The Milias Restaurant has been operating since 1922 at the historic Milias Hotel in Gilroy, and it’s one of those places where you can actually feel the history in the dining room. The guest book here reads like old Hollywood — Bing Crosby and Clark Gable both dined here back when the restaurant was a proper destination in the Bay Area. These days it’s still doing what it did then: serving good food in a space that doesn’t feel like it needs to apologize for being old.

What matters for dog owners is that they welcome dogs to their outdoor patio area. You can sit out there with your dog and have an actual meal instead of just grabbing something quick on the sidewalk. The patio has that vintage California feel that matches the interior — nothing overly trendy or trying too hard. The shade from the surrounding buildings and trees helps on warmer days, which is important in Gilroy when it heats up.

The restaurant serves classic California fare, nothing experimental or complicated. It’s straightforward food done well, the kind of place where you know what you’re getting. You’re not going for Instagram moments here; you’re going because the food is solid and the setting has character. The staff treats dogs as regular guests, not like you’re doing them a favor by bringing yours along.

If you’re driving through Gilroy or visiting the garlic festival area, this is worth stopping at rather than heading to a chain restaurant. You get some actual local history along with your meal. Parking is available near the restaurant, which makes it easy to manage both yourself and your dog.