Dine with your canine: Check out these 13 dog-friendly restaurants in Ocala/Marion County

Danielle Johnson, Ocala Star-Banner
·5 min read

In addition to a lively restaurant scene for humans, Ocala and Marion County boast several restaurants that allow doggy diners on their outdoor patios. From American pub grub to Mexican tacos to Cajun cuisine, there are plenty of lunch and dinner destinations that will let you bring Fido along. Some even offer special canine menus catering to your pup's palate.

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Bank Street Patio Bar

120 E. Fort King St., Ocala; 352-877-8667; bankstreetpatio.com

Bank Street Patio Bar offers a chic dining experience in downtown Ocala and welcomes leashed dogs at its 15 to 20 outdoor tables. Guests can enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail and select from fish, salads, sandwiches, burgers and more.

In addition to water bowls for your dog, Bank Street Patio Bar even has a dog menu featuring "Frenchy Fries," "Chicken Nugs" and "Oh My Apple Pie," all made with natural ingredients.

Nico Hernandez, left, pets Nala, a Portuguese Water Dog, under the table while enjoying brunch on Oct. 17 at Bank Street Patio Bar in Ocala.
Nico Hernandez, left, pets Nala, a Portuguese Water Dog, under the table while enjoying brunch on Oct. 17 at Bank Street Patio Bar in Ocala.

For more sociable pups, the restaurant holds Yappy Hours on Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m., where dog owners receive $3 drafts and other appetizer specials.

Patrons enjoy lunch in the cozy eclectic decor at B.D. Beans in Belleview, Florida on Friday, January 16, 2015.
Patrons enjoy lunch in the cozy eclectic decor at B.D. Beans in Belleview, Florida on Friday, January 16, 2015.

B.D. Beans Coffee Company

5148 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview; (352) 245-3077; bdbeanscafe.com

Enjoy brunch or just a cup of coffee at this quaint Belleview cafe with eclectic art and decor. Select from pastries and classic food items like omelets, sandwiches and French toast. B.D. Beans Coffee Company allows leashed dogs at over a dozen outdoor tables and can provide water for your furry friend while you drink your cup of Joe.

For any diner seeking gator bites, grouper, or thick, juicy burgers, The Blue Gator, on the banks of the Rainbow River, is the place to go.
For any diner seeking gator bites, grouper, or thick, juicy burgers, The Blue Gator, on the banks of the Rainbow River, is the place to go.

Blue Gator Tiki Bar & Restaurant

12189 S. Williams St., Dunnellon; 352-465-1635; blue-gator.com

This beach-themed bar and restaurant on the Withlacoochee River in Dunnellon is pup friendly to leashed dogs and offers over a dozen outdoor dining tables. Enjoy "Southern-style seafood grub," including gator bites, calamari, fish tacos, burgers and sandwiches. Though there's no special dog menu, some owners order chicken tenders or other items for their canines.

The Crazy Cucumber, which allows dogs at its outdoor tables, is shown in September 2018.
The Crazy Cucumber, which allows dogs at its outdoor tables, is shown in September 2018.

The Crazy Cucumber 352 Eatery and Bar

4414 SW College Road #1910, Ocala; 352-390-6969; thecrazycucumber.com

The Crazy Cucumber offers a colorful, modern dining experience with "inventive American grub," such as fried shrimp, flatbreads, burgers, tuna poke bowls, mahi mahi tacos and fried Oreos for dessert. The restaurant allows canine diners who are leashed and well behaved at 15 outdoor tables. Staff can provide water to pups, who are not allowed to be on tables or laps while dining.

Gator's Dockside in Ocala is shown in February 2019/
Gator's Dockside in Ocala is shown in February 2019/

Gator's Dockside Ocala

3920 SW 42nd St. #101, Ocala; 352-433-2441; gatorsdockside.com

This casual restaurant and sports bar off of State Road 200 offers a wide selection of appetizers, tacos, burgers, ribs, foot-long hot dogs and other entrees. It also has a separate gluten free menu.

Gator's Dockside allows leashed dogs at several covered tables in its outdoor patio. In addition to providing water, the restaurant has a special pup menu with chicken, beef, turkey and cod meals.

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Maddelina Millard, 8, of Naples, keeps an eye on her dog Bigfoot, a 4-month-old Pomapoo, as he lays by his water bowl under the table as Maddelina and her mother, Sadina, eat their lunch at Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille in Ocala Sunday afternoon. The restaurant is dog friendly and offers seating outside.
Maddelina Millard, 8, of Naples, keeps an eye on her dog Bigfoot, a 4-month-old Pomapoo, as he lays by his water bowl under the table as Maddelina and her mother, Sadina, eat their lunch at Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille in Ocala Sunday afternoon. The restaurant is dog friendly and offers seating outside.

Harry's Seafood, Bar & Grille

24 SE First Ave., Ocala; 352-840-0900; hookedonharrys.com

Harry's offers a a taste of New Orleans with Cajun and Creole food, such as crab cakes, gumbo, shrimp scampi and jambalaya. Harry's has five outdoor tables available for diners with leashed dogs. Though there's no special menu, dogs are offered water, and guests occasionally order kids' burger patties for the canines.

Horse & Hounds Restaurant & Pub is shown in December of 2018.
Horse & Hounds Restaurant & Pub is shown in December of 2018.

Horse & Hounds Restaurant

6998 US-27, Ocala; 352-620-2500; horseandhoundsrestaurant.com

Located off of U.S. Highway 27, Horse & Hounds is a casual, family-owned restaurant known for its prime rib, fish and chips, shepherd's pie, pecan-crusted chicken and Baileys Irish Cream cheesecake for dessert. As its name suggests, the pub allows leashed dogs at over 15 outdoor tables and provides water.

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Mark's Prime Steakhouse in downtown Ocala is shown in 2019. It offers dog-friendly dining at several outdoor tables.
Mark's Prime Steakhouse in downtown Ocala is shown in 2019. It offers dog-friendly dining at several outdoor tables.

Mark's Prime Steakhouse

30 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala; 352-402-0097; marksprimesteakhouse.com

Located in downtown Ocala, Mark's offers a high-end dining experience with a range of steak, fish and chicken, as well as wine, cocktails and dessert. Mark's has nine tables outside for guests with leashed dogs, and staff can provide water.

Server Genevieve Ganter delivers a meal to Barbar Ainsworth, right, of Fort McCoy at the new East State Road 40 location of Mojo's Grill & Catering Company location on March 14, 2016.
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Mojo's

4620 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala and 4496 SE 100th Place, Belleview; ilovemojos.com

The local Mojo's chain is known for its Cajun, Cuban and American fare, including tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, wings and burgers. The Silver Springs and Belleview Mojo's locations have outdoor patios for doggy dining as long as pets are leashed and controlled. Staff also offer water dishes.

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O'Calahan's Pub & Eatery, shown in 2019, offers dog-friendly dining on its patio.
O'Calahan's Pub & Eatery, shown in 2019, offers dog-friendly dining on its patio.

O'Calahan's Pub & Eatery

3155 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala; 352-351-5458; ocalahans.com

O'Calahan's offers a range of American appetizers, wings, sandwiches, burgers, pizza and other entrees. After dinner, finish your meal with a New York cheesecake or half-baked chocolate chip cookie.

The pub has over 15 outdoor tables that welcome leashed dogs. Staff provide water bowls to pets, and though there's no specific menu, dog owners have been known to order chicken breast, beef patties or bacon for their pups.

Courtney Aynes sits down at the picnic table at Sayulita Taqueria with her dog Motley, a 1-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, as he checks out the camera after ordering food on Oct. 17. Sayulita has a Mutt Menu where patrons can order food for their dog.
Courtney Aynes sits down at the picnic table at Sayulita Taqueria with her dog Motley, a 1-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, as he checks out the camera after ordering food on Oct. 17. Sayulita has a Mutt Menu where patrons can order food for their dog.

Sayulita Taqueria

10 NE First St., Ocala; 352-629-4700; saytaco.com

Mexican restaurant Sayulita Taqueria offers a modern dining experience with margaritas, quesadillas, burritos and, of course, tacos. Follow up your dinner with  authentic churros, flan or sopapillas.

The eatery has around 10 picnic tables outside that allow leashed pets and also offers water and "mutt meals," which are rice and bean meals made with your choice of chicken or beef. Chefs can also exclude items from the meals to accommodate any of your pet's allergies.

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Patrons enjoy drinks at Stumpknockers on the Withlacoochee River Wednesday afternoon, October 20, located at 13821 SW State Road 200 in Dunnellon.
Patrons enjoy drinks at Stumpknockers on the Withlacoochee River Wednesday afternoon, October 20, located at 13821 SW State Road 200 in Dunnellon.

Stumpknockers Restaurant

13821 SW State Road 200, Dunnellon; 352-854-2288

Stumpknockers offers diners a full bar and seafood with a Southern touch. Menu items include gator nuggets, escargot, catfish, frog legs, fried oysters and steak.

Sitting waterfront on the Withlacoochee River, the restaurant primarily has outdoor seating that allows dogs who are leashed, well-behaved and friendly with other pets. Water bowls are available.

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Longtime friends Jeri Littrell, left, and Karen Pause-Meeks, right, toast one another while enjoying a glass of wine on the Rainbow River at Swampy's in Dunnellon.
Longtime friends Jeri Littrell, left, and Karen Pause-Meeks, right, toast one another while enjoying a glass of wine on the Rainbow River at Swampy's in Dunnellon.

Swampy's Bar & Grille

19773 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon; 352-547-4777; swampys.restaurant

Overlooking the Rainbow River in Dunnellon, visitors to this restaurant can watch fish and other wildlife while enjoying a combination of Cajun, Southern and soul food. Patrons can order wings, soups, salads, burgers, steaks and fish entrees. Still hungry? Venture a go at homemade key lime pie or fried cheese cake for dessert.

Swampy's is dog-friendly for leashed pets at its two dozen outdoor tables, and staff can provide water for pets. Some canine owners also order burger patties for their pups.

The Ocala Star-Banner contacted each restaurant to confirm that its patio allowed dogs and what accommodations were offered.

Contact reporter Danielle Johnson at djohnson@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: 13 dog-friendly restaurants in Ocala, Belleview and Dunnellon