Your dog deserves brunch too. Ann Arbor has more dog-friendly patios than you’d expect for a college town, and the best ones don’t just tolerate your dog – they roll out the water bowl and sometimes a treat menu.
Michigan law allows dogs on outdoor restaurant patios as long as the restaurant opts in. Not every place does, so we’ve confirmed these spots actually welcome four-legged dining companions. Leash your pup, bring a portable water bowl as backup, and settle in.
Grizzly Peak Brewing Company
Grizzly Peak doesn’t just allow dogs on the patio – they built an entire “Pups on the Patio” program around it. Your dog gets their own menu with options like pup patties, bacon bites, and doggy ice cream. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Humane Society of Huron Valley, so your lab’s treat habit is technically a charitable act.
The human food is solid too. Grizzly Peak brews everything in-house, and the beer cheese soup paired with a fresh IPA is one of the better lunch combos downtown. The patio wraps around the corner of Washington and Ashley, giving you good people-watching (and squirrel-watching, if your dog is the alert type).
Go during a weekday lunch to snag a shady table without the weekend rush.
120 W Washington St. Grizzly Peak Brewing Company
Frita Batidos
Frita Batidos on Washington Street has one of the most dog-popular patios in town. The sidewalk seating is casual enough that nobody blinks when your golden retriever parks under the table, and the staff is genuinely friendly about it.
The food here is Cuban-inspired – fritas (think Cuban-style burgers with crispy shoestring fries on top), tropical batidos, and plantain chips. Everything comes out fast, which is good because your dog’s patience for sitting still has limits.
Pro tip: the outdoor tables fill fast on warm weekends. Arrive before noon or go on a weekday if you want your pick of spots.
117 W Washington St. Frita Batidos
Zingerman’s Roadhouse
The Roadhouse on Jackson Ave has a grassy lawn patio area where dogs are welcome – and they’ve thought about it enough to install a pet waste station. That small detail tells you a lot about how seriously they take the dog-friendly thing.
You’re here for the food, though. Really Good American Food is literally their tagline, and they back it up. The mac and cheese alone is worth the drive, and the fried chicken on Tuesdays is a local event. The lawn seating is more relaxed than the indoor vibe, which makes it perfect for dogs who need a little space.
If your dog is the anxious type around crowds, come for an early dinner when the patio is quieter.
2501 Jackson Ave. Zingerman’s Roadhouse
Sava’s
Sava’s patio on State Street is prime real estate for people and dogs alike. It sits right across from campus, so the foot traffic keeps things interesting for curious pups. The patio has a mix of sun and shade, and the staff will bring water without you asking.
The menu covers a lot of ground – bowls, salads, sandwiches, and a weekend brunch that draws a crowd. The bang bang shrimp is a cult favorite, and the Greek salad is big enough to share (with a human, not your dog – too many onions).
This is a great option if you’re combining a dog walk around campus with a sit-down meal. The Diag is right there.
216 S State St. Sava’s
HOMES Brewery
HOMES on Jackson Ave is a dog-friendly brewpub where the outdoor tables are spacious enough that your dog isn’t tripping a server every five minutes. The beer list rotates constantly – they’re known for hazy IPAs and interesting sour collaborations – and the food menu leans shareable: loaded fries, bowls, and snacks built for pairing.
The crowd here skews craft-beer-curious, and the atmosphere is relaxed enough that a well-behaved dog fits right in. Weekend afternoons get busy, but the patio has enough room that it doesn’t feel cramped.
They’re slightly west of downtown, which means parking is easier than trying to find a spot on Main Street.
2321 Jackson Ave. HOMES Brewery
Jolly Pumpkin Cafe & Brewery
Jolly Pumpkin’s Main Street location has two outdoor options: the sidewalk seating out front and the rooftop deck above. Dogs are welcome on the sidewalk level, where you’ll find shade from the building and a low-key vibe compared to the rooftop party above.
The sour ales are the main draw here – Jolly Pumpkin is one of the original American sour breweries, and the La Roja is a classic. The pizza menu is solid too, with wood-fired options that go well with a tart beer on a warm afternoon.
Main Street gets foot traffic all day, which can be stimulating or overwhelming depending on your dog’s personality. A corner table works best for reactive pups.
311 S Main St. Jolly Pumpkin Cafe & Brewery
Zingerman’s Delicatessen
The Zingerman’s Deli patio out back is one of Ann Arbor’s worst-kept secrets – and it’s dog-friendly. Water bowls are available, and the seating is casual enough that your dog can sprawl without being in the way. The patio is tucked behind the building by the Kerrytown side, so it feels slightly removed from the chaos of the deli line inside.
Speaking of that line: it’s long on weekends. Order at the counter, grab a number, and head outside. The Reuben is the classic order, but the corned beef on rye is equally good. Sandwiches are enormous and priced accordingly – plan to split one if your appetite isn’t Michigan-football-sized.
422 Detroit St, near Kerrytown. Zingerman’s Delicatessen
Biercamp
Biercamp is a small-batch meat shop and sandwich counter on Jackson Ave that makes its own sausages, cures its own meats, and brews its own beer on-site. The outdoor seating is limited – a few picnic tables – but dogs are welcome and the vibe is as casual as it gets.
The bratwurst here is among the best you’ll find in Washtenaw County, and the smoked meats are made in-house from whole animals. Your dog will be very interested in whatever you’re eating. This is a good stop if you’re already in the Jackson Ave corridor visiting HOMES or the Roadhouse.
Not a full restaurant experience – more of a “grab a sandwich and a beer and sit outside” kind of place. Sometimes that’s exactly what you and the dog need.
1643 S State St. Biercamp
Black Pearl
Black Pearl on South Main has seasonal outdoor seating that’s dog-friendly during warmer months. The 35-seat patio is a good size – not cramped – and the staff is accommodating about making space for larger dogs.
The menu is seafood-focused with a raw bar, sushi, and the fish tacos that earned them a national reputation. If you’re looking for something a little more polished than the average patio-and-pup outing, Black Pearl is the move. A cocktail, some oysters on the half shell, and your dog sunning at your feet. That’s a good evening.
Reservations for patio seats are smart on Friday and Saturday nights.
302 S Main St. Black Pearl
Tips for Dining Out With Your Dog in Ann Arbor
Bring water. Most places will offer a bowl, but don’t assume. A collapsible travel bowl is cheap insurance.
Go off-peak. Weekday lunches or early dinners mean more space, less noise, and a calmer experience for your dog.
Know your dog. If your pup barks at strangers or lunges at passing dogs, a crowded Main Street patio isn’t the right call. Start with a quieter spot like the Roadhouse lawn or Biercamp’s picnic tables.
Combine with a walk. Most of these spots are near Gallup Park, the Nichols Arboretum, or the Border-to-Border Trail – tire them out first and they’ll be a model citizen at dinner.
For the full list of Ann Arbor restaurants and outdoor dining spots, explore the directory at miannarbor.com.
