Charlotte’s Southern hospitality extends to its canine residents and visitors. From green spaces to eateries, there are a myriad of places in the Queen City where you can bring your dog!
Dog-friendly restaurants in Charlotte
It’s not hard to find a restaurant that welcomes furry patrons in Charlotte. Here are just a few where you can grab a bite to eat with your pup!
Seoul Food Meat Company
Seoul Food Meat Company is a popular Korean fusion BBQ restaurant with two locations in the city. In addition to serving up meats and wings, both locations offer karaoke and regularly host games and events. But the best part? The fenced dog park where your pooch can go for a leash-free romp with the other canine customers!
Living Kitchen
If you’re looking for plant-based fare, be sure to check out Living Kitchen. All dishes are organic, made from scratch, and loved by vegans and meat eaters alike. Your pup is welcome to join you in the spacious dining area where they can enjoy the shade and their own water bowl while you tuck into your quinoa veggie burger.
Zada Jane's Corner Cafe
Zada Jane’s is an eclectic spot where you can grab brunch with your furkiddo in tow. The cafe serves soups, sandwiches, and breakfast plates, with gluten-free and vegan options available. Dogs are allowed on the patio, but be prepared to wait a bit during peak hours.
Dog-friendly activities in Charlotte
Let your best friend tag along to these dog-friendly activities in the Queen City!
Carolina History & Haunts
Learn about the darker history of Charlotte with your pooch
in tow. Carolina History & Haunts offers historical ghost walking tours
that explore spooky spots around
Uptown, including the
historic Fourth Ward, local landmarks, and an old burial ground. Tours are
offered year-round and dogs get to join for free!
Sleepy Poet Antique Mall
Antiquing can take time, especially if there are 55,000 square feet of items to explore. Luckily, the Sleepy Poet Antique Mall welcomes four-legged customers, so your pup can join you while you peruse the aisles at this enormous store. And if your furry friend needs a bathroom break, they can use the grassy areas outside.
Canine Café
Spoil your furbaby with freshly baked treats from Canine Café! All-natural goodies like petit fours, cannolis, tarts, cupcakes, and cookies are made fresh daily at the on-site bakery, which can be viewed from the store. While you and your pup are there, you can also grab supplies such as toys, grooming tools, and leashes.
Dog-friendly event in Charlotte
We Believe Santa 5K Trail Race and Dog Jog
It’s nowhere near Christmas yet, but two- and four-legged Charlotteans can already register for the We Believe Santa 5K Trail Race and Dog Jog. This early December 5K will take participants through the Whitewater Center trail system for some pre-holiday, tail-wagging fun! If you and your pup don’t mind racing in costumes, be sure to don your most impressive St. Nick attires—the best Santa Claus look-alike will win a prize! Awards will also be given to the top finishers.
The We Believe Santa 5K Trail Race and Dog Jog is happening at the US National Whitewater Center on December 9, 2023. Pre-registration is available now through December 7th. For more information, visit the
Whitewater Center website!
Where to take pics of your dog in Charlotte
Charlotte boasts a plethora of Instagram-worthy spots. Make your dog’s page the envy of their canine pals by taking their pics at these “puptastic” locations!
Charlotte Rail Trail
The
Charlotte Rail Trail isn’t just “grrreat” for getting some exercise in with your pup; it’s also a gold mine of Instagrammable spots. Because the trail winds through the heart of the city, there’s lots to see and do along the way. Spots where you can take cute pics of your dog include the Confetti Hearts Wall in the Design Center, Chandler the Chair Monster in First Ward Park, and the Magic Carpet Murals in
South End and Uptown.
Metropolitan
This dog-friendly shopping center in Midtown is home to eight vibrant murals created by local artists, with the most popular one being Third Eye by Nick Napoletano. Also often referred to as the Metropolitan Stairs, these colorful steps are located at the back of Dressler’s. If you want to take pics of your pooch with all of the artwork, you can find a mural guide on the Metropolitan website.
Camp North End
Located on the site of the old Ford factory, Camp North End is a creativity and innovation hub that houses eateries, art studios, retail stores, offices, and more. It’s also home to a whopping 60-plus murals, so there are photo opportunities at every corner! You can view the murals and their locations on the Camp North End website to plan your
pup’s photo shoot in advance.
Romare Bearden Park
Romare Bearden Park may be small, but it’s perfect for taking pictures of your dog if you’re in downtown Charlotte. This green space features artwork, city skyline views, and waterfalls that light up at night. During spring, you can also have your pup pose in front of the cherry blossoms for more pretty photos!
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
This hidden gem on the UNCC campus comprises two outdoor gardens and one greenhouse. Created to inspire a love for nature and educate the public about plants, it’s a “furrific” place to snap photos of your best friend as well. Four-legged visitors are allowed to explore the gardens as long as they are leashed but must be carried inside the greenhouse.
Animal rescue spotlight in Charlotte
North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue
North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue (NMAR) is a private, no-kill animal rescue working to help end pet abandonment, abuse, and neglect in the Queen City. For more than 20 years, the volunteer-based non-profit has been providing care and finding homes for dogs of any breed.
In 2022, the group started the Old Friends of NMAR program to shine a spotlight on
senior dogs. Unfortunately, half of senior shelter dogs are put down and older pups stay at a shelter three times longer than younger dogs. Through this program, NMAR hopes to save more elderly dogs and raise awareness on the benefits of adopting an older companion.
If you’re interested in adopting or
fostering, check out the pups of NMAR on
Instagram,
Facebook, or
Petfinder. Note that meet and greets are only scheduled after an application is approved.