2023 Springfield, MO Pet Friendly Restaurants
With almost 170,000 people living in Springfield, there’s no shortage of new restaurants popping up frequently. Many people find themselves longing for a quick bite to eat after a long day of outdoor fun with their pets, especially as the weather gets warmer. With the large amount of restaurants that Springfield boasts, many are pet-friendly. Between coffee, ice cream, steak, tacos, and everything in between, you’re sure to find a favorite that allows your furry family member to tag along!
When deciding on where to eat out with your pet, here are some things to keep an eye out for in restaurants:
Outdoor seating! Health department regulations mean seated restaurants can’t permit non-service animals inside, but more restaurants and cafes welcome pets in their outdoor patios and seating.
Covered patios. Covered patios are a must for all types of weather, meaning you and your furry friend can keep out of the rain or sun under a nice umbrella or terraced patio.
Fans and heaters. Blazing hot or freezing cold, a fan creating a cool breeze or a space heater warming you up can keep you and your pet happy regardless of the weather conditions.
With summer coming in quick, now is the perfect time to start planning your outdoor summer adventures with your pets! After a fun day of playing outside, a good meal or cold drink can be the perfect way to relax and unwind.
Cafes and Sweets
Black Lab Coffee Co
300 w McDaniel St. Springfield, MO 65806
https://www.facebook.com/BlackLabDowntown
The first on the list, Black Lab doesn’t have any outdoor seating as the rest will, but that shouldn’t be any problem for you and your pup! Black Lab is pet-friendly to drop in while cruising around downtown, themed almost entirely around pets. Black Lab serves delicious coffees and other drinks. Located in downtown Springfield, Black Lab is the perfect stop for you and your dog before or after taking a walk around downtown. Offering signature lattes like the GoldenDoodle (Brown sugar and caramel), Scooby Doo (peanut butter and dark chocolate), the Snoopy (White chocolate and vanilla), hot teas and hot chocolates, smoothies, and more to energize you for the rest of your walk- as well as breakfast and lunch options like burritos, pastries, sandwiches and more. Black Lab Coffee Co. is guaranteed to become you and your furry friend’s new favorite stop on downtown walks!
Aviary Cafe and Creperie
2144 E. Republic Road, Springfield, Missouri
Aviary Cafe offers delicious, French-inspired brunches and lunches, perfect for enjoying a relaxing morning or afternoon eating crepes, salad, omelets, or more with your dog. Offering pet-friendly patio seating, Aviary Cafe has heated outdoor seating to keep you and your pet warm even when the weather is cold. Located in Farmer’s Park, you can stop by from 8am-1pm on Saturday’s to walk around the farmer’s market too, which is open year-round and is guaranteed to have your dog’s tail wagging when it’s walking around all the local produce and business stands.
Cherry Picker Package & Fare
601 S Pickwick Ave, Springfield, MO 65802
https://www.cherrypickerpackage.com/
This delicious cafe offers a large variety of food to suit all of your needs, from morning coffee and toast, to melty sandwiches and soups- and even a scrumptious cheese plate. Choose between a morning espresso or an evening cocktail at Cherry Picker Package & Fare. With only a handful of indoor seating, the real appeal to this cafe is the heated patio, which welcomes pets to join for mealtimes regardless of the season.
Andy’s Frozen Custard
4420 S Campbell Ave, Springfield, MO 65810
Andy’s Frozen Custard has been a Springfield favorite since it opened in 1986. Their frozen custard concretes are unlike any other ice cream in the area. You might be interested in trying a BootDaddy Concrete with Oreos, creme caramel, and hot fudge, or you might want to try a Snowmonster Concrete, consisting of strawberries and melted chocolate chips. They hold an impressive number of locations in Springfield, spanning nine different locations. All of their seating is outdoors, so your pet can join you anywhere at Andy’s!
Lunch and Dinner
Skully’s Ramen & Whatever
1427 E Cherry St, Springfield, MO 65802
https://skullysramen.square.site/
Skully’s ramen boasts some of the best, homemade ramen in Springfield. Choose between delicious pork belly ramen, wok bowls, wings, or even loaded kimchi fries and more at Skullys. Skully’s offers heated seating in cool months so you can sit with your furry friend while slurping down some delicious ramen.
Niji Sushi Bar & Grill
3938 S Lone Pine Ave Suite 100-B, Springfield, Mo 65804
Looking to try a plate of delicious sushi? Or maybe a hibachi plate? Maybe you want to skip straight to dessert and try out their fluffy Japanese cheesecake, or one of their 7 flavors of mochi ice cream. Whatever it is, Niji will offer top-quality Japanese-themed food. Niji Sushi Bar & Grill is walking distance from Sequiota Park and a great walking trail, which makes it the perfect place to stop and eat your fill after a long walk with your pet. Niji has a spacious outdoor patio with heating lamps, great for keeping you and your pet warm this winter.
Cafe Cusco
234 E Commercial St, Springfield, MO 65803
Cafe Cusco is a Peruvian-inspired restaurant located on historic Commercial Street. There’s many new favorite dishes to be found here, whether you’re in the mood for soup, sandwiches, tacos, or traditional Peruvian entrees. Many of their menu options are vegan and gluten free, so anyone can find a meal to enjoy regardless of dietary restrictions. Their outdoor patio is enclosed, so you and your dog can enjoy the atmosphere regardless of the weather!
Black Sheep Burgers and Shakes
2160 W Chesterfield St, Springfield, MO 65807
Black Sheep Burgers and Shakes has a unique atmosphere that is entirely themed around classic rock ‘n’ roll. They have a variety of burger options, such as the “Don’t Go Bacon My Heart,” “Bleus Brothers,” and “What the Dr. Ordered.” In addition to having world-class burgers, many people love Black Sheep for their shakes. You might be interested in ordering an Elvis shake, with banana, peanut butter, irish cream, and frozen chocolate custard. If you’re not a huge fan of chocolate drinks, you could opt for a Strawberry Fields Forever, made with strawberries, shortcake, vodka, and frozen vanilla custard. All of their shakes can be made non-alcoholic, so anyone can enjoy an evening at Black Sheep, regardless of their age (whether measured in human or dog years!)
Bambino’s Cafe
1141 E Delmar St, Springfield, MO 65807
Bambino’s Cafe is a popular Italian restaurant that has won dozens of awards for their downhome, family-friendly atmosphere. The original Bambino’s opened in 2000, nestled into a neighborhood near Phelps Grove Park. Their second location is located on East Battlefield near Galloway Creek Greenway, and only opened a few years ago in 2015. The Delmar location is a popular location for both families and college students alike with such close proximity to Missouri State University’s campus. They serve soups and salads of the day, as well as rich, flavorful pastas. Fan favorites include the Nonna, which is linguine with roasted chicken breast and red peppers in a light alfredo sauce, and the Poppa, which has penne, Italian sausage, and mushrooms cooked in a spicy tomato cream sauce. They serve both gluten free and vegan options, with a large outdoor patio to sit and enjoy the amazing variety of food!
Bar Restaurants
Tie & Timber Beer Co
1451 E Cherry Str, Springfield, MO, 65802
http://www.tieandtimberbeerco.com/
Tie & Timber was originally the location of a lumberyard back in 1918, and has since then transformed from timber sales to 18 varieties of craft beers. While enjoying your drink, you can also enjoy events and live music. Tie & Timber features local bands, as well as streaming various sports so you can still catch the game. Whether you’re looking to jam out to a new band or watch the latest football game with friends, Tie & Timber is the place for you- and your furry friend too! Pet friendly, this is a great place to drop by in the evening and enjoy their heated outdoor seating with your dog.
Mother’s Brewing Company
215 S Grant Ave, Springfield, MO 65802
https://www.mothersbrewing.com
A passion for good beers and a family friendly atmosphere make Mother’s an awesome place to hang out. Their fenced in grass yard provides a serene place to relax in downtown. Bring your pup, just make sure they stay on a leash and you pick up after yourself. They always have live events and new brews on tap, giving you plenty of reasons to keep coming back.
Springfield Brewing Company
305 South Market Ave, Springfield, MO 65806
https://springfieldbrewingco.com/
Springfield Brewing Company is a place filled with variety, where you can find dinner, lunch, and weekend brunch food. They serve their own line of craft beer, which has been winning national awards for over 25 years. They serve pizza, salads, burgers, and appetizers during the day, and favorites like shrimp and grits and pancakes for breakfast. All of their alcohol is quality-tested to ensure a great experience for all. Join them on their patio at any time of day for a fun, memorable experience with your dog!
Big Whiskey’s
1550 E Battlefield Road, Springfield, MO, 65804
Big Whiskey’s is a bar restaurant that has been serving Springfield for over 17 years. There’s three locations in Springfield, located on West Republic Road, East Battlefield, and Park Central East Downtown. They serve a variety of foods, from comfort items like pastas and sandwiches, to traditional bar food like wings, fried pickles, and burgers, to higher-end options like steak and ribs. In addition to having amazing food, Big Whiskey’s has a full bar daily, so you can order a favorite beverage or find a new favorite with your meal. They boast a large amount of TVs at the bar, making it a popular location to watch sporting events. Their patio is heated and features fans, so there’s never an excuse to not bring your furry friend!
Lindberg’s Tavern
318 W Commercial St, Springfield, MO 65803
Lindberg’s Tavern has been a Springfield favorite since it opened in 1979. The building was constructed all the way back in 1880, popping up near the ever-expanding railroad tracks that led to Springfield’s eventual population boom. Lindberg’s is decorated to fit that history, with relics and antiques of the past scattered about the vicinity. They serve traditional bar food, with appetizers, burgers, and salads on their menu. There’s always live music to be found here, and you’re sure to find a new favorite local artist. They serve brunch on Sundays, which would make a perfect sit-down meal to enjoy on the patio with your pet!
Harbell’s Grill and Sports Bar
315 Park Central W, Springfield, MO 65806
Harbell’s, located conveniently in downtown Springfield, has been sports’ fans go-to bar for years. They host all major sporting events, showing games played by the Cardinals, Blues, Royals, and Chiefs. They have a wide range of viewing, with 80-inch, 70-inch, and 40-inch TVs scattered across the restaurant. While they are primarily known for their in-house smoked wings, they also serve appetizers, burgers, pastas, sandwiches, and salads. They host a happy hour every weekday from 11-6, with different specialized drinks on tap daily. On Wednesday nights, they promote $1 Wing Night, which can be a fun, cheap option for any sports fan and their sports-loving pet!
Barkyard
3110 E Cherry St, Springfield, MO 65802
Barkyard is a one-of-kind truly unique experience for both pets and owners. On one side of the property is an entirely outdoor bar patio, while the other holds an impressive 3.5 acre off-leash dog park. Their bar is full-service, offering any choice of liquor imaginable. In addition to alcohol, they serve shareable appetizers, like chicken tenders, buffalo wings, and crispy cheddar cheese bites. Single-day park passes can be purchased for $10, but no passes are required for your dog to join you on the patio. Whether you’re looking to sit down and enjoy a cold drink, or wanting to let your dog explore the park, there’s something for everyone at Barkyard.
The Rock
4018 S Lone Pine Ave, Springfield, MO 65804
The Rock defines themselves as an upscale hangout, located in Galloway Distract near Sequiota Park. They’ve been serving Springfield since 2019, and have already made a popular name for themselves. Unlike other bar restaurants, The Rock prides themselves on serving delicious, healthy food first and foremost. If you’re a seafood fan, you’ll find tons of new dishes to try, like the Grilled Ahi Tuna or the Simply Grilled Salmon. They also serve KC Strip steak, steak medallions, ribeye, and steak frites. In addition to healthy options, they serve homemade comfort foods, such as cauliflower crust pizza, gourmet mac n cheese, tacos, burgers, and all of the appetizers that you could ever imagine. With such close proximity to Sequiota Park, The Rock is a convenient way to enjoy a meal in the company of your dog after a nice, long walk around the lake.
The Order
305 East Walnut St, Springfield, MO 65806
Located inside Hotel Vandivort, The Order is one of Springfield’s classiest dining experiences. From scallops, to braised lamb shanks, to an upscale take on Springfield-style cashew chicken, there’s something for everyone to love. While their primary drink selection consists of wines and cocktails, their full service bar has enough variety to appeal to anyone’s taste. Since Hotel V is located directly on Walnut St, it makes an ideal location for a quick bite to eat after a downtown adventure with your dog.
With so many choices, everyone is sure to find a new favorite spot to bring their pet, whether they live in Springfield or are just passing through.
