They’re with you on your morning and evening walks, and they love to join you on your outdoor adventures — so why should your furry friends have to miss out on your dining experience?
These days, there are plenty of venues that allow your furry companions to join in on the fun of eating.
Newport, Rhode Island is an excellent yacht-filled harbor city boasting an endless amount of eateries, shopping, and entertainment for locals, tourists, and dogs to enjoy.
In this guide, we’ll lead you to some of Newport’s best dog-friendly eateries that you won’t want to miss out on while you’re in the area.
Ready to treat your dog to a delicious meal? Let’s dig into it!
O’Briens Pub
Location: 501 Thames St Newport, RI 02840
To kick things off strong, we’ll start with what’s considered by locals, tourists, and furry friends to be the best local pub in Newport!
Open all 365 days a year, O’Briens Pub is a well-loved choice that rewards its patrons with delicious dishes and a gorgeous ambiance.
O’Briens Pub features an excellent outdoor garden patio to enjoy in the summer and a cozy fireplace inside to snuggle up to in the winter. There’s also daytime entertainment available such as pool, video games, and television.
The restaurant has collected many awards, such as the “Best Outdoor Dining 2022”, “Best Restaurant 2022”, and “Best of Rhode Island” – and it’s not difficult to see why!
This Irish-American restaurant offers a menu so extensive, you’ll never struggle to satisfy your cravings. Think pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, soups, salads, fried food, and so much more (are you drooling yet?).
While you’re at it, be sure to grab yourself a classic O’Briens Mudslide, Electric Lemonade, or Cap’n Crunch drink to accompany your meal and quench your thirst.
Belle’s Cafe
Location: 1 Washington St Newport Shipyard Newport, RI 02840
Considered one of Newport’s “best-kept secrets”, Belle’s Cafe is a great place any time of the day or year for you and your pup!
The diner is popular for its breakfast and local seafood options like the Lobster Roll, Buttermilk Pancakes, and Texas Style French Toast. There’s also no shortage of dog bowls around to keep your pup hydrated on those hot summer days.
Come along to enjoy the stunning dockside dining in the heart of Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard.
Be sure to call ahead and request to make a booking, as the venue sometimes closes up in the down season and can be very popular during trading hours.
There are plenty of sunny and shaded outdoor seating options for you and your pup to relax in — you just have to make sure your furry friends are kept on a leash.
Diego’s
Location: 11 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, RI, US, 02840-0000
If Diego’s rating of 4.9 out of 5 bones by 24 canine critics on BringFido isn’t enough, it’s personally recommended by many dog owners – making it an excellent option for you and your pup!
Situated on Bowen’s Wharf, Diego’s offers West-Coast style Mexican cuisine with a twist, like Birria Tacos, Pulled Pork Spring Rolls, Roasted Beet, Pumpkin Tacos, and so much more.
Complement these flavorful dishes with any choice from a long list of (cutely named) specialty drinks like the “Swizzle Me Timbers” and the “Smokey Elder”.
Water bowls are also available to keep your buddy hydrated. If you’re lucky, your dog may even end up on the front page of the venue’s website!
Diego’s is open all year round for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but bear in mind that outdoor dining is seasonal and weather-dependent. In that sense, the space for dogs may be quite limited.
Still, it’s an extremely popular stop for many dog owners, and you can’t afford to miss out on it!
Marina Cafe and Pub
Location: 5 Marina Plaza, Newport, RI, US, 02840-1529
Sit back, relax, watch the sailboats drift by along the waterfront, and relish the stunning views of Newport City—all from the picturesque location of Marina Cafe and Pub!
This restaurant includes a covered and heated outdoor area for both the dogs and their owners.
Although it specializes in seafood such as traditional fish and clam dishes, the list of scrumptious meals on its menu doesn’t end there! You can also feast on American-style food with Caribbean and New England influences.
Thirsty? There’s also a fully-stocked bar with a whopping selection of beverages.
If you’re looking to be wowed, the clam chowder is a top-hit dish with guests and will keep you coming back for more!
Nikolas Pizza Newport
Location: 38 Memorial Blvd W, Newport, RI, US, 02840-3302
This dog-friendly pizzeria has grown and evolved over its many years of business, with an updated menu of incredible Mediterranean and traditional dishes to satisfy any appetite.
At Nikolas Pizza, you’ll find homemade lasagnas, pies, roast chicken, wings, salads, sandwiches, and of course…pizza!
Some guests even say Nikolas’ pizza is one of the best on the East Coast (dare to find out?).
Nikolas offers a friendly and warm atmosphere complemented with dishes whose recipes have been passed down through family generations. Come here to feel a part of that family!
Corner Cafe
Location: 110 Broadway, Newport, RI, US, 02840-0000
Voted as Newport’s number one BYOB and the “Travellers Choice 2022” while also being the second highest-rated restaurant in Newport on Tripadvisor, Corner Cafe is a place you should definitely try while in the area!
This casual and eclectic joint offers a variety of tasty treats, from Mi Mi’s Tacos to the Longhorn Burger and wood-grilled pizzas, along with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options to cater to your dietary requirements.
The venue also offers many pet-friendly outdoor tables, and the staff is known to be very kind and accommodating to the guests and their pets.
So, grab yourself a bottle of wine and head to the Corner Cafe for plenty of fun to be had!
Surf Club
Location: 337 Thames St, Newport, RI, US, 02840-6619
Surf Club is a casual modern-style American restaurant and cocktail bar that serves winning pizzas, unique cocktails, tacos, salads, and much more.
Known to be an understated throwback to comfortable coolness, this eatery presents itself on the bustling sidewalk of America’s Cup Ave. and makes for a prime spot for drinking refreshments while people-watching (or pet-watching!).
Surf Club prides itself in using only the freshest ingredients while also being widely known for its fancy brick-oven, Neapolitan-style pizza.
The staff here is more than happy to accommodate your dog; you could even receive a sneaky dog treat if you’re lucky!
The Coffee Grinder
Location: 337 Thames St, Newport, RI, US
The Coffee Grinder is a traditional cafe and espresso bar located in downtown Newport within the historic Perry Mill building. You and your fur baby can enjoy a relaxing time on the outdoor patio or while cozied up inside.
This establishment offers authentic Italian espresso hand-brewed using an a la Cimbale traditional espresso machine with a variety of light cafe food options to keep you going, like bagels and pastries.
You can never go wrong with any of the Coffee Grinder’s food options—its famous banana bread has even been featured on the popular American television show The Food Network!
This place is a must-stop for anyone visiting Newport, especially all those coffee lovers out there… or even banana bread connoisseurs!
Root
Location: 6 Broadway, Newport, RI, US, 02840
Root has a special reputation—it’s Newport’s only exclusively plant-based eatery!
The eatery prides itself in using only the freshest and most nutritious ingredients made in-house while also being certified kosher.
Many patrons have raved about its friendly service and delicious food.
Here, you can find juices, smoothies, coffee, breakfast and grain bowls, salads, and sandwiches—Root guarantees thoughtful, approachable, plant-based foods of the highest quality with exceptional customer service.
Despite its branding, you don’t have to subscribe to a plant-based diet to enjoy the colorful menu!
While leashed dogs are generally allowed at outside tables, Root has also been known to let them inside based on the circumstances, so don’t let those rainy days stop you from trying this place out.
Stoneacre Garden
Location: 151 Swinburne Row, Newport, RI, US, 02840
Stoneacre Garden is a dog-friendly restaurant with a unique and elegant ambiance that draws inspiration from the grounds of Newport’s Stoneacre Estate.
The atmosphere isn’t the only thing that this eatery has going for it; its menu is also guaranteed to make your mouth water with every bite.
Stoneacre Garden features a curated and ever-evolving menu that features seafood, salads, pastries, sandwiches, and so much more.
To complement its filling food, there’s also a creative cocktail/mocktail menu offering full of specialty drinks with witty names such as the “Memoirs of a Geisha” and “Shi-Sooo Fine”.
With many reviews of its unique and high-quality offerings, Stoneacre Garden is a place you must absolutely try.
You can even book the restaurant to cater at your next event! With this option, you can choose the perfect backdrop for your special occasion, and Stoneacre offers so many different settings and vibes!
Dogs are welcome on both the outside patio and the ground level to work around any weather.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to dining out in Newport, RI, with your furry friend by your side.
Whether you’re heading out for coffee, cocktails on the waterfront, or a fancy dinner with a luxurious aesthetic, the options are endless!
It’s even worth noting that many shops around downtown Newport are also dog-friendly, so you can both eat and shop your way through the city without having to leave your dog alone at home.
It’s time for the pups to get involved in the scene!