LA’s very best pet-friendly cafés and restaurants

LA has no shortage of trendy cafés and many of them are dedicated to attracting customers with pets. If you’re looking to keep yourself caffeinated and your pet happy, these are our pick of the bunch.

Muddy Paw Coffee, Silver Lake

Is there a better slogan than ‘Have a Cup, Save a Pup’? Muddy Paw Coffee wins on the catchphrase and for the initiative behind it. A coffee roasting company that raises money for local animal rescue centres, Muddy Paw Coffee has all-round appeal – and that’s before you even get to the doughnuts. Enjoy a bona fide medley of sugar-topped bomboloni – an Italian-style doughnut containing a sweet filling (think nutella or fruit jam). Pick up one of these and a speciality coffee and head out onto the terrace, likely full of energetic pups. Plan a trip here on one of the rescue centre adoption days if you’re keen to take a new pet home. Stay at Freehand Los Angeles.

The Dog Café, Rampart Village

The Dog Café is a dog shelter turned coffeehouse, a new kind of hybrid institution. The café’s mission is to revolutionise dog adoption; instead of potential owners visiting overcrowded shelters, people can come here to sip on a frothy latte and play with the resident pups, all of whom are rescue dogs. Unfortunately, you can’t bring your own dog because some rescue dogs need time acclimatising to fellow canines, so this is a place for anyone who loves dogs but doesn’t have their own. The café has an entry fee with the proceeds going towards the dogs’ medical needs. Leave contented (and maybe with a new friend in tow) to the pet-friendly Hollywood View Getaway.

Park Bench Cafe, Huntington Beach

Hugging the perimeters of Huntington Beach Central Park, Park Bench Cafe is a haven for dog-lovers and their pups. An outdoor café that’s long been a popular brunch spot for locals, it even has a doggie menu provided; treat highlights include the ‘Hot Diggity Dog’ – a beef hot dog sans bun and sliced up into bite-sized pieces – the ‘Wrangler Roundup’, which consists of lean ground turkey for those dogs looking for a lighter meal, and the sweet and savoury ‘Peanut Butter Bone’. While your dog tucks in, order one of the many omelettes on offer, followed by a cinnamon roll that’s heavy on the icing. You’ll both need a run around afterwards, so opt for a walk in the park as you head back to beachfront Paséa Hotel & Spa.

Golden Road Brewing, Atwater Village

Golden Road Brewing specialises in local craft beers and considerably sized portions of pub food (try the Angus burger with sun-dried tomatoes or the bahn mi. It’s the kind of place made for long afternoons and watching the game with your friends, and the pub even has its own ‘doggy deck’ – an outdoor area designated for those pets who don’t want to miss out on the fun. You’ll find a selection of plump dog beds and water bowls at the ready, while dog biscuits (made from the same grain used to make the house beer) can be bought and munched on. When you’ve eaten your fill, wander over to Hotel Xilo Glendale for a nap.

The Waffle, Hollywood

The Waffle is not your ordinary diner. While it does plate up seemingly endless orders of honey-gold waffles – in red velvet, tres leches, blueberry lemon and other classic variations – topped with lashings of compote and whipped cream, there’s more to this waffle house than excellent breakfast treats. The owners are dog-lovers and welcome pups with bowls of water. Then there’s the house special, known as Woofles – dog treats made with parmesan, parsley and whole wheat flour. Dig into your respective meals indoors or out on the patio, which looks out onto Sunset Boulevard. The Waffle works with non-profit organisations that support animal rights, meaning every bite contributes to a worthy cause. And if you’re in a generous mood, you can also splurge with a room for you and your pet at the luxurious Montage Beverly Hills.