My favourite dog friendly spots in Auckland
As someone who lives in Auckland, I perceive Auckland as… not very dog friendly! Of course, there is the obvious like Bunnings and pet stores but there is so much more to "dog friendly" in Auckland! Each and every shop (including supermarkets) is allowed to state their own rules for dogs, and our trains and buses are pet friendly with little dogs having to be in a carrier and big dogs muzzled, but pet friendly nonetheless! However, there are some places better than others so for the best places (in my opinion) to take your dog in Auckland!
Petal and a puppucino at Woolfy’s
The Stoned Cow - Browns Bay
The Stoned Cow cafe comes in at number one because your dogs are allowed to sit inside with you and there are puppucino’s on the menu! Always the best! The atmosphere is amazing and there are so many dogs there every time I go which is amazing! Once you have finished eating, you can head across the road and down the beach (outside of bylaw hours) and let your dog have a run around and a swim!
Woolfy’s - Highbrook
Woolfy’s in East Tamaki has such good food! Technically dogs are only allowed outside at Woolfy’s but their outside area is a fully covered courtyard - even the sides can come down and there are heaters for winter! They bring out water for your dog and… there are puppucino’s on the menu which you can see Petal enjoying in the photo above! The best! Before you sit down, to tucker out your pup for a more enjoyable experience for yourself, there is the East Tamaki River walk nearby too! Pawfect!
Kings Plant Barn, Stonefields - Mount Wellington
All Kings Plant Barns are dog friendly, but Stonefields was just newly built and it is such a nice shop! You can take your dog in for a little décor shopping for your home, plant shopping, and have a stop at the café! Not only that – have kids? There is a playground too! Dogs must be on lead the entire time at the shop but personally, I just love taking my dog with me! Stonefields Heritage Walk is a nice big walk just across the road too where it backs onto Mt Wellington with a little forest. To let your dog's energy out – I do recommend doing the walk first. It is a big walk, so you don’t want to be carrying your shopping around with you!
Eastridge Shopping Centre - Mission Bay
Eastridge is a small shopping centre with a variety of shops. Dogs are welcome inside the mall! This does not mean they can go into every single shop. There are some places where they can’t risk having dog fur everywhere (such as the hairdresser and nail salon!) but your pup is allowed inside the mall and at all of the eatery options. Check the signs at every shop before taking your pup in – I have seen multiple dogs in the supermarket, but I can’t find anything online to confirm or deny if they are allowed, so just check before you take your dog inside any of the actual shops.
Disco Hair Salon – Morningside
I have been looking for a new hairdresser for literally years since my one left working for her kids. It has been a struggle. Recently – I found one. Disco! Petal is allowed inside as well so it is PERFECT. I got the best haircut I have had in a long, long time. My growing out fringe is nicer and lighter and my layers are so good that my hair is air drying nicely and my curls are curling! The vibes inside also are bright and loud and there is a feather chandelier and orange and pink walls. Great vibes, great people, great chats, FANTASTIC haircut and Petal was allowed inside! I have never been to a better hairdresser!
Real Groovy – Auckland Central
I love music, I believe everyone needs a higher power in life, for some people that is God, an auntie, a sister, their mum. For me, my higher power that is always there for me through thick and thin and helps me through anything I am going through is music. So, of course I love a music shop. Real Groovy is such a cool shop and dogs are welcome! I can browse music and have my darling Petal with me! This shop has cool vibes with some really cool, old fluoro lights. The music in the shop is often loud so not suitable for every dog, but if you dog is OK with noise then this is a great place to visit!
Spotlight Sylvia Park – Mount Wellington
Every Spotlight has its own rules around dogs so don’t just go walking into your local with your dog unless... your local is Sylvia Park! I make dog accessories and apparel and I also make a lot of my own clothes, I enjoy card making and cross stitch as well and so I visit fabric shops often but Spotlight is a good one that covers all of my crafting wants and desires! This shop is almost always busy, and the aisles are filled the brim so I always keep Petal on quite a short leash but it’s just nice to have somewhere I can bring her in with me!
Fabric Box – Morningside
Another fabric shop because of course! I love sewing! I tied Petal up and to be honest, I still do, often because it is a small shop with glass doors, and I can see her. I do worry about she sheds like crazy when I take her inside anywhere! But – they always tell me I can bring her in. The fabric here also… GORGEOUS!
This list is just a small selection of places you can take your pup in Auckland but there are so many more! We really are quite dog friendly and if your small dog is in a carrier or your large dog is muzzled, you can even take public transport to get there. Go explore Auckland – and take your dog with you!
