If you’re planning a visit to Panama City and Panama City Beach, Florida, you don’t have to leave your furry family member at home. That’s because both cities are incredibly dog friendly. Check out these awesome dog-friendly restaurants and other locations so you and your dog can enjoy a good time in both cities.
Pier Park
Image via Flickr by sonstroem
Pier Park in Panama City Beach is a sprawling outdoor destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. The complex has 124 stores that range from home goods to shoes, clothing, and jewelry for the whole family. If you get hungry after all that shopping, Pier Park also has numerous dining options.
While dogs aren’t allowed inside most of the stores and restaurants, they’re welcome at the outside common dining area and outdoor walkways when they’re on a leash. Restaurants like Starbucks and Candy Maker often have water bowls outside for your dogs to get a drink of water. Pier Park will also occasionally have live music that you and your pooch can enjoy.
If your dog wants to splash in the water when you’re done shopping, the beach directly across the street from Pier Park is pet friendly. Leashed dogs are welcome to go for a walk on the sand, play in the water, and socialize with other dogs.
Shore Dogs
While Shore Dogs is actually named for its outstanding hot dogs, it’s also a great dog-friendly restaurant in Panama City. This relaxed restaurant has five pet-friendly outdoor tables where your pooch can join you as you savor your all-beef hot dog. If you’re feeling hungry, you can start with the smoked tuna dip, nachos and cheese, or the Frito pie.
When you’re in the mood for a hot dog, check out the signature Frank Footer, a foot-long, half-pound dog loaded with your choice of toppings. Other good options include the Shore Dog, which has ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, onions, and sauerkraut, as well as the German Sheppard, which includes mustard, cheese, and seasoned grilled onions.
If you’re not in the mood for a hot dog, Shore Dogs has other items on its menu, such as the loaded nachos, gyros, or chicken Philly sandwiches. The tacos and burritos are also a tasty option. One popular choice is the Half Pipe, which is a soft taco with seasoned beef, lettuce, cheese, tomato, sour cream, and hot sauce.
Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill
Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill in Panama City Beach is a beach-themed bar and grille that serves up delicious seafood dishes. The restaurant has an outdoor seating and patio area where your dog is welcome to sit with you while you dine. When you’re ready to order, consider starting your meal with the fried pickle wedges with ranch dipping sauce, blackened or fried alligator bites with remoulade, or the loaded fries topped with queso, bacon bits, and sour cream.
Some of the popular main courses at the restaurant include the grouper sandwich, grilled chicken and avocado Caesar wrap, Gulf shrimp tacos, and Island Bacon Burger, which comes with avocado, grilled pineapple, and shrimp with a pineapple glaze. If you saved room for something sweet, make sure you order the white chocolate Key lime pie for dessert. While you’re enjoying your food, the restaurant is happy to bring out a bowl of water and a few Milk Bones for your pup.
Frank Brown Park
If you want to let your dog stretch his legs, load him up in your car and take a drive to Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach. This 200-acre outdoor recreation facility has plenty of amenities for people and dogs alike to enjoy.
If your dog needs to burn some excess energy, he’ll love checking out the two off-leash play areas. One fenced-in area is for large, high-energy dogs, and the second area is for smaller dogs and older large dogs. The play areas have shaded spots where you can relax and water fountains where your dog can get a drink
In addition to the play areas, leashed dogs are allowed to walk with you on the 2 miles of walking trails that wind through the park. Frank Brown Park also offers access to Gayle’s Trails. Named for former mayor Gayle Oberst, this network of paved multi-use trails offers nearly 15 miles for runners, cyclists, hikers, and leashed dogs to enjoy.
Salty Sue’s
At Salty Sue’s in Panama City Beach, you can satisfy your craving for finger-licking good barbecue. This pet-friendly restaurant has an outdoor seating area that welcomes dogs. Some of the popular barbecue dishes you can order include chopped pork, hickory-smoked beef brisket, a half-pound of St. Louis-style ribs, and smoked chicken. If you can’t decide what you want, get the combination barbecue plate to pick from three of those delicious options. Other dishes include burgers, sandwiches, gumbo, and steak.
In addition to the people menu, Salty Sue’s also has a dog menu. As you’re savoring your barbecue, your dog can chow down on chicken or pork and rice and cool down with a big bowl of cold water.
Bruster’s Ice Cream
You love the occasional sweet treat, and so does your pup. So the next time you’re looking to indulge, bring your dog to Bruster’s Ice Cream in Panama City Beach. While your pooch laps up his free vanilla ice cream sundae with a dog bone on top, you can indulge in your own favorite ice cream flavor.
The ice cream shop bakes its crunchy vanilla waffle cones right in the store, so they’re always fresh and delicious. You can then choose from more than 24 flavors of ice cream and an outstanding variety of special toppings to make your perfect cone. The ice cream shop also serves splits, sundaes, shakes, and ice cream sandwiches.
So, there you go. We think these are some of the best dog-friendly spots around Panama City and Panama City Beach. Did we miss a place you love to take your four-legged family member? Then contact us at Panama City Toyota and let us know where you and your pooch love to go!
