Whether you’re visiting Minneapolis with your dog or are a local looking for more dog friendly activities, the city has so much to offer your four-legged companion in all seasons. From exploring the outdoors, sipping your way through a dog-friendly brewery crawl, nibbling on treats from a restaurant dog menu, or shopping for the perfect new collar and leash, Minneapolis is a paradise for pets and the people who love them.

Dog Friendly Minneapolis Hotels

Searching for hotels that allow dogs in Minneapolis? You’re in luck, because the city is full of great fido-approved, pet-friendly hotel options that cater to all of your traveling companion’s needs.

Downtown East

At the Radisson RED in Downtown East/Mill City, you can bring two pets up to 40 lbs with no fee, and they’ll be treated to a free bandana and milk bones from the front desk, plus dog beds and dishes in your room! Nearby Aloft Minneapolis allows two dogs up to 40 lbs with no fee—call for larger breeds—and pampers them with water bowls and treats in the lobby. Gold Medal Park is a short walk away from both hotels, perfect for a potty break and sightseeing stroll.

North Loop

At the boutique Hewing Hotel, size doesn’t matter—you can stay in style with two pets, any size for $75 per pet. They’ll be living large with BarkBox Memory Foam Dog Beds, and it’s a great option for travelers looking to catch a show, as well-behaved pets are allowed in rooms unattended. Dogs are even allowed in the bar and lounge… talk about a pet friendly hotel!

Downtown

Two pets, any size, stay for free at the Hyatt Centric Downtown. They’ll find water bowls, free treats, dog beds, and even small crates for some cozy lounging. At the Residence Inn Downtown, two pets up to 150 lbs can join your vacation with $100 fee per stay. Well behaved pets are allowed in rooms unattended, but must be crated if housekeeping is needed. You’ll have access to a small grass area onsite for easy relief breaks.

Uptown

At Moxy Uptown, two pets—dogs or cats up to 100 lb max per room—can stay with a $50 nonrefundable fee, and they’ll enjoy cool dog art and a dog station in the lobby with front desk staff at the ready with treats and bowls. Well behaved pets can be left unattended in guest rooms.

Dog-Friendly Minneapolis Restaurants

The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar is one of the most dog-friendly places in Minneapolis, complete with a very dog-friendly patio and a dedicated doggy menu. Think yoga mats for dogs to recline in comfort, water bowls, and a “yappy hour” daily with discounts on all items on the doggy menu. On Wednesdays from 1-4 pm, dogs eat free with the purchase of a human entre! (Two-legged bonus: Humans will love the large tap list boasting 40+ beers.)

Love dogs as much as you love bikes? Part bike shop, part performance training center, and part cafe, The Fix Studio & Cafe is dog-friendly inside AND out! The shaded patio keeps everyone cool, dogs are treated to free treats and water, and there’s even a resident studio poodle named Mavis.

Stanley's Northeast Bar Room is home to the dog-friendly pawtio—where your buddy can dig into the city’s only 3-course dog menu (available for dining in house, pickup, and delivery). Yappy hour every day from 3-6 means $1 off dog menu items, and all dogs will enjoy a free water bowl and peanut butter treat. The outdoor space is tented and heated (call if temps dip below zero), and a grassy area is provided for relief breaks.

While they don’t have all the bells and whistles of some of the spots on this list, many local favorites allow dogs on their dog-friendly patios. The French Meadow and Barbette both offer outdoor tables to dine with your pooch, and are great options for a dog friendly brunch in Minneapolis. Along the riverside in Saint Anthony Park (read: perfect for a post-dinner stroll), and Aster Cafe allows well-behaved dogs on their legendary patio. Northeast Arts District taco spot Centro has a sizable patio that welcomes dogs and their people in the warmer months, and gastropub Pat’s Tap has plenty of pet-friendly outdoor tables.

Dog Friendly Coffee Shops in Minneapolis

Looking for a spot to relax or get some work done with Spot by your side? At In the Loop Coffee Co., dogs are allowed inside and on the patio, where the water bowls are freshly filled. Humans can pass along organic doggy treats and Puppachinos from the counter and enjoy the photo gallery of neighborhood dogs on the wall. Dogwood Coffee Northeast & Roastery has more than just a dog-friendly name—they’ve got a dog-friendly patio, too. Common Roots Cafe’s large dog-friendly patio offers fresh water bowls for all four-legged friends, and Five Watt Coffee’s dog-friendly tables are a great spot for spending some time together in the sun. At Boiler Room Coffee, dog treats are available, and they can accept them themselves, as well behaved dogs can come in with you to place your order before heading out to the dog-friendly patio.

Dog Friendly Minneapolis Breweries

So many Minneapolis breweries welcome dogs that Sidewalk Dog was able to assemble a Minneapolis-St Paul Dog-Friendly Brewery Pass
with perks from 28 dog friendly breweries! Here are a few highlights:

• 56 Brewing is dog friendly (inside and out), and visiting dogs might be greeted by Zeus the brewery dog, a sweet german shepherd who reigns over the dog-friendly patio. They even make their own dog treats from spent grains left over from the brewing process!

• Able Seedhouse & Brewery also welcomes dogs inside and out—complete with water dishes and treats—but there’s another perk that your pet will love: just next door is MN Nice Cream, Minneapolis’s dog friendly ice cream shop!

• The Freehouse is also known for their dog-friendly patios complete with treats and water dishes.

• Some breweries go above and beyond with special events just for dog lovers. Inbound BrewCo allows dogs inside and out for everyday brewery visits as well as special dog events like Barktoberfest, Pet Portrait Painting, and a weekly Happy Hour with featured breeds. Just take a moment to imagine a brewery filled with dachshunds. You’re welcome.

• Bauhaus Brew Labs also welcomes dogs inside and out, and even host onsite dog training, pet painting sessions, and other puptastic events.

• Brühaven considers everyone family — including your pups. The taproom is dog-friendly and often hosts adoption events.

Minneapolis Pet Boutiques to Bark About

Lowry Hill East’s Urban Tails Pet Supply specializes in raw dog food and nutritional counseling. In addition to pet food you can find toys, treats, clothes, and everything you need to keep your dog healthy and happy. Bring your pup along inside for treats and samples! (Don’t just take out word for it, Urban Tails was named Top Pet Store in Minneapolis in August 2021 by Pet News Daily.)

Copilot Dog Outfitters, located in Linden Hills, specializes in outdoor gear and functional and fashionable dog clothing to keep your pup happy year round. If your dog needs booties to protect their toes in the cold, bring them in to get measured and outfitted!

Woody’s Pet Food Deli sells homemade pet food in cooked and raw forms. Founded in 2008 by Enrique Palma, who found success in transitioning his dogs to a handmade diet, the deli’s staff will work with you to make specific blends for your pets with different needs and ailments.

Dog Parks & Dog-Friendly Activities

*To access any Minneapolis off-leash dog parks (OLDP), dog owners must purchase a permit (options include annual and single-day). Each dog owner can bring no more than three dogs to the park at a time. Note that not all offer clean water sources, so bring along some water for your pup just in case!

Minnehaha Falls Dog Park is located on the south side of Minnehaha Park, and offers a real dog-friendly hiking experience complete with great riverfront spots for your dog to swim and run. Look for trail markers that will indicate where you are leaving the dog park and entering leash-required National Parks Service property.

Well wooded and shady—while well lit in the evenings—Lake of the Isles Dog Park is located at the south side of the urban lake. This park is completely fenced with a separate section designated for small dogs (under 20 lbs).

Lyndale Farmstead Dog Park is a completely fenced dog park with benches and shade structures located near Lake Harriet. The surface of the dog park is crushed granite which can be sensitive to some dog’s paws—but if your pup is unaffected, the park is less muddy and less crowded than most.

Victory Prairie Off-Leash Recreation Area is a completely fenced dog park with an ADA compliant entrance at the east side of the park. The park offers a mixture of trees and prairie fields with a few trails to explore.

Staying in the city and need to run off some energy? Check out the North Loop Play Area, a fully fenced-in space designed and maintained by the nonprofit group Dog Grounds. Its long and narrow shape is especially great as a dog run and a place to play with other dogs. Just like in the Minneapolis-managed dog parks, dogs must have a valid annual or daily off-leash permit.

Unleashed Hounds & Hops Indoor Dog Park is a great place to hang out with your dog without a leash and drink good beer at the same time. Dogs must be preregistered within the Unleashed system and be up to date on vaccinations and state registration before your visit. Check out their website for a full calendar of events including breed-focused meetups, puppy play dates, and Barktoberfest with live music and activities for humans and dogs.

Minneapolis Dog Boarding and Doggy Daycare

City Paws Pet Club is a full service dog palace offering daycare, grooming, and dog hotel needs. Owners Daniel and Sitania Kerkinni started in 2018 and now have two locations, one downtown and one near Bde Maka Ska on Excelsior. City Paws also provides dog training in groups, 1:1 training, and even board and train packages!

Urban Hound Playground is a family owned doggy daycare and boarding spot established in 2017 by Paul Vogelgesang and his family. This doggy daycare is cage-free with 13,000 feet of climate-controlled space for the dogs to interact and play with supervision and care.