Leaving your pup at home while you hit the town for date night can bring about some serious feelings. All dog owners can agree on one thing… It’s tough to consistently leave our furry family members behind, especially with those puppy-dog eyes. Our list of dog-friendly date ideas where your pup is a warmly welcomed addition will help keep tails wagging.
Dine, drink, play, and stay or have a getaway with the whole family, Fido included.
Dog-Friendly Date Ideas for Neighborhood Dining
Here are a few areas around town to sit and stay awhile, some with special pet perks.
Winter Park
Park Avenue in Winter Park is one of the most dog-friendly places in all of Greater Orlando. Numerous boutiques and restaurants leave bowls of treats and water out on the sidewalk, and nearly every restaurant with an outdoor seating area is pet-friendly.
View our list of dog-friendly restaurants in Winter Park and Maitland to plan an outing.
Additionally, the weekly Winter Park Farmers' Market is dog-friendly.
Clermont and Winter Garden
Another charming part of town puts two neighborhoods close together. It's hard to choose which we like better for a date night, so we put together a list of dog-friendly restaurants in Clermont and Winter Garden.
Greater Orlando
Of course, the Orlando proper area has plenty of options. From downtown Orlando hot spots to nearby neighborhoods in the metro area, there are lots of places for a date night or date day. Browse our guide to dog-friendly restaurants in Orlando.
Celebration
Like Park Avenue in Winter Park, Celebration is a welcoming, dog-friendly district. There are paved walking trails and boardwalks weaving around tranquil lakes, a dog-friendly boutique, restaurants with ample outdoor seating, and plenty of places to stop for water. You’ll find courtesy doggie bags along the trails in case you forget yours at home.
Dog-Gone Dining Options
BarkHaven
- Address: 724 Brookhaven Dr., Orlando, FL 32803
- Phone: (407) 787-2275
If your perfect day includes good food, refreshing drinks and plenty of tail wags, BarkHaven is a must-visit in Orlando. Located in Ivanhoe Village along the Orlando Urban Trail, this unique dog-friendly hangout combines a bar and restaurant with an off-leash dog park, making it a favorite gathering spot for pups and their people alike.
While four-legged visitors romp and socialize in the supervised play area, humans can kick back with craft cocktails, local brews, coffee, or a bite to eat. Whether you're meeting fellow dog lovers or simply looking for a fun place to unwind with your furry best friend, BarkHaven proves that every outing is better when it's paws-itively dog-friendly.
Highball & Harvest
- Address: 4012 Central Florida Pkwy., Orlando, FL 32837
- Phone: (407) 393-4422
Soak up lake views on the spacious, covered terrace at Highball & Harvest, located at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. The entire patio area offers a dog-friendly dining experience. Wow, it's fancy and Fido-friendly… score!
Reyes Mezcalería
- Address: 821 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
- Phone: (407) 868-9007
In addition to Seito Sushi and The Osprey Tavern in Baldwin Park, Jason & Sue Chin’s other restaurant, Reyes Mezcaleria, also offers dog-friendly outdoor dining in downtown Orlando. The patio has undergone some improvements to become more dog-friendly.
World of Beer
- Address: 431 E. Central Blvd. Ste b, Orlando, FL 32801
- Phone: (407) 270-5541
At World of Beer's downtown location, the back patio is dog-friendly and offers a picturesque view of Lake Eola. After your meal, take a walk around Lake Eola Park, another notoriously dog-friendly spot downtown.
Yellow Dog Eats
- Address: 1236 Hempel Ave., Windermere, FL 34786
- Phone: (407) 296-0609
Chow down on an epic (if slightly messy) sandwich creation at this restaurant while your pup hangs out by your side. The spacious outdoor patio in the rear of the restaurant is dog-friendly.
More Dog-Friendly Dining:
- Palm Beach Meats
- Vanberry's Public House
- The Porch
- Mia's Italian Kitchen
- Delaney's Tavern
- The Whiskey
- The Monroe
- Hangry Bison
- The Acre
Note: Some restaurants list their pet policy in the FAQ section of their website but, when in doubt, call ahead and ask.
Dog-Friendly Date Ideas for Drinks
Sip some brews and relax with your pooch at these welcoming establishments.
Playalinda Brewing Company
- Address: 5220 S. Washington Ave., Titusville, FL 32780
- Phone: (321) 567-5974
Both Playalinda Brewing Company locations in Titusville invite you to drink with your pup in tow. At the Hardware Store location, dogs are allowed out front on the patio. The Brix Project location boasts house-made dog treats made with peanut butter, bacon scraps, and spent grain leftovers. Dogs are allowed in the beer garden at this location.
Bonus: brunch is served Sundays from 10am-1pm!
Wop's Hops Brewing Company
- Address: 419 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford, FL 32771
- Phone: (407) 878-7819
Make your way to Historic Downtown Sanford to visit this neighborhood brewery that is so dog-friendly they've crafted an entire dog menu. While you sip a refreshing craft beer and indulge in a famous “Wop-Sicle” (meatball on a stick), your pooch can lap up Bowser Beer (no hops, dog-safe beer with glucosamine) and chow down on diced chicken breast, mut-ball meatballs, and bow-wow bacon. You can even get your dog a six-pack of dog-friendly beer to take home.
More Dog-Friendly Breweries:
- Crooked Can Brewing Company (outdoor patio)
- Rockpit Brewing & Distillery
- Ivanhoe Park Brewing
- Runabout Brewing
- Hourglass Brewing
- Tacticle Brewing
Dog-Friendly Date Ideas to Play
Sidecar Social
- Address: 9526 Tavistock Lakes Blvd., Orlando, FL 32827
- Phone: (310) 303-1515
Wanna give your four-legged best friend an adventure? Hop aboard a dog-friendly bicycle with Sidecar Social Bikes, where dogs get the VIP treatment (Very Important Pup). Their unique electric bikes feature cozy sidecars designed especially for canine passengers, making it easy to cruise the scenic trails in Winter Garden, Lake Nona, Baldwin Park, and nearby Dunedin. With safety gear, pet-friendly amenities, and plenty of tail-wagging photo opportunities along the way, it's an unforgettable adventure for you, your date and your furry co-pilot.
Puppy Paddle with Epic Paddle
- Address: Lake Ivanhoe, 1600 North Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32804
- Phone: (407) 300-8781
Doggie paddle… we’re not talking about the formative swim stroke of our youth. We really mean paddling with pooches! Jenny Wright, who co-owns Epic Paddle Adventures, shared, “We and our guides have multiple dogs that we ‘loan out’ for the Puppy Paddle sessions.” If preferred, paddlers are welcome to bring their own pup along for the ride (dog life vests are provided).
The two-hour tail-wagging time is typically led on Lake Ivanhoe, right off Ivanhoe Village. Paddlers love to feel the wind in their hair while on the open water and, as it turns out, so do dogs. According to Wright, a partner puppy likely feels as though it’s sticking its head out of a window, enjoying the breeze. When you’re doggoned tired from floating with Fido, guides like to join paddlers at The Lucky Lure, which has a dog-friendly porch.
Dinosaur World
- Address: 5145 Harvey Tew Rd., Plant City, FL 33565
- Phone: (813) 717-9865
True, Dinosaur World is slightly kitschy, but this dinosaur-themed park in Plant City welcomes dogs of all sizes as long as they are on a leash and well-behaved. Let this be your excuse to reconnect with your inner child for the day. Admission is $26+ for humans and free for dogs.
After your visit, make your way to Keel & Curley Winery/Two Henry's Brewing for craft beer, wine, and bar fare. The covered outdoor patio of this adult beverage locale is dog-friendly.
Ft. De Soto Dog Beach
- Address: St. Petersburg, FL 33715
- Phone: (727) 582-2267
Make the 2-hour drive from Orlando for a beach day that won’t require you to leave your dog behind. The Paw Playground located within Ft. De Soto Park (south of Saint Petersburg) features a dog beach in addition to fenced in play areas. Dogs are welcomed (on a 6-foot leash) in the rest of the park, with the exception of the other beach areas. Locals rank this beach as one of the best dog-friendly date ideas.
Mennello Museum of American Art
- Address: 900 E. Princeton St., Orlando, FL 32803
- Phone: (407) 246-4278
Appreciate art with your favorite sidekick in tow by visiting the Sculpture Garden at the Mennello Museum of American Art. The outdoor garden is so dog-friendly they offer a special Pet Membership for your furry family members. The membership includes a personalized membership ID, a discount to participating pet businesses, free and/or discounted admission to pet events, a photo of your pup on the museum's pet membership page, and a free dog bag dispenser.
Mead Gardens
- Address: 1300 S. Denning Dr., Winter Park, FL 32789
- Phone: (407) 622-6323
This peaceful garden offers free admission and pets are always welcome. Quiet trails, boardwalks, and a butterfly garden create a quiet and tranquil space. There are plenty of places to set up a picnic for extra date appeal…as long as you don’t mind the company of a fluffy third wheel.
More Dog-Friendly Date Ideas
Dog-Friendly Date Ideas for a Stay or Getaway
Instead of leaving your dog at the kennel, take a weekend getaway together where everyone is welcome. Check our full guide to dog-friendly hotels in Orlando for more ideas.
Stay: The Alfond Inn
- Address: 300 E. New England Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789
- Phone: (407) 998-8090
The Alfond Inn offers plenty of dog-friendly date ideas. This posh, yet approachable hotel in Winter Park is one of our favorite staycation ideas for Orlando couples.
Getaway: St. Augustine
St. Augustine offers a wide variety of accommodations, restaurants, and activities that allow dogs. The St. George Inn is pet-friendly (up to 25 lbs.) and located on historic St. George Street.
Our list of pet-friendly getaways for couples has even more ideas.
Feature image credit: Orlando Brewing
