The North Coast isn’t just a feast for the eyes, it’s a paradise for coffee lovers and their pups. From the streets of Coleraine to the golden sands of Portstewart, more and more cafés are rolling out the welcome mat (and water bowl) for four-legged guests. Whether it’s a seaside shack with salty air and sandy paws, or a snug town café serving up home-baked treats, you’ll find plenty of places happy to have dogs right alongside their humans.
Here’s our town-by-town guide to the best dog-friendly cafés across Coleraine, Portrush, Portstewart, Ballycastle, Bushmills, and Castlerock.
Coleraine
Barn Door Coffee & Kitchen
A charming café in Coleraine’s town centre, known for its fresh baked goods and local produce. Barn Door proudly welcomes dogs inside, so you can enjoy a comfy coffee break with your pup by your side. The atmosphere is warm and community-focused, making both humans and canines feel at home.
Coffee at the Dock
Coffee at the Dock is a quirky coffee trailer that sits by the River Bann on Coleraine’s edge (Castleroe area) and offers scenic waterfront views. Dogs aren’t just welcome, they’re regulars in the outdoor seating. The staff are very friendly and will happily fuss over your pup, they even keep water bowls handy. It’s a serene open-air spot to enjoy a cappuccino and traybake after a riverside dog walk.
Yomiko
Nestled in Coleraine’s New Row, Yomiko pairs bold Asian street‑food flavours (like bento bowls, ramen, bubble tea, and bao buns) with true pup‑friendly charm. The café now proudly welcomes dogs inside a thoughtful change inspired by local dog lovers and Best Bark’s encouragement. As a wag-worthy bonus, every dog gets a free puppuccino (now a permanent menu treat) when they visit.
Portrush
Café Tilly (Pet Café)
A must-visit for dog owners in Portrush, Café Tilly is famous for its dedicated doggy menu. Pups can enjoy special treats (like “pupcakes” or puppuccinos) while humans tuck into coffee and cake. This cozy café truly caters to “every doggy,” and it has a welcoming indoor space where multiple dogs might be lounging at any time. The staff adore animals, making it a fun stop if you appreciate a side of canine company with your coffee.
Indigo Café
Tucked just off Portrush’s main street, Indigo Café is a cozy spot known for great coffee and vegan bites. It’s also open to well-behaved dogs during the day. The indoor space is snug, so smaller dogs or calmer pups are most comfortable here. Staff are happy to say hello to your canine companion, and you’ll often find other dog owners stopping in for a brew, adding to the friendly, community feel.
Portstewart
Vittle Bakeshop
A lovely artisanal bakery and coffee shop on Portstewart Promenade, Vittle Bakeshop enthusiastically welcomes dogs inside. Inside this small bakery, the staff are incredibly friendly and will greet your pup with a smile. There’s a cozy ambience where you can enjoy specialty coffee and cinnamon buns while your dog relaxes at your feet. On nice days, you might choose a seafront bench outside, either way, Vittle’s dog-friendly attitude has made it a fast favourite among local pet owners.
Roughans Gelato
Step inside Roughans Gelato, where handcrafted scoops meet old-school Irish charm. Made fresh all day, you’ll find nostalgic favourites like Battenberg and fig-and-mascarpone, alongside fudge and marshmallows made in the family lab. Dogs are allowed inside here. With coffee, shakes, pick-and-mix sweets, and even local cards to browse, it’s more than a treat, it’s a little slice of Portstewart sweetness.
The Milk Parlour
The Milk Parlour is an ice cream chain, born and growing along NI’s north coast! All of their ice cream is made with local dairy milk, delivered straight to their lab and made in store.
They pride themselves in supporting local businesses and using amazing quality ingredients to bring the best product to their customers, and their pups of course.
Ballycastle
Costa Coffee (Marine Hotel)
Ballycastle’s Marine Hotel features an in-house Costa Coffee lounge that welcomes dogs in the lobby café area. They even provide water bowls for visiting pets, so your pup can rehydrate while you sip a flat white. The atmosphere is relaxed and spacious, with plenty of room for larger dogs. It’s a great spot to take a break when exploring Ballycastle, especially on a rainy day when you need an indoor refuge with your dog.
Bushmills
Bilberry Mill Cafe
Located right in the heart of Bushmills village, Bilberry Mill is a charming cafe that not only serves homemade lunches and coffee but also gives a warm welcome to furry companions. Dogs are allowed inside in a designated area, making this a rare fully indoor dog-friendly café in the area. The owners have a reputation for doting on any canine visitors, you might find a water bowl brought to your table or a little dog biscuit gifted to your pet. After exploring the Bushmills Distillery or the Giant’s Causeway nearby, it’s a perfect spot to relax with your pup.
Castlerock
The Surf Shack
A beloved coffee shack and surf school right across from Castlerock Beach. True to its surf-town spirit, The Surf Shack is extremely dog-friendly. Many locals note that “dog friendly would be an understatement” here. Dogs are welcome in the covered outdoor seating area. Grab one of their famous cinnamon swirls and enjoy it at a picnic table while your dog lounges happily and maybe even makes it onto their doggy photo wall.
Sea Shed Coffee & Surf
Situated at two locations (Benone Beach and nearby Downhill Forest), Sea Shed is a hybrid surf shop/café that proudly welcomes dogs at both venues. The Downhill Forest location, in particular, has a spacious garden seating area where leashed dogs can join you – complete with a water tap and dog bowls in the courtyard for thirsty pets. Dogs are even allowed inside the cozy cafe rooms here. Whether you’re coming off the beach at Benone or finishing a forest walk, Sea Shed provides a laid-back, surfy vibe where you and your canine pal can unwind together over a quality coffee. Don’t be surprised if the resident peacocks at Downhill wander by, it’s all part of the quirky charm.
Seaview Farms Brew Bar and Larder
Right beside Hezlett House in Castlerock, this charming brew bar and farm larder is a new countryside gem—run by Seaview Farms, known for their regeneratively farmed produce straight from their own fields.
It’s open Wednesdays through Sundays, offering freshly brewed coffee, home bakes, and a well-curated selection of local artisan goods, all served up in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
And yes, pups are part of the picture, too, visitors can bring their furry friends along, where they’ll find fresh water waiting, while humans enjoy a cup and a bite.
Al’s Coffee
A unique coffee kiosk tucked under the trees at Lion’s Gate, by the path to Mussenden Temple. Al’s Coffee may be small, but it’s big on dog-friendliness. There are multiple large water bowls available for dogs, and plenty of scenic walking trails start right from the car park. Many people grab a coffee from Al’s and then stroll towards the cliff-top temple ruins with their pups, Al’s makes this easy by offering covered picnic benches if you want to sit and relax first. The staff are very welcoming to dogs (often slipping them a treat), and the whole experience feels like a perfect coffee break combined with a dog walk. It’s an ideal stop when touring the stunning Castlerock/Downhill area with a four-legged friend in tow.
The Causeway Coast’s café scene has truly gone to the dogs, in the best possible way. From Coleraine to Ballycastle, each town offers at least a couple of spots where you can grab a coffee or bite without having to tie your dog up outside. These cafés understand that our pups are part of the family and enhance any outing. So whether you’re a local on your morning walk or a tourist exploring the Giant’s Causeway and beyond, don’t hesitate to pop into one of these dog-friendly cafés. You’ll enjoy great coffee, homemade treats, and a friendly welcome and your canine companion will get to be part of the adventure.
Happy exploring (and tail-wagging) on the North Coast.
Enjoy your visits, and please remember to leash and clean up after your dog to keep these places pup-friendly for everyone.
