Emily’s Kitchen is tucked into a quiet corner of Montgomery Village in Santa Rosa, and it’s one of those places where the owner clearly cares about making everyone comfortable—and that includes dogs. The patio is genuinely pleasant, with enough shade and space that your dog can settle in while you’re eating without feeling cramped or stressed about other diners.

The menu leans heavily on homemade comfort food, with desserts that actually taste like someone made them in a kitchen rather than pulled them from a freezer. We watched a couple at the next table split a slice of what looked like a serious chocolate cake, and it didn’t disappear quickly because it was rich enough to actually savor. If you’re there for lunch, the savory options are solid too—nothing pretentious, just food that works.

What makes Emily’s Kitchen worth the detour is that it doesn’t feel like a restaurant that merely tolerates dogs on the patio. The staff checks in, brings water without being asked, and generally acts like having your dog there is normal and fine. The patio itself faces away from the busier parts of Montgomery Village, so it’s quieter than you’d expect for being in the shopping center. There’s decent tree coverage, which matters on warm days.

Mickey spent most of our meal napping under the table after a walk, which tells you something about the vibe. It’s not a scene-y place where you’re trying to be seen or perform for Instagram. Families come here, regulars come here, and people bring their dogs and just eat their lunch.

Go on a weekday morning if you can—it’s noticeably less crowded, and the staff has more time to chat. You can find their current hours and menu updates on Facebook at dessertsbyemily if you want to check what they’ve got before heading over.