Dog-Friendly Restaurants

Posted by Jenni Barnett on Friday, March 25th, 2022 at 11:52am.

After working every day, all week long, isn’t it difficult to leave your dog at home as you head out to enjoy the region’s mouthwatering eats? We know precisely how you feel, which is why we’re recommending our 10 favorite dog-friendly restaurants in Middle Tennessee. From upscale cuisine to neighborhood burger joints, our list will make you want to leash up your furry friend (6 feet leash length max, please) and soak up some springtime sunshine on a patio near you. 


Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
410 4th Ave S | Nashville

Located in downtown Nashville, Martin’s newest location is fully decked out with a massive beer garden out back with plenty of seating, a music venue, and games to enjoy with friends. Of course, you’ve got to try their traditional whole hog smoked in West Tennessee style. The long smoking process begins at 5:00 am daily, with the resulting tender meat served the following day.


Tennessee Brew Works
809 Ewing Ave | Nashville

It goes without saying that Tennessee Brew Works makes an long list of top-notch beers, and we absolutely recommend them! However, their extensive, beer-based menu makes this relaxing joint’s highly dog-friendly, three-tiered covered patio even more inviting. Stop by for burgers, tacos, wings, mussels, or vegan-friendly fare, all created to highlight their in-house brew collection.


M.L.Rose Craft Beer & Burgers Sylvan Park
4408 Charlotte Ave | Nashville

M.L.Rose Craft Beer & Burgers Sylvan Park is a welcoming pub with generous outside seating options, including an outdoor patio equipped with a green space where your dog can exercise, a putting green, swings, yard games, fire pit, and full bar serving over 90 craft beers. The menu features nachos, sandwiches, salads, waffle fries, wings, and more. Drop in on the weekend for dog-friendly patio brunch service!


Edley's Bar-B-Que
2706 12th Ave S | Nashville

Edley’s Bar-B-Que is a beloved eatery that offers outdoor seating at their heated, covered patio year-round. This is the perfect spot for unwinding and enjoying casual eats as you view the patio’s four big-screen TVs while your dog relaxes and socializes with furry friends. Edley’s serves BBQ, sandwiches, tacos, hot links, nachos, fried pickles, and wings.


Parthenon Grille
1962 S Church St. | Murfreesboro

Parthenon Grille is a family-run restaurant serving comforting cuisine from multiple regions throughout the Mediterranean and hosts dog owners at six designated tables. The menu includes fare like veal tiganito, bacon-wrapped scallops, oysters, lobster-stuffed ravioli, choice steaks, salads, and pasta.


Tupelo Honey Cafe
2000 Meridian Blvd #110 | Franklin

Tupelo Honey Cafe’s Franklin location offers sixteen dog-friendly outdoor tables. They serve a menu of comforting favorites and updated modern dishes like cauliflower steak, Tupelo shrimp and grits, and sweet tea roasted chicken. The drink menu features craft cocktails, wine, beer, and mimosas. Pop in for brunch and try out community favorites like the Appalachian breakfast.


Mere Bulles
5201 Maryland Way | Brentwood

Mere Bulles is a quietly upscale restaurant located within a historic, authentically worn, antebellum home. The staff is familiar with the location’s history, so don’t be afraid to ask related questions. Pets are welcome on the veranda, so bring Fido and enjoy Thai chili calamari, tuna tartare, lobster, filet mignon, wild mushrooms in duck fat, mac and cheese, and a decadent dessert (we love the carrot cake.)   If you can’t bear to leave your dog behind for a special occasion, Mere Bulles awaits.


Carrabba's Italian Grill
202 Anderson Ln N | Hendersonville

Your furry friend is invited to join you for classic Italian cuisine at Carrabba’s in Hendersonville. Kick back on the patio and enjoy champagne pasta with shrimp, Tuscan grilled chicken, veal picatta, steak, pork chops, lasagna, or lobster ravioli. Desserts galore are also on offer, as are salads. Let’s just say you’ll never go for endless breadsticks again, capisce?


Burger Republic
1982 Providence Pkwy Suite 101 | Mount Juliet

Burger Republic serves delectable meals packed with Tennessee flavors. Vegans and vegetarians, you’re invited to the table; everything on the burger menu can be made with an Impossible patty or Burger Republic’s own house-made veggie patty. The menu includes loaded crispy tots, salads, chili, and burgers piled high with mouthwatering ingredients. We recommend the spiked shakes, as well—if you pass on ordering one, you may regret your choice when you see another patron enjoying this indulgent dessert.

The heated patio is available year-round, ensuring that you and your canine companion are never too chilly. If you like, you can pick up a treat for your friend at the doggy bakery located just next door!


Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant
15 Public Square | Columbia

Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant serves classic Southern and American favorites in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. Pull up a chair at one of their four dog-friendly tables and enjoy fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, slow-smoked brisket, grilled chicken sandwich, and finish your meal with triple treat cookie dough a la mode topped with spiced pecans and candied bacon.


Our list barely scratches the surface of the dozens of dog-friendly restaurants in Middle Tennessee. Do you have a favorite welcoming spot? If so, we'd love to hear from you in the comments!

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