Sabatino's Sausage Company in Newport Beach traces its roots back to Sicily in 1864, when the Sabatino family began crafting sausage using recipes that have stayed in the family ever since. Today, their Southern California location serves up those same authentic Italian dishes alongside pasta, sandwiches, and other hearty fare made with fresh ingredients.

The real draw here if you’re traveling with a dog is the spacious outdoor patio. You can sit out there with your dog while you eat, which beats eating alone in most dog-friendly restaurants. The patio has a genuine neighborhood feel to it—not pretentious, just a comfortable spot to spend an afternoon near the water in Newport Beach. The staff tends to be welcoming to dogs, though like anywhere, it’s smart to check in about their current pet policies when you call.

The menu leans heavily on sausage dishes and Italian classics. The sausage recipes are legitimately the draw here; these aren’t generic offerings but actual family recipes spanning generations. You’ll find sandwiches built around their sausages, pasta dishes, and other Italian standards. It’s the kind of place where the food tastes like someone put thought into it rather than just throwing ingredients together.

Bring your own water bowl for your dog—most outdoor patios don’t provide them, and dogs appreciate fresh water while you’re eating. If you’re exploring the Newport Beach area or coming back from nearby trails or parks, this is a solid lunch or dinner stop. You get actual Italian food with real history behind it, your dog gets to hang out next to you without being confined indoors, and everyone leaves satisfied. It’s not fancy, but it doesn’t need to be. The patio’s the kind of place where dogs seem genuinely welcome rather than merely tolerated.