The dog owner’s guide to Austin
All the places, people, and businesses you need to live your best life in the unofficial city of dogs.
It’s hard not to love Austin if you have even the slightest bit of adoration for dogs. Everywhere you turn, there’s seemingly a fresh new patch of plush green grass for your dog to run free. In this city, dogs count as guests and plus-ones just as much as their humans do — Austin and dogs are a package deal. It’s like round-the-clock serotonin.
Whether you’re planning a (safe) weekend trip or looking for the new local scoop, consider this your Maev-approved list of dog owner favorites in The Live Music Capital of the World. And trust us, there’s something for every size, breed, age, and personality under the sun.
Dog-Friendly Restaurants & Bars
For every dog-friendly city, there’s a few hundred (thousand) dog-friendly restaurants patios to match — and Austin’s full of them. From sprawling backyard patios on the Eastside to even bigger sprawling backyard patios down South, there’s never a shortage of spots (or dogs) to spend a day with.
Spend a whole afternoon moving from patio to patio down Barton Springs Road. Stop by Austin Eastciders for a dressed-up selection of local ciders and plenty of dog friends to play with, or swing next door to Ski Shores for a more casual pitcher. Keep driving out west and you’ll hit Mozart’s Coffee Roasters right along the Lake Austin shoreline. With bottomless coffee all day, killer sunset views, and local artists strumming in the background near always, Mozart’s easily makes our year-round, can’t-go-wrong list.
In South Austin, enjoy any drink you can think of (or a Veracruz taco) at Radio Coffee & Beer or head to crowd favorite Bouldin Acres for a round of pickle ball and Sunday’s game on the big screen. Escaping your WFH desk? Take your dog to work on the quiet-ish patio at Merit Coffee on South Lamar — then transfer to Cosmic Coffee & Beer Garden just in time for happy hour. While you’re there, say hello to the chickens and pond animals that the team at Cosmic raises.
Then there’s the live bands at Banger’s Beer Garden if you’re near Rainey Street District; the two-level, light-strung patio at Bar Peached and the $5 happy hour oyster shooters at Clark’s Oyster Bar if you’re strolling down 5th Street; Lazarus Brewery and Yellow Jacket Social Club while you’re in East Austin; and the #1 pride and joy for every Austin dog owner, Yard Bar.
And, well, for every other patio restaurant that missed this list, it’s likely your dog is welcome there too. Just call ahead of time and make sure they’re on their very best behavior.
Best Local Dog Care & Wellness
Paz Vet is a Maev Team favorite.
For the absolute best hair days in town, visit the family-owned groomers at Clean Critters. It’s affordable, the owners are gentle-handed, and as one homesick ex-Austinite puts it, “they’re one thing I majorly miss.” If you can’t catch an appointment in time, try Dirty Dog on Guadalupe for convenient, self-serve wash stations.
While you’re away, treat your dog to their very own staycation at Austin Pet Ranch, located just perfectly between the beautiful Texas Hill Country and downtown Austin. Daycare at Austin Dogtown is great too — with all the sunlight, stretching room, activities, care, and human friends necessary for a full day of fun.
And most importantly, we dog owners all know that finding the perfect vet takes time and patience — every dog has different needs and takes to different human approaches. To start, our vast community of dog owners have vouched for the gentle and well-trained teams at Thrive Vet, Paz Vet, and Brykerwood Vet Clinic.
Dog-Friendly Parks & Outdoors
When it comes to free space to roam, Austin seems like it was custom-designed for every kind of dog. There are protected parks and luscious lawns all over — downtown classics like the 351-acre, mid-city Zilker Park or the off-leash park at Auditorium Shores (one of the few!). Crisp morning jogs around the Ann and Roy Butler Trail at Lady Bird Lake are musts, too.
And when you’re ready to branch out and explore the more hidden gems of Austin’s great outdoors:
Spend a whole afternoon at the dog-friendly end of local watering hole Barton Springs, appropriately dubbed Barkin’ Springs. Unlike its neighbor, Barkin’ Springs is admission-free and off-leash.
When your dog fancies a windows-down drive through the hills, take the winding City Park Road down to Emma Long Metropolitan Park. Hike, fetch, swim, or even camp — it’s especially picturesque in the fall time.
Visit Red Bud Isle, a full 13 acres of lakefront views and off-leash recreation. You’re bound to meet a dog friend or 6,000.
Please note: Since 2019, a harmful algae bloom called blue-green algae has widely spread through the natural waters of Austin. This algae is particularly harmful to dogs and can even be fatal if left exposure is left untreated. While other waters have been cleared of toxins, we highly recommend that you gauge algae levels before letting your dog swim freely in Lady Bird Lake. Keep watch on Austin’s official algae tracker for the latest updates.
Local Organizations & Shelters to Support
When it comes to protecting our dogs and animals, Austin sure puts its money (and heart) where its mouth is. It’s through the incredible work of local organizations like Austin Pets Alive! and the Austin Humane Society that Austin has remained the largest No Kill city for nine straight years.
Should you have the means, consider supporting their work by donating wishlist items to local shelters, adopt or foster a dog, or become a safe and socially-distanced volunteer.
If you ever find yourself with extra and unopened bags of Maev, we encourage donating to a local shelter. As for the team at Maev, we wholeheartedly love the dogs of Austin and will continue to deepen our work with the communities who protect them.
Did we miss your favorite spot? Comment below and share your wisdom. No gatekeeping here!
