Paws and Patios: Dog-Friendly Restaurants at Smith Mountain Lake [2025]
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At Smith Mountain Lake, we love our four-legged friends! Whether you’re grabbing a lakeside bite after a day on the water or enjoying a leisurely brunch, many local restaurants welcome well-behaved pups—on their outdoor patios.
Virginia law prohibits non-service dogs inside restaurants, but plenty of dog-friendly spots around the lake offer shaded patios, water bowls and even special treats for your furry companions. To keep these spaces welcoming for everyone, please follow these simple guidelines:
- Keep your dog on a leash at all times.
- Ensure your pup stays close to your table and out of walkways.
- Bring waste bags and clean up after your pet.
- Prevent excessive barking or disruptive behavior.
- Never allow dogs on tables or chairs.
Best Smith Mountain Lake Restaurants Dog Friendly
Looking for pup-friendly patios at Smith Mountain Lake? These 40+ spots welcome well-behaved dogs with open arms (and often a water bowl and goodies).
- Allsessandro’s Pizzeria & Grill
- Beacon Seafood Pub
- Benny Adelina’s
- Bottles & Bites
- Bruno’s Clubhouse Bistro
- Bull Docks
- Cancun Bar & Grill – Bridgewater Plaza
- Cancun Bar & Grill – Westlake
- Captain Scoop
- Cilantro Mexican Grill
- Drifter’s
- Fables & Feathers Winery
- Hado’s Authentic Lebanese Kitchen
- Harvest Moon Marketplace
- Hickory Hill Vineyards
- Homestead Creamery
- Ice Cream Cottage
- Jake’s Place
- Joe’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
- Jose’s Mexican Grill & Cantina
- Lake Thyme Eatery Food Truck
- Magnum Point Marina
- Mango’s Bar & Grill
- Mariners Marketplace
- Mayberry Diner
- Mayberry Pizzeria & Ice Cream
- Mexico Viejo Mezcal
- Mitchell’s Restaurant & Lakeside Pizzeria
- Napoli by the Lake
- Napoli Cowboy
- Nauti Mo’s Grill Food Truck
- PauleyWood Pizza Food Truck
- Pizza Pub
- Portside Grill & Bar
- Ramulose Ridge Vineyards
- Rod and Grill Food Truck
- Rookie’s Ice Cream
- Sandy’s at Lumpkins
- SML Coffee House
- The Bagel & I
- The Copper Kettle
- The Dock at SML
- Tiff’s Lakefront
- Vinny’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria
- Westlake Coffee & Cafe’
Andie Gibson
CO-PUBLISHER
Andie has been covering Smith Mountain Lake since 2000 for a variety of publications, including Smith Mountain Laker Magazine, The Roanoker, SML Visitor and Newcomer Guide, SML HOME Magazine and Life Outside. As a partner in G&C Ventures, LLC, she oversees all content for our suite of websites, including Smith-Mountain-Lake.com and LakeLubbers.com.
