Taking a dog to a city can be a bit of a minefield – what if there are no dog friendly options for things to do or places to eat? This can be an important consideration when travelling with a dog. Some hotels are happy to accommodate but others are not. You are best to find out that before booking. But for some of us that is the extent of prior planning. What about everything else? What about pubs and restaurants and things to do? Today we’re looking at how to do Edinburgh with a dog.
Let’s explore together with our best boys and girls.
Difficulties in finding dog friendly options can ruin a trip
When we went to London for example, we found ourselves continually hampered by restaurants maintaining a no dog policy even in their outdoor spaces. Pubs were fine but had arcane rules about where dogs were permitted to be near food.
My wife and I plus our poor sweet Augie continually found no room at the inn.
This was when he was a very cute puppy who looked like this picture too.
One night we ended up ordering food into our holiday let due to the trouble finding friendly locations. Perhaps things have changed in London now as this was way back in 2020. But Edinburgh is different. We have always been pretty great for animals.
Edinburgh is a generally dog friendly city
In Edinburgh, dogs live well. They are welcome at a huge and growing number of locations, including certain department stores. One good place to find dog appropriate places is our Instagram under the story tag “Augie about town”. She’s also got a lot of great posts about Scotland in general so worth a look.
The basics are that Edinburgh is very dog friendly in terms of cafes and pubs, smaller shops tend to be but larger chains vary considerably. The biggest clue is if there is a dog bowl of water outside. One surprise is the St James Quarter, a covered shopping street, is very dog friendly including John Lewis & Partners department store. The biggest issue tends to be restaurants.
Here’s a few of our favourites.
Dog Friendly Restaurants
Dogs are a constant feature of pubs in Edinburgh. If you visit a pub and it doesn’t have a dog in it, you’re in the wrong pub. Particular favourites of Augie include:
Mums Great Comfort Food
Anyone who knows my preferences will know that if I could eat at Mum’s all the time, I probably would eat at Mum’s all the time. Augie agrees.
Mum’s is dog friendly and Augie approved.
Every item on their menu is peak British/Scottish cuisine. Their sausages are delicious. Their pies are often the best variation of that pie I’ve ever had. Even their shepherds pie, which is my least favourite pie, is great.
I recommend them on every tour. They accept dogs and their relaxed atmosphere makes them a delight for a dog friendly meal.
Scran
Scran is a central Edinburgh mainstay that has a few locations. My favourite is the one on Cockburn Street, just inside the arcade. The menu varies between the different locations.
Scran Bistro is dog friendly and Augie approved.
The thing I love about Scran besides being great for dogs is its amazing location and pleasant staff.
Edinburgh Street Food
Edinburgh Street Food is always a good recommendation for the variety of establishments available but something which makes it especially good?
Edinburgh Street Food is dog friendly and Augie approved!
It shows off the variety of the city and the diversity of people who live here, which is what our connections series is about.
Things to do
There are so many options for walks and venues. Fortunately, a number of these have been compiled by Graeme on Scotlands stories of if you’re looking for a quick run down on all the parks and venues that work for dogs I advise you check him out.
Personally I was amazed to find out from his page that St Giles Cathedral allows dogs.
It never would’ve occurred to me to even try!
Conclusion and Wrap Up
Edinburgh has got to be one of the most beautiful and dog friendly cities in all creation. And I am very proud to have such a cute dog to come on tours with me as the weather is so lovely. Now is the time to come here, so get booking and I’ll see you on the Royal Mile.
The writer of this piece is friends with many dogs.
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