Team Blake’s Guide to the Dog-Friendly Kansas City Food Scene
It’s friday night and you would love to spend it with your significant other but you’re not sure if there’s anywhere you can hang out, have a beer or two, and actually take them with you…because well, they slobber a lot and are kind of furry. No, this isn’t your human. This is the real love of your life who literally gets so excited to see you that they pee on the floor.
Good news is that Kansas City has a wide range of unique and locally owned hang out spots, coffee shops, and restaurants that will be a fun foodie adventure for not just you but Charlie too! And while you are at it, check out our neighborhood guide to find out more about the neighborhoods you are exploring.
Here’s your top local list to get started exploring the Kansas City food and drink scene with your four-legged best friend.
BarK
The obvious first on this list is BarK. This is dog lover meets healthy foodie meets artisan cocktail enthusiast perfection. Situated right off the Missouri River in the Berkley Riverfront Park, BarK has a fantastic menu featuring a wide range of food and drink options including a menu of treats for your dog. Leashed dogs are welcome on the patio and there are two off leash fully equipped dog parks, including one especially for small dogs under 25 lbs. And the cool added extra? On-staff dog tenders will watch your dog if you want to head inside and enjoy the game, your friends, or your date.
Char Bar
Ok, so aside from the dogs for a second, Char Bar, located in Westport, is just all around fantastic bbq. It’s a foodie, slightly more adventurous take on bbq that completely elevates the Kansas City BBQ scene. Try the Charred Bits and Grits: burnt ends, hand-cranked sausage, bourbon-candied bacon, pickled jalapenos, and cheddar cheese grits. And the amazing part is that you can enjoy all this deliciousness without having to leave Fido at home. Char Bar has a fantastic beer garden/patio where dogs are welcome and servers will obviously greet them first and bring them some water if they need it. Check out the awesome menus as well as the beer garden.
Barrio
If it’s a tacos and tequila kind of night Barrio has got you covered! With an extensive margarita menu including habanero-pineapple or cucumber mint infused tequila and taco options including fried avocado tacos for you vegans out there, barrio is your place for Taco Tuesday. But don’t stop at the tacos, try burnt end quesadillas, duck empanadas, or a jackfruit carnitas enchilada. Bario will welcome your dog with lots of love and a bowl of ice water on it’s patios at both it’s Brookside and Redbridge locations.
Westport Flea Market
If you are looking for the best burger in Kansas City you can find it at the Westport Flea Market according to the Food Network’s “Meat and Potatoes”, the Pitch and Zomato. With trivia, pool, shuffleboard, and live music in addition to its extensive menu including burgers, salads, sandwiches and specials every night of the week; Westport Flea Market is sure to be a good time. Dogs are welcome on the patio so you don’t have to experience the best burger in KC without Benji. Visit on a Sunday after 8 pm and get half off burgers and beers.
Smoke Brewing Company
Located in Downtown Lee’s Summit, Smoke Brewing Company offers seasonal and unique craft beers brewed on site in addition to it’s fantastic menu containing championship bbq and other options such as seared salmon, shrimp risotto, and Nashville hot chicken. Check out the unique brunch menu including a bbq omelette and sausage, egg, and cheese taquitos. Dogs are welcome on the patio, so go enjoy some craft beer with your pup! While you drink the beer, they’ll bring pup some water.
Chicken N Pickle
Perfect for your Sunday Funday, Chicken N Pickle in North Kansas City is a great place to hang out with friends and enjoy great food and drinks as well as patio games and, of course, pickleball. And with their dog friendly outdoor space, Buddy can get in on all the fun times too! Featuring their delicious woodfired rotisserie chicken, you can choose your seasoning- House, Jerk, Southwest, or 7 Chili and your sauce -Mango Habanero Chutney or Honey Brew BBQ. With specials every day of the week, try a grass fed burger on monday or pulled pork sandwich on thursdays for $5 and check out Fried Chicken Sundays! Super accommodating to your furry friends, you can order a burger for your dog and they will cook it “dog friendly” for you!
The Westside Local
The Westside local is a Kansas City favorite with a dog friendly patio. With a vision to support local farms and businesses, it’s farm to table menu has something everyone will love. Build your own mac and cheese or quinoa bowl or have an heirloom blt with parmesan and parsley fries. The “Blunch” menu is not to be missed! Try the Blunch Plate with Westside Local fritters, fresh fruit, 2pc deviled eggs, cottonwood cheddar, and farm-to-market bread & butter. The drink menu is about as extensive as the food menu not to mention house made adult ice pops…umm yes please. Think of a leisurely Sunday brunch on a great patio with amazing food and you don’t even have to worry about getting home to let out Coco because he’s right there enjoying brunch with you.
La Bodega
La Bodega boasts some of the best tapas in Kansas City. Their beautiful spanish style patio is dog friendly and they will welcome your pooch with a fancy chrome bowl of water, so she can drink in style. Enjoy your happy hour sangria without worrying if Toto is tearing apart the house. And after you have finished those delightful marinated olives and pancetta- wrapped dates stuffed with chorizo, stick around for some incredible paella, because you don’t need to hurry home to let the dog out!
McLain’s Market
If it’s a casual coffee, breakfast, or lunch you are looking for and don’t want to leave Fido at home, Mclain’s is the perfect spot. With locations in Shawnee, Overland Park, and Waldo, you’ve got options. Dogs are welcome on the patio and the Shawnee and Overland park locations boast covered patios. Water and peanut butter cookies are available for the pooches so they aren’t missing out on all the tasty treats. Mclain’s offers a full breakfast and lunch menu including quiches, salads, and sandwiches in addition to all the delicious pastry options.
Lidia’s
If you’re looking for a date night on the town’s culinary delight, Lidia’s Kansas City offers an elegant experience with fabulous northern Italian cuisine. You can indulge in house made gnocchi or wild mushroom and bacon risotto and a smooth merlot on their dog friendly patio, enjoying some of the best fine dining Kansas City has to offer with your best furry friend by your side. You can’t use the dog as an excuse to not take that special person out on a real date anymore. You’re welcome.
Hope you enjoy exploring Kansas City with your pup as much as we do! And if all that eating makes you want to shop, check out our favorite local stores to support our Kansas City entrepreneurs!
