A Dog-Friendly Day in Rochester & Rochester Hills, MI
Updated September 24, 2026
Rochester is an easy town to bring a dog to, mostly because so much of the eating happens outside. These are places whose outdoor seating allows dogs.
## Breakfast: The Brunch Bar
90 E Tienken Rd, Rochester Hills. Breakfast and brunch with notable coffee and cocktails, and a patio where dogs are allowed outside. Reservations are accepted and waits are usual, so aim early.
## Late morning: walk downtown
Park once on Main Street and walk. **Ernie's On The Creek** (543 N Main St) backs onto Paint Creek, and the creek side of North Main is the nicest stretch in town to walk a dog before lunch.
## Lunch: Chomp
200 S Main St. A dog-friendly outdoor patio in the middle of downtown, counter service, gourmet burgers, sandwiches and salads with vegan and vegetarian options. The easiest lunch on this list because you order at the counter and never leave your table or your dog.
## Afternoon: O'Connor's Public House
324 S Main St. Outdoor seating with dogs allowed, classic Irish and American pub fare, craft brews and happy-hour food and drinks. A pint outside here is the standard Rochester afternoon.
## Early dinner: MESHICO Tacos and Tequila
2949 Crooks Rd, Rochester Hills. Dog-friendly outdoor seating, happy-hour food and drinks, vegan and vegetarian options and late-night food if the day runs long. Short drive from downtown.
## Or stay north: Old Detroit Bar and Grille
6870 N Rochester Rd. Dog-friendly outdoor seating with burgers, salads and pizza, live music and sports on. Casual enough that nobody minds a dog under the table.
## A quick, easy option
**Noodles and Company** (6836 Rochester Rd, Troy) has outdoor seating with dogs allowed and international noodle dishes, including vegan and vegetarian plates — useful when you want something fast rather than a sit-down.
## Practical notes
Bring water; only some patios offer bowls. Dogs are allowed in outdoor seating only at every place listed here, so plan around the weather — a rainy day cancels this whole itinerary.
Related lists
Frequently asked
- Which downtown patio is best for dogs?
- Chomp on South Main Street keeps a dog-friendly patio with counter service, so you never have to leave your table.
- Are dogs allowed inside any of these?
- No — every spot on this list allows dogs in outdoor seating only.
