May 4, 2018 by Boat Planet
The Lake is fun, but it is even better when you can enjoy it with your four-legged friend. Dogs make for perfect boating companions and, if you are like many other dog owners, you want to bring your dog everywhere with you. However, not all waterfront restaurants at Lake of the Ozarks are dog-friendly. Here we listed a few of our favorite dog-friendly waterfront restaurants. Some of them even have their own dog food menu!
Coconuts: This popular bar and restaurant at the 7MM of the Gravois Arm sure loves dogs! So much that they even have a dog menu for your pup to enjoy. Coconuts support many of the animal rescues and charities as well. Just make sure your dogs are leashed and friendly!
Jolly Rogers Grub ‘n Grog: Speaking of dog menus, Jolly Rogers also has one that includes kibble and pupsicles. Bring your boat and dog up to the 4.5MM of the Gravois Arm and grab a bite to eat on their dog-friendly patio. Who doesn’t love a festive, dog-friendly restaurant?
Tap and Grill Lakeside Brew Haus: A new saltwater pool, over 60 draft beers, and pet-friendly? Sounds like the perfect spot to spend the afternoon with your pup. Tap and Grill (6.5MM) also follows suit and features their own pet menu.
Shady Gators: You’ll find the “Party Capital of Lake of the Ozarks” at the 7MM. Shady Gators has it all--tacos, tequila, music, and a pet-friendly patio with tons of room. With over 100 boat slips, you will have no problem finding a spot to dock your boat.
Lake House 13: This new location is open all year long, but Fido can enjoy it all summer long. The staff will even bring over a water bowl. Lake House 13 (13MM) is located at Pointe Oasis, known as the number 1 gas dock on the Lake. Load up the dog and boat over to check out this new establishment and enjoy their outside seating.
Backwater Jack’s: If you are not enjoying Backwater Jack’s new heated pool, we suggest grabbing your four-legged friend to enjoy some cold drinks and amazing food on the patio. Backwater Jack’s (17.5MM), voted 2015 Best Entertainment on the Water, is a perfect spot to relax with your dog. They even have sushi too!
Dog Day’s Bar and Grill: What kind of name would Dog Day’s (19MM) be if it wasn’t a dog-friendly establishment? As long as your dog is leashed and friendly, they are more than welcome to sit with you outside while you eat, drink, and enjoy some music. Dog Day’s gives Dog Pound a whole new meaning! Some boaters are even referring to their new rooftop patio at the Woof Top.
Paradise: Fido should be able to enjoy a little Lake of the Ozarks paradise, too! Boat over to Paradise (24MM) where you and your pup can take in a perfect sunset out on their large, multi-level patio. This restaurant even has a dog of their own running around to greet guests.
Miller’s Landing Lakeside: Miller’s Landing (28.5MM) has a stellar menu for your four-legged friends that includes chicken, bacon, beef, or eggs (as well as a water bowl and a scratch behind the ears). What is better than having dinner alongside your dog?
Bees Knees Beech House: This three-story “Beech” House, located at the 5.5MM, has plenty of beers to try ample of outdoor seating. If microbreweries are your thing, definitely check out Bees Knees and see what all the buzz is about!
Beavers at the Dam: Are you ready for 100 Dam Days of Summer? Home of Lake Race 2018, Beavers at the Dam (0MM) is chuck full entertainment that can be seen from their outdoor patios. As long as your pup is leashed and friendly, you both can enjoy some great live music and beautiful summer weather.
Franky & Louie’s Beachfront Bar and Grill: Located at the 10MM, you and your pup can enjoy a day in the sand at Franky & Louie’s. This is a hot-spot for dog owners. Here you can enjoy not only the beach, but water, great food, and entertainment as well. It’s the perfect place to spend the day with your dog!
Larry’s on the Lake: Larry’s is a fun spot to stop with your dog and enjoy some great food. Their friendly staff will spoil your dog with a treat and its own water bowl. Larry’s is located at the 31MM, but the huge LARRYWOOD sign will definitely give it away.
Big Dick’s Halfway Inn: You can bring your pup to the famous Big Dick’s located at the 47MM. Dogs can join their owners at Big Dick’s Wednesday through Sunday starting at 11 AM. Grab a seat outside on the patio and enjoy some lunch and maybe even a famous minnow shot if you’re daring enough.
The Fish & Co.: As long as your pup is leashed and is friendly, they are more than welcome to come with you to The Fish & Co. (31MM). They have ample of seating on their waterfront patio to enjoy some lunch. Their menu has everything so surely you will find something you love!
Bulldog’s Beach House Bar and Grill: Who doesn’t love bulldogs, both dog and restaurant alike? Bulldog’s (33MM) is all about live local music. Come check it out for yourself! Like Bulldog’s says, “Come sniff around.”
Nautifish Rum Bar: Five-page menu, tons of space, plenty of shade, and a dog-friendly deck. Located at the 3.5MM of the Niangua Arm, Nautifish has more than 38 dock slips, so boat on over! There’s plenty of place for you and your pup to have a great time!
Bear Bottom Resort: Bear Bottom (38MM) has two restaurants, three bars, and plenty to do during the day! They are also extremely pet-friendly, all they ask is that you leash them. Bear Bottom has 38 dock slips, so there is plenty of room to dock your boat.
Cabana Jones: You can’t miss this bright blue restaurant while boating by! Your pup can spend the day with you right off the water at Cabana Jones (4MM Gravois Arm). Grab a drink and a bite at the outside Tiki Bar and enjoy a perfect day at the lake. They have live music every weekend, too!
Nauti Cantina: Welcome to Lake of the Ozarks' biggest Mexican cantina on the water! Nauti Cantina (5MM Gravois Arm) loves when you bring your dog and even serves them up dog biscuits and a water bowl. Additionally, they have live music and DJs, a pool, and is family-friendly.
BoatHouse Lakeside Bar & Grill: You can find BoatHouse at Village Marina at the 3MM. This casual poolside bar and grill has a perfect setup for a sunny day at the Lake. Great food, cold drinks, and live music. What a better way to spend the afternoon with your furry friend?
Docknockers: Docknockers (4MM) is the "longest-running restaurant and bar on the water." They state that they might be "tasteless, rude," and "at times immature," but this place is a fun spot to stop at while out on the water with your pup. As long as they stay outside, dogs are more than welcome here!
There you have it! A complete guide to dog-friendly waterfront restaurants at the Lake. Where do you like to take your dog when you’re boating on Lake of the Ozarks?