Two separate policies

The FEHD scheme only governs the food premises itself. The shopping centre’s corridors, atriums, lifts and car park are the landlord’s property, and the landlord sets the pet policy there. So an approved restaurant inside a mall that does not allow dogs in its common areas leaves you with a problem: you may be welcome at the table but unable to walk your dog to it.

Always check the mall’s own pet policy before you go, separately from confirming the restaurant.

What mall policies usually look like

Hong Kong malls vary widely. Common arrangements include:

• Fully pet-friendly — leashed dogs welcome throughout the common areas
• Carrier or stroller only — dogs allowed but must be fully inside a pet bag or pet stroller in corridors
• Designated access — dogs admitted via a specific entrance, lift or floor only
• Assistance dogs only — pet dogs not allowed in common areas at all, even if a tenant restaurant is approved

Because these differ by mall and can change, confirm the current rule directly with the mall or the restaurant rather than assuming.

Getting to the restaurant

Plan your route in. Ask the restaurant which entrance and lift to use — many malls have a goods or car-park lift that avoids the busiest concourses. Use lifts rather than escalators: a dog’s paw or nail can be caught at the top or bottom of an escalator, so carry small dogs and take the lift with larger ones.

Through the common areas

Keep your dog leashed on a short lead, or in its carrier or stroller if the mall requires it, from the moment you enter until you reach the restaurant. Malls are busy, slippery and full of distractions, so keep your dog close and calm, and avoid crowded concourses at peak times.

A quick plan before you go

• Confirm the restaurant is approved (on this map, plus the A3 sign)
• Separately check the mall’s common-area pet policy
• Ask the restaurant for the best entrance, lift and route
• Bring a carrier or stroller if the mall requires one
• Avoid escalators — use the lift