There’s no shortage of places in Tri-Valley to chow down at an outdoor table with your pup at your side. Enjoy the small town hospitality and laid-back vibe whether your choice is award-winning California cuisine, local farm-to-fork comfort food, rustic bistro classics or pubs featuring craft brews. Speaking of craft brews, nine out of the 14 dog-friendly breweries, tap rooms and restaurants on the Tri-Valley Craft Beer Trail serve food. Many are conveniently situated just off Interstates 680 and 580, in or near the cities of Pleasanton, Dublin and Danville.
In Pleasanton, a stroll down the main drag and side streets will have you making hard decisions. Oasis Grille & Wine Lounge serves Mediterranean fare, while Handles Gastropub has 30 craft beers and a menu focused on local farm-to-fork comfort food. Tomo Sushi Bar & Grill is your go-to for Japanese food, while Baci Bistro is an Italian outpost on Main Street and McKay’s Taphouse and Beer Garden and Hop Yard American Alehouse are, well, just what they sound like.
Nearby Danville gives Pleasanton a run for the money when it comes to laid-back vibes and dog-friendly venues. You and Daisy can contemplate the next leg of your visit over award-winning California cuisine served in the shady courtyard of The Peasant and the Pear, whose name reflects a contemporary take on rustic bistro classics. Chow Danville is an affordable, farm-to-table venue, while Southern Sweetwater Tavern features one of the largest outdoor dining areas in town (dog-friendly, of course). For breakfast, join local chow hounds on the porch of Sideboard, a neighborhood kitchen and coffee place.In the afternoon, craft beer beckons at the Growler Pub.
In Livermore, several venues around historic Blacksmith Square, including Swirl on the Square and Blackhawk Grille, offer dog-friendly outdoor seating where you can also enjoy live music in summer. New on the scene are craft brewpubs Altamont Beer Works and Beer Baron.
In Dublin, check out Lazy Dog, a lively place with music on weekend evenings; and Three Sheets Craft Beer, where you’ll enjoy socializing with locals and their four-legged sidekicks.
In the countryside, Garre Vineyard & Winery pulls a triple-header with a winery tasting room, café and bocce courts to keep you and your tail-wagger occupied for hours.
Photo Credit: @crickitikitavi
