Where are the best places to dine with dogs around the South Island? We’ve sniffed out some favourite spots of our four-legged friends and their pawrents. This is a running list so come back and check in before your next southern trip.
If there’s a great yappy hour spot you'd like to shout out, let us know!
Nelson
Nelson has dogs well covered, with all four Sprig + Fern locations that welcome four-legged visitors. The original Tahuna branch remains a firm favourite, sitting just a dash across the playing fields from the world-famous Tahunanui Beach. After a gallop on the sand with your hound, head over for a cold one and some of the famous house-cut chips.
Thanks to its sunny climate and love of outdoor seating, Nelson, in general, is a dog-friendly city. Local cafes like Victus Coffee & Eatery and Little Dove are popular spots to grab brunch with your dog after a walk.
Blenheim
With two large outdoor areas, Marlborough Public House has plenty of room for all the family. It's a great place to get down to some live music and laze back on a beanbag in that Marlborough sunshine with your best boy or girl.
For something more low-key, Hakuna Matata is another dog-friendly favourite in town, known for its delicious pup cups to go with the humans’ coffee run.
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Kaikoura
Strawberry Tree, a rustic, iconic spot, was named winner of the Upper South Island category in the 2025 Estrella Damm Top 50 NZ Gastropub Awards. Hosting live music and serving fresh seafood, it's a favourite with locals of all leg numbers.
Just along the road, Beach House Cafe sits opposite the beach and makes a great spot for dogs to relax before or after bounding into the ocean after a stick or zooming about on the rugged, shingle coastline.
Christchurch
Moon Under Water - This friendly neighbourhood cafe in Somerfield has portraits of its favourite pupstomers on the wall and sells branded Moon Under Water dog coats! With an extensive craft beer menu and biscuits for the doggos, this is a happy place for you and your pal.
For the health conscious Cantabrian, Barefoot Eatery offers a plant-based, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, additive free menu - and their tropical-themed, leafy covered courtyard is a beloved haven for hounds too.
Over in Redcliffs, The Lil Brew is another firm favourite, serving up puppuccinos and even dog-friendly ice cream. It sits close to the beach, making it the perfect stop before or after a run along the sand.
Hello Sunday in Sydenham welcomes four-legged friends into the courtyard of their historic building for a spot of relaxing while their owners enjoy brunch.
Oamaru
Scott's Brewery - This seaside brew pub in the historic district of Oamaru is our local and has a sunny outdoor area that is just the ticket for a tag-along pup. Welcoming dogs is part of the ethos here – along with serving great local beer.
Another harbourside gem, The Galley also welcomes dogs in its outdoor seating area.
Queenstown
The Boat Shed Cafe - Tucked away in an historic boat shed overlooking the sparkling waters of Lake Wakatipu, this Frankton favourite welcomes leashed dogs of all sizes. Known for their breakfast and great coffee, this is a perfect spot to stop on a walk around the lakefront with your fluffball. The Boatshed Bakery is next door on the marina, a grab-and-go spot for a daily dog walk along the lakeside trail.
Beech Tree - With a wall of doggo Polaroids, this local favourite in the heart of Queenstown serves up burgers and beers made especially for your four legged friends, and they hold events just for dogs! Truly a place for happy hounds and their owners.
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Sundays - The courtyard on Sundays makes the perfect spot to stop a while while browsing the wares at Country Lane in Frankton, and they love their dog visitors! A recent addition to the cafe and restaurant scene set within a repurposed historic chapel, Sundays is well worth a visit.
Altitude Brewing in Frankton welcomes well-behaved leashed dogs into its outdoor area overlooking the lake. It's about a 40-minute amble along the lakeside trail from central Queenstown, a decent leg stretch for the dog before they settle in with a bowl of water, while you sip on a crisp Sled Dog Hazy.
Handlebar Eatery & Brewery, in Frankton’s industrial area, is a favourite with the BBQ crowd. They smoke their own brisket and pulled pork on site and pour a solid coffee to match. Dogs are welcome to join in on the good vibes, both inside and outside.
Dunedin
With 'dog' in its name, they couldn't very well shut your buddy out! Quite the opposite. Long Dog in St Clair are long-time dog lovers, welcoming everyone in to enjoy the ocean views and offering biscuits for sandy, post-walk paws.
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Steamer Basin Brewing - Tucked away in Dunedin's old Bond Quarter, this locals' gathering spot makes no secret of their love of dogs, naming regulars on their Instagram account and welcoming in paws of all shapes and sizes.
Emerson's Brewery is a Dunedin institution with a spacious outdoor beer garden that welcomes dogs alongside a classic craft beer lineup. It’s an easy stop whether you're after a quiet pint or a full meal with your pal in tow.
The Catlins
Niagara Falls Café is a favourite pit stop along the Southern Scenic Route, set inside a converted one-room schoolhouse dating back to 1893. Dogs are welcome to join you in the attached greenhouse, where deck chair seating and a laid-back atmosphere make it an easy spot to rest up with a coffee and slice of cake before continuing on through the Catlins.
Peake's Kitchen in the beautiful seaside settlement of Papatowai is Kiwiana at its best and brightest. Famous for their burgers and towering scooped ice creams, Peake's love to see a pup in tow. There are plenty of spots to explore nearby after dining too.
Riverton
Overlooking the estuary, the Aparima Tavern is Southland classic and dog friendly as they come. A large deck provides plenty of room to enjoy the sun and soak up the view, with a down-to-earth pub menu to satisfy all appetites after a day at the beach.
Lumsden
Roasted x Toasted, home of the famous ROAR Coffee, is a welcome pit stop no matter which direction you’re heading. Freshly roasted coffee and hearty toasties make it a great spot to break up a road trip with your dog.
Invercargill
You can’t beat Invercargill on a good day and you also can’t beat these dog-friendly hotspots.
The Cheeky Llama Cafe, tucked into Queens Park, is a lovely spot to refuel after a wander around the gardens with your dog. Grab a coffee and a bite to eat, then carry on exploring the park together.
Blink and you’ll miss Groove Espresso on the fringe of Queens Park. This colourful little hole in the wall pumps out excellent pastries and sandwiches, ideal for collecting mid-stroll.
Ziff's Cafe & Bar is another dog-friendly favourite in town, welcoming pups in for a feed alongside their regular crowd of locals.