Skip to main content

Date Night with Your Dog: Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Los Angeles

When was the last time you invited your dog out for night on the town? When we go to a bar or restaurant, they’re usually stuck at home, dreaming up the next great American novel and suffering from a lack of typing skills (doomed to never write it). Or maybe they’re just sleeping. Regardless, rarely do they get to just hang out with their humans at a cool spot. Below are some of the best dog-friendly restaurants in Los Angeles where both your two- and four-legged friends can enjoy good food, good scenery, and a nice change of pace.

Ayara Lūk

Recommended Videos

If you’re looking for incredible Thai food, look no further. Ayara Lūk is a pop-up eatery in connection with Ayara Thai, which is currently being remodeled. You and your pup are welcome to hang out on the fantastic patio, tucking into Thai food inspired by family recipes with first-generation American influences. The roasted duck flatbread should not be missed, but save room for the ice cream tacos made with crispy waffle shells stuffed with dairy-free coconut ice cream and mixed fruits. Even your dog gets a delicious meal: house-made doggie treats. Plus, all of the ingredients are environmentally-conscious.

The Standing Room

Maybe you and your dog are beach bums. The Standing Room is for both of you, with locations at Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. The covered patio is the perfect place for Fido to recharge after a day on the coast. Stick with the sea theme and try the Oscar Sammie with soft shell crab, avocado, onion, and Thai crab mayo. Or, if you want more turf than surf, the Napoleon Burger is unparalleled: caramelized onions, bacon, fried egg, cheddar, smoked gouda, American cheese, braised short ribs, Korean aioli, tomato jam, and truffle parmesan fries. The Standing Room has live music Wednesday through Saturday, and a perfectly paired cocktail and beer list.

Doma Kitchen

Located in Marina del Rey, this delicious, cozy restaurant has a great patio that’s perfect for people- and dog-watching. The food at Doma Kitchen uses a fusion of Eastern European and Central Asian cooking methods — and culinary inspiration from the owners’ treks around the world — making it one of the more inventive menus you’ll come across in Los Angeles. Every dish is made from scratch, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and house-made spices. Try the lamb stroganoff or the “plov” braised rice, which features Uzbek-style spiced rice served with tomatoes and onion relish; add on chicken, lamb, or meatballs. The chicken “pelmenti” soup is also worth a mention — after all, when was the last time you had Siberian-style stuffed dumplings? The breakfast menu is equally delicious, with dishes like eggs Benedict served on latkes and eight-layer Russian honey cake. Just be prepared for the begging eyes from your favorite dog.

Elizabeth Dahl
Elizabeth Dahl is a southern girl in the heart of Los Angeles who lived far too long before learning what an incredible food…
I learned the secrets of the Mai Tai at Hawaii’s most iconic beachfront bar
You can try three variations of a classic Mai Tai
Mai Tai Bar

The Mai Tai is one of the most popular Tiki drinks in the world, known for its sweet and slightly almond-flavored flavor. Until I visited the Royal Hawaiian, I had no idea just how much history lies behind this fruity cocktail. Initially created by "Trade Vic" Bergeron in 1944, the Mai Tai drink later made its way to Hawaii in 1953.

When Bergeron was hired to develop menus for the Royal Hawaiian, he introduced the classic Mai Tai recipe to Hawaii's most iconic beachfront bar, now known as the Mai Tai Bar. During my visit to the Royal Hawaiian, I stopped by the Mai Tai Bar for a special look at how the bartending team makes three of the most popular Mai Tai variations available on their menu today. You can't go wrong with any of these three drinks -- whether you prefer something more subdued or something fruity and sweet.

Read more
Luckin Coffee opens in NYC, bringing its Starbucks rivalry to the U.S.
The first two U.S. locations of this Asia-based coffee chain are now open
Luckin Coffee

Starbucks appears to have a new rival in town in the U.S. market. The first two US locations of China's fastest-growing coffee chain, Luckin Coffee, are now open in NYC. Luckin' Coffee opened two NYC locations yesterday: Greenwich Village near the NYU campus and NoMad. Founded in 2017, Luckin' Coffee has taken off across China, catering to younger guests in China, Singapore, and Malaysia. The chain has over 24,000 locations across Asia but has entered the U.S. market. The chain is known for its simplified menu and "bare-bones" stores, which accept only cashless payments and mobile orders.
For the launch of the first two U.S. locations, Luckin announced steep promotions such as $1.99 drink deals and 50% off beverages for the grand opening, as well as free tote bags for the first guests to enter the store. The menu at this Asia-based coffee shop offers everything U.S. coffee and tea drinkers are used to, from cold brew coffees to matcha drinks to flavored lattes. The menu also includes a small selection of light bites and pastries. Per the brand's website, Luckin Coffee uses only the finest Arabica coffee beans that are sourced directly from renowned coffee-producing regions. Other menu specialty coffees include the Apple Fizzy Americano and Pomelo Americano.
Though Luckin may only have two U.S. locations at the moment, rumours suggest the brand plans to expand quickly in the U.S. market. With low prices and an app-based model, the chain can keep prices low and could soon become a strong competitor for Starbucks.

Read more
These coffee cocktails are the unexpected summer drinks you’ll crave all season
Summer coffee cocktails that aren't another espresso martini
Mr Black

I could sip on espresso martinis and frozen espresso martinis year-round, but sometimes, on hot summer days, you need something a bit sweeter and fruitier. These fruit-inspired summer coffee cocktails blend traditional summer flavors, like pineapple and strawberry, with Mr Black Coffee Liqueur for a caffeinated and alcoholic twist on your standard summer iced coffee.

Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, made with 100% specialty arabica coffee, Australian wheat vodka, and a touch of cane sugar, is the perfect base for creating unique summer cocktails with a caffeine boost. My favorite is the Café Colada, a drink that makes a great choice when you can't decide whether you want a fruity, frozen drink or an iced coffee (a frequent predicament I face). Here's how to make three fruity, summer coffee cocktails using Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur.

Read more