Mendocino County’s dog-friendly dining venues range from vegetarian mainstays to buzzy burger spots with a pedigree. Consider scheduling a spring trip for Pup Palooza, the new festival and fundraiser taking place at the Little River Inn on Saturday, April 26. This season, the pretty coastal property is also unveiling cozy new Pup Cabanas for restaurant guests and their four-legged companions.
The Little River Inn has previously accommodated doggie diners on its tented garden terrace, but spacious new Pup Cabanas make meals even more memorable. Individual covered spaces of various sizes seat four or six people, plus pups, and each is equipped with heaters and pleasant lighting. After guests order by QR code, dishes are delivered directly to the table. The new cabanas will be named in memory of cherished Little River Inn family pets.
Take Highway 128 about 30 miles inland to reach the town of Philo, where Jumbo’s Win Win lives up to its name. Locals line up at this budget-friendly burger stand from James Beard-nominee Scott Baird and his wife, Molley Green. Their counter-serve spot builds its menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads and soft serve around ingredients from area farms. There’s a spacious patio, kid-friendly frozen drinks, and a wine list showcasing under-the-radar Anderson Valley producers.
Several Mendocino classics warmly welcome canine guests, too. Dogs can dine inside at the Stanford Inn, where Ravens Restaurant serves breakfasts and dinners at pup-friendly lobby tables. Plant-based dishes feature local ingredients and produce grown on the property. Pets feast on steamed vegetables and house-made organic sweet potato treats. Up north in Fort Bragg, HarborView Bistro and Bar has open-air patio tables, while Noyo Harbor fishing boats set the backdrop for meals at Sea Pal Cove and The Wharf (formerly known as Silver’s at the Wharf).
