The charming, quirky and exceptionally dog-friendly village of Gulfport is only about a 15-minute drive from both downtown St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach, but it feels like a world away.
Part New Orleans, part Key West and very much its own thing, this eclectic waterfront community is an easy place to spend an afternoon or evening with your dog. Most of the action centers around Beach Boulevard and Shore Boulevard, where dog-friendly restaurants, bars, shops, galleries, parks and waterfront views are close enough to enjoy largely on foot (and paws).
Gulfport is compact, too. We often park at the Gulfport Library, which has a spacious free parking lot near the north end of Beach Boulevard, then make our way toward Boca Ciega Bay. You can also arrive by boat, which puts you near the waterfront at the opposite end of the district. Either way, most of Gulfport’s restaurants, bars, shops and waterfront attractions are close enough to explore without your conveyance of choice.
Consider this your Jet Set Pets guide to eating, drinking and exploring dog-friendly Gulfport, Florida.
Dog-Friendly Restaurants and Bars in Gulfport, FL
One of the best things about visiting Gulfport with a dog is how easy it is to build your day around food and drinks. You’ll find dog-friendly breakfast spots, breweries, pizza, waterfront bars and even a zero-proof cocktail lounge, with many of the options clustered around Beach Boulevard and Shore Boulevard.
Stella's
For breakfast or lunch, Stella’s is a cheerful dog-friendly option with ample covered outdoor seating. Its Beach Boulevard location also makes it an easy place to start your Gulfport outing before exploring the rest of the waterfront district.
Pia’s Veranda
For dinner or a slightly more formal meal, Pia’s Veranda offers a large, lively outdoor setting and an Italian menu. Just be sure you’re choosing Pia’s Veranda, not neighboring Pia’s Trattoria. The Veranda is the dog-friendly option with outdoor seating.
Please note one other important difference when planning: Pia’s Trattoria accepts reservations, while Pia’s Veranda does not. If you’re bringing your dog, head to the Veranda and plan accordingly during busier times. You might need to be patient.
Gulfport Brewery
If you believe beer is an important part of a well-balanced diet — and who are we to judge? — another delicious dog-friendly option is Gulfport Brewery, which you’ll find across Beach Blvd from Stella’s and Pia’s. Your pawsome friend is welcome both inside and outside, and you’ll appreciate the social, shaded seating in the courtyard, safely sequestered from the road. The brewery’s beers have won awards, and the pub grub definitely outkicks its coverage. Most importantly, Gulfport Brewery is so doggone dog-friendly, when we last visited, we swear canines outnumbered humans!
Hurricane Eddie’s
Back on Gulfport’s waterfront after a lengthy post-hurricane rebuild, Hurricane Eddie’s is a lively, laid-back beach bar with plenty of TVs for catching the game, pool tables, darts, live music and a full-liquor bar. Best of all, this people-and-pet-friendly hangout welcomes your four-legged friend to its outdoor patio, where you can enjoy the casual Florida bar scene together. With its waterfront location and easygoing atmosphere, it’s a fun stop for pups and their pawrents looking to grab a drink and soak up some Gulfport vibes.
Neptune Grill
At the waterfront end of Beach Boulevard, Neptune Grill sits across from the beach volleyball courts with extensive covered dog-friendly seating that’s protected from the road. Use the Shore Boulevard entrance when visiting with your dog.
Greek fare is the specialty, but the menu ranges much further, with options from quesadillas and Oysters Rockefeller to jambalaya. Live music is offered Thursdays through Sundays.
Sober Bar
When looking for a different kind of experience with your pooch, Sober Bar is Gulfport’s new zero-proof cocktail bar and coffee house, serving specialty coffee, creative alcohol-free cocktails, NA beer and kombucha alongside a New Orleans-inspired food menu.
The stylish space transforms from a bright coffee house by day into a moody lounge by night, with a pawtio overlooking Beach Boulevard. It’s a refreshing option for anyone who wants the bar experience without the booze while enjoying some quality time with their four-legged friend.
O'Maddy's Bar & Grille
O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille sits on Shore Boulevard across from Williams Pier, putting you right in the heart of Gulfport’s waterfront scene.
The restaurant has an easygoing Irish-pub feel and a broad menu that goes well beyond standard bar food. Wings share space with dishes including tuna sashimi and blackened salmon salad, making this a useful stop when your group can’t agree on what constitutes lunch.
Tommy’s Hideaway - Wood Fired Pizza & Pub
If pizza is your love language, make a beeline for Tommy’s Hideaway, a cozy Gulfport pizza pub serving Neapolitan-style pies fired in an 800-degree wood-burning oven. The menu also features burgers, subs, pasta, salads and plenty of cold craft brews, while live music kicks off nightly.
Tommy’s is especially dog-friendly, with shaded seating along the side of the restaurant that feels more tucked away from the main sidewalk and street traffic. There’s even a dog menu with options including grilled chicken, a burger and a hot dog.
BARk at Stormrunners Tavern
Just steps from O’Maddy’s, BARk at Stormrunners Tavern is one of our favorite Gulfport stops with a dog. The tiki-inspired outdoor bar has turf underfoot, tiki tables, a covered bar area and plenty of fans for warm Florida afternoons.
The full bar serves cocktails, wine and local brews, while the relaxed outdoor setup gives dogs plenty to watch while you settle in for a drink. Despite the name, BARk is not an off-leash dog park. Dogs must remain leashed.
With its waterfront setting and laid-back island feel, this is an especially good stop for ending a Gulfport afternoon around sunset.
Things to Do With Your Dog in Gulfport, FL
Gulfport isn’t just a collection of dog-friendly patios. Its compact waterfront district makes it easy to mix restaurants and drinks with shopping, sightseeing and plenty of walking.
Most of the village’s central attractions are along Beach Boulevard and Shore Boulevard, and it’s only about half a mile from the Gulfport Library to Boca Ciega Bay. If your dog needs a longer outing, you can easily add waterfront walking or one of Gulfport’s parks.
Explore Beach Boulevard
Once you cross 28th Avenue South on Beach Boulevard, you’re in the Gulfport Waterfront District. Along the way, you’ll find an eclectic collection of locally-owned shops, boutiques and galleries, many of which welcome dogs.
This is part of what makes Gulfport work so well as an afternoon outing. You don’t necessarily need an agenda between lunch and drinks. Wander down Beach Boulevard, browse a few shops and let your dog handle the sniffing portion of the itinerary.
See the Gulfport Casino
At the end of Beach Boulevard overlooking Boca Ciega Bay, the Gulfport Casino is one of the city’s most recognizable historic buildings.
Dating to 1934, the building has never been a gambling casino. Its name comes from the older definition of “casino” as a place for social gatherings and entertainment.
The Casino was heavily damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton and is undergoing extensive restoration. When it reopens (expected date is in 2027), it will once again host dances and special events.
Walk Williams Pier and Gulfport Veterans Memorial Park
For more waterfront time, head toward Williams Pier on Shore Boulevard. The pier extends into Boca Ciega Bay and offers views across the water toward St. Pete Beach.
Across 54th Street South from O’Maddy’s, Gulfport Veterans Memorial Park gives you another small green space to add to your walk. From there, continue along Shore Boulevard past the bay beach and Gulfport’s waterfront homes for as long as you and your pup feel like exploring.
Clam Bayou Nature Park
For something quieter than the Waterfront District, head to Clam Bayou Nature Park, a 10-acre nature preserve along the Clam Bayou estuary.
Leashed dogs can join you on the nature trails, where you’ll enjoy beautiful views of Clam Bayou and Boca Ciega Bay. The preserve is also home to wildlife including wading birds, fiddler crabs, dolphins and even manatees, with observation decks and docks providing places to stop and take in the scenery.
Tomlinson Park
Tomlinson Park gives you another option when your pup needs exercise more than you need another patio. The park includes a walking trail, nature boardwalk, open green space and a one-acre pond with a fountain.
You’ll also find a playground, adult fitness area and athletic fields. Leashed dogs are welcome, making it an easy choice for a quieter walk away from the busier waterfront district.
Dog-Friendly Hotel in Gulfport, FL
Peninsula Bed & Cocktails
If one afternoon in Gulfport isn’t enough, Peninsula Bed & Cocktails combines a historic boutique hotel with a cocktail bar near Gulfport Brewery.
The lobby bar specializes in craft cocktails that you can take out to the hotel’s scenic veranda. For overnight stays, Peninsula Bed & Cocktails offers two dog-friendly rooms: the Espresso Martini Suite and the Greyhound Suite.
It’s a particularly fun fit for Gulfport. Even the dog-friendly rooms sound like they should come with a cocktail garnish.
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