Not all dog-friendly pubs are created equal. Some tolerate dogs; others genuinely love them. We have found the pubs that keep treats behind the bar, water bowls by the door, and staff who will greet your dog before they greet you.
London is, by most measures, an excellent city for pub-going dog owners. The majority of traditional pubs will let you bring a well-behaved dog into the bar area, and many actively encourage it. But there is a meaningful difference between a pub that grudgingly allows dogs and one that has a jar of biscuits on the counter, water bowls by every door, and staff who remember your dog's name before they remember yours.
This guide focuses on the latter. We have visited dozens of pubs across London with dogs in tow and ranked them on what actually matters: are dogs allowed everywhere or just the bar? Are there water bowls? Treats? A garden? Can you eat with your dog next to you? And most importantly, does your dog actually seem happy to be there?
What to Look For in a Dog-Friendly Pub
Before we get to our picks, here is what separates a truly dog-friendly pub from one that merely tolerates your four-legged companion.
- Water bowls by the entrance and in the garden, refilled regularly
- Dog treats behind the bar, offered without you having to ask
- Dogs allowed in all areas, not just banished to a corner of the bar
- A beer garden or outdoor space where dogs can stretch out
- Staff who actively engage with dogs rather than ignoring them
- Proximity to a park or green space for pre- and post-pub walks
- Other dogs already there, which is always a good sign
Our Top 10 Dog-Friendly London Pubs
If we could only recommend one dog-friendly pub in London, it would be this one. The name alone tells you something. Staff provide water bowls, treats and genuine affection for every dog that walks through the door. The charming Barnes village setting is perfect for a post-walk pint, and the food is refined but unpretentious. This is a pub that was named after a dog and lives up to it.
Treats at bar
Water bowls
Beer garden
Great food
One of London's greatest gastropubs and a dog paradise rolled into one. They keep dog biscuits behind the bar and your pooch will be welcomed like a regular from the moment you walk in. Right at the edge of Hampstead Heath, so you can combine a long walk with exceptional food. The bone marrow is for you. The biscuits are for the dog.
Dog biscuits at bar
Near Hampstead Heath
Exceptional food
Perched on the edge of Hampstead Heath since 1585, this is the ultimate post-walk pub. The sprawling beer garden on a summer afternoon is a sea of happy dogs and happy owners. The pub genuinely loves dogs. Water bowls are everywhere. On sunny weekends, you will see more dogs than people, which is exactly the kind of ratio we are looking for.
Huge beer garden
Hampstead Heath walks
Water bowls everywhere
Sunday roast
A lovely canal-side pub in Islington overlooking Regent's Canal with terrace seating by the water. Dog bowls and treats are always available, making it popular with canal-path walkers and their dogs. The towpath walk to and from the pub is idyllic, and watching the narrowboats glide past with your dog at your feet is a very specific kind of London happiness.
Canal-side terrace
Dog bowls provided
Towpath walks
A singular pub dedicated entirely to cask ales and ciders from independent British producers. No lager. No cocktails. No TV. Just brilliant beer, pork pies and a piano in the corner. Dogs are welcome and the relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere means your dog can settle under the table with no fuss. Near Hampstead Heath for walkies before or after.
Cask ales only
Beer garden
Near Hampstead Heath
No-fuss vibe
A wonderfully characterful backstreet pub with beautiful Victorian tilework, friendly regulars and a Thai kitchen out back. Dogs are part of the furniture here. The relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere means nobody bats an eyelid, and the small beer garden gives dogs some outdoor space. The Thai food is genuinely excellent too.
Victorian character
Beer garden
Thai food
Friendly regulars
The pub that inspired George Orwell's essay on the perfect pub, hidden on Compton Avenue in Canonbury, feels like a village pub accidentally dropped in N1. The lovely beer garden is perfect for dogs, and the timeless, unhurried atmosphere means your dog can nap under the table for as long as you like. Nobody is in a rush here, least of all the dogs.
Orwell's inspiration
Village feel
Beer garden
Timeless atmosphere
One of North London's best beer gardens: vast, tree-lined, with fairy lights and summer BBQs. Dogs have plenty of space to wander and socialise. Near Regent's Park, so you can combine a proper park walk with a garden session. The garden is so big that even on a packed summer Saturday, dogs have room to breathe.
Huge beer garden
Near Regent's Park
Fairy lights
Summer BBQs
Perched on the edge of London Fields with a prime terrace overlooking the park. Dogs are welcome inside and out. On a sunny afternoon, the terrace is full of dogs watching the cricket and people-watching with their owners. The relaxed Hackney vibe means nobody minds a muddy paw or two.
London Fields views
Park-side terrace
Relaxed vibe
Possibly London's most photographed pub, dripping in flowers outside and packed with Churchill memorabilia inside. Dogs are welcome in the bar area and the staff are friendly to all visitors, two-legged and four. The Thai kitchen at the back serves some of the best affordable Thai food in London, should you need fuel.
Iconic exterior
Thai kitchen
Kensington location
Friendly staff
Tips for Pub Visits with Your Dog
Even the most dog-friendly pub has unwritten rules. Following them will ensure everyone, including your dog, has a good time.
Before you go
Give your dog a proper walk first. A tired dog is a well-behaved pub dog. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise before you settle in. This is especially important at pubs near parks like Hampstead Heath or London Fields, where you can combine the walk with the pub visit naturally.
At the pub
Keep your dog on a lead initially until they settle. Bring a favourite blanket or mat if your dog likes to nest. Let your dog approach other dogs if both owners are happy, but do not assume every dog wants to socialise. If your dog is nervous around crowds, weekday afternoons are quieter than weekend sessions.
Etiquette
Do not let your dog beg at other tables. Clean up any accidents immediately and tell staff. If your dog is vocal, the beer garden is usually better than inside. And always ask before heading into the dining area, as some pubs allow dogs in the bar but not where food is being served.
Our directory marks every dog-friendly pub with a clear tag, so you can filter specifically for pubs that welcome dogs. Over 60 of our 100+ pubs are dog-friendly, so you are never far from a good option.
The Best Areas for Dog Pub Crawls
Some areas of London are disproportionately good for dog-friendly pub crawling. Hampstead and Highgate top the list, with nearly every pub welcoming dogs and Hampstead Heath providing the perfect walking route between them. Islington's canal path is another excellent option, linking The Narrowboat with other dog-friendly pubs along the towpath. In East London, the pubs around London Fields and Victoria Park are consistently dog-welcoming.
West London's riverside pubs from Hammersmith to Chiswick are also excellent, with the Thames Path providing a scenic route between dog-friendly stops like The Dove, The Black Lion and The Bell & Crown. Combine the walk with the pubs and your dog will sleep very well that evening.
Filter by dog-friendly in our directory
Use the Dog Friendly filter in the main London Pub Guide to find all 60+ pubs that welcome dogs, complete with tips and nearby park suggestions.
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