Posted on 11/29/2024

11 Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Galveston

Besides the Gulf Coast beaches, fun-filled family attractions, and charming Downtown Cultural Arts District, there’s an extra reason to love Galveston — the island just so happens to be super pet-friendly! If you can’t bear to leave your furry family member at home while you vacation in Galveston, we’ve rounded up dog-friendly restaurants where you and Fido can eat together in the Gulf breezes.

Whether you're craving Cajun classics, a seafood brunch, or a refreshing craft beer, these restaurants offer a welcoming atmosphere and fantastic food that both humans and dogs can enjoy.

Looking for the perfect place to stay with your furry family member? Many of our pet-friendly vacation rentals boast great amenities like large decks, open floor plans, and yards for the pup to run around.

Keep reading for the best spots to take your four legged bestie out for a meal!


1. Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar

Photo Credit: SYED IBAD RM

The aroma of New Orleans flavors will get you and your pooch’s mouths watering as you walk up to Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar. This Downtown Galveston eatery in the Postoffice District is known for its festive atmosphere and offers a dog-friendly patio to eat with the pups.

On the menu, you’ll find everything from burgers to Louisiana favorites like po-boy sandwiches, gumbo, jambalaya, and huge seafood platters of fried shrimp, oysters, and fish filets. You can also try fried alligator served atop a pile of fried pickles!


2. MOD Coffeehouse

Photo Credit: Witthaya Sumdaengphai

The outdoor patio at MOD Coffeehouse is one of the prettiest in Downtown Galveston, with seating under a long pergola shaded by thick greenery. It’s the perfect spot to sit outside with the doggo and people watch.

The menu of espresso drinks here is excellent and extensive, with specialties like the El Diablo latte with mocha and cayenne flavors and the Hummingbird Latte with coconut, lavender, and raspberry syrups. On hot days, you can also opt for “freeze” versions of most drinks or fruity smoothies and shakes.


3. Shrimp N’ Stuff

Photo Credit: Foodio

Shrimp N’ Stuff has a few Galveston locations, including a food truck in Jamaica Beach, but the Avenue O location is particularly dog-friendly. The partially shaded outdoor seating has overhead fans and picnic table seating.

Lunch and dinner platters of fried catfish, coconut shrimp, crawfish, and other seafood varieties come with hushpuppies and sides like coleslaw, spicy potatoes, and bean relish.


4. ShyKatz Deli and Bakery

Photo Credit: Charles Brutlag

  • 1528 Avenue L, Galveston, TX
  • shykatz.com
  • $$
  • Casual breakfast and lunch cafe and deli

Kitties aren’t the only four-legged friend you’ll see around ShyKatz Deli and Bakery. The pup-friendly patio has cozy picnic tables and a colorful mural wall on the side of the building.

ShyKatz serves a full breakfast menu of pancakes, omelets, migas, and more, plus salads, sandwiches, and burgers for lunch. Locals love the Kat’s Club, a turkey, ham, and bacon club sandwich with avocado, and the Katastrophic, a buttermilk biscuit topped with ham, cheddar, eggs, sausage gravy, and fries.


5. Sunflower Bakery and Cafe

Photo Credit: DronG

The Sunflower Bakery and Cafe in the historic East End of Galveston is a great spot to take the pooch for breakfast or lunch on the restaurant’s patio. This restaurant is one of the top brunch spots on the island, with delicious Tex-Mex and coastal dishes like green chile pork and eggs, huevos rancheros, migas, oysters benedict, and Texas crab cakes.


6. The West End Marina and Restaurants

Photo Credit: Brent Hofacker

If you’re looking for somewhere to take your furry family member on the West End of the island, this bar and restaurant is just the place. The West End Marina has an outdoor patio upstairs and the casual Sandbar downstairs. Come for beachy drinks like the Marina Mai Tai and Pirate Punch with spiced rum or for fresh seafood like Gulf red snapper and Cajun nachos topped with shrimp.


7. Galveston Island Brewing

Photo Credit: from my point of view

Grab your four-legged friend and head over to Galveston Island Brewing, just a block from the beach on the West End. An 18-tap wall in the tap room consists entirely of drinks brewed onsite, like the signature TIKI Wheat and other rotating and seasonal options.

The tap room, outdoor patio, and yard are dog and kid-friendly (there’s even a playground). The food menu is simple but delicious and includes a selection of sandwiches, soft pretzels, and ice cream.


8. Yaga’s Cafe

Photo Credit: itsrawchris

  • 2314 The Strand, Galveston, TX
  • yagascafe.com
  • $$
  • Beachy cocktails and casual bites

Fruity cocktails, live music, good eats, pup-friendly — there’s a lot to love about Yaga’s Cafe. Located on The Strand, the restaurant is popular with visitors to the island, so watch for cruise crowds when the ships are docked.

The patio here offers great views of the neighboring Saengerfest Park and its colorful murals, and the food is infused with Tex-Mex and Cajun flavors. You’ll find everything from seafood appetizers to burgers and sandwiches to hand-tossed pizzas on the menu.


9. Katie’s Seafood House

Photo Credit: The Image Party

Katie’s Seafood House is one of the best spots to bring the doggo along for lunch or dinner right on the Galveston Channel. You can sit with the dog on the deck, which is a great choice for its views of the waterfront.

The restaurant is close to popular attractions like The Strand and Pier 21 and serves locally-sourced seafood dishes. For a true boat-to-table experience, you can order the catch of the day and customize how it’s cooked — blackened Creole-style, German schnitzel seared, and Caribbean jerk seasoned are all on the menu.


10. Mosquito Cafe

Photo Credit: Nitr

Mosquito Cafe is a favorite breakfast and lunch spot for visitors and locals alike. The shady patio is dog friendly, and staff will bring a water bowl for your pooch. Humans will love digging into brunch specialties like the Mosquito Benedict, a fresh-baked scone topped with poached eggs, shrimp, and veggies, or the Breakfast Bowl of roasted potatoes, hickory-smoked bacon, over-easy eggs, and mozzarella.


11. Stuttgarden Tavern

Photo Credit: Radoxist studio

Known for its craft beer, craft cocktails, and craft food, Stuttgarden Tavern offers a taste of Germany in Galveston and has a patio perfect for dining with your hund. The bar here keeps 46 beers on tap, including domestic, German, and craft varieties, and the cocktail menu offers beachy blends like the Galveston Island Tea and a Key Lime Martini.

For European-inspired eats, dig into the fried sauerkraut balls, the Irish nachos (minced meat loaded waffle fries), bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, or fish and chips. The bratwurst here is a can’t miss — it’s made in house and served atop Hawaiian rolls with customizable toppings like mushroom and gouda or caramelized sauerkraut and relish.


Dog-Friendly Dining in Galveston

Galveston has plenty of great spots where you and your furry friend can dine together! From cozy coffee houses to waterfront seafood joints, dog-friendly restaurants in Galveston are scattered across the island, making it easy to grab a bite with your pup by your side. While we’ve done our best to puppy-proof this list, rules can change. We encourage you to contact your venue-of-choice directly before loading your excitable VIP (very important pet) up for a ride. Leash up and get ready to explore Galveston’s most pup-friendly patios.

If you need a pet-friendly place to stay, check out these pet friendly vacation rental homes near the beach with space for the whole family (fur babies included!).

Category:   Bars & Restaurants
Previous 12 Best Free Things to Do in Galveston A Visitor’s Guide to East Beach on Galveston Island Next
Search

Search

Categories

Recent Posts