Back in 2022, the provincial government passed legislation to permit dogs on patios, at the establishment’s discretion, with no permits required. Since then, dog lovers everywhere have been actively seeking out patios where our pooches are welcome to join us. Not a dog lover? Not to worry, we are still required to keep our pups on leashes and generally well behaved. Mostly they just sit there and look adorable, sometimes drooly.
Full disclosure – we are dog lovers, so we really appreciate dog-friendly places. So much so, that we want to celebrate them here and say thank-you to the pioneers that will continue to earn our business and make our lives easier.
70 Acre Brewing Company | W: https://70acre.com/
We really like this little spot, champions of doggos since they opened. Super happy they added the umbrellas this season as the patio is facing almost straight west, lots of later afternoon / evening sun. In addition to their delicious beer offerings, and unlike a lot of craft breweries, they also have a good selection of food if you are hungry and alternate beverage options for folks who don’t love beer. You will want to order the pretzels.
Average Joes (Sherwood Park) | W: https://www.averagejoessportsbar.com/
This is a local go-to sports bar for Oilers games and Monday night football! The owners are so great about giving back to the community and have supported a ridiculous number of fundraisers. Their patio is large, has great ambiance, and they serve slushy drinks.
Ardrossan Pizza & Bar (Ardrossan) | W: https://www.ardrossanpizza.ca/
Ardrossan Pizza is fresh on the local food scene, opened in Ardrossan with great reviews! Word on the street is that you’ll want to try the Hot Hawaiian if you’re a fan of pineapple on pizza. Featuring cold draft beer, Wing Wednesday and delicious pizza, we’re pretty happy to have them in the neighbourhood.
Bear’s Den (Fort Saskatchewan) | W: https://www.bearsdensportsbar.ca/
Located in the historic building that was once the old Fort Hotel, the Bear’s Den has been a local family run watering hole since 1979. They tell some of the story of their interesting history on their website if that sort of thing interests you. Featuring flights of locally crafted beer and your typical pub fare, with some new and interesting options – but they’re known for their chicken wings.
Blowers & Grafton (Sherwood Park) | W: https://blowersgrafton.com/
Featuring Halifax street food like fried pepperoni and lobster rolls, there isn’t much not to love about this comfortable shaded patio in Emerald Hills. The founder created the B&G experience from his firsthand experience selling donairs and pizza on the Halifax waterfront. Food is great and plentiful, drinks are cold, and the service is typically top notch. Enjoy daily specials and ‘Hali-hour’ pricing from 3 – 6 pm, or 9 – close nightly.
Browns Socialhouse (Sherwood Park) | W: https://www.brownssocialhouse.com/
Their newly added outdoor patio (with umbrellas) offers a spot for you to relax with your best buddy and enjoy the warm hospitality. We enjoy the ‘Social Hound’ beverage on hot summer days, seems appropriate when we’re with the pup. If you are a Caesar lover, this is one of our favourite Caesars in the park, with horseradish infused clamato. So yummy. No booze for you? Go for one of their mocktails! We like the Mango Spritz.
All of the food – always good, no bad choices here, and the service is always excellent.
Boston Pizza (Fort Sask & SP, Broadway only) | W: https://bostonpizza.com/
The OG of classic Canadian summer patios! Featuring all the classics you know and love at their Fort Saskatchewan location and the Sherwood Park location at 11 Broadway Boulevard. *Note that the Wye Road location does not have a patio. Go for the wings and Bandera bread if you’re sharing.
Café Celeste (Sherwood Park) | W: https://www.cafecelestebistro.ca/
We’ve loved this restaurant since it opened in 2017. After incredible reviews, they quickly outgrew their original space and moved to the centre at the corner of Baseline and Clover Bar Road. We haven’t tried the brunch yet, but we can highly recommend the Cozze (mussels), Linguine D’Mare, and Cinque Formaggi.
Café Haven (Sherwood Park) | W: https://www.cafehaven.ca/
Recently under new ownership! There are lots of options for deliciousness here, from an amazing brunch offering to barista drinks cold and warm. Their patio is a cozy little spot. Try the Cran-brie sandwich for something a little bolder, then treat yourself to one of their baked delights (the calories - worth it!).
Canadian Brewhouse (Fort Sask & Sherwood Park) | W: https://thecanadianbrewhouse.com/
Both the Fort Saskatchewan and Sherwood Park locations offer great dog-friendly patios with shady spots and comfy seating. We’re partial to Pickle-back Caesars and Wing Wednesday but can easily be talked into Steak and Sangria Saturday! CBH is a classic choice, with consistently good food and service.
Famoso (Sherwood Park) | W: https://famoso.ca/
Known for their authentic Neapolitan pizzas, they actually have a pretty extensive menu. Best tomato bisque in the city, we’re also fans of the Bruschetta and Prawns Rose. Drink features are all the regular players, and they’ll serve them in pitchers if you are a thirsty group. Brunch is served on the weekend.
Headquarters Restaurant & Bar (Sherwood Park) (no website)
Located in the heart of Sherwood Park, near the mall, this is a popular family run business with great food and portion sizes, typically great service. The patio is dog-friendly, but adult only (attached to the lounge). Their home-made soups are a big crowd fav, especially dill pickle soup! Patio is enclosed with umbrellas to keep the sun off on hot days.
Manual Labour (Sherwood Park) | W: https://manual-labour.ca/
Features a casual pop-up patio, easily located just off the Yellowhead Highway. It’s in a bit of an industrial area, look on the west side of the building. Great spot to check out the taproom’s beer selection, or Treat Yo’Self Champagne Cider. Not much in the way of food, they have some snacks on hand, pizza, or you are welcome to order from Skip.
Montanas (Fort Saskatchewan) | W: https://www.montanas.ca/
Small patio at the restaurant attached to Southfort Inn, Montanas offers comfort food and BBQ in a sports bar environment. They are known for their ribs, but if you’re looking for some lighter fare, their apple pecan harvest salad is delicious. Caesar lovers will want to try their Carolina Pickleback Caesar.
Mr. Mike’s (Fort Saskatchewan) | W: https://mrmikes.ca/
‘Casual Steakhouse’ means you get delicious food in a casual and fun environment. Come to this patio if you’re looking to share appies like Hot Lobster Dunk, Crackling Sirloin Bites and Stuffed Shrooms, or main dishes of similar caliber. They also have slushy drinks, including bulldogs and bellinis.
New Asian Village (Sherwood Park) | W: https://www.newasianvillage.com/
This is a well-loved restaurant in Sherwood Park with consistently great reviews. They offer a patio, but it is undergoing a bit of a refresh. The owner assured us that she is happy to accommodate you if you arrive with your dog. She is hoping to have her cozy little patio back up and running shortly. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to stop in and try their famous Tandoori Chicken!
Original Joe’s (Fort Saskatchewan & Sherwood Park) | W: https://www.originaljoes.ca/
This is another restaurant chain that we’re fortunate to have in our communities with consistently great food and service. Recommended sharables…Dynamite Shrimp, Chicken Gyoza and the Brussel Sprouts (crazy good). Lots of umbrellas on the patio, great food and beverages.
Panini’s Italian Cucina (Sherwood Park) | W: https://www.paninisitalian.com/
Local, family-owned restaurant, this is the second location for these restauranteurs. It’s new-ish, been open for about 2 years this fall. We have been really impressed with the food and the portions. We haven’t tried their patio yet, but we were assured that it is dog-friendly.
Remedy Café (Sherwood Park) | W: https://www.remedycafe.ca/
This locally created and independently owned chain proudly proclaims that they offer the best chai in Edmonton, and we don’t disagree! Convenient location, right in the heart of Sherwood Park, offering some great people watching opportunities.
Roasti (Sherwood Park) | W: https://roasti.ca/
A bucket list location for all coffee lovers - Roasti has been receiving rave reviews since it opened. The patio is kind of in a parking lot, but they’ve cozied it up with some plants and umbrellas. They have a big focus on ethical sourcing, sustainability and a goal of being carbon neutral.
St. Louis Bar & Grill (Sherwood Park) | W: https://www.stlouiswings.com/
Their tagline is ‘devilishly good’ – we go there for the wings. As a matter of fact, we’ve never eaten anything other than wings from this place, great with a beer or pitcher of sangrias, depending on who you're traveling with. They have other traditional pub-style food options, but we go there for the wings.
The Other Place, by La Patrona (Sherwood Park) | W: https://www.theotherplace.rocks/
This is a little unassuming patio but the food, drink and service is exceptional. If you go – our recommendations for some shared bevvies & appies…get a margarita flight (because it’s fun); the Guinness-battered shrimp & tortillas with fresh salsa and guacamole. You won’t be disappointed.
Toast (Sherwood Park) | W: https://www.toastbl.com/
Modest little patio featuring Canadian breakfast and lunch with an Irish flair. Toast is one of our favourite brunch places, not super fancy but the food portions are generous, the prices are reasonable, and the service has always been superb. Our lunch picks are the Arugula Salad, or their Signature Sandwich is scrumptious - grilled chicken breast & prosciutto served on panini bread with a basil pesto mayo, topped with bruschetta mix & balsamic drizzle. YUM. If you’re craving breakfast, they have all the classics, but the eggs benny selection is sure to impress.
Union Hall Pub (Fort Saskatchewan) | W: https://www.unionhallpub.com/
This independently owned restaurant features great home-made food and soup specials daily, along with fan favourites like Margarita Mondays and Wing Wednesday. Their consistently good food and ample portions helps them maintain their great reviews. *Note this is an adult only establishment.
Vicky’s Bistro Wine Bar (Sherwood Park) | W: https://vickys.ca/
This patio in the heart of Sherwood Park is a great place to take a pit stop for a refreshing beverage and snack (or incredible meal). Featuring the very best soup you’ve ever tasted (IYKYK) and a great selection of wine. This is an elevated patio experience and a great place to watch the world go by, with umbrellas or heaters at the ready should the weather change. Our recommendations for shareables? There are no bad choices, but our favs…. Lamb Lollipops; Grecian Caprese; and the Prawns a la Vicky. Date night? This would be our pick.
Wild Wing (Sherwood Park) | W: https://www.wildwingrestaurants.com/
This local Wye Road franchise (original was born in Ontario) offers kind of sports-pub atmosphere, and 101 different options of locally sourced chicken wings. You go there for the wings, although there are some other pub-food style offerings. We love the dill pickle and mango chipotle, it will have to be a personal decision to get breaded, non-breaded or boneless. We’ve never been on the patio, but they assured us it is dog-friendly.
If we missed anyone – please let us know! We’re happy to add to the list.
Favourites are always subjective. We can’t predict what you value in your experience, we can only share what we love and why. We would urge you to check with the establishment before you head out, as things can change quite fluidly in the restaurant game.