Whoever said you have to go to your favorite restaurant without your four-legged best friend? You shouldn’t have to leave your best friend behind while you are going out to get some great tasting food, regardless of where you are headed. If you are looking for dog- friendly restaurants in Lake Norman, StayLakeNorman has you covered! Here is a list of the top-rated best dog friendly restaurants in Lake Norman your family and you need to visit!
Top 5 Dog Friendly Restaurants in Lake Norman
1. The Toucan’s Restaurant
Originally established in 2020, the Toucan’s Restaurant is the restaurant to go to if you want to get a taste of the local cuisine. It is a place to mingle with locals, order some great food and enjoy a few drinks with friends, all with your furry best friend by your side. Relish the warm ambience of a traditional dining experience, or head out to the patio to enjoy a lovely view of Lake Norman in the most relaxed environment possible. Savor a plate of crab cakes, a delicious island burger topped with local ingredients or shrimp fajitas for some island flair.
2. Apps and Taps
If you are looking for that traditional pub atmosphere, Apps and Taps is the waterfront restaurant to visit. Apps & Taps is a Lake Norman waterfront restaurant best known for its live events. You don’t want to miss Purple Madness, the Prince tribute band. Grab a beer and admire the lake with your dog as you listen to live music. In addition to great music, catch a bite of classic pub food! Enjoy classics such as Irish potato skins, BBQ pork sliders, crab cake sandwiches or seared Ahi-Tuna. Find the perfect food to satisfy your taste buds!

3. Hello, Sailor
Feeling like you want to paw-ty? Grab your pup and head over to Hello, Sailor for the Lake Norman atmosphere you have been looking for. Serving fresh seafood daily, Hello, Sailor is a restaurant with a retro charm and local Lake Norman flair love. This is the perfect place to go if you want to enjoy great food and great company.
4. Eddie’s on Lake Norman
This is another quality Lake Norman restaurant you can visit with your pooch on their lakeside patio if you both have a hankering for fresh, local favorites. Eddie’s prides itself on using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients possible. Many of the meals you get from Eddie’s are crafted from old recipes, handed down through the generations. You can taste the history in every bite! Even the pickiest pooch will love something on the menu.
5. North Harbor Club
Try one of Lake Norman’s most popular and longstanding waterfront restaurants, North Harbor Club. Open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, the North Harbor Club offers exceptional dining with fresh ingredients topped with the perfect touch by their Executive Chef complemented by the waterfront ambience of Lake Norman. They have nine boat slips for you to dock your boat, so come on out and have an amazing meal and a good time. Dogs need to eat too…why not with a view?
There are many different pet friendly restaurants in Lake Norman. Many of these restaurants welcome dogs of all breeds and sizes in their outdoor patios or tables. Hopefully now you have found plenty of restaurants to visit with your pup during your next visit to Lake Norman.
StayLakeNorman: All Dogs Stay Free
StayLakeNorman is one of the most trusted vacation rental managers in the Lake Norman area. Over the years, StayLakeNorman has worked diligently to help promote Lake Norman as the amazing vacation destination it is, for both family and pets.
At StayLakeNorman, we believe that dogs are like family. We love dogs and don’t want you to leave them behind. That is why when you book one of our pet-friendly rentals, ask us about our All Dogs Stay For Free policy. Don’t leave your dogs at home! Bring them along for the family fun!
Dogs (up to 2) stay free. Dogs must be approved prior to reservation by the StayLakeNorman and a separate Pet Addenda must be signed.