APEX
By Paige Hachet Jacob
Summertime means outdoor dining options are plentiful in Apex, which makes it easier to bring along a favorite furry friend for extra company. Whether out for a casual drink with friends or a hearty family meal, Apex has options to include Fido.
Southern Peak Brewery in downtown Apex offers a relaxed neighborhood pub vibe with plenty of water bowls and doggie treats available to pamper pooches while you sip a cold pint on a hot summer night. The brewery features an award-winning seven-barrel brewhouse with mainstay beers and a rotating menu of new recipes on tap. Southern Peak loves dogs so much that they partner with Peak Lab Rescue to hold adoption events throughout the year.
950 Windy Road, Suite 100, Apex
Not far from downtown, Mamma Mia! Italian Bistro on Laura Duncan Road offers a modern twist to classic Italian recipes. Walk with your pup around Hunter Street Park, then stroll to the bistro to savor a delicious meal alfresco. Water bowls are available for thirsty dogs, and many patrons often treat their pets to grilled chicken or a few meatballs as they dine on mouthwatering favorites such as Chicken Parmigiana or a classic pizza.
708 Laura Duncan Road, Apex
Tap Station is a friendly spot where Salem Street meets West Williams Street—a convenient location for friends to meet up with their dogs in tow. The restaurant boasts a brewery, burgers and bourbon, and has ample outdoor seating accommodations for patrons to dine with their furry friends.
320 S. Salem Street, Apex
While enjoying pet-friendly dining spots, remember to keep your pup on a leash and up-to-date on their vaccinations!
CARY
By Judith Cookie Rubens
Cary dogs have it made. They’re welcomed—and often courted—at many local breweries, beer gardens and restaurant patios. Some places even invite well-behaved pups indoors. Here are a few spots in Cary that are extra welcoming to man’s best friend.
Bond Brothers Beer Company’s downtown Cary craft brewery boasts a large, dog-friendly outdoor patio space. Well-behaved and leashed pups are also welcome inside the taproom. The casual, family-friendly spot serves up locally brewed IPAs, stouts and cream ales, with a rotating array of food trucks. Plentiful doggie waste stations remind patrons to clean up after their pets.
202 E. Cedar Street, Cary
Dogs get the royal treatment at Fortnight Brewing Company, an English-style brewpub specializing in traditional cask ales, plus American lagers and IPAs. A fun outdoor patio offers cornhole, food trucks and live music. Fortnight is so pet-friendly it often hosts local pet adoption events, such as its summertime Pints & Paws or holiday picture-time with “Santa Paws.” They’re happy to bring Fido his own water bowl, too.
1006 SW Maynard Road, Cary
Your pooch will enjoy playtime at the Barkyard, Cary’s newest dog park with separate areas for small and large breeds. Afterward, walk a few steps over to the Bark Bar, with its open-air pavilion seating overlooking the expansive Downtown Cary Park. It’s dog-friendly and perfect for meeting friends and grabbing drinks or a light snack. Friendly bartenders, live music and fire pits add to the ambience.
327 S. Academy Street, Cary
FUQUAY-VARINA
By Drew Becker
The number of restaurants and bars in Fuquay-Varina that welcome patrons with their pets might be surprising. More than five businesses encourage bringing Rover in tow.
Cleveland Draft House allows pets on their fenced patio. According to owner Scott Joseph, most of the furry friends people bring in are dogs, but he has also seen a patron bring a cuddly pot-bellied pig and another with a stunning white cockatoo parrot. Regulars order chicken or hamburgers for their canine companions.
1420 E. Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina
clevelanddrafthouse.com/fuquay-varina
Aviator Brewing Company also welcomes canine companions outdoors at two of their locations. The Pizzeria and Beer Shop boasts a covered second story to keep animals dry and four fire pits to keep them warm, and the area is large enough for leashed animals to walk around. Owners can order unseasoned chicken or one of their footlong hot dogs for their pets. The Tap House estimates that 50% of their patrons bring their animals.
600 E. Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina
Garibaldi Trattoria’s diners and their dogs can sit on the patio under the red umbrellas or beneath the covered area. Takeout containers for water are available, and patrons often share their meals—dogs enjoy finishing up their owners’ lamb chops, steak or other dog-friendly selections.
900 N. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina
HOLLY SPRINGS
By Anna Brescia
Dogs are the best companions, and these spots around the town of Holly Springs take care of both you and your four-legged friends!
With a motto of “Drink Beer, Pet Dogs,” you know Bombshell Beer Company is a great spot to unwind with your furry friend. This female-owned brewery features tons of delicious seasonal and staple brews for the humans out there and water bowls for our four-legged friends—plus doggie treats behind the bar.
120 Quantum Drive, Holly Springs
Proud to be Holly Springs’ first bottle shop, Black Dog Bottle Shop is dog, beer-nerd and beer-newbie friendly. This spot is all about creating a community focused on trying new things and learning about craft beers. They host rotating food trucks and fun events like Music Bingo. Looking to add a furry friend to your family? Black Dog frequently hosts adoption events.
140 W. Holly Springs Road, Holly Springs
Husband-and-wife founded Local Time Brewing features a rotating tap of globally-inspired beers and a focus on camaraderie that extends to furry friends. Hang out together—either indoors, or outdoors on the patio. Plus, they’re stocked up on dog treats! Make it a plan to enjoy some quality pet/human time during $5 Pint Mondays or Music Bingo Thursdays.
300 S. Main Street, Suite 204, Holly Springs
MORRISVILLE
By Samantha Gratton
If you have ever dreamed of taking your favorite pooch to grab dinner or a coffee, Morrisville offers plenty of options.
Casual Mexican eatery Mi Cancun allows service dogs inside and welcomes pets of all types to sit on its outdoor patio.
1106 Grace Park Drive, Morrisville
Craving Italian? Sit under the romantic string lights outside at Georgina’s Restaurant and Pizzeria.
3536 Davis Drive, Morrisville
Or go for a stromboli or slice of pizza at Paolo’s on 54.
101 Keybridge Drive #500, Morrisville
Neomonde is a less formal Mediterranean noshery, where guests say the staff was friendly and welcoming to their canines.
10235 Chapel Hill Road, #400, Morrisville
These spots welcome pets on their outdoor patios while providing water bowls:
• Two Guys Grille (laid-back American) 4149 Davis Drive, Morrisville / twoguysgrillemorrisville.com
• Koki (creative Puerto Rican) 10970 Chapel Hill Road #122, Morrisville / eatkoki.com
• Babymoon Cafe (fine Italian) 100 Jerusalem Drive #106, Morrisville / babymooncafe.com
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