Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Southern District, Hong Kong (2026)
Southern District wraps around the south side of Hong Kong Island, from Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau through Wong Chuk Hang to the beaches at Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay and Stanley. With its promenades, seaside villages and open-air dining, it is one of the most rewarding parts of the city to explore with a dog. From 9 July 2026, approved venues here may admit dogs inside.
The highest-rated picks
Approved venues in this district with the strongest Google ratings. Ratings via Google; tap a venue for details, the map and directions.
Where to go with your dog in Southern District
Ap Lei Chau and Wong Chuk Hang have grown into a design-and-dining quarter, with cafés and restaurants tucked among the studios and showrooms — many of them relaxed about dogs. Stanley’s waterfront and main street are a long-standing weekend destination, and Aberdeen’s promenade looks out over the typhoon shelter and sampans.
The seaside setting is the point: Stanley, Repulse Bay and the Ap Lei Chau waterfront all pair an easy walk with places to eat close by. Being spread out, Southern rewards a little planning — pick a village or promenade, then choose an approved venue within walking distance of it.
Getting there with your dog
Pet dogs are not allowed on the MTR — only assistance dogs are, plus the separate Light Rail pet scheme in the New Territories — so plan to arrive on foot, by taxi or by private car. Not every taxi will take a dog, so a carrier or a mat helps, and it is worth confirming with the driver before you get in.
Trams and buses run the length of the north shore, but pets are not carried on the tram, so a taxi or private car is usually the most reliable way in. Once you arrive, most Island neighbourhoods are dense and walkable, so you can reach several approved venues on foot from one drop-off.
Before you visit
Being on the approved list means a restaurant may admit dogs from 9 July 2026 — it does not set the house rules. Each venue decides the details: whether dogs are welcome throughout or only in a certain zone, whether they may sit on chairs, and whether a cleaning charge applies. Check the restaurant’s customer notice or call ahead, especially at busy times.
Keep your dog leashed and under control, bring water and a mat, and clean up after any accident. A well-behaved visit is what keeps these places dog-friendly.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs go inside these restaurants now? From 9 July 2026, approved venues on FEHD’s final list may admit dogs. Before that date, dogs are not permitted on food premises except guide and working dogs.
Is the whole restaurant dog-friendly, or just outdoor seating? It depends on the venue’s own house rules — some welcome dogs throughout, others set a dog zone or an outdoor-only area. Always confirm with the restaurant.
Can I take my dog on the MTR or tram to get there? No — pet dogs are not allowed on the MTR or the tram. Assistance dogs are. Travel on foot, by taxi or by car.