After such a long wait, Hong Kong dog owners can finally take their fur babies out for a meal together! The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has announced that from 9 July 2026, dogs may enter 1,000 permitted restaurants (946 for the time being). This article pulls together the latest list of dog-friendly restaurants in Hong Kong, the key points of the new measure, dining-with-dogs know-how, and the outing supplies to prepare before you leave, so your first restaurant date with your fur baby can be relaxed and worry-free.
1. The New Measure at a Glance: When Does It Start? How Many Restaurants?
On 9 July 2026 the FEHD announced quotas for restaurants permitted to admit dogs, covering all districts across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Here are the points dog owners care about most:
- Effective date:From 9 July 2026, permitted restaurants may begin admitting dogs.
- Quota:A total of 1,000 restaurants were successful in the ballot, with the remaining applications placed on a waiting list.
- Ballot background:The FEHD accepted applications from 18 May to 8 June, receiving 2,205 in total; after verification, an open ballot was held for the remaining 1,616 eligible applications.
Tip: Restaurants whose main mode of operation is hotpot or barbecue are not eligible, so this type of restaurant will not appear on the list for now.
2. How to Spot a “Dog-Friendly Restaurant”?
Once applicants have completed the formalities and been formally approved, they are issued a notice of a specified design in A3 size. From 9 July, permitted restaurants must display this notice at all times in a conspicuous spot at the main entrance so the public can easily identify them.
In other words, next time you pass a restaurant entrance and see the FEHD’s official notice, you’ll know you can bring your dog inside. If you’re unsure, you can also refer to the official list-lookup section below.
3. Permitted-Restaurant List Lookup Section
📋 The official list is coming soon. The list below was compiled by BC Pets based on the FEHD’s ballot results of 9 July 2026 and publicly available online information; the FEHD’s officially published list of permitted restaurants shall prevail. Some details may be updated, so please confirm with the restaurant before visiting:
Dog-Friendly Restaurant Finder
FEHD list of premises permitting dogs at food business premises | Filter by region or district, or search by restaurant name or address
| Region | District | Restaurant name | Address |
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Disclaimer: This list was compiled from information published online by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) on 9 July 2026. It is for reference only and may not be entirely accurate. The FEHD’s official announcement shall prevail for the final list of permitted restaurants; please confirm again with the relevant restaurant before visiting.
👉 You can also visit the FEHD’s dedicated web page directly:
FEHD “Permission for Dogs to be Present on Food Business Premises” thematic web page
4. Dining-with-Dogs Know-How: Be a Considerate Dog Owner
The FEHD has published the “Good Practice and Behaviour Guidelines for Dog-Friendly Restaurants (Customers Bringing Dogs)”. Below we have distilled the most important points; only with proper preparation can we achieve “mutual respect and harmony between people and pets”.
1. Preparation Before Leaving Home
- Confirm your dog complies with the law:vaccinated and microchipped in accordance with the Rabies Ordinance (Cap. 421, Laws of Hong Kong), and holding a valid dog licence. Dog owners can log in with iAM Smart on the AFCD website to view and present the electronic licence.
- Health first:dewormed and treated for fleas, with a clean coat. If your dog is unwell or suspected of having an infectious disease, do not take it to a restaurant.
- Assess its mood:if your dog is clearly aggressive or anxious, don’t force the outing that day.
- Bring your own supplies:dog food, bowls and utensils, cleaning supplies, and a pet mat or pee pad.
2. Proper Control Inside the Restaurant
- It must be on a leash no longer than 1.5 m, securely held by an adult, or securely tethered to a fixed fixture; under no circumstances may it be handled by a minor.
- Even if you put your dog in a dog carrier or pet stroller, you must still attach a leash.
- Restaurants must not let dogs onto dining tables or use the restaurant’s reusable tableware; if you wish to feed your dog, please bring dedicated food, drinks and utensils.
- Keep your dog in a suitable spot, not blocking aisles, fire escape routes or emergency exits, and it must not enter the kitchen or food-handling area.
- Be mindful of nearby diners’ feelings. If people at your table or the next table have concerns about where the dog is, move the dog back down to the floor.
3. Keeping the Environment Clean
- If your dog relieves itself or makes a mess inside, the owner should clean it up immediately and dispose of the waste properly, then notify staff to re-check and disinfect, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
- Some restaurants may charge for cleaning, so it is best to read the restaurant’s “Customer Notes” before visiting.
4. Respect Each Restaurant’s Own House Rules
Restaurants may set their own rules according to their premises and staffing, including whether dogs may sit on chairs and whether a muzzle is required. Diners bringing dogs should understand and respect these, and restaurants also have the right to refuse dogs that do not meet the requirements.
▶ Read the FEHD’s full “Good Behaviour Guidelines for Customers Bringing Dogs”
5. Your First Restaurant Date: The Outing Supplies Checklist
To dine happily and within the rules with your fur baby, remember to pack all the gear before heading out. BC Pets Pet Supplies Centre has put together a “Dining-Out Gear Checklist for Dogs“, all available at our stores and online shop. Spend HK$350 or more to enjoy free delivery across Hong Kong, plus a guarantee of genuine Hong Kong local-market goods.
- Leash (within 1.5 m): Meets legal requirements and easy for an adult to control. ▶ Shop leashes
- Pet carrier / backpack:Handy for small dogs when travelling and before and after entering a shop. ▶ Shop carriers
- Pet stroller:A great help for long outings and older dogs (remember to attach a leash as well). ▶ Shop strollers
- Pet mat / pee pad:Lay it where your dog sits or lies to keep things hygienic and easy to clean. ▶ Shop mats / pee pads
- Travel water bottle / folding bowl:Rehydrate anytime; bringing your own bowls is more hygienic. ▶ Shop water bottles / bowls
- Muzzle:Fitted according to your dog’s temperament and the restaurant’s requirements.
- Cleaning supplies (bags / wet wipes / disinfectant):Clean up waste immediately and be a responsible dog owner. ▶ Shop cleaning supplies
🐾 One-stop shopping for BC Pets pet outing supplies
From leashes and carriers to cleaning supplies, get all your fur baby’s outing gear in one go.
▶ Browse the BC Pets outing supplies section now
Free delivery across Hong Kong on orders over HK$350 | Guaranteed genuine Hong Kong local-market goods
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: When can dogs start entering restaurants?
From 9 July 2026. Before this date, apart from guide dogs and working dogs, restaurants still may not admit dogs.
Q2: How many dog-friendly restaurants are there across Hong Kong?
A total of 1,000 restaurants were successful in the ballot, covering all districts across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. The full list was published on the FEHD’s thematic web page in July.
Q3: How can you tell whether a restaurant is dog-friendly?
Check whether the specified A3 notice issued by the FEHD is displayed at the restaurant’s main entrance; you can also consult the official list of permitted restaurants.
Q4: Can all dogs enter restaurants?
Dogs must meet the requirements of the Rabies Ordinance (vaccinated, microchipped and holding a valid licence). Restaurants have the right to ask for the licence to verify, and may also make enquiries about “known dangerous dogs” or “fighting dogs”. If a licence cannot be produced, the restaurant has the right to refuse entry.
Q5: What do you need to prepare to take a dog to a restaurant?
A leash within 1.5 m, a valid licence, dog food and bowls/utensils, a pet mat or pee pad, and cleaning supplies; a muzzle may be needed depending on your dog and the restaurant’s requirements.
Welcoming a New Era of Harmony Between People and Pets
This measure is an important step for Hong Kong towards “harmony between people and pets”. As long as dog owners prepare properly and respect restaurant rules and other diners, they can enjoy many more wonderful moments together with their fur babies. Remember to bookmark this page — we’ll update it as soon as the permitted-restaurant list is published. Stay tuned!
Sources: Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) press releases and thematic web page; information current as of 12 July 2026. The FEHD’s official announcements shall prevail for actual arrangements.
