Dog-Friendly Patios in New Orleans: Where Pets Can Join

Dog-friendly patios in New Orleans are easy to find if you pick the right kind of place: casual counters and neighborhood bars with outdoor tables, where a leashed dog can lie under the bench. A recent regional magazine named three that are also easy to reach, from Mid-City to Freret Street to the Warehouse District.

Where are dog-friendly patios in New Orleans?

NOLA Family magazine listed eight dog-friendly places, and three of them were confirmed by a second independent source. Policies and menus change, so call before you go and ask about leashes, water bowls and busy hours.

• A Bayou St. John po-boy shop with counter ordering has a spacious, covered outdoor patio that the magazine called dog-friendly.
• Dat Dog has pet-friendly outdoor tables at its Freret Street and Magazine Street locations, and sells sausages, burgers and vegan options.
• A Warehouse District bar and restaurant welcomes dogs in its indoor and outdoor seating and, per the magazine, has a dog menu, so it is worth a call to ask what is on it and which tables suit a dog.

These are not rankings. They are places that a magazine and a second source both describe as open.

What makes a good dog friendly courtyard in New Orleans?

A courtyard works for a dog when there is shade, a floor that is not scorching, enough space between tables and a door that does not open onto a busy sidewalk. New Orleans summers are hot, so shade and water matter most. A courtyard off a street is often quieter than a sidewalk table, though it may be crowded on weekends. Think about the other guests too: a table by the door sees the most foot traffic, while a corner gives a nervous dog a wall to lean on.

Look for staff who are relaxed about dogs, and for tables where you can keep the leash short without blocking a walkway. If your dog is nervous, an off-peak hour is kinder to both of you.

What does the Dog-Friendly tag mean?

Dog-Friendly is a tag a rater can add to a rating. It records the rater's experience, such as dogs welcomed on the outdoor tables, and it helps other diners who filter for it. It is not a promise by the place, a rule or a guarantee, so confirm any policy before you travel with a pet.

A tag also depends on the person who adds it. Add it only when the visit showed it: the dog was welcome, water was offered, the staff did not mind.

How do you find New Orleans outdoor seating?

Outdoor seating covers patios, courtyards, sidewalk tables and covered porches. Look at photographs, read what raters say about shade and noise, and check weather before you set out. In summer, an evening table beats a lunch table, and in winter a patio with heaters beats one without.

For neighborhoods with plenty of outdoor tables, the Freret Street guide and the Warehouse District guide are good starting points, and the Mid-City guide covers the Bayou St. John area.

Can you have brunch with a dog in New Orleans?

Yes, but plan around the weekend rush. Brunch is the busiest meal for patios, and a long wait on a hot sidewalk is hard on a dog. Arrive early, ask for a shaded table and bring a bowl if you are unsure the place will supply one. A place that is calm on a weekday morning may be crowded on Sunday.

If you are not sure about a place, call and ask whether dogs are welcome on the patio that day. A short question saves a long walk.

Hot pavement is a real risk for paws in a New Orleans summer. Press the back of your hand to the ground for a few seconds, and if it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog. Evening tables, covered courtyards and grassy corners are kinder choices than a sun-baked sidewalk. Carry water, offer it often, and watch for panting, slowing down or seeking shade, which are signs that it is time to leave.

How do you rate the visit and tag your dog's outing?

Rate the food first. In the Mosey app only the place and stars are needed, and "Tags earn badges and help people find this place" is where you add Dog-Friendly or Outdoor seating if the visit showed it. Name the dish in the rating, too, so the note is useful later.

A list called Dog days keeps the places that worked together, and you can share it with a friend who has a dog of their own. What you see from the people you follow comes from friends and raters you chose, and you can unfollow anyone whose taste does not match yours.

Where next in the city?

If the dog is joining a parade-day picnic, the Mardi Gras day food guide has a plan for eating on the move, and the po-boys and muffulettas guide explains what to order at a counter. The New Orleans hub lists every page for the city, and the US food guides cover the rest.

Take the Mosey app on your next walk with the dog, rate each dish by the dish and add the Dog-Friendly tag when the visit earned it.