Dining out is an experience often shared with other people. However, Baltimore is a city that also welcomes eating out with your furry friends. After reading my recent Ask Charm City Table column, Five Heated Patios in Baltimore, Baltimore Banner subscriber Anne Breitenbach messaged about restaurants where you can dine with your dog.

Anne recommends the dog-centric concept Bark Social, the stunning patio at Gunther & Co, and one of my personal favorites, Maggie’s Farm, for dog-friendly dining. But she says more options for people who are out and have their dog with them would be helpful.

During my search, I found over 150 dog-friendly restaurants in the city alone. The five places I recommend are establishments that offer a little more than a place to eat while sitting next to your pet. Some have doggy menus while others fundraise and donate to animal shelters.

Even though it’s the middle of January, these places are worth the trip on an unseasonably warm day, and they’re great in the spring and summer.

The Point in Fells

1738 Thames St.

Fells Point is one of the best destinations to have a meal with your pup. Walking along Thames Street, you will see folks sitting outside having brunch with their furry companions at most of the restaurants. The Point in Fells stands out for two reasons: their recurring pet-centric events, such as Yappy Hour, and a Friday-Monday brunch menu. “Yappy Hour” features puppy-inspired cocktails including the Mutt Mule and The Golden Doodle and will sometimes take on a seasonal theme with Spook-tacular costume parties and, recently, Santa Paws Pet photos. A portion of the event proceeds are donated to animal care organizations.

At brunch, you and your canine friend are seated under the restaurant’s outdoor tent to enjoy bottomless mimosas and a big brunch menu. There’s also “pup meals”: Burger & Carrots, Rice Bowl with Beef or Chicken, and Chicken Tenders & Carrots. For us humans, I recommend their MD Crab Benedict – poached eggs, fried green tomatoes, spinach, Old Bay seasoning and hollandaise.

Brunch hours at The Point in Fells are Friday 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and Monday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Blue Pit BBQ & Whiskey Bar

1601 Union Ave.

Named after the owners’ own pup, Blue Pit BBQ & Whiskey Bar has offered a pet-friendly space since it opened in 2014. Sit on the back patio, which has plenty of tables, benches, and umbrellas, and order some BBQ with your canine friend. There are options for vegetarians and vegans, too, including the BBQ jackfruit sandwich.

If you enjoy whiskey, Blue Pit offers well over 100 different bottles on the menu. I recommend trying one of the rotating Old Fashioned specials and pairing it with a plate of ribs or or brisket. On my recent visit, I tasted their s’mores old fashioned made with a flavored bourbon.

Blue Pit does a lot of work with BARCS, including happy hours and fundraisers. If you are passionate about animal safety and care, this is a restaurant to support.

El Bufalo Tequila Bar & Kitchen

2921 O’Donnell St.

Offering a “Puppers Suppers and Treats” menu, the Canton restaurant serves chicken or steak over rice and a “puppuccino” for your dog while you get to enjoy the Southwestern selections. The covered outdoor seating in O’Donnell Square is a comfortable setting for your puppy dinner date.

I am a fan of nachos, and El Bufalo has some good ones. Loaded with toppings and a sizable portion, the plate is stacked with black beans, pico de gallo, cheese, avocado, crema, and your protein of choice. El Bufalo also has a dog-friendly brunch.

BMORE LICKS

2437 Eastern Ave.

Now that you and your furry friend have enjoyed a good meal, it is time for dessert. BMORE LICKS near Patterson Park has an ice cream menu for dogs, and there are multiple ordering windows so you and your pup can both enjoy a treat without ever having to step inside. For your pet, choose between the kiddie vanilla dish and the peanut butter dish – soft serve ice cream topped with a dog biscuit. For you, there’s all kinds of traditional and creative ice cream flavors, including lemon gingersnap, caramel Old Bay and Captain Crunch.

BMORE LICKS is one of my favorite ice cream spots in Baltimore. I try different flavors each time I visit and always leave a happy customer.

Tropicool

6083 Falls Road #1

Take your dog on a walk at Lake Roland, which residents affectionately call “The Puppy Park,” and then head next door to treat yourselves to house-made Italian ice, ice cream, fresh squeezed lemonade, and more. For pups, the stand has a menu item called the Frosty Paw, a frozen soy-protein treat made for dogs.

Tropicool is closed for the season with plans to reopen in the mid- to late March and will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

I would love to know your favorite restaurants or share my own dining suggestions in the Baltimore area. Email simone.phillips@thebaltimorebanner.com with recommendations and questions.