Dog-Friendly Restaurants & Pubs in Shrewsbury
I’ve visited Shrewsbury on a few day trips and have thus tried quite a few of the dog-friendly restaurants and pubs in the town.
My favourite restaurant while visiting Shrewsbury was Hickory’s Smokehouse near the River Severn.
Dog-Friendly Pubs & Restaurants in Shrewsbury
Some of the best pubs and restaurants in Shrewsbury, including some dog-friendly options. This also includes some pleasant places near the river.
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Hickory’s Smokehouse for Barbeque Food
I spotted Hickory’s Smokehouse while wandering on the river near the Welsh Bridge. I love barbecue, and I instantly decided this would be my lunch spot for the day. Hickory’s is a large waterfront eatery with indoor and outdoor seating.
I got a small booth-like table with a comfy padded chair in the low-lit room. Drinks and food were ordered and served promptly.
For the beer option, I tried the Hickory’s Pale Ale, a brew made specifically for the restaurant group. Purity Brewing makes this beer.
There were loads of dishes on the Smokehouse Menu and in other sections. In a perfect world, I would have had the Smokehouse Platter, which includes all of their smoked meats. This included all the rib varieties, brisket, pulled pork and wings on a sharing platter ideal for two people.
I opted for my favourite ribs, the short beef ribs known as Jacob’s Ladder. The ribs get smoked for 8 hours. The portion size was substantial for one and delicious. Hickory’s Smokehouse is partially dog-friendly, and dogs are allowed on its veranda. They have heaters and blankets here during the winter to keep it warm.
The Bull’s Head
The Bulls Head is a traditional pub near the castle gates. The pub dates back to the 19th century, before the railway station was built in the town. The Bulls Head was nice inside, but I fancied sitting in their small beer garden at the back.
I enjoyed one of my favourite beers in their garden, Erdinger, a delicious German wheat beer. They usually serve this in bottles in the UK, so it was delightful to get a draught version on my visit.
Castle Banquet: A Fantastic Sandwich Shop
Located close to Shrewsbury Railway Station is Castle Banquet, a sandwich shop. This is ideal for a picnic, a munch on the castle or library garden benches, or a lunchtime bite on the go. This is a friendly establishment run by the same couple for over 17 years.
The main speciality here is the hot pork rolls with some very crispy crackling. These come served with optional stuffing and applesauce. The portions are very generous and taste delicious, especially the cooked-to-perfection crackling.
St Nicholas Bar & Grill a Restaurant
Set in a former 19th-century church near the castle is St Nicholas Bar & Grill. The menu looked interesting, including Turkish-style kebabs and pasta. Sadly for St Nicholas Bar & Grill, I was at the other end of town when hunger struck. Apparently others have visited here with a dog; I’d check first before entering.
The Armoury By The River
Overlooking the River Severn is another restaurant called The Armoury. The Armoury is in a red-brick, book-lined building on the riverside. They are a gastropub and have an interesting menu. Their menu includes some meat, vegan and fish dishes. Beer and wine are available, with some quality options; however, they also have a whisky menu for diners to choose from.
Cafe on the Cop
Another dog-friendly cafe in Shrewsbury is Cafe on the Cop. They are a pleasant place on the historic Wye Cop. They serve fantastic full English breakfasts and delicious cakes too. They serve a variety of coffees and teas, from the basics to fancier options.
The Loggerheads Pub
The Loggerheads pub calls an 18th-century listed building home. It’s a pleasant pub to visit that serves real ales. They are partially dog-friendly; however, they don’t allow dogs in the lounge or front bar. Inside, they have a list of the landlords since the pub began. Overall, a nice place for a beer or two.
Palmers of Shrewsbury
Another dog-friendly place is Palmers of Shrewsbury, which is based in a Baptist church. They have both inside and outside seating at their cafe. Their menu includes some nice food and coffee. This includes a delicious full English breakfast, ploughman’s lunch and delicious pancakes.
King’s Head
The King’s Head is a pleasant, dog-friendly pub and a great place for a drink out. It is another public house on the picturesque and historic street, Mardol. They used to call the pub the Last Inn, as it was the last place in Shrewsbury on the route out of town towards Wales. The pub is beautiful, and it has been designated a Grade II listed building. The King’s Head serves both food and drink and is a fun place to visit in the evenings.
Henry Tudor Inn
Another dog-friendly pub in Shrewsbury is the Henry Tudor Inn. Dogs are allowed only in their bar area, which is great for a drink or some food. The Henry Tudor Inn is another beautiful, historic pub. They are in a 15th-century Tudor building. They also have a selection of drinks and food, including beers, wines, and cocktails.
The Crown
The Crown in Abbey Foregate is another of the wonderful dog-friendly pubs in Shrewsbury. It’s a traditional local pub that serves food and drinks all day. They have quality real ales, local wines and premium draught lager or cider. The Crown has two rooms, including a taproom bar, which is an ideal place to watch live sports. As a bonus, they have live music on the weekends during the evenings.
Is Shrewsbury Dog Friendly?
I found that Shrewsbury in Shropshire is a rather dog-friendly place, and lots of people were out and about with their pets. I found lots of pet-friendly pubs, cafes and restaurants while visiting. The town’s parks and picturesque streets are wonderful for walkies. There are also pet-friendly hotels. You can find various options on the Booking.com website.