For the love of dogs

by Michelle O’Dea

Dog owners, more and more, want to include their furry friends in their comings and goings, and nearly 60 bars and restaurants in Lincoln welcome dogs to their outdoor tables. 

Downtown and Haymarket restaurants offering Fido-friendly eating include these. 

The Mill Coffee & Tea, 800 P St., offers free Wi-fi and a huge dog-friendly patio, where both families and dogs love to gather and enjoy the day.

Lazlo’s, 201 N. Seventh St., serves house-brewed beer and creative comfort foods cooked on a hickory wood-fired grill. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio.

Mellow Mushroom, 601 R St., is home to 19 pet-friendly tables outside, as well as specialty pies, calzones, hoagies and salads. 

Dish, 1100 O St., serves upscale American Continental cuisine and handcrafted cocktails in an elegant but unpretentious ambiance. Your dog is welcome at any of the six outdoor tables.

The Oven, 201 N. Eighth and Oven East at 101 Pioneers Drive, feature traditional Northern Indian cuisine prepared in an authentic Tandoor clay oven, including chicken, lamb and seafood entrees, and vegetarian dishes. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area.

Pickleman’s Gourmet Café, 1442 O St., offers four dog-friendly outdoor tables. The deli serves sandwiches, fresh soups and salads and pizza. Please note that table service is not available, so
a friend will need to hold your dog when you go in to order.

The 1867 Bar, 101 N. 14th St., is well-known for being dog-friendly and hosts Paws and Draws the first Sunday of each month. They even have dog toys behind the bar. You’ll know which drinking buddy to take to this establishment. 

Wine connoisseurs should visit Bin 105, at 105 N. Eighth St., which features quality wines and specialty foods. The patio is dog-friendly. 

Dogs are welcome on the back patio at Bodega’s Alley at 1418 O St. This bar offers bands and weekly karaoke on Tuesday nights. 

BurgerFi, 300 Canopy Street, has a pet-friendly outdoor patio. You can find all-natural Angus burgers, hand-cut fries and frozen custard desserts. 

Starbucks, 1429 P St., offers four tables with dog-friendly seating. Don’t forget to ask for a Puppuccino, an espresso-shot-sized paper cup full of whipped cream just for Fido. Table service is not available, so have a friend take the leash while you go in to order. 

Dogs are allowed until 10 p.m. at Duffy’s Tavern, 1412 O St. For more than 80 years, Duffy’s Tavern has been a creative hub for up-and-coming musicians. The bar also hosts a doggie happy hour Thursdays, 4-7 p.m.

The Happy Raven Craft Beer Bar, 122 N. 11th St., offers a relaxed atmosphere with independent craft brews. 

Jake’s Cigars & Spirits, 101 N. 14th St., is a relaxed cigar lounge with an extensive selection of whiskey, cocktails and craft beer. Fido can get a water bowl, too.

Marz Bar, 1140 O St., is also dog-friendly. This popular spot offers uniquely crafted cocktails and a pop-up kitchen in the back. 

Dogs are welcome on the large courtyard at Tavern on the Square, 814 P St. Brunch on the Square is a fan favorite event on Sundays, noon-3 p.m., May through mid-October. 

Yia Yia’s Pizza, 1423 O St., offers dog-friendly dining on the patio as well. Enjoy a full pie or just a slice of their specialty pizzas, or build your own. Pair with one of the 24 rotating beers on tap, or any of the 250 bottled beers from around the world. 

Hub Café, 250 N. 21st St., whips up farm-fresh breakfast (served all day), brunch and lunch. Dogs are welcome on the patio, which seats about 20 humans. 

9 South Chargrill, 844 South St., is a casual American joint serving a wide variety of sandwiches, burgers, beef, pork, chicken, seafood, pasta and vegetarian options. Dogs are welcome on the patio. 

Many local and chain restaurants offer pet-friendly al fresco dining throughout the city, but we would be amiss to not mention The Parthenon, Lincoln’s best Greek restaurant at 5500 S. 56th St. The restaurant was one of the first in the city to offer pet-friendly terrace dining. On Tuesday evenings in fair weather, the Parthenon offers water bowls for our four-legged friends—and bakes up delicious biscuits for them as well.