Dog-friendly Brooklyn, NY: things to do in Brooklyn with a dog

Looking for dog-friendly Brooklyn adventures? From zoomie-inducing parks to dog-friendly restaurants Brooklyn NY locals love, this guide has you covered – read on to discover the best spots to eat, drink, and play with your furry companion. 

Best dog parks in Brooklyn

When it comes to dog-friendly activities, nothing beats a trip to the park! Here, we’ve rounded up a list of Brooklyn’s best outdoor spaces where pups can run free (mostly off-leash) and enjoy some serious playtime.

Prospect Park Dog Beach, Brooklyn, NY

The perfect spot to cool off and practice some doggy paddle, this park has an off-leash area where pooch pals can frolic both on land and in water. There’s a fence at the back of the pond to keep pups and the local wildlife safe, but the rest of the area is unfenced, so make sure those recall skills are sharp.

Location: 95 Prospect Park W, Brooklyn, NY 11215, United States

Hillside Dog Park, Brooklyn

Calling all zoomie champs! Hillside Dog Park has tons of space, picnic tables for dog owners, and even a special area for smaller pups. With an array of wooded trails and splash pools to cool off in during summer, there’s loads of fun to be had here.

Location: Vine St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States

McCarren Park Dog Run

McCarren Park Dog Run has plenty of shady spots and separate runs for small and large dogs. Although it can get a little mucky, this is a popular park with lots of opportunities to make new furry friends.  

Location: North 12th Street & Driggs Avenue &, Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211, United States

Brooklyn Bridge Park Dog Run

Located right on the edge of the East River with views of Brooklyn Bridge, this shaded dog run offers a scenic spot for your pup to play. Just keep in mind that trains pass directly overhead, so it can get a bit noisy at times.

Location: Adams St & Plymouth St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States

Domino Park Dog Run

A small, well-kept area of Domino Park is fenced off for fun on four paws. Benches line the edge of the dog run, where pet parents can sit and take in the views while watching their pups play.

Location: 15 River St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States

Dog-friendly restaurants, Brooklyn, NY

After all that playtime, you and your four-pawed pal are bound to work up an appetite! Luckily, these Brooklyn dog-friendly restaurants offer tasty bites and pet-friendly patios – just be sure to call to confirm you can dine with your dog beforehand.

Habana Outpost, Fort Greene

Habana Outpost serves delicious food from Mexico and Cuba, including shrimp tacos, Cuban sandwiches, and frozen margaritas. Oh, and they’ve even got a dog-friendly outdoor seating area to add to the dining experience!

Location: 757 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States

Otis, Williamsburg

Named after the founder’s four-legged friend, it’s only right that this neighborhood spot is a dog-friendly dream. Head here in the evening for dishes of braised pork pasta, roasted beets, and clams with grilled squid, all washed down with a cocktail (or two!).

Location: 18 Harrison Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11206, United States

Hole in the Wall, Williamsburg

Serving kimchi scramble and stuffed cheesecake waffles by day and spicy shrimp vodka rigatoni and crispy char sui pork by night, this down-to-earth spot welcomes furry visitors in their cozy outdoor section.

Location: 292 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States

Fun dog-friendly activities in Brooklyn

Need some organized fun? These dog-friendly Brooklyn activities will keep tails wagging all around.

Brooklyn Scavenger Hunt

Grab your phone and explore 19th-century Brooklyn with your furry Sherlock Holmes as you solve riddles and uncover landmarks in this self-guided adventure.

Cost: $12.99

When: Anytime

Location: Start – Brooklyn Heights

Industry City

This pet-friendly hub is packed with cool food vendors, independent shops, and creative art galleries. Remember to check with each individual establishment before entering with your pooch!

Cost: Free

When: Open 9am-9pm every day

Location: 220 36th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232, United States

McNally Jackson Books

Book-lovers rejoice! Stroll the aisles of this indie bookstore for as long as Fido will let you. 

Cost: Free

When: Open every day from 10am-9pm

Location: 76 N 4th St Unit G, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States

Best dog-friendly walking trails in Brooklyn

Take a stroll through dog-friendly Brooklyn and explore its scenic walking trails.

Brooklyn Bridge Walk

Walk along the iconic bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan and soak in those skyline views. Just watch out for cars and bikes sharing the path!

Location: Brooklyn Bridge Promenade, New York, NY 10038, USA

Brooklyn Queens Greenway, Highland Park

The perfect loop to take Fido on a morning run or an afternoon walk, this area is due to have a designated off-leash area very soon.

Location: Jackie Robinson Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11208, United States

Prospect Park

Take your furry friend here for some off-leash fun in the designated dog run, and if you want to stretch your legs a little more, put them on the leash for a stroll along the paved trails surrounding the 60-acre lake.

Location: Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY, United States

The best dog-friendly cafes in Brooklyn

Once you’ve explored your fair share of dog-friendly restaurants in Brooklyn, it’s time to see what’s on offer in the daytime. Here are some of our favorite cafes that welcome canine companions.

Stone Park Cafe, Park Slope

After some off-leash playtime at Prospect Park, head here for brunch, which features short rib hash, fish cakes, and their famous egg sandwich.

Location: 324 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215, United States

Art Collective Cafe, Park Slope

Enjoy a relaxed, French-inspired vibe with your pup by your side – coffee, wine, and even treats for your pooch pal make this spot a winner.

Location: 97 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215, United States

SEY Coffee, Williamsburg

Hipster-approved brews, pastries to die for, and a welcoming leash-friendly policy make SEY Coffee a must-visit for pet-loving coffee enthusiasts.

Location: 18 Grattan St, Brooklyn, NY 11206, United States

Annual dog events in Brooklyn

Brooklyn is the ideal destination for dog lovers, thanks to its calendar full of dog-friendly events! From community festivals to fun-filled fundraisers, these annual events are the perfect excuse to celebrate our furry friends.

Bark in the Park

Baseball, dogs, and a pre-game pup parade? Count us in! Watch the game with your furry bestie at Maimonides Park.

Cost: $20

When: 6-10 pm on Tuesdays throughout the summer

Location: 1904 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, United States

FIDO Coffee Bark

Head to Prospect Park on the first Saturday of every month to meet other pup parents over coffee, pastries, and dog treats.  

Cost: Free!

When: The first Saturday of every month, 9.30am

Location: 40 West Dr, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA

The Badass Bash

Support Badass Animal Rescue at their annual charity event, which hosts a live auction, cocktails, and delicious food. 

When: September 26th, 7-10pm

Location: 635 Sackett St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States

The best dog-friendly bars in Brooklyn

Who says happy hour is just for humans? Brooklyn has a whole host of dog-friendly bars, where you can enjoy a drink and a bite to eat while your pup mingles with new furry friends.

Franklin Park, Crown Heights 

An old Mechanic shop turned trendy bar and restaurant, Franklin Park is the go-to place for beers on tap, hamburgers, and live music. With a pet-friendly backyard and extra bacon for pups (if you ask for it!), what’s not to love?!

Location: 766 Franklin Avenue, 618 St Johns Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11238, United States

Lucky Dog Bar, Brooklyn

This is one of the most popular dog-friendly bars, meaning there’s always a flurry of furry friends to meet! With a friendly atmosphere, cheap beer, and a shuffleboard, it’s a great spot for locals and visitors alike.

Location: 303 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211, United States

Elder Greene, Greenpoint 

Cocktails and Guinness on tap for humans, with water for their pooch pals and a sunny dog-friendly terrace. Enjoy laid-back vibes, friendly service, and plenty of space for your furry pal to stretch out and relax. 

Location: 160 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222, United States

Salty Dog Bar, Brooklyn

Williamsburg is known for its pet-friendly New York City spots, and Salty Dog Bar has to be one of the most iconic. Once an old farmhouse, it’s now a lively sports bar with TVs at every angle and a fuss-free menu of food and drinks.

Location: 7509 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209, United States

Dog-friendly wineries in Brooklyn

Brooklyn’s dog-friendly wineries are perfect for wine and dog lovers who hate leaving their furry friends behind.

The Red Hook Winery

Dog friendly both inside and out, this waterfront winery is ideal if you want to try a selection of delicious wines alongside bar snacks.

Location: SOUTH SIDE OF PIER, Pier 41, 175 Van Dyke St Suite 325A, Brooklyn, NY 11231, United States

Heritage Wines

This laid-back, dog-friendly wine shop not only has a great selection of wines, but it also hands out pup treats (we’re suckers for the small things!).

Location: 237 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205, United States

Tips on dog-friendly things to do in Brooklyn from dog owners and pet sitters

Who knows more about dog-friendly Brooklyn than the pet parents and sitters who get to explore it every day? We’ve gathered some of the top recommendations our Brooklyn-based members have shared over on the Community Forum.

“Brooklyn has the best pizza! Try Bensonhurst or Bay Ridge, or Canarsie. The first Italians migrated there from the Lower East Side of Manhattan to these Brooklyn enclaves. You can also try the Bronx, Arthur Ave. but no comparison to Brooklyn pizza! NYC water enhances the taste of the dough.” – @meshellguz

“You might want to explore the South Street Seaport area near the Brooklyn Bridge. And/or walk over the Brooklyn Bridge (or take a short subway ride) to get the great view of the skyline from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade – and Brooklyn Heights is a great neighborhood to explore.” – @Paljimmy

“Pete’s Candy Store for comedy shows in Brooklyn” – @Aimee3087

“I also want to recommend the Brooklyn Botanic Garden by Prospect Park. Especially beautiful are the wisterias in bloom, the Japanese garden and the water garden. I was a member for many years and have many of the excellent reference and instructional materials they publish.” – @mars

Tips for pet parents

Call ahead: Even if a place seems dog-friendly, call first to avoid disappointment.

Travel smart: In New York City, dogs in bags are a common sight for a reason – furry friends must be kept inside carrier bags on the subway and either caged or muzzled on the Staten Island Ferry.

Follow leash rules: Keep pups on the leash unless in designated off-leash zones (usually open from 9am to 9pm) – failing to do so could result in a fine.

Plan ahead: Can’t take your dog with you on vacation? Connect with loving, in-home dog sitters who’ll keep your furry family member safe and happy at home while you’re away. Follow the link below to learn more about finding a verified dog sitter.

Tips for pet sitters

As a pet sitter, it’s important to check with pet parents before introducing their furry family members to any new spots.

Pet parents will also be able to share their favorite dog-friendly gems with you – whether it’s their favorite local coffee shop or an unusual activity you wouldn’t have discovered otherwise.

Find out more about pet sitting in Brooklyn by following the link below.

Useful resources

• Are pet sitters trustworthy?
• How to prepare for a house sitter
• How much is doggy daycare in New York?