Asheville is an enjoyable place for every member of your family – including the four-legged ones. Dog-friendly restaurants, hikes and parks abound in and around town, promising that your furry pals can join in on all the non-stop fun Asheville has to offer.

Eating Out with Your Pup in Asheville

Many restaurants around town allow well-behaved canine companions to come along for the ride. Your best bets are eateries with outdoor and patio seating. Another enjoyable option are the myriad dog-friendly breweries around town, many with open areas for you and your furry friend to mingle and make new ones. From Downtown to River Arts District, check out these pooch-perfect spots:

12 Bones Smokehouse – Outdoor seating makes for a perfect spot for your dog to dine with you.

Carmel’s Restaurant and Bar – This Grove Arcade restaurant has an outdoor covered dining patio.

Posana Café – Along with its eclectic menu, Posana serves dishes specifically designed for dogs, so you and your pooch can park for a meal on the patio, entertained by the buskers that frequently set up nearby.

Laughing Seed Café – This vegetarian restaurant offers a laid-back vantage point from its Wall St. patio.

West End Bakery – Stop in on your Haywood Street stroll to enjoy this West Asheville eatery’s shaded outdoor deck.

Edna’s of Asheville – The west location offers the perfect place to stop in for a pastry and cup of coffee after a stroll with your pup along the French Broad River Park.

Highland Brewing Co. – A wide open field for performances doubles as the perfect place to relax with your pup and a beer. The brewery’s rooftop is also dog-friendly.

Asheville Kennels and Day Care

For those times when your dog needs day or overnight care, there are many options from which to choose:

Soapy Dog – This RAD facility offers full-service grooming, dog boarding and daycare, and Asheville’s first do-it-yourself dog wash.

Pet Vet on Patton – In addition to an array of veterinary services, this centrally located office offers boarding, grooming and doggie daycare.

Happy Tails Country Club – This Fairview facility is crate-free: Boarders instead have “suites” with full walls.

Pampered Pets Inn and Spa – Play care, a spa, training and boarding are all offered at this location.

Shopping for Your Pet

In addition to national chains, Asheville has many locally owned pet stores.

Three Dog Bakery – The world's first full-functioning bakery for dogs uses only 100% human quality ingredients to create fresh-baked, all-natural treats and food.

The Tailgate Market – Stocking a range of food options for dogs (and cats), this market also carries lots of holistic, natural pet accessories.

Asheville Pet Supply – Premium foods and treats, grooming supplies, beds, vitamins and supplements are all available at this local favorite in North Asheville.

Patton Ave Pet Company – A knowledgeable staff and store blog cover everything from nutrition to health and training of your pooch. Patton Ave Pet routinely holds seminars, workshops and classes on a range of companion animal topics. With Downtown, West and South Asheville locations.

Parks and Hikes

Your dog has plenty of exercise options around the area. In addition to the myriad hiking trails in Asheville, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and in national forests, there are city parks where (leashed) pooches can play, and fenced dog parks where they can run with abandon:

French Broad River Park and Dog Park

The meandering paths of this West Asheville gem wind along the French Broad River and lead to a large, fenced-in dog park (with an area set off for small dogs), complete with water and poop bags.

Azalea Dog Park

Just beyond the John B. Lewis Soccer complex in East Asheville is the Azalea Dog Park. With large fenced areas for small and big dogs, and plenty of seating and shady spots for their owners, this is a favorite place to mingle with fellow dog lovers.

For more information on our area or Real Estate in Asheville, contact broker Mike Figura at Mike@MyMosaicRealty.com or call him anytime at 828.337.8190.