Paws and Plates: Dog-Friendly Cafés and Restaurants in North Norfolk
Discover some of the best spots to dine out with your canine companion
For many dog owners, the thought of leaving their furry friends at home while they enjoy a meal out can be a source of concern. Fortunately, a growing number of cafés and restaurants in North Norfolk, are recognising the importance of catering to pet lovers offering dog-friendly environments where both you and your beloved pooch can relax and enjoy some local food and drink. Many establishments now offer outdoor seating areas, special menus, and even complimentary treats to ensure a pleasant experience for both human and canine patrons.
Top Dog-Friendly Cafes and Restaurants
Let’s take a closer look at some of the dog-friendly cafés and restaurants you can explore whilst visiting one of our self-catering properties in North Norfolk.
Cliff Top Café, Overstrand
After a long walk on Overstrand Beach, head up the ramp to the Cliff Top café, which overlooks the beach.
This pooch-friendly café boasts wonderful sea views, with both indoor and outdoor seating available. It offers breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and seafood specials – or just drop in for a coffee. See their menu here.
📍 Location: Cliff Road, Overstrand
🐕 Dog-Friendly Areas: Seating available indoors and outdoors.
🐶 Pawfect for: Canine visitors are offered complimentary dog biscuits and access to a water bowl. Homemade dog burgers are available on the menu, along with organic dog biscuits for purchase.
Accommodation: Beachcomber Cottage , Overstrand. (sleeps 2-6 people) and is within a 4-minute walk of the café and beach.
The Whitehorse, Overstrand
Located in the village of Overstrand, The White Horse offers contemporary dining in a relaxed pub environment and takes pride in using locally sourced produce on their menus.
The pub features a lawned beer garden, a children’s play area, and a covered patio area. Inside, there is also a games room with a pool table, as well as Sky and BT Sport coverage in the bar.
📍 Location: 34, High Street, Overstrand
🐕 Dog-Friendly Areas: Dogs are welcome in the bar, conservatory and outdoor areas.
🐶 Pawfect for: The spacious beer garden offers water bowls, complimentary doggie treats in the bar, and, during the summer season, doggie ice cream.
Accommodation: Less than a five-minute walk from Beachcomber Cottage, Overstrand.
The Rocket House Café, Cromer
The Rocket House café is perched on the cliff tops overlooking Cromer beach and is a great spot to relax with your favourite friend. The café is dog-friendly area, so your pup can sit with you while you enjoy a coffee or a bite to eat. Sip your drink while soaking in panoramic views of the North Norfolk coastline, making this an ideal stop after a seaside walk. There is a balcony where you can sit outside when the weather is warmer, also. In winter, this café closes for about a month in January so it’s best to check in advance their opening times before visiting.
📍 Location: Cromer, next door to Cromer Lifeboat station, Norfolk.
🐕 Dog-Friendly Areas: All areas of the café are open to well-behaved dogs.
🐶 Pawfect for: Although there is no specific dog menu the staff can be asked for a cooked sausage at an additional charge.
Accommodation: Beachcomber Cottage, Overstrand (sleeps 2-6) approx..7 minutes by car and Green Cottage, East Runton (sleeps 2-6) about 5 minutes by car.
Image credit: James Lacy – Unsplash
Whelk Coppers Tea Room, Sheringham
The Whelk Coppers Tea Room in Sheringham is a charming café that was originally fishermen’s cottages. It serves fresh local ingredients, and everything is made to order, even their coffee is sourced locally from Green Farm Coffee in Norwich. They also offer a range of homemade gluten free and dairy free options, including cakes, gluten free and vegan scones.
Overlooking Sheringham beach it’s a great spot to come after a long dog walk either on the beach or along the promenade that runs parallel with the beach. Known for its cosy ambiance and friendly staff, this tearoom is a favourite among local dog owners.
📍 Location: 25 The Driftway, Sheringham NR26 8LD close to Sheringham
🐕 Dog-Friendly Areas: Inside the café and outdoor seating that overlooks the beach, blankets provided for owners when its chilly!
🐶 Pawfect for: Complimentary dog treats and water bowls available. Local tip: although not on the menu guests can request an Puppuccino for their pooch!
Accommodation: Green Cottage, East Runton (sleeps 2-6) is about 11 minutes by car, Beachcomber Cottage is about 20 minutes’ drive.
The Dun Cow, Salthouse
The Dun Cow in Salthouse offers a unique dining experience for both you and your furry friend. Shortlisted for The Good Food Guide in 2024 and recognised as a local gem this pub and restaurant known for its delicious food and picturesque location is a great spot to stop off with your furry friend.
Whether you want to cosy up with a drink in front of the log fires in winter or enjoy a pub lunch in their garden overlooking the salt marsh in summer, it offers year-round appeal.
Located in An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there are many walks you can do in this area including a 5 mile walk which starts in Salthouse village and meanders out of the village to Salthouse Heath, where you can enjoy views over the coastline to Blakeney Point and beyond.
📍 Location: Purdy St, Salthouse, Norfolk
🐕 Dog-Friendly Areas: Dogs are welcome in the bar area and outside in the pub garden.
🐶 Pawfect for: Well-behaved dogs are welcome on a lead. Bowls of fresh water are available inside and, in the garden. A jar of doggie treats is also available at the bar.
Accommodation: Creek Cottage, Salthouse (sleeps 2-8) and is less than 5 minutes’ walk to the Dun Cow.
The Parlour, Binham
Nestled in a beautifully converted 17th-century, Grade II listed barn, The Parlour café and tearoom sit in the shadow of the stunning Binham Priory ruins. This lovingly restored space is the perfect spot to enjoy lunch, coffee, and homemade cake, with your furry friend by your side. Located at the heart of a dairy farm, The Parlour offers a true farm-to-table experience. The menu includes everything from hearty full English and vegetarian breakfasts to light lunches, cheese boards, charcuterie platters, and a delicious selection of homemade cakes, pastries, and scones.
This is a popular restaurant, so booking is advised!
📍 Location: Warham Road, Binham, NR21 0DQ.
🐕 Dog-Friendly Areas: Dogs are welcome in the bar area and outside in the pub garden.
🐶 Pawfect for: Well-behaved dogs are welcome. Bowls of fresh water are available.
Accommodation: Creek Cottage, Salthouse (sleeps 2-8) and is about 16 minutes by car.
The Fishing Boat, East Runton
The Fishing Boat in East Runton is a family-run pub that warmly welcomes both families and their dogs. Nestled in the heart of the charming seaside village of East Runton, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy delicious food, including hearty Sunday roasts.
Whether you’re stopping by for a drink or a meal after a stroll along East Runton Beach, you’ll find a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. On sunny days, you can unwind in the pub’s outdoor garden, while inside, there’s a pool table available. The Fishing Boat also hosts live entertainment, making it a great place to enjoy good food, great company, and a lively atmosphere.
📍 Location: The Fishing Boat, High Street, Cromer, NR27 9NX
🐕 Dog-Friendly Areas: Dogs are free to sit with their owner in the pub or garden.
🐶 Pawfect for: Relaxing in after a long beach walk.
Accommodation: Green Cottage (sleeps 2-6) is about a 5 minute walk away.
The Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market
The Gunton Arms, a charming pub and restaurant in Thorpe Market near Cromer, has earned numerous accolades for its cuisine, including recognition as one of the UK’s best country pubs by BBC Good Food. Led by chef Stuart Tattersall, formerly head chef at Mark Hix, the kitchen focuses on locally sourced ingredients, such as venison from the nearby deer park.
Guests can relax with a drink in the garden while watching deer roam the surrounding parkland. Inside, the Elk Room offers a cosy dining experience, featuring a roaring fire in winter and stunning artwork or relax in the bar and enjoy some homemade snacks over a game of pool or darts.
📍 Location: Gunton Arms, Cromer Road, Thorpe Market, Norfolk
🐕 Dog-Friendly Areas: Bar and allocated seating in the restaurant. Seating also available in the garden.
🐶 Pawfect for: Enjoy walks around the deer park. Water bowls available.
The Future of Dog-Friendly Dining
The trend of dog-friendly cafés and restaurants shows no signs of slowing down, as businesses recognise the value of catering to pet owners. New cafes and restaurants are continuing to open and we can expect to see even more innovative and welcoming spaces for dining with our canine companions.
So, the next time you plan a meal out, why not bring your furry friend along and explore one of these fantastic dog-friendly spots in North Norfolk? 🐶 Bone Appétit!
