Ireland’s best pet-friendly café or restaurant - ‘it’s just paw-fect for puppies’

Pets and their owners get a warm welcome in Galway from our Reader Travel Awards winner

The Twelve Hotel, Galway

Pól Ó Conghaile

���I could not recommend this hotel enough! We stayed there last weekend and they couldn’t be nicer! They had a menu for dogs, filtered water and the friendliest staff towards my little Jack Russell,” one reader said.

Another? “Just paw-fect for puppies!”

The Twelve Hotel has been named ‘Best Pet-friendly Café or Restaurant’ in our Reader Travel Awards 2024.

“All the staff in the bar and hotel were so inviting of us having our dog with us at all times,” you told us.

“Some ‘pet friendly’ places actually do not welcome larger breeds. It was also lovely seeing many local dogs and their families use the bar. We will definitely tell all the dog owners we know and would come back without hesitation.”

Casper the Dog at the Twelve Hotel. Picture: Julia Dunin

Ireland’s 10 Best Pet-friendly Cafés or Restaurants 2024

  1. The Twelve Hotel, Barna, Co Galway
  2. 360 Cookhouse, Dungarvan, Co Waterford
  3. Arán Bakery & Bistro, Kilkenny
  4. Bean & River, Kingsley Hotel, Cork city
  5. Pye, Dundrum, Co Dublin
  6. Our Boy Bailey Café, Dunboyne, Co Meath
  7. Two Pups Coffee, Dublin
  8. The Rusty Mackerel, Teelin, Co Donegal
  9. Ruff Café, Dublin
  10. Moher Cottage, Liscannor, Co Clare

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The Twelve has twice won our ‘Best Pet-friendly Hotel’ category (it has three pet-friendly rooms, a pet menu with “doggie room service” and discounts on local dog walkers, sitters, groomers and vets as well as tips on where to bring your dog for walks).

Reflecting a growing market for pet owners and their furry friends, this new category favours cafes and restaurants.

The Twelve still won. “It’s really geared toward pet owners,” you said.

The Twelve Hotel, Co Galway

Pets are permitted in The Twelve’s restaurants “at the manager’s discretion”, so as with every pet-friendly establishment, it may be worth checking about your particular dog’s size and breed before booking.

“All customers are taken into consideration,” as one of you explained. “Staff ask nearby tables if it’s OK for someone to sit nearby with their pet.” Pins Gastro Bar is the casual offering, and both guests and non-residents are welcome.

“Pets are very welcome and the Pins Restaurant even has a dedicated pet menu to keep your pet fed and hydrated,” one guest said. “Looking at the walls, with all the framed [photos of] pooches, you can tell that they truly want your pet around.”

“Your dog is treated like part of the family.”

thetwelvehotel.ie

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