Dog-friendly St. Petersburg FL: things to do in St. Pete

Live in Florida’s Sunshine City with a furry friend, or house sitting in St. Petersburg, FL any time soon? Stick with us as we dive into pet-friendly St. Petersburg FL, and things to do with a canine companion.

So whether you’re putting together a dog-friendly city guide for your St. Petersburg, FL pet sitters, or you simply want to know where you can take your pooch, don’t move an inch! Below find a list of the dog-friendly restaurants St. Pete has to offer, along with dog beaches, parks, and coffee shops. 

Dog-friendly restaurants in St. Pete

After a long day of walkies by the beach or at your local St. Petersburg dog park, nothing quite beats relaxing with your furry pal for lunch or dinner with a view. To help you plan your pet-friendly St. Petersburg FL day out, explore our list of dog-friendly restaurants in the city below.

The Dog Bar

If you want to experience dog-friendly St. Petersburg FL, you can’t miss The Dog Bar on Central Avenue. It’s a lively sports bar popular with pet owners - with outdoor seating, and a pup pool for four-legged friends to splash around and socialize, it’s no wonder why.

Location: 2300 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33712, United States

The Chattaway

Want to be a tourist in your own city, or explore the area’s history while you’re house sitting in St. Petersburg, FL? Stop at this American eatery - circa 1930s.

Location: 358 22nd Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, United States

Three Birds Tavern

Like many of the dog-friendly restaurants in St. Petersburg FL, Three Birds Tavern has a super relaxed atmosphere, and serves up American classics like wings, chowder and burgers.

Location: 1492 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States

The Getaway

After somewhere that truly feels like an exotic vacation? Head to this tiki bar and choose from fruity cocktails, craft beer - and don’t forget a water bowl for your four-legged friends.

Location: 13090 Gandy Blvd N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702, United States

The Frog Pond Downtown St. Petersburg

Looking for the dog-friendly restaurants St. Petersburg FL has to offer that serve breakfast? Head to The Frog Pond - a casual cafe where you can choose from benedicts, sandwiches, toasts and more.

Location: 890 3rd Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States

The Wooden Rooster

Fancy treating yourself in a local, dog-friendly creperie? Serving up coffee and wine by the glass, this spot is perfect for an afternoon pitstop with your furry pal.

Location: 104 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States

Rick’s Reef

Eyeing up the dog-friendly restaurants St. Pete beach has to offer? Well whether seafood is your thing or not, head along to Rick’s Reef for breakfast, brunch or dinner and soak up the sea views.

Location: 6712 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, FL 33706, United States

Buoys Waterfront Bar and Grill

Soak up the sun and views of the ocean, and choose from an eclectic breakfast, brunch and dinner menu.

Location: 677 75th Ave, St Pete Beach, FL 33706, United States

The Studio Public House

If you’re after dog-friendly restaurants in St. Pete’s Grand Central District, head to The Studio Public House - a lively bar where you can stop for sandwiches or hearty mains of pies, curries and more.

Location: 2950 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33712, United States

Fresco's Waterfront Bistro

Want to get clued-up about all the dog-friendly restaurants by the beach in St. Petersburg, FL? Head to Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro for sea views and choose from bisque, salads, tacos and more.

Location: 300 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States

Dog beaches, St. Petersburg Florida

There are restrictions around taking dogs on beaches in St. Petersburg, FL - below we’ll explore where you’re allowed to take your furry friend, plus a few nearby beaches that welcome pups.

Fort De Soto Beach & Park

At this St. Petersburg dog beach, find two fenced areas - one for smaller dogs and one for large. You’ll even find dog showers at this spot to help you keep your furry pal cool by the beach. Be sure to check the park’s signage as some areas require dogs to remain on a leash, and others allow pups to run free.

Location: St. Petersburg, FL 33715, United States

Pass a Grille Dog Beach

Another of the dog-friendly beaches in St. Petersburg FL, this spot welcomes dogs on a leash. So if you’re happy with a leashed walk and you’re nearby, pop along to watch the sunset and make use of the spot’s picnic tables.

Location: 1-199 Pass a Grille Way, St Pete Beach, FL 33706, United States

Gandy Beach

One of the most popular dog beaches in St. Petersburg, Florida amongst locals, Gandy Beach is the perfect place to let your furry friends run free, and with a 20-foot wading area of shallow water, it’s ideal for splashing around with pet pals old and new.

Location: St. Petersburg, FL 33702, United States

North Clearwater Beach

Just a 40-minute drive from St. Petersburg, North Clearwater Beach is dog-friendly - just be sure to stick to this zone, as dogs are prohibited from the public bathing beach on Clearwater Beach, which is south of Somerset Street.

Location: 704 Eldorado Ave, Clearwater, FL 33767, United States

Honeymoon Island State Park Pet Beach

A 45-minute drive from St. Petersburg, this pet beach is the perfect place to let your pooch splash around and catch a sunset! Great for socializing your pooch with other four-pawed pals, you’ll find a number of other pet parents (and maybe even a few St. Petersburg pet sitters) at this spot.

Location: Honeymoon Island, Dunedin, FL 34698, United States

Davis Island Dog Beach

A 30-minute drive from central St. Petersburg, this spot is ideal for getting some sea air with your canine companion. Always check the signage at the beach before heading on with your dog, just in case local rules change for any reason.

Location: 864 Severn Ave, Tampa, FL 33606, United States

Picnic Island Beach Dog Park

This dog-friendly beach near St. Petersburg, FL is roughly a 30-minute drive from the city centre and is the perfect space to let your furry friend run free, off-leash.

Location: 7409 Picnic Island Blvd, Tampa, FL 33616, United States

Is St. Pete beach dog-friendly?

Dogs are allowed on one part of St. Pete beach in Florida. Local government advice about St. Pete Beach states that dogs are allowed on the Bay side at the end of the Pass-a-Grille Way between 1st and 3rd Avenues. At this part of the beach, dogs are allowed both on the sand and in the sea. Apart from this dog-friendly zone, dogs are prohibited from any sandy area of St. Pete beach.

Dog parks in St. Petersburg, FL

When planning a day out in and around the city with your furry pal, it’s always worth considering the dog parks in St. Petersburg FL. Spaces designed specifically for walking your dog, they’re the perfect place to let your pooch socialize without worrying about beach restrictions.

• Small Dogs Park at the Vinoy Park. St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
• Kenwood Dog Park. 401 20th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713, United States
• Crescent Lake Dog Park. 617 12th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
• Enterprise Dog Park. 2655 Enterprise Rd E, Clearwater, FL 33759, United States
• Helen Howarth Dog Park. 6301 94th Ave, Pinellas Park, FL 33782, United States
• Broderick Dog Park. 6101 66th Ave N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781, United States
• John Morroni Memorial Dog Park. 11650 Capri Cir S, Treasure Island, FL 33706, United States

As always, before entering your local dog park, check the signage to make sure it’s suitable for your pooch. Some dog parks segregate small and large dogs to make socialization easier and safer, and some may restrict access at certain times of the day.

Dog-friendly coffee shops in St. Pete, FL

Want somewhere to stop for your morning coffee run when on your way to a pet-friendly St. Petersburg FL dog park? Look no further than our list of cafes that’ll welcome your pup. Naturally, always check before strolling in with your four-legged friends - local businesses can change rules and restrictions at any time.

• Bad Mother. 260 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
• Southside Coffee Brew Bar. 3922 6th St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, United States
• Driftwood Cafe. 800 2nd Ave NE Ground Floor, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
• Paradeco Coffee Roasters. 111 2nd Ave NE #101, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
• The Blend. 1211 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
• Muddy Water Kava. 6111 10th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33703, United States
• Bandit Coffee Co. 2662 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33712, United States
• Black Crow Coffee. 2157 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712, United States

Tips for pet parents

So you’ve planned your day out in dog-friendly St. Petersburg FL and you’re clued-up about the local restaurants, parks, beaches and cafes that’ll welcome your four-legged friends. To keep your pooch happy while you’re both in and outside of the city, follow our tips below.

• Consider beaches outside of St. Petersburg, FL. While there are a few dog-friendly beaches in St. Petersburg, the city is surrounded by areas such as Clearwater and Tampa with heaps of beaches that welcome dogs off-leash.
• Double check local rules. It’s great to have a few dog-friendly spots in mind, but when planning a lunch or dinner somewhere new, call ahead to confirm they’re still dog-friendly.
• Plan ahead for your vacation. So your pooch is well and truly entertained in this dog-friendly city, but what about when the time comes to go on vacation? Well as vets agree pets are happiest at home, why not welcome an in-home, verified pet sitter to keep them in the place they’re most content? Click below to find out how it all works.

Tips for pet sitters

So, fancy exploring Sunshine City with a furry friend by your side? Follow our tips below so that you can have a top-notch adventure in pet-friendly St. Petersburg FL.

• Check out a local dog park. If you’re house sitting and new to the city, a place to get to know locals (and allow your new furry pal to run free) is your local dog park. Ask pet parents about their pup’s favorite spots and check them out to keep their pooch in the routine they’re used to.
• Consider driving. So long as your license permits, sometimes pet parents will allow you to drive with their pets, which is a great way to explore nearby beaches, such as those in Tampa and Clearwater.
• Explore St. Petersburg FL through house sitting. Want to get a real taste of local life in Sunshine City? Exchange in-home pet care for a place to stay in St. Petersburg FL – find out more below.

Useful resources

• Pet-friendly Portland OR: things to do in Portland with dogs
• Dog-friendly Pittsburgh: things to do in Pittsburgh with dogs
• Dog-friendly Santa Cruz: Things to do in Santa Cruz with a dog