Dog-friendly places to eat in Edinburgh

Scotland is a great holiday destination for dog owners. In this guide, we look at Edinburgh and all the cool places you and the pooch can dine out. We think you and your dog may need some rest and refreshments after exploring Scotland’s amazing capital and its museums, historical sites and famous landmarks such as Arthur’s Seat and Princes Street Gardens. 

Whether you are on the lookout for a sit-down meal in a restaurant, a hearty pub meal with a pint, a slice of cake and energising coffee in a cosy cafe, or a delicious ice cream, there are plenty of places for you and your furry friend to choose from all across Edinburgh. For some inspiration on what foods to try, why not take a read of our comprehensive guide to Scottish food? 

There is so much choice in this dog-friendly city, so read on to find out about some of the best dog-friendly places to eat in Edinburgh. To visit more than one of the places in this guide, why not stay at one of our self-catering holiday cottages? Click on the button below to find out more.

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Dog-friendly restaurants in Edinburgh

Many of Edinburgh’s eateries are dog-friendly, welcoming in pooches with a bowl of water and the occasional treat. In most cases your pooches are OK to curl up at your feet, table side while they wait for the odd scrap of lunch from your plate. Here is a selection of the nicest dog-friendly restaurants in Edinburgh.

The Waiting Room  

This is a lovely dog-friendly restaurant set in a historic train station waiting room in the affluent suburb of Morningside, with its impressive Georgian-era buildings and pretty shop fronts. The Waiting Room is well-known for its friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere, this is a popular eatery for locals and tourists alike. With a fabulous array of cocktails to enjoy, lots of time could be spent soaking up the atmosphere. For dogs there are plenty of quiet corners that your pet would find suitable for a nap.

Badger & Co

If you are looking for something a little different, then Badger & Co is the place to be. With a quirky and atmospheric interior and delicious food up for grabs, this Wind in the Willows-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant is as exciting as it sounds. The hidden outdoor area known as the Sunken Garden is the perfect place to enjoy some food in the great outdoors with the view of Edinburgh Castle. Don’t forget to try one of their creative cocktails. Badger & Co. is very dog-friendly; your furry pal is welcome in the bar area.

The Red Squirrel  

The Red Squirrel is a vibrant gastropub located on Lothian Road, close to all the major attractions of the city. You can expect a welcoming establishment that offers a delicious menu covering every taste, including a great array of vegetarian and vegan options too. With locally sourced ingredients you can expect lovely seasonal dishes along with a large selection of local beers to refuel you for the rest of the day.  

Dog-friendly pubs in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has a good reputation for welcoming pubs. There are plenty throughout the city that are ready to welcome you and your four-legged friend in for a pint and some of the finest pub grub in the country. Here are some of the best dog-friendly pubs in Edinburgh – we even managed to find ones with doggy names.

Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar

We couldn’t resist featuring Edinburgh's most famous dog Greyfriars Bobby. There is a bar named after him, Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar is located right beside the famous statue of the well-known dog. Serving locals and tourists for over 150 years, this dog-friendly pub is home to expert chefs serving up delicious pub food. It’ll definitely get the tails wagging.

The Dog House

The Dog House is a restaurant and bar located in Newington, close to the University of Edinburgh and Arthur’s Seat – the perfect pitstop after a long energetic walk. Expect a vibrant and colourful environment when eating here, with fun lighting, colourful murals and funky drinks displays. With a regular schedule of live music there is a constant happy buzz here and your pooch will love people watching whilst enjoying his own snacks.

Brewdog Edinburgh  

Edinburgh’s branch of the national chain, BrewDog is located just seconds from the famous Royal Mile. Open since 2021, locals and visitors alike come here to enjoy the delicious pizza, burgers and craft beer. A place for friends and families, there is a welcoming vibe that both you and your dog will love.

Dog-friendly cafes in Edinburgh 

Did you know that (at the time of writing) Edinburgh has 232 cafes in the city and 92 of them are listed as being dog friendly? This means there is plenty of choice when it comes to hunting down the perfect cup of coffee with your pup. Here are some of the best dog-friendly cafes in Edinburgh. We can’t promise all of them will offer a ‘puppicino’, but it’s worth asking while you are there. 

Honeycomb & Co. 

This is a cute and cosy cafe serving up delicious snack-style food and homemade baking. Along with hot coffee, there’s an array of teas and scrumptious hot chocolates to choose from, promising that you will leave feeling full and happy. The interior will make you smile with its honey-coloured furniture and pretty artwork on the walls, and there is plenty of space around the tables for the pooch to take a rest. Tickle the taste buds with the delicious cakes ranging from blueberry loaf and Scottish cheddar scones to mango and coconut sponge.

Mayvn Cafe

Why not take the pooch on a cosmopolitan adventure and visit Edinburgh’s most affluent street? Here you are close to Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh Castle and all the popular city centre attractions. Mayvn Cafe is a lively place serving up coffee, wine, beer and cocktails and its simple yet stylish interior creates a wonderful space to come and relax with a good book, chill with a coffee or catch up on some much-needed rest.  

The Old Spence 

If you are looking for a traditional city cafe which serves up honest food and specialty coffee then The Old Spence is the place for you. Set in Leith, a pretty port district to the north of the city, this is a friendly spot set in a historical building. Take a stroll along the waters of Leith and admire all the moored boats before visiting this hidden gem. You can enjoy hot coffee, waffles, sticky buns, pastries and puddings whilst people watching from the window, or enjoying the sunshine on the street outside.  

Stay at a dog-friendly cottage in Edinburgh

We hope you have enjoyed discovering some of these amazing dog-friendly places to eat in Edinburgh, all of which are lovely stop offs between your adventures. 

If we have inspired you to come to Edinburgh why not check out our great range of pawfect pads set up for you and the dog to have a tremendous stay in Scotland’s capital?