9 best Charlotte restaurant patios where your pup can tag along

Becoming a dog mom made me want to take my pup everywhere even though he wasn’t fully trained. Now that my pup is officially legal, in dog years he’s only three, I’ve revisited the idea of him hanging with the big dogs (me).

Here are nine of Charlotte’s best patios to elevate their dining experience from kibble in the sunroom to treats in the sun with a way better view. 

1. Make your dog smile

Both you and your furry friend can be catered to through two separate menus at Angry Ale’s, with tasty bites for you and pet cuisine for your pup.

• Options for your dog include burger, chicken and bacon options. Treat your dog to dessert with the puppy latte (whipped cream in a cup) to complete the meal. 
• Pro tip: The dog menu would be your best option for keeping your pet’s paws off your plate.

2. Keep it cool

With many locations in the Charlotte area, you’re bound to find a Hawthorne’s Pizza spot for you and you pup to enjoy a meal.

• The patio has ceiling fans, an important touch given the recent heat wave, and plenty of seating.  

3. Get fancy

Fiamma, located in the same strip as Ru San’s, has upscale Italian food so you and your pup should arrive in your Sunday best. 

• Pro tip: The menu options are a bit pricey so this would be the ideal place to go when someone else is picking up the tab.

4. Make it a fiesta

At Cantina 1511, it may be hard to keep your puppy’s snout away with the delicious smell of baja tacos or fajitas but hopefully there will be enough excitement just hanging out on a large pet friendly porch.

• Pro tip: Grab your friends with pups and make it a party with $5 Casa Cantina Margaritas any day of the week.

5. Change the tide

Home to some of the best Oysters in Charlotte and a fairly spacious patio for your dog, you’re bound to expose your dog to a different aroma compared to the salmon from your weekday meal prep, at ROCKSALT. 

• Pro tip: Be careful sharing any raw fish with your pup as it can cause parasitic infections. 

6. Speed it up

Between all the brisket or grilled wing smells floating around and the patio itself, your pup is bound to have increased dopamine levels at Mac’s Speed Shop. 

• Axios tip: The Charlotte locations are fairly busy, but thankfully there are many locations across the area in case you’re considering going on a busy night.

7. Quality time

It’s pretty rare to find a sushi restaurant that allows dogs, so Sushi 101 was definitely worth mentioning. There isn’t a full patio but there are a few tables outside for you to grab a quick bite to eat.

• This is the most ideal restaurant option if your dog is a little shy or you’re warming up them up to the idea of outdoor meal experiences. 

8. Korean BBQ and play

Enjoy ramen mac and cheese while your dog has a field day on this mini playground of a patio, at Seoul Food Meat Company. 

• There is a covered dog park on site, which is a part of the restaurant, for your pup to play.
• Pro tip: There’s always a few dogs on site so if your dog loves to mingle make sure they drink plenty of water.

9. Go out to brunch

We’re all enjoying brunch and leaving the pups at home to miss out on all the fun. Take them to Zada Jane’s, and order tasty biscuits and allow your dog to bask in the enormous patio.

• In case you’re planning on keeping your group brunch plans, this patio also features shuffleboard courts for everyone to play.

Editor’s note: This story was first published in 2016 and updated in June 2022.