart of Dublin since 2014. Furry friends are more than welcome!

Location: 26 King's Inns St, Rotunda, Dublin 1, D01 P2W7, Ireland

Metro Cafe

Tucked away in downtown Dublin, Metro Cafe is a casual spot for breakfast, lunch, and a coffee. Four-legged friends can comfortably join in the heated seating area outside, so you can enjoy your time, whatever the Dublin weather brings.

Location: 43 William St S, Dublin 2, D02 YK59, Ireland

Little Bird

Head here with your pooch pal after a class in the yoga studio out back. They offer a tasty menu of treats and coffee, with plenty of delicious options for veggies and vegans.

Location: 82 S Circular Rd, Portobello, Dublin 8, D08 FC62, Ireland

Timbertrove Cafe

Timbertrove Cafe is the perfect pit stop after a hike in the countryside. While you enjoy hearty soups, sandwiches, and freshly baked goodies, pups can refuel with special treats like pupmuffins and puppuccinos.

Location: Kilakee House, Bóthar Choill an Chaoich, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, Ireland

Dash Container Cafe

Conveniently located near Phoenix Park, Dash Container Cafe is the ideal place for a pick-me-up post dog walk. They cater to both ends of the leash, offering puppuccinos, treats, and water bowls for dogs, along with toasties and coffees for their humans.

Location: Hole in the Wall, Blackhorse Ave, Castleknock (part of Phoenix Park), Dublin 7, D07 V663, Ireland

Cloud Cafe

This cafe has a cozy enclosed porch which is dog-friendly – perfect for whiling away a morning, sipping coffee, and enjoying a leisurely breakfast with your furry companion.

Location: 43 N Strand Rd, North Strand, Dublin 3, D03 E977, Ireland

The Orange Goat

You’ll find plenty of doggy drinking stations in the outdoor seating area at The Orange Goat, where you can enjoy lunch and brekkie classics.

Location: 50 Serpentine Ave, Dublin 4, Ireland

Dog-friendly restaurants, Dublin

Get ready to explore some of the best eateries in town, where delicious food and furry friends go hand-in-paw!

Angelina’s

Grab a seat on the dog-friendly terrace overlooking the canal, and enjoy wood-fired pizzas, steak, fish, and more from the Italian-inspired menu.

Location: 55 Percy Pl, Dublin, D04 X0C1, Ireland

Table 45

Pooch pals are greeted like old friends inside this friendly South American restaurant, which serves a great choice of tapas dishes alongside beers and cocktails.

Location: 45 Hogan Pl, Dublin 2, D02 RF34, Ireland

The Old Spot

A local favorite for a reason, come to the Old Spot restaurant, Dublin, for a refined take on proper pub grub. Pooch pals are welcome to join in the front bar area.

Location: 14 Bath Ave, Dublin 4, D04 Y726, Ireland

Urbanity

Urbanity is a spacious eatery that takes pride in crafting much of its food in-house, from roasting its own coffee beans to making homemade dog treats.

Location: The Glass House, 11 Coke Ln, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 WNP2, Ireland

Kodiak

Enjoy sourdough pizza and cocktails in this cozy bar/restaurant – the ideal place to hang out with friends (including those on four legs!).

Location: 304 Rathmines Rd Lower, Rathmines, Dublin, D06 W3Y1, Ireland

Dog-friendly pubs, Dublin

Dublin’s pub scene is famous for its craic, and thankfully, that warm Irish welcome is extended to our four-legged friends in many establishments. From historic haunts to modern craft beer breweries, here are some of the best dog-friendly bars Dublin is known for.

The Barbers Bar

Having thrown more dog pawties than Snoop Dogg himself (not sure how we verify that one!), this bar is a must-visit with a pooch pal! Barbers is complete with a doggy water station, San Pawlegrinno on tap, chicken broth on the menu, a polaroid wall of 421 canine customers (and even one cat!), and snuggly dens to chill out in.

Location: 19 Grangegorman Lower, Grangegorman, Dublin, D07 H583, Ireland

PYE

The only bar in Dublin that can almost rival Barbers in terms of dog-friendliness, PYE might tolerate humans, but they adore four-legged friends! There’s a doggy vending machine, a wall of fame of 200 furry friends, plus San Pawlegrinno and cozy dens like at The Barbers.

Location: Main St, Dundrum, Dublin, D14 V9R3, Ireland

Board

Specializing in low and no-alcohol drinks, come here for tasty mocktails, zero-percent beers and wines, and a menu of wood-fired pizza and brunch bites. Be sure to challenge your canine companion to a board game, or join the quiz held every Friday and Saturday night.

Location: 29 Clanbrassil Street Upper, Harold's Cross, Dublin 8, D08 E1X9, Ireland

The Bernard Shaw

The Bernard Shaw is well known for events like drag brunches, pub quizzes, sports screenings, and karaoke, and furries are always welcome! The outdoor Eatyard Food Market hosts trucks from all over the world, making it a brilliant place to grab a bite to eat with your best bud.

Location: Cross Guns Bridge, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, D09 XW44, Ireland

The Bath

The Bath has big TV screens inside and out, so sports fans don’t have to miss any of the action! Even if you’re not here for the game, you can settle in with a fresh pint and your pup in their friendly atmosphere.

Location: 26 Bath Ave, Dublin 4, D04 X7P8, Ireland

BrewDog Dublin Outpost

Dog-friendly by name and dog-friendly by nature, this cozy microbrewery has an impressive 32 craft beers on tap and serves a good brunch. Pooch pals get plenty of attention from both staff and fellow diners, and they even have special drinking bowls just for them.

Location: Three Locks Square, 4, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2, D02 E5R7, Ireland

Deer at Phoenix Park, Dublin

Dog-friendly parks, Dublin

Where better to stretch those legs than in one of Dublin’s dog-friendly parks?

Phoenix Park

Famous for being one of Europe’s biggest parks, this 17th-century park stretches a whopping 1750 acres! Four-legged furries are welcome in certain areas, but do keep them away from the Ashtown Walled Garden and playgrounds. Take extra special care around the wild fallow deer that call the park home.

Location: Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, Ireland

Iveagh Gardens

This quiet park is a lovely retreat from the city. Take your pooch for a stroll on the leash to find a beautiful waterfall (though pups must admire it from a distance!) and plenty of benches for a relaxing break.

Location: St Stephen's Green, Park, Dublin 2, D02 HX65, Ireland

St Stephen’s Green

Right in the heart of Dublin city, this beautiful Victorian park has tree-lined walks, ornamental lakes, and pretty sculptures. Keep pups on the leash in the central floral areas and around flower beds, and note that they’re not allowed in the playground or near the lake and fountains.

Location: St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland

St Patrick’s Park

This peaceful little park is a popular spot for a leisurely stroll with your pup. Enjoy views of St. Patrick’s Cathedral from the outside as you wander through this pretty green space.

Location: Bull Alley St, Dublin, Ireland

Marlay Park

While famous for hosting huge concerts, Marlay Park is also a great destination for a day out with your dog. This sprawling park features a designated off-leash area where furry friends can run free and make new pals.

Location: Grange Rd, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, D14 Y6X5, Ireland

Merrion Square

Take a detour from the lush green lawns in this relaxing park to show Fido the famous Oscar Wilde statue and the Joker’s Chair.

Location: 1 Merrion Square E, Dublin, Ireland

St Anne's Park

This gorgeous green space covers 240 acres and is known for its manicured gardens, expansive woodland, and historical connections. Explore ornamental follies like the Clocktower & Fairy Door Tree, and head here on a Saturday to catch the farmer’s market.

Location: Clontarf East, Dublin, Ireland

A dog on the beach in Dublin

Other dog-friendly activities, Dublin

Beyond parks and pubs, Dublin offers some unique experiences for you and your dog to enjoy together.

Take a trip to Howth

Just outside Dublin, Howth is a beautiful spot for cliff walks, incredible views, and gorgeous beaches. Be sure to pop into The Dog House Blues Tea Room Restaurant, a comfortable, dog-friendly spot serving everything from fish to paninis.

Location: Howth Dart Station, Howth Rd, Howth, Dublin, Ireland

Go on a tour

For a truly meaningful experience, try a walking tour with Secret Street Tours. This non-profit welcomes dogs (just give them a heads-up when booking!). Led by guides who’ve been affected by homelessness, you’ll learn their story as you explore Dublin’s cultural and historical landmarks.

Location: Apt 48 The Windmill, Windmill Ln, Co. Dublin, D02 DX40, Ireland

Ruff Café

The motto here, “All dogs welcome. Humans allowed,” says it all! Run by the resident pup, Calypso, Ruff Café has an agility area right out front, where furry friends can play while their humans sip coffee nearby. Pups are treated to water, puppuccinos, and pupcakes, plus there’s a walking track nearby for extra leg stretching.

Location: Mount Venus Rd, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, D16 F9C4, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire Sunday Market

Head to the People’s Park on a Sunday to explore stalls brimming with crafts, delicious food, fresh veggies, and books – all with your furry friend by your side.

Location: The People's Park, Glenageary Rd Lower, Glenageary, Co. Dublin, Ireland

Tips for pet parents in Dublin

Check the leash & park rules

Most of the parks in Dublin require pups to be on a leash unless in designated off-leash zones. Always check the signs at the park entrance – they’ll tell you where dogs can roam freely and where they need to stay on leash.

Restricted breeds & muzzles

If your dog’s on Ireland’s "restricted breeds" list (like certain Mastiffs, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, etc.), they must be muzzled and kept on a strong, short leash (under 2 meters) by a person over 16 years old in any public place.

Find a pet sitter

If you’re planning a trip away from Dublin and can’t take your furry family member, why not leave them safe and happy at home with a trusted sitter? They’ll be able to stick to the routine they know and love with one-on-one attention, giving you peace of mind while you’re away.

Find out more

Tips for pet sitters in Dublin

Scoop the poop

Dublin City Council is serious about dog poop, so always carry plenty of poop bags and dispose of it properly.

Take the tram

While Dublin’s buses generally don't allow pets (unless they’re assistance dogs), trains and the Luas (tram) are more accommodating for smaller dogs if they’re in a carrier or, for some trains, on a leash and muzzled. Always check Irish Rail or Luas rules before you travel, as specific conditions apply.

Try house and pet sitting

If you adore animals and are looking for a unique way to experience Dublin (or anywhere!), why not become a house and pet sitter? You can exchange in-home pet care for a place to stay all over the world – find out more in the link below.