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  9. Pet-friendly Honolulu: things to do in the city with a dog

Pet-friendly Honolulu: things to do in the city with a dog

TrustedHousesitters blog author - Hayley Ward
Hayley Ward
01 April 20258 min read
View of Honolulu city, Oahu

Local to Hawaii’s capital and live with a canine companion, or house sitting in Honolulu? Say no more, fellow pet lover - here find your one-stop guide to pet-friendly Honolulu.

Whether you’re welcoming a Honolulu pet sitter or you’re visiting the city yourself, take a look below for the dog-friendly restaurants Honolulu has to offer, along with O‘ahu’s beaches, city dog parks, walking trails and more.

Dog-friendly restaurants in Honolulu

Whether you live in Hawaii or you’re house sitting in Honolulu, one of the best ways to get some quality time with your furry pal is to dine out! To truly experience pet-friendly Honolulu is to taste it - so take a look below for the dog-friendly restaurants Honolulu has to offer below and you’ll soon be tucking into poke bowls, poi and saimin.

Nico’s at Pier 38

This popular restaurant sits right between berths 31 and 33 - so you’re guaranteed a great view of the water. Nico’s at Pier 38 welcomes dog owners and their furry friends in the outdoor seating area - the perfect place to enjoy ocean scenes, live music and traditional Hawaiian cuisine. The menu features locally-sourced ingredients straight from the sea, as well as crowd pleasers like burgers and pizza.

Location: 1129 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96817, United States

Aloha Beer Company

Looking for somewhere reliable to enjoy a cold one and some top-notch pub grub with your canine companion? Head along to Aloha Beer company for a broad selection of beer plus pub favorites with a Hawaiian twist - think poke nachos, sliders and pizza. And the best thing about this spot? They even have a dog menu - choose from dog-friendly menu items made with grilled chicken and eggs.

Location: 700 Queen St, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States

DECK. at Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel

Views of Diamond Head and upmarket American fare? Yes please! From acai bowls to steak and eggs, this dog-friendly restaurant welcomes furry friends in the (jaw-dropping) outdoor seating area.

Location: 150 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Moku Kitchen

Like many dog-friendly restaurants in O‘ahu, Moku Kitchen is known for its live music and upbeat atmosphere - check it out for hand-crafted cocktails and an American menu made with locally-sourced ingredients.

Location: 660 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States

Lulu's Waikiki

For views of Waikiki beach, head to Lulu’s - a popular spot serving up classic American fare, perfect for lunch out with your furry pal.

Location: 2586 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Max & Lucy’s

This modest cafe-style restaurant serves up local favorites over rice including fried chicken, steak, roast pork and teriyaki chicken.

Location: 568 Halekauwila St # B, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States

Scratch Kitchen Ward

This dog-friendly Honolulu restaurant takes favorites from around the world and adds their own unique twist - expect grits, adobo and fried chicken.

Location: 1170 Auahi St Suite 175, Honolulu, HI 96814, United States

Dog-friendly beaches in O‘ahu

Many of the beaches around Hawaii are dog-friendly - allowing leashed dogs to explore with their humans. For a full list of the beaches that allow dogs in and around Honolulu and O‘ahu, visit the Hawaiian Humane Society website. Below, we’ll list a few popular dog-friendly beaches near Honolulu.

Kuliʻouʻou Beach Park

A popular beach and park with pet owners, Kuluʻouʻou Beach Park is complete with picnic tables and offers up impressive views for O‘ahu’s pets and their humans.

Location: 100 Bay St, Honolulu, HI 96821, United States

Waimānalo Beach Park

Just a 25-minute drive through country roads from Honolulu, it’s no wonder this dog-friendly beach in O‘ahu’s south-eastern coast is popular with pet parents. Just be sure to keep your dog on a leash at all times.

Location: 41-741 Kalanianaʻole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96795, United States

Kaluahole Beach

Just a 20-minute walk from Waikīkī Beach (where dogs aren’t allowed) Kaluahole Beach just down the coast is dog-friendly (to dogs on a leash) and is perfect if you’re looking for a dog-friendly beach in Honolulu to take a sunset walk. 

Location: Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Considerations for taking your dog to the beach in Honolulu

  • Always pick up after your dog - according to the Hawaiian Humane Society, not doing so could result in fines.
  • Keep your dog on a leash at all times when on a dog-friendly beach.
  • Both puppies and dogs should be vaccinated.
  • Dogs should avoid the beach while on heat.
  • Take plenty of fresh water with you and try not to stay in direct sunlight for long periods of time.
  • While Waikīkī beach might be one of the island’s top attractions, remember that dogs are not permitted.

Dog-friendly cafes Honolulu

After a long walk with your canine companion, why not relax in a dog-friendly cafe nearby? Lots of Honolulu’s cafes, restaurants and coffee shops welcome well-behaved dogs in the outdoor seating areas, but always double check before taking a seat.

Sweet E's Café

One of the most relaxed ways to experience dog-friendly Honolulu is to pop along to a dog-friendly cafe - and this spot certainly won’t disappoint. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio area - the perfect place for you to enjoy the weather, and their famous sweet bread French toast.

Location: 1006 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816, United States

Koko Head Café

In the mood for a pan-Asian breakfast? Check out Koko Head café - serving up dumplings all day, poke omelette, breakfast congee and more - it’s not a spot to be missed.

Location: 1120 12th Ave #100, Honolulu, HI 96816, United States

Bogart’s Café

Pop along to this relaxed, dog-friendly coffee shop for bagels, pastries and creative breakfast dishes featuring eggs, waffles and pancakes.

Location: 3045 Monsarrat Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Musubi Cafe IYASUME

Hawaii is the home of spam musubi, so whether you’re house sitting in Honolulu or you live nearby, the popular snack is a local must! Head along to one of Honolulu’s many dog-friendly spam musubi cafes for the perfect lunchtime snack.

Location: 2427 Kūhiō Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Barefoot Beach Cafe

Pups are welcome in the dog-friendly outdoor seating area of Barefoot Beach Cafe, so pop along for sweeping views of the ocean and crowd-pleasing classics. Choose from acai bowls, breakfast toasts, fried rice, catch of the day and a range of sandwiches.

Location: 2699 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Honolulu dog parks

If you’re on the lookout for pet-friendly outdoor activities where your pooch can run free, off-leash, dog parks have to be the most dog-friendly places O‘ahu has to offer. Popular with the dogs of Honolulu and their humans, parks designed for our furry friends are the perfect place to socialize and let your pup run free, without the stress of traffic or no-dog zones.

Honolulu walking trails 

Want to get into the open air with your furry pal, who’s got some energy to burn on a hike? Check out a few of the surrounding walking trails in O‘ahu popular with dog owners - just remember to take shade when you need to and always pack plenty of water.

Mānoa Falls Trail

Soak up the views of this incredible waterfall just a short drive from downtown Honolulu, and be sure to keep your dog on a leash at all times. Get to the trailhead at the end of Manoa Road, and remember to pay the parking fee before exploring the tropical hiking trail that leads to the falls.

Location: Honolulu, HI 96822, United States

Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve

This protected forest is popular with pet parents - just be sure to assess the difficulty of the hike you plan to take, and whether your pooch will manage it. Dog-friendly trails in the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve include Pu'u Pia Trail, Moanalua Valley trail and Tripler Ridge Trail Loop.

Location: Honolulu, HI 96822, United States

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Keep your dog on a leash and enjoy the sweeping views of guava and koa forests on this steep ridge trail - cameras at the ready!

Location: 2390 Okoa St, Honolulu, HI 96821, United States

'Ualaka'a Trail

Get into nature on Honolulu’s ʻUalakaʻa Trail for quality time with your furry companion, who you’ll need to keep on a leash.

Location: 'Ualaka'a Trail, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States

Tips for pet parents

It’s safe to say that the dogs of O‘ahu are well and truly catered for when it comes to dog-friendly restaurants in Honolulu - not to mention all the cafes and walking trails perfect for them. To keep your furry friends happy while you’re both at home and on vacation, explore our tips below.

  • Plan hikes ahead. Honolulu is surrounded by incredible places to hike, but not all walking trails and viewpoints are dog-friendly, so plan ahead and always check the signage.
  • Keep dogs on a leash at the beach. While there are a fair few dog-friendly beaches on O‘ahu, all require dogs to be kept on a leash, so head to a dog park if you want to play a game of fetch. 
  • Plan ahead for your vacation. So your pooch is well and truly spoiled for choice when it comes to dog-friendly places to visit locally, but what happens when it’s time for you to take a vacation? Well as vets agree pets are happiest at home, why not welcome an in-home sitter? Click below to find out how it works.

How to connect with pet sitters in Honolulu

How it works

Tips for pet sitters

Sun-kissed beaches and sweeping forest views calling your name? We thought so! To explore all that dog-friendly Honolulu has to offer with a furry companion by your side, follow our tips for house sitting and beyond.

  • Ask pet parents for recommendations. Owners know their pup best, so ask for ideas and advice on where their pooch enjoys going in and around the city.
  • Explore local dog parks. Dog parks are a safe bet if the pup you’re looking after enjoys the company of other dogs - pop along to get to know local pet lovers.
  • Plan a hike. Honolulu is surrounded by unreal hiking trails with some of the best views in the world, so plan a dog-friendly hike if your furry friend is up to it, and ask pet parents first.
  • Explore Honolulu through house sitting. So, want to swap in-home pet care for a place to stay in Honolulu, and a new furry companion to show you around? Click below to find out how it works.

How to find house sits in Honolulu

How it works

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