Dog-friendly Cardiff: things to do in Cardiff with a dog

There’s no need to leave your pooch at home - explore this guide to dog-friendly Cardiff to plan a pooch-safe day out. Find a list of the dog-friendly pubs Cardiff has to offer, as well as restaurants, cafes, parks and dog-friendly attractions.

So, whether you’re house sitting in Cardiff and you want somewhere pet-friendly to take your new pal, or you’re making a must-visit list for your Cardiff pet sitter, explore our ultimate guide to the city below.

Dog-friendly restaurants Cardiff

Watch the world go by with your pooch by your side in the dog-friendly restaurants Cardiff has to offer. 

Juno Lounge

If you’re after dog-friendly restaurants in Cardiff city centre, indulge in the world cuisine of Juno Lounge where there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Location: 14 Wellfield Rd, Cardiff CF24 3PB

Old Cottage Lisvane

Just a short drive out of Cardiff city centre, this gastropub has a gorgeous homely feel and of course, welcomes furry friends.

Location: Cherry Orchard Rd, Cardiff CF14 0UE

Neighbourhood Kitchen & Cocktails

If you’re after dog-friendly restaurants in Cardiff with Asian-inspired street food, head down to Tudor Street. The menu changes between different vendors every month, so you’ll always have something new to try.

Location: 80 Tudor St, Cardiff CF11 6AL

Bill's Cardiff Bay Restaurant

Looking for the dog-friendly restaurants Cardiff Bay has to offer? Bills is dog-friendly and is a well-known crowd pleaser when it comes to menu options.

Location: Pilotage Bldg, Stuart St, Cardiff CF10 5BW

Hub Box Cardiff

Into burgers, wings, loaded fries and steak? Head to Hub Box, where your pooch will be welcome to sit by your side.

Location: Unit 23/23A, Mermaid Quay, Cardiff CF10 5BZ

Cosy Club

This is a well-reviewed dog-friendly spot in Mermaid Quay - pop along for stunning plates at breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Location: Unit 24, Mermaid Quay, Cardiff CF10 5BZ

Pitch Bar & Eatery

If you want to stop somewhere unfussy, this eatery is dog-friendly and makes for the perfect stop off if you’ve been walking around the city with your furry friend.

Location: 3 Mill Ln, Cardiff CF10 1FL

The Heathcock

Consider yourself a foodie? Head over to Cardiff’s Bridge Street and choose from tasty plates with your pooch by your side.

Location: 58-60 Bridge St, Cardiff CF5 2EN

Ocho Lounge

Take a walk with your doggo down to Windsor street to this dog-friendly restaurant, where you can relax in the lounge’s cosy atmosphere, and choose from a global menu.

Location: 16 Windsor Rd, Cardiff, Penarth CF64 1JH

Dog-friendly pubs Cardiff

Many of Cardiff’s dog-friendly pubs also serve food, so it’s worth popping along if you’re in the mood for traditional Welsh cuisine and a laid-back, cosy atmosphere. Take a look below to find the dog-friendly pubs Cardiff has to offer, serving up craft beers, local ales, hearty classics and pub grub.

• Pen & Wig. 1 Park Grove, Cardiff CF10 3BJ
• The Owain Glyndwr. 10 St John St, Cardiff CF10 1GL
• The Gwaelod-y-Garth Inn. Main Rd, Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff CF15 9HH
• Tiny Rebel. 25 Westgate St, Cardiff CF10 1DD
• The Lansdowne Pub. 71 Beda Rd, Cardiff CF5 1LX
• Cornerhouse Cardiff. 25 Caroline St, Cardiff CF10 1FF
• The Head of Steam Cardiff. 18-19 Church St, Cardiff CF10 1BG
• The Cricketers. 66 Cathedral Rd, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9LL
• The Grange Pub. 134 Penarth Rd, Cardiff CF11 6NJ
• The Plymouth Arms. The Plymouth Arms
• The Flora. 136 Cathays Terrace, Cardiff CF24 4HY
• The Pantmawr Inn. Tyla Teg, Cardiff CF14 7TL
• Ty Mawr. Graig Rd, Cardiff CF14 0UF
• The Conway. Conway Hotel, 58 Conway Rd, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9NW
• The Four Elms - JW Bassett Pub. 1 Elm St, Cardiff CF24 3QR

Dog-friendly cafes in Cardiff

Nothing beats settling down after walkies with a good coffee and your furry friend tucked in by your side. Explore the dog-friendly cafes Cardiff has to offer below to get your day out planning started.

The Secret Garden

After a pet-friendly spot to enjoy quality time in the heart of the city with your four-legged friend? The Secret Garden Cardiff serves up great coffee to be enjoyed in a lovely outdoor area.

Location: North Rd, Cardiff CF10 3ER

The Potting Shed Cafe

Hungry for a traditional breakfast? Many of the dog-friendly cafes Cardiff has to offer serve up eggs, bacon and the like. So if you’re anywhere near Insole Court with your furry friend, head to The Potting Shed Cafe for a bite to eat.

Location: Insole Court, Cardiff CF5 2LN

Bloc

If you’re strolling through Victoria Park on a morning’s walk with your canine pal, stop off at Bloc cafe for a coffee on your way past.

Location: Bloc, Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff CF5 1JN

Summerhouse Cafe

Walking through Bute Park with your four-pawed pal? Stop off at the popular Summerhouse Cafe for a coffee and cake.

Location: Bute Park, Cardiff CF10 3DX

Coffee Barker

Sitting just next to Cardiff Castle, Coffee Barker is ideal for serious coffee drinkers - pop along with your furry pal if you’re in the area.

Location: 1-13 Castle Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1BU

Blossom Cafe

Want to know about the cosy dog-friendly cafes Cardiff city centre has to offer? Watch the world go by at Blossom Cafe on Wellfield Road.

Location: 11 Wellfield Rd, Cardiff CF24 3NZ

Little Man Coffee

Pop along to this laid back, dog-friendly cafe for pastries, cafe meals and great coffee.

Location: Ivor House, Bridge St, Cardiff CF10 2EE

Cafe Brava

This spot not only serves up coffee and breakfast, but you can pop along in the evening for steaks and burgers!

Location: 71 Pontcanna St, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9HS

Coffi Co Mermaid Quay

If you’re in the Mermaid Quay area of Cardiff, stop at Coffi Co - it’s dog-friendly and the views are waterside.

Location: 51 Lake Rd W, Cardiff CF23 5PH

Kerbside Cafe

If you’re driving into the city and you’re after a pick-me-up on the outskirts of Cardiff, stop at Kerbside cafe - where you’ll even find a few dog treats.

Location: 17 Merthyr Rd, Cardiff CF15 7LF

Best walks and dog parks Cardiff

Whether you’re a pet parent or you’re house sitting in Cardiff, you won’t be short of places to walk with your dog. Explore below for the city’s dog-friendly parks, gardens and fenced dog parks.

Victoria Park

As the name suggests, this is a Victorian Park, and best of all, it’s dog-friendly. Enjoy the lawns, admire the flowers and let your canine friends let off steam around the 0.6 mile loop that’s popular with dog walkers and runners.

Location: Victoria Park Rd E, Cardiff CF5 1EH

Bute Park

Enjoy a ramble around Cardiff city centre’s Bute Park, where you can explore the Victorian gardens and friary ruins with your furry friends. Dogs are allowed off the lead, but always keep them in sight and never let them off if recall training is still underway.

Location: North Rd, Cardiff CF10 3ER

Roath Park

Like many dog-friendly walks Cardiff has to offer, a stroll around Roath Park will be a peaceful one, despite being a stone’s throw away from the city centre. Find a lake and enjoy the park’s quintessentially Victorian feel.

Location: Lake Rd W, Cardiff CF23 5PA

Forest Farm Country Park

Just south of the M4, Forest Farm is a short drive from the city centre and well worth a visit with your furry friend, for a very green break from the city.

Location: Forest Farm Rd, Cardiff CF14 7JH

Parc Cefn Onn

Explore this woodland park and garden on the outskirts of Cardiff to get into the open air with your furry companion - be sure to remember poop bags!

Location: Cardiff CF14 0EP

Pontcanna & Llandaff Fields

These two green spaces cover 157 acres and 70 acres, and adjoin one another in Cardiff. Put it this way, if you’re walking in Cardiff, you’ll never be too far from these gorgeous, dog-friendly parks.

Location: Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9HZ

Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve

Between St David’s Hotel and the River Taff, Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve is a great place to see Cardiff’s waterside views - all 8 hectares of salt marsh are easily accessible via a boardwalk, so the spot makes for a low effort walk with your pooch.

Location: Windsor Terrace, Cardiff

Dyffryn Gardens

Selected as one of the top 100 gardens in the UK, you won’t be short of gorgeous flowerbeds and tropical glasshouses to marvel at with your furry pal.

Location: Duffryn Ln, St Nicholas, Wenvoe, Cardiff CF5 6FZ

Collar Club Cardiff

If you’re interested in finding the dog parks Cardiff has to offer, head to Collar Club which is a secure area where your furry friends can run free. 

Location: Collar Club, St Lythans Rd, Cardiff CF5 6XN

Vale View Dog Playing Field

Another Cardiff dog park for you - head to Vale View which is a bit further out of town, but well worth it for the views and the fun your furry pal will have.

Location: Efail Isaf Road, Cardiff CF15 9NQ

Stroll along the River Taff

The River Taff runs from the north of Cardiff to the south into Cardiff Bay. So, why not go for a scenic walk along the river with your furry friend? Simply find the river point nearest your home (or wherever you’re house sitting), and follow it all the way to Cardiff Bay.

Dog-friendly activities in Cardiff

Want to explore Cardiff like a true tourist, even if it’s your home city? Naturally - take a look below for a list of dog-friendly things to do in Cardiff, tourist-style.

Explore St. Fagan’s National Museum of History grounds

You might be surprised that one of the dog-friendly places Cardiff has to offer is St. Fagan’s National Museum of History! Yup, you can take a step back in time into Welsh history and culture by exploring the grounds with your furry friend.

Location: St. Fagans, Cardiff CF5 6XB

Visit Cardiff Castle grounds

Another surprising dog-friendly place in Cardiff - Cardiff Castle grounds are open to pet parents, sitters and of course, their canine companions. Marvel at the medieval castle (that’s had a Victorian Gothic revival, by the way), from the outer green and Public Square.

Location: Castle St, Cardiff CF10 3RB

Wander around Cardiff Market

Did you know that Cardiff Market has been used by sellers since the 1700s? Yup, Cardiff is a city steeped in history, so you can pop along to the market with your dog (on a lead), try a Welsh cake or two and enjoy the atmosphere.

Location: Cardiff CF10 1AU

Take a boat

If you’re walking through Bute Park with your canine pal, why not take a water taxi? Head to the Castle Street entrance to pick up a boat and enjoy the city, waterside.

Visit Insole Court

Insole Court has to be one of the best dog-friendly attractions in Cardiff, because our furry friends are allowed both outside and inside the mansion! Enjoy the indoor exhibitions and marvel at the 160-year-old interiors, then get some fresh air in the outdoor grounds..

Location:Fairwater Rd, Cardiff CF5 2LN

Tips for pet parents

As we’ve seen, there are plenty of dog-friendly things to do in Cardiff with your dog - from pooch-friendly restaurants, to countless pubs, attractions and public gardens. To keep your furry friend truly happy in their home of Cardiff, explore our tips below.

• Plan your trip ahead. As you’ll likely know, not everywhere in Cardiff is dog-friendly. So whether you’re planning a meal out or coffee with friends, call ahead to double check they’re still dog-friendly.
• Stay up to date with local rules. Cardiff Council can issue Dog Control Orders (DCO) in Cardiff, which means pet parents will need to follow a set of rules in the area, including keeping dogs on a lead, limiting the number of dogs with you and stopping your dog from going into certain places, like farmland and restrictive parks.
• Incorporate walkies. While there’s nothing better than watching the world go by in a coffee shop with your furry friend, include a walk around one of Cardiff’s many dog-friendly parks to let your pooch run off some energy so that they’re calm indoors.
• Plan ahead for your vacation. And what about when the time comes for you to head away from your home in Cardiff? Well as vets agree pets are happier at home, why not consider welcoming a trusted, in-home sitter rather than uprooting them to a boarding facility? Take a look below to find out how to connect with verified pet sitters.

Tips for pet sitters

Thinking about visiting the Welsh capital through house sitting? Great move, fellow pet lover - exploring a new city with a furry friend by your side is the best way to see somewhere new. Explore our tips below on keeping your new canine companion happy while you’re pet sitting.

• Follow your Welcome Guide. Always follow pet parent instructions on everything from feeding and sleeping schedules, to where they’re allowed to go in the city.
• Ask first. If you’re keen to explore somewhere new to your furry pal in the city (like a bustling area of town), ask the pet parents first, just to make sure the spot is suitable for them.
• Experience Cardiff through house sitting. So, want to explore Cardiff with a furry companion by your side? Click below to find out how to get your Cardiff house sitting adventure started.

Useful resources

• 8 Anglesey dog walks
• 15 dog-friendly cafes in Edinburgh
• The most friendly dog cities in the world