Best pet-friendly spots in Abu Dhabi
Your pet doesn’t have to miss out when you’re heading out for coffee, lunch, a day at the beach, or even a weekend away. There are plenty of places in Abu Dhabi where you can bring them along. Here’s our pick of cafes with outdoor seating, waterfront restaurants, beach days, and pet-friendly hotels where you can bring them along.
Salt & Caramel Cafe
Bring your pet along to Salt & Caramel in Al Bandar and grab a table outside. You can order dishes like the truffle scrambled egg croissant, shakshuka, avocado toast, and pancakes, alongside sandwiches, salads, cakes, pastries, and coffee. Your furry friend won't be allowed inside the cafe, so you’ll need to stick to the outdoor seating.
Where: Al Bandar, Al Raha Beach
Timings: 7:30 am - 10:00 pm
More info here
Distrikt Social
Distrikt Social on Saadiyat Island has pet-friendly outdoor seating, and they’ll bring them a bowl of water while you grab a coffee or something to eat. The all-day menu includes Hokkaido honey toast, tuna tostadas, chicken tacos, and Basque cheesecake, alongside speciality coffee and drinks.
There are also coworking spaces if you want to get some work done while you’re there.
Where: Laffan Street, Saadiyat Island
Timings: 6:00 am - midnight
More info here
Nalu Restaurant
Nalu Restaurant is at Surf Abu Dhabi on Hudayriyat Island, and overlooks the surf lagoon and waterfront. Pets are welcome in the outdoor area, so you can stop by for some Latin American and Asian-inspired food. The menu includes ceviche, dynamite prawns, tuna tostadas, poke bowls, tacos, and more.
Where: Surf Abu Dhabi, Hudayriyat Island
Timings: 8:00 am - midnight
More info here
Mika
Mika at Yas Marina has pet-friendly outdoor seating by the water. The menu mixes Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours. Chef Mario Loi leads the open kitchen, who you can watch in action from the restaurant’s dining area.
Go for the scallop and rockfish ceviche, fish tacos, or lemon ricotta ravioli, or a very good cheeseburger on the menu.
Where: Yas Marina, Yas Island
Timings: 12 noon - midnight
More info here
Boozaji Ice Cream
Fancy some ice cream for you and your pet? Boozaji is a pet-friendly ice cream cafe where your four-legged companion can get their own scoop, with flavours like cod, liver, herring, and moose. You can choose from flavours such as pistachio, lotus, and saffron, or try the ice cream rolls. Pets are welcome indoors.
Where: Al Khalidiyah & Saadiyat Island (next to NYU)
Timings: 10:00 am - midnight
More info here
The B Club Abu Dhabi
The B Club is a homegrown bakery and cafe serving freshly baked brioche sandwiches, homemade desserts, speciality coffee, and matcha. The space is pet-friendly, but as it’s a compact cafe, only small dogs are welcome, and they need to stay on a leash. Grab a smoked salmon and scrambled egg brioche, cinnamon roll, or matcha while you’re there.
Where: Al Nahyan
Timings: Mon-Thu, 7:30 am-6:30 pm; Fri, 8:30 am-1:30 pm; Sat, 10:00 am-9:00 pm; Sun, closed
More info here
Stars N Bars
Stars N Bars is a sports bar where your pet can join you in the outdoor area, with waterfront views and a mix of games and live sports to keep you occupied. They also run a Pawsome Brunch every Sunday from 11:00 am at The Star Deck.
Catch live games on the big screens, challenge your friends to a game of foosball, or have a go at the arcade and pinball machines. When you get hungry, there’s loaded fries, garlic knots, crispy calamari, and Black Angus rib-eye to choose from.
Where: Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island
Timings: Mon-Thu & Sun, 12:00 pm-2:00 am; Fri-Sat, 12:00 pm-3:00 am
More info here
25 Minutes to Tulum
Give your pet a Sunday by the sea at 25 Minutes to Tulum on Hudayriyat Island. Sandy Paws Sunday has a dedicated pet-friendly area where they can splash around in the water, play with other pets, and get their own treats, toys, and menu. There’s also plenty of space to run around while you enjoy the beach.
Take a dip, or grab a Mexican-inspired lunch with tacos, ceviche, and drinks.
Where: Bab Al Nojoum, Hudayriyat Island
When: Sundays, from 11:00 am
Price: AED 200 per person, fully redeemable on food and drinks; pets enter free
More info here
Barbossa
Bring your four-legged friend along for a meal by the water at Barbossa, at Yas Bay Waterfront. You can grab a table outside and work your way through Mexican-inspired dishes like guacamole and homemade chips, ceviche, tacos, fajitas, and nachos, with cocktails and other drinks on the menu too.
Where: Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island
Timings: Mon-Wed & Sun, 12:00 pm-1:00 am; Thu-Fri, 12:00 pm-3:00 am; Sat, 1:00 pm-3:00 am
More info here
Turtle Cove
Turtle Cove is a seaside cafe in Hidd Al Saadiyat where you can bring your pet along for breakfast, lunch, or a coffee by the water. There’s an all-day menu with dishes like avocado toast, bowls, sandwiches, pastries, and soft-serve, alongside coffee and matcha drinks.
There’s also a pet station with water, so your four-legged friend can stay refreshed while you’re there.
Where: Hidd Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island
Timings: 7:00 am - 11:00 pm
More info here
W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island
Take your pet along for a stay at W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island, located at Yas Marina Circuit. Its rooms and suites have direct views of the circuit and marina, so you can watch the track from your room. There’s also a PAW Pet Concierge, with services including walks, mobile grooming, pet sitting, and on-call veterinary care available.
You can head to the rooftop WET Deck, book a treatment at AWAY Spa, or choose from seven restaurants and bars, including Garage, Brooklyn Chop House, and Pappa’s Taverna. One pet is allowed per room, up to 18 kg, with a non-refundable AED 350 fee per stay. Pets aren’t allowed in the hotel’s restaurants and bars.
Where: Yas Island
Pet policy: One pet per room, up to 18 kg
Pet fee: AED 350 per stay
More info here
Aldhafra Resort, Vignette Collection by IHG
For a desert stay with your pet, Aldhafra Resort is located on the edge of the Liwa Desert. Book a room or spacious suite with desert views, spend some time by the infinity pool overlooking the dunes, or head out for one of the two complimentary desert activities included with your stay. You can choose from experiences such as camel trekking, stargazing, sand bottle art, archery, and Arabic coffee tasting.
When you’re ready for something to eat, there’s all-day dining at Al Badiya Restaurant, drinks at Layali Bar, and 24-hour room service. Pets are welcome for AED 70 per day, with a non-refundable AED 350 deep-cleaning fee on checkout. Additional cleaning or repair charges may apply if needed.
Where: Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi
Pet fee: AED 70 per day
More info here
