Family dinner outings don’t mean you have to leave the four-legged family member at home, because there are a handful of places in greater Gardner that have dog-friendly outdoor seating.
With more warm days, many people take advantage of sunny days by having meals outside at a restaurant’s patio seating. While restaurants often have no-pet policies, there are a few in the area that allow you to bring all members of the family for dinner.
These restaurants also have policies that customers with pets must follow strictly. Some policies include, but are not limited to, having tags and vaccination displayed on the dog’s collar, a limit of one dog per customer, no feeding restaurant food to dogs on the property, no barking, no jumping, no playing in the outdoor area, and dogs must be leashed at all times.
All of these restaurants on the list also offer take-out service, so making a picnic at a local park is a great option for a family dinner, including the furry family member, if a restaurant environment is not ideal.
In Greater Gardner
Little Anthony’s Restaurant, located at 678 Spring St. in Winchendon, offers dog-friendly outdoor seating with picnic tables, situated outside the pavilion dining area. Food can be ordered through the Little Lizzy’s Ice Cream dairy bar window if customers are sitting at the outdoor picnic tables with their furry friend. The restaurant is open Monday to Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
The Massachusetts staple Red Apple Farm at 455 Highland Ave. in Phillipston is entirely dog-friendly, so there’s no need to leave the pup at home for this family outing. Dogs are allowed all over the farm, even in the farm store, the orchard fields, inside the Brew Barn, and the Cidery. However, dogs must be leashed at all times.
While the Brew Barn on the farm allows dogs indoors, where a menu filled with a range of food and locally sourced beer is offered, they also have an outdoor area equipped with picnic tables. The Brew Barn is open Monday to Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Cidery, also on the farm, is open Thursday and Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday from noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. The Cidery only has outdoor seating, so hours may change depending on the weather. To stay updated on hours, follow the farm’s social media.
Kay’s Dairy Bar, at 196 State Road West in Westminster, offers a menu that goes beyond creamy cold scoops of ice cream. They serve classic American quick bites, including hot dogs, burgers, and fish fry meals, and feature outdoor seating that welcomes dogs. The dairy bar offers dozens of ice cream flavors and a variety of fast-food items, making it a great option for a casual family dinner that includes everyone. Kay’s Dairy Bar is open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Another place in Westminster that allows dogs in the outdoor seating area is the Wachusett Brewing Company’s Brew Yard at 175 State Road East. The brewery features a kitchen that serves BBQ platters for the whole family. The Brew Yard also offers flatbread pizza, chicken tenders and wings, and burgers. Kid-size meals are available too. The Brew Yard is open Monday to Thursday from noon to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If you’re willing to drive
Here’s a handful of places outside the greater Gardner area to try for a family dinner this summer, where you don’t have to leave your dog at home.
Stone Cow Brewery is located on the Carter and Steven Farm at 500 West St. in Barre, and it’s only a 25-minute drive with light traffic from Gardner. This is a five-generation dairy farm and also a brewing barn with a seasonal kitchen. The brewery is open year-round, while the kitchen is open from June to October. It’s a dog-friendly place to take the whole family for a summer dinner. The brewery is open Thursdays and Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m., Friday from noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.
Any three of the Rapscallion locations allow customers to bring their dogs to the outdoor patio area, and some locations also permit dogs inside. All three locations are between a 30-minute and over an hour’s drive from Gardner.
The Rapscallion Table & Tap, located at 5 Strawberry Hill Road in Acton, only allows dogs in the outdoor patio area. The Action location is a 35-minute drive with light traffic from Gardner. Hours are Monday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Rapscallion Brewery & Taproom, located at 8 Meadow Road in Spencer, welcomes dogs both inside and outside. The brewery and taproom are a 45-minute drive from Gardner with light traffic. Hours are Monday to Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
If you’re willing to drive an hour or more, depending on traffic, the Rapscallion Pub at 3 Arnold Road in Sturbridge could be the spot to try with the whole family. Dogs are only allowed in the outdoor patio area of the restaurant. Hours are Monday to Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
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