The best dog-friendly restaurants, bars and patios in Chicago

Gorge on heaps of housemade pasta on this Wicker Park restaurant's plant-lined patio, which happily welcomes canine companions for lunch and dinner. The space received a major upgrade at the end of last summer, adding cushioned seats and a retractable roof to keep it open rain or shine.

Big Star's patio is great, but it's infinitely better when you bump into a cute furry friend. Bring your dog, eat some tacos and drink some margaritas till the sun goes down. Pups are also welcome at Big Star West Town. Heads up that if you're going to the Wrigleyville location, you'll need to notify the restaurant you're bringing a dog when you make a reservation.

Enjoy views of the Ogden Slip at Robert’s Pizza and Dough Co., where boaters pull right up to the docks to grab a pie to go. Share a pitcher of sangria and pizza topped with seafood, fennel salami or duck prosciutto.

Dog friendly inside and in the beer garden, Cody’s holds regular breed-specific meetups and other pup focused events. Treats are always available and they even serve a non-alcoholic beer your furry best friend can enjoy while you have a brew and play pool or darts.

Take your pooch for a stroll on the Chicago Riverwalk and stop for a beer and a hot dog at one of the Northman's umbrella-topped picnic tables. The bar hosts bimonthly Yappy Hour gatherings that raise money for rescue groups with drink specials, giveaways, live music and contests.

The sprawling, 14,000-square-foot patio at Recess offers plenty of space for you and your dog to hang out—plus, water bowls and astroturf areas make your pet extra comfortable.

Kick back with your dog at the massive, inviting and very summery patio space at The Moonlighter, where you'll enjoy draft beers, frozen piña coladas and wings.

This West Town taproom welcomes dogs (and their families) inside and outdoors and regularly hosts special events with local rescue organizations. A new all-seasons rooftop opening this season will add more space to enjoy beer and whatever food you bring in.

Eden offers a rotating menu of dog-friendly items, such as homemade biscuits, your pet can enjoy on the patio, which is surrounded by herbs and flowers in planters. The in-house market stocks bandanas and travel water bowls alongside soaps, mugs and bottles of wine.

Make a reservation for you and your dog at Mott St.'s vine-covered (and water bowl-stocked) patio in Wicker Park.

Feast on rafts of meat and imported Belgian pints from The Publican's impressive beer list (and if you're feeling generous, you can toss a few morsels to your dog, too).

Take your pup to burn off some energy at Horner Park Dog Park then head over to Burning Bush Brewery, where both the taproom and patio are dog friendly. Enjoy the views of the Chicago River with a beer or glass of wine on tap.

Known for its funky craft beer, Off Color Brewing's taproom in Lincoln Park features a patio that welcomes dogs and fans of inventive brews alike. 

You can sip Georgian wine and nibble on Mediterranean bites with your furry friend on this covered flower-lined Andersonville patio—and there's a water bowl nearby in case your dog gets thirsty, too. Bottles of wine are half price from 5pm-6:30pm Wednesdays.

Dogs are welcome both indoors and on Clark Street Ale House’s beer garden, which is set with picnic tables and strung with lights. Grab a draft beer and settle in to watch the game.

Both pups and people are welcome at the South Loop and West Town locations of this pizzeria. There's beer for the humans and water bowls for the dogs.

Uptown's longstanding (and beloved) honky-tonk bar has a pet-friendly sidewalk patio with water dishes, in case you'd like to tap your toes to some country hits with Fido by your side.  

Enjoy pitchers of margaritas and mix-and-match tacos from this friendly taqueria with locations in the Loop and Old Town. Your dog can join in on the fun—if they can resist sneaking a little sample of the al pastor.

Munch on Roman-style pies while your dog drinks from a personal water bowl on this River North pizza joint's colorful patio.

The petite patio at this West Loop okonomiyaki restaurant welcomes dogs of all sizes, with water bowls available to quench their thirst.

The Southport Corridor is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll with your four-legged friend. Give your pup time to find new smells while you relax with a craft beer on the sidewalk patio.

Share a pitcher of beer with your friends at this River North patio and rest easy knowing that your pup is free to tag along. 

Be sure to order this West Loop restaurant's famous chorizo-stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates while dining alfresco with your dog. 

Consult the "Bark-io" menu at this River North taco joint for food options tailored to your furry friend, including plain chicken breast, hamburger patty and dairy-free Woof Cream for dessert—plus, a portion of all proceeds goes toward nonprofit PAWS Chicago.

You'll find a doggy menu (titled "Puppy Ciao") alongside Italian dishes for humans at Siena Tavern, including decadent dessert options like "Pawsibly the Best Sundae Ever" and a doggy doughnut, so they don't have to feel left out when you order the iconic bomboloni.

Order something off the Greek restaurant’s puppy menu, like boneless chicken thigh or gelato, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to PAWS Chicago. It’ll keep them happy while you snack on spicy feta and charcoal grilled meatballs.

The doggy menus don't stop! While you enjoy the comforting and contemporary takes on pub classics at Bandit, your pup can sample their "Pup Picks" menu, with grilled skirt steak, a burger or chicken, and of course, the Woof Cream.

Located on Michigan Avenue, this downtown happy hour spot has tons of beer and American bites for you plus treats on hand for your canine friend.

In the mood for a rosemary margarita but don't want to leave your pet behind? Bring your pooch to the cheery, string-light–strewn patios of both the Wicker Park and Bridgeport locations of Antique Taco. 

Bring your pup to this West Loop patio for a bottle of red and plenty of old-school Italian dishes. 

This Wicker Park sports bar is home to flat-screen TVs and tons of fried food, and loves when dogs hang out on its patio.

Pour your own beer from Around the Bend Beer Co., Burnt City Brewing, Casa Humilde Cerveceria or Twisted Hippo and enjoy it at one of the picnic tables on this West Loop brewery collective’s patio. Dogs are always welcome and there are several special events for them throughout the year.

Cool off with a glass of frosé or a giant shareable mule on the large sidewalk cafe at Ranalli’s in Lincoln Park. There are trees for your pup to sniff while you snack on crispy cheese curds or a spicy pizza made with soppressata and jalapenos.

You and your dog will soak in the Cali vibes while you people watch at the beachy front patio of this Lincoln Park restaurant.

Soak up some sun on the large dog-friendly patio at DryHop, where there’s always something new brewing. Get a good taste of what they offer with a flight while snacking on pizza, cheese curds or a soft pretzel with beer cheese.

While you and your friends enjoy cocktails and Italian small plates at this River North spot, your furry bestie can indulge in Nonnina's Puppy Menu, which features options like ground beef or diced salmon with rice, peas, carrots and corn and a housemade dog biscuit; and a Pumpkin Puppuccino made with pumpkin puree, yogurt, cinnamon and whipped cream.

You and your four-legged dining companion will both feel the love at this inviting French American spot in the South Loop. While you unwind with a glass of rosé or a signature house cocktail, your dog can stay hydrated with their own water bowl and a snack from the canine menu which includes scrambled eggs and steak bites.

Pups can cool off with a bowl of water while you get a taste of New Orleans with a hurricane and a fried shrimp po' boy on the Wicker Park restaurant’s fenced off sidewalk space. Even if you’re just passing by on a walk, you can swing by the to-go window for a Sno-Ball that can be spiked with anything from tequila to cognac.

You and your pooch are welcome to share a spot on the Bucktown bar’s patio, which offers a mix of benches and tables topped with umbrellas. Chill out with a bucket of beers and some classic pub grub like burgers, waffle fries and cheese curds.

Try some new beers by ordering up a flight of tasters to sip on the 4,000-square-foot patio of this brewery incubator. The space is always dog friendly, though you’ll want to come on Tuesdays in June through August for the Dog Days of Summer, which provides a 15% discount if your pooch is part of the week’s general breed grouping like “the scrunchy faces” or “the herders.” The bar is also adding sail covers to the patio this year to provide more shade.

Visit some of the many dog-friendly shops on Southport Corridor and then stop at the tree-lined patio at Port & Park Bistro & Bar. Your pooch will get treats and a bowl of water while you have brunch with $18 bottomless mimosas, or visit during happy hour for $6 glasses of wine.

Dogs are always welcome at River Shannon, which has been serving up Irish whiskey and beer since 1946. Soak in the sun or sit under an umbrella on the sidewalk while taking advantage of rotating happy hour specials offered from 3pm-6pm Monday through Friday.