Just a short drive from San Francisco, in the charming town of Larkspur, Don Antonio Trattoria has a wonderful outdoor patio where you can bring your dog along for a meal. The setting is genuinely lovely—you get views of Mount Tamalpais in the distance while you sit under the open sky, and there’s something special about sharing that kind of experience with your dog rather than leaving them at home.

The menu focuses on authentic Italian cuisine, and the wine list is solid if that’s your thing. We brought our dog on a weekday afternoon and found the staff genuinely relaxed about having us there. They didn’t make a fuss about it, which honestly is refreshing. Your dog just settles in while you eat, and nobody acts like it’s some huge accommodation. The patio has enough space that dogs aren’t crammed next to other tables, and the outdoor setting means any accidental noise or movement doesn’t echo through an indoor dining room.

What made the experience work well for us was the timing. Coming on a quieter day meant we could linger without feeling like we were holding up service, and our dog was calm enough to just enjoy the breeze and occasional people-watching. Larkspur’s downtown location makes it easy to combine this with a walk around the town before or after eating. The whole area has a relaxed, residential feel despite being close to the highway.

If you’re planning a visit, go when the weather’s nice—that’s when the patio is most pleasant for everyone. You might also want to eat earlier in the evening before the restaurant gets too crowded, which gives your dog a more comfortable experience and lets the staff focus on getting your food out while it’s still hot.