Are you looking for the best dog-friendly restaurants in Lincoln, NE? Wanting to grab a bite or a beer with your favorite canine? Check out our top picks for dog-friendly eateries in Lincoln.
Whether you are looking for a place to grab a beer with friends or get some lunch, it is always better with your furbaby. We have set out to find some of the best dog-friendly restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and breweries in the beautiful midwestern town of Lincoln, NE. Our goal is to help you find patios for your pup to join you and enjoy some delicious cuisine in the process.
The restaurants listed below are some of our top favorite dog-friendly restaurants in this cornhusker city. But this list is only the beginning. In this vibrant college town, you'll likely see more and more pet-friendly patios. It is clear that Lincoln, NE, will not be left out of the dog-friendly scene that has been growing exponentially for the past few years. And we are here to make sure that doesn't go unnoticed.
Are you looking for other dog-friendly activities in Lincoln? How about a bit of help finding pet-friendly parks and off-leash areas? We've got a whole list of the best dog parks and off-leash areas in and around Lincoln, NE.
And, of course, we'll also tell you about the best local pet care professionals in the city. Click here to type in your zip code, and we'll help you find the best dog walkers and pet sitters near you.
But if you're ready for some incredible cuisine, let's check out this list below.
The 7 Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants, Bars, and Breweries in Lincoln, NE:
Buzzard Billy's
Carmela's Bistro
SchillingBridge Cork & Tap House
Lazlo's Brewery and Grill
H.F. Crave
LeadBelly
The Hub Cafe
Buzzard Billy's — Downtown
If you are looking for a taste of the Bayou in Nebraska, Buzzard Billy's has what you are looking for. This downtown restaurant serves up authentic New Orleans cuisine and some classic American favorites.
Buzzard Billy's is located in the Historic Haymarket on the edge of downtown. The cajun menu is highlighted by their buzzard sauce but includes deep-fried alligator tail and jerk chicken. They have a lot of other New Orleans favorites like rice and beans, Jambalaya, crawfish, and more. They also have salads and brisket mac and cheese if you are part of a larger party that needs something a little less spicy. There really is something for everyone here.
And the best part for pet parents is that Buzzard Billy's has a large, pet-friendly covered patio. Oftentimes patios aren't covered, and you have to choose between including your pup while sweating or being comfortable. With this large outdoor covered patio, you get to have it all. And your favorite canine will be happy to join you.
Carmela's Bistro — Holmes Lake Park
North of Edenton North on the corner of 70th and Pioneers in the Pioneer Woods plaza, you'll find Carmela's Bistro. This locally owned and operated establishment prides itself on "creating chef-inspired American cuisine that includes hand-cut steaks, pasta, and seafood… [They] passionately believe that food and wine hold the power to forge lasting connections, setting the table for a life well-lived." You'll definitely love this spot with wonderful food options, a large variety of wines, and hand-crafted cocktails.
The vibe inside is great for a date night, but the patio outside will let you bring your pampered pooch out on the town while you enjoy a great steak dinner. I love that this patio is enclosed because it eliminates distractions and creates clear boundaries for your dog.
Follow Carmela's Bistro on Facebook to stay up-to-date with the happenings of this restaurant. They'll post about date night events, adjusted hours, and all the other special events they offer their customers.
SchillingBridge Cork & Tap House — Fallbrook
Highly recommend by our readers, SchillingBridge is a great spot North of downtown! They've got a great outdoor patio and an amazing craft beer and wine list. Even better? The menu! The food is a perfect compliment to their craft beer and handcrafted wines. The patio includes fire tables, stone fire pits, and an incredibly brick oven pizza. This is a must stop!
Lazlo's Brewery and Grill — Colonial Hills
Lazlo's Brewery and Grill has a passion for creative comfort food and a mission to exceed the expectations of its patrons. They have an in-house brewery and make delicious hand-crafted beverages with only the freshest ingredients.
All their burgers and steaks are Certified Angus Beef and prepared on their custom, one-of-a-kind hickory grill. They have fresh seafood and several signature dishes. If you like that hickory flavor, you'll love this restaurant.
Lazlo's has a smaller dog-friendly patio, but the employees are incredibly accommodating to both you and your pup. Stop in this brewery and enjoy a drink with your furry best friend.
H.F. Crave — University Place
H.F. Crave is across the street from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln: East Campus. Their uniqueness comes from the fact that they are farmer-owned and operated. This gives them the competitive advantage of knowing exactly what is going into their beef. Since 1901 this family has been raising cattle. They use only free-range beef that has never been fed hormones, steroids, or antibiotics. This means you are getting the freshest, most natural, healthy beef you can imagine.
Outside of H.F. Crave, you'll find a patio for you and your dog to enjoy together while you chow down on one of these amazing burgers.
LeadBelly — Downtown
LeadBelly creates a fantastic twist on pub classics in a "make yourself at home" environment. You can find this pet-friendly restaurant in the Historic Haymarket district just west of downtown.
While the food is delicious, you cannot talk about LeadBelly without acknowledging its passion for creating community and connecting with every customer. And that includes both humans and canines. LeadBelly also offers a pet-friendly patio that is covered from the elements.
The Hub — Hawley
The Hub is truly a dog-friendly "hub" for social interaction between humans and canines alike. There are really three distinct pieces to The Hub listed below.
The Hub Cafe
The Hub Cafe is a proud farm-to-fork establishment that sources its food locally and makes all of its meals from scratch. They have vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. This means you can get together with a large group of humans and canines and have something for everyone to eat at this restaurant.
The outdoor space is nicely decorated. The tables are clean, the patio space is reasonably sized, and the tables have umbrellas for those hot, sunny days. Your pup will enjoy this space and the views from the patio. It overlooks the Billy Wolff and Rock Island Trails near the Union Plaza Amphitheater. And because of this location, it allows The Hub to do a bit more.
The Hub Farmer's Market
The Hub Cafe has been host to The Hub Farmers' Market every week for the last three years. It happens every Wednesday from 5 PM - 7 PM from mid-May to mid-September. The Hub Cafe runs this farmers' market out of the Jayne Snyder Trails Center. This allows pet parents to bring their pups to a dog-friendly event. This is a great way to socialize your pup, grab some of the region's freshest produce, and support a local business with a big vision for its community.
The Hub & Soul
The Hub Cafe once again steps up to the plate and delivers another pet-friendly experience called The Hub & Soul. For the fourth year in a row, the annual Hub & Soul music series returns. On Thursday nights from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM, you can find a music lineup at the Union Plaza Amphitheater. This event goes from September 1 - October 6 and is quickly becoming a staple for this city. Hub & Soul is a free community event designed for all ages and backgrounds. It celebrates music, local food, and Lincoln, Nebraska!
Dog-Friendly Lincoln, NE
Lincoln, NE, has so many excellent dog-friendly restaurants, bars, and breweries. And this list is just the beginning of the dog-friendly places to go in Lincoln. There are plenty more places to discover for you and your pup to experience together. Count yourself lucky to live in a city with so many dog-friendly places. Now get out there and explore your pup-loving city.
For more great articles about dog-friendly activities and pet-parenting advice, check out the Blog at LocalPetCare.com.