The local guide, from the team that walks here every day
Dog-Friendly Larne
The cafés, secure fields, parks and places to stay around Larne, the East Antrim coast and the Glens where your dog is genuinely welcome to sit alongside you — inside or in a sheltered spot. A growing local guide, added to as you tell us your favourites.
Last checked 1 November 2026
We go through every place in this guide every fortnight to keep the list and contact details current.
Always confirm before you go. Each venue sets its own dog policy, and it can change at any time. Larne Dog Walking doesn't set or guarantee any venue's policy — please check directly with the venue that your dog is welcome before you visit (the numbers and links are on each listing).
Type
Area
Secure Fields & Parks
Secure off-lead fields and standout green spaces for a proper dog walk.
Carnfunnock Country Park & Dog Fields
Coast Road, Larne
Larne's coastal country park, with secure dog fields for safe off-lead time. We walk here every week — read our first-hand guide on the blog. While the redevelopment is finished off, the main car park and visitor centre are closed but the dog area stays open: park at Drains Bay or Carnfunnock Bay.
Glenarm Castle Dog Park
Glenarm
A fully enclosed off-lead field with agility equipment on the castle estate — £2 per dog per 30-minute slot, bookable online, open seven days a week, 10am–4pm. Dogs are welcome in the Walled Garden and Woodland Walk too.
Larne's Parks
Larne town
Town Park, the Promenade and more — our guide to Larne's dog-friendly parks covers where the dogs of Larne actually love to walk.
Glenoe Waterfall Walk
Gleno, Larne
The National Trust's wooded glen walk to a thirty-foot waterfall, right by The Dairy — free, open dawn to dusk, with steps and uneven ground underfoot. Dogs welcome under close control.
Drains Bay Beach
Coast Road, Larne
Small sandy bay on the Coast Road just north of Larne — no seasonal dog restrictions, so dogs are welcome all year under good voice control. It's also where to park for the Carnfunnock trails while the park is redeveloped.
Portmuck Beach
Portmuck, Islandmagee
A quiet little harbour beach near the tip of Islandmagee — no seasonal dog restrictions, so dogs are welcome all year round under good voice control.
Giant's Causeway
Bushmills
Northern Ireland's most famous walk, and genuinely dog-welcoming — dogs on leads are welcome across the whole site and inside the visitor centre. Worth every mile of the drive.
Crawfordsburn Country Park
Helen's Bay, Co. Down
One of NI's best-loved coastal parks — a waterfall, glen walks, two beaches and a stretch of the North Down Coastal Path, all dog-friendly on leads. A proper day out.
Cafés, Pubs & Pit Stops
Where to sit down with your dog along the coast and up the Glens — from Gleno and Ballycarry to Glenarm, Cushendall, Whitehead and Carrickfergus, plus a few worth-the-drive favourites.
The Prom Café
Larne Promenade
Right on Larne Promenade with panoramic seaside views — dog-friendly tables outside with water bowls, alongside coffee, ice cream and all-day food. Ask on the day about bringing your dog inside.
The Dairy
Gleno
Farm shop, butchery and bistro by the Gleno waterfall — highly dog-friendly, with dogs welcome in the walled outdoor courtyard and covered marquee, and the waterfall walk right on the doorstep.
Matties Meeting House
Cairncastle
One of the oldest pubs in County Antrim, up at Cairncastle on the coast road north of Larne — traditional food and live music, with dogs welcome inside and in the outdoor dining area.
The Olderfleet Bar & Garden
Fleet Street, Larne
Larne's big award-winning beer garden in the town centre — the Tanqueray Garden is set aside for dogs, so bring yours along for a bite and a drink outside.
Millar's Bar
Ballycarry
A warm, family-run bar serving homecooked food — including lobster the proprietors catch themselves. Dogs welcome in the front bar and side lounge, and there are dog-friendly studios above if you want to stay over.
The Greedy Gannet
The Gobbins, Islandmagee
Café inside the Gobbins Visitor Centre on Islandmagee — hearty breakfasts and lunches before or after a clifftop walk, with dogs welcome in the outdoor dining area.
The Stable Stop
Browns Bay, Islandmagee
A weekend stop right by the beach at Browns Bay — coffee and a bite after a run on the sand, with dogs welcome in the outdoor seating. Saturdays and Sundays, 10am–4pm, weather permitting.
Glenarm Castle Tea Room
Glenarm
Tea room in the estate's old mushroom house — Glenarm Shorthorn beef, organic salmon and proper homemade cakes. Dogs on leads are welcome in the dedicated dog-friendly area, though not in the main tea room.
The Potting Shed
Glenarm Castle Estate
Woodland cabin café on the castle estate, open daily from 10am — dogs welcome, with a pup cup, a dog snack and a free doggy shower for muddy paws after a run in the Dog Park.
Cove Coffee
Glenarm
A cosy dog-friendly coffee shop on Castle Street in Glenarm — good coffee, baked goods, dog treats and a water bowl outside. Open Friday to Monday, 10am–4pm.
Coast Road Inn
Toberwine Street, Glenarm
A traditional village pub in the middle of Glenarm, a short stroll from the castle and its dog park — well-behaved dogs are welcome to join you inside.
Twilight Coffee & Bunkhouse
Carnlough
Independent coffee shop right across from Carnlough harbour — specialty coffee, brunch and home baking, with well-behaved dogs welcome downstairs and outside. Open Wednesday to Sunday in winter, daily in summer.
North Coffee
Cushendall
Coffee shop in the heart of Cushendall on Mill Street, with a seaside coffee cart down at the sailing club too.
Johnny Joe's (McCollam's Bar)
Cushendall
A famous old Cushendall pub known for live trad music — and happy to see a dog settle in by the fire.
Coastal Coffee
Whitehead
Family-run Whitehead café since the late '80s — all-day breakfasts and Maud's ice cream, with dogs welcome in the outdoor seating.
The Bank House
Whitehead
Café and gift shop on Edward Road — local food, crafts, and dogs welcome inside and in the outdoor seating.
Cups & Carriages
Whitehead
Vintage railway tea room inside Whitehead Railway Museum — 1950s-carriage afternoon teas, open Thursday to Saturday. Dogs are welcome in the café, but museum access with a dog is by arrangement, so call ahead.
Kings Road Coffee
Whitehead
Victorian gastro café on Kings Road — vaulted wooden ceiling, stained glass, and dogs welcome inside and out on the decking.
The Marine Bar
Whitehead
A traditional coastal pub in Whitehead since 1891, with live trad sessions — dogs welcome.
Faro Café & Pizzeria
Victoria Avenue, Whitehead
Neighbourhood café by day and pizzeria on Thursday to Saturday nights — dogs welcome inside and in the outdoor seating. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays through autumn and winter.
The Whitecliff Inn
Whitehead
Recently refurbished bar and restaurant beside Whitehead station — lunch, à la carte and Sunday roasts. Dogs welcome in the bar; the restaurant is assistance dogs only.
The Clock Tower Cafe
Carrickfergus
Café in Carrickfergus's Marine Gardens — scones, coffee and a park right outside for the dog.
The Dancing Goat Cafe
Carrickfergus
Café at Kilcreggan Urban Farm, which offers work to adults with learning disabilities — good food, better cause, and dogs welcome in the outdoor seating.
The Gardener's Rest Café at Hillmount
Beltoy Road, Carrickfergus
Café at Hillmount Garden Centre on the edge of Carrickfergus — dogs welcome in the shop, the plant area and the outdoor café seating (assistance dogs only inside the café itself).
Ownies Bar & Bistro
Joymount, Carrickfergus
Town-centre bar and bistro — dogs welcome in the beer garden and the stage area of the bar (not the restaurant), and not after 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Creative Gardens, Logwood
Logwood Road, Ballyclare
Garden centre café just outside Ballyclare — dogs on leads welcome in the outdoor and covered garden-room seating (assistance dogs only in the indoor café). Open seven days.
The Dirty Onion & Yardbird
Belfast
A Cathedral Quarter landmark in one of Belfast's oldest buildings — dogs welcome inside by the peat fire and out in the huge beer garden, with rotisserie chicken from the Yardbird kitchen.
The Harbour Bar
Portrush
The iconic harbourside pub on the north coast, part of the Ramore complex — dogs are welcome upstairs in the Harbour Gin Bar, open Friday to Sunday. A classic Causeway-coast stop.
Dog-Friendly Stays
Bringing the dog on the trip? From the Causeway Coastal Route to a Belfast day trip, these spots say yes.
Ballygally Breakaway
Ballygally
A self-contained, ground-floor apartment in Ballygally with sea views and an optional hot tub (April to November) — five minutes from the beach and just up the coast from Larne. Pets welcome.
Seaview House
Curran Road, Larne
B&B on the Curran Road with eight en-suite rooms, minutes from the harbour and the Promenade — dogs welcome inside. Mention your dog when you book.
The Harbourview Hotel
Carnlough
Family-run harbourside hotel on the Causeway Coastal Route, right by Carnlough's little harbour — a dog-friendly base for exploring the Glens.
The Studios at Millar's Bar
Ballycarry
Two self-catering studios above the bar with panoramic views over Islandmagee. Dogs welcome by prior arrangement for a small fee — mention your dog when you book.
Seaview Cottage on the Island
Millbay Road, Islandmagee
Self-catering cottage for four on Islandmagee, with a secure gated area for smaller dogs — dogs considered on request for £25 a stay, so mention yours when you book.
Waterfall Cottage
Carnlough
A three-bedroom dog-friendly self-catering cottage in Carnlough, on the Causeway Coastal Route in the Glens — a proper base for a coastal break with the dog.
Ocean View Pods
Glenarm
Luxury glamping pods on the Glenarm Castle estate with ocean views — one pod is dog-friendly, so your four-legged family member can join the adventure too, with a free Dog Park session included. Ask for the dog-friendly pod when you book.
The Shepherd's Rests Luxury Glamping
Carnlough
Three luxury glamping huts with wood-fired hot tubs on the Causeway Coastal Route — dogs welcome (£30 per dog per stay), with a welcome basket and an outdoor hot shower for muddy paws.
The Coach House Self Catering Apartments
Carnlough
Dog-friendly self-catering on the Garron Road between Carnlough and Glenariffe, on the spectacular Antrim Coast — pets welcome, so ask about any charge when you book.
ibis budget Belfast City Centre
Belfast (day trip)
The city-centre budget hotel locals still know as the Etap — dog-friendly, with up to two pets welcome (a fee may apply). An easy base for a Belfast day trip with the dog.
The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat
Templepatrick
A stylish Georgian boutique hotel, spa and retreat about 20 minutes from Belfast, with dedicated dog-friendly rooms (£15 per dog per night, up to two dogs) — quirky, comfortable and genuinely happy to have your dog along.
The Bushmills Inn
Bushmills
A historic coaching inn near the Giant's Causeway and Old Bushmills Distillery, with select dog-friendly rooms — arrange the dog room in advance, as the wider inn isn't dog-friendly.
Run a dog-friendly café, pub or place to stay?
Get in front of dog owners across Larne, the East Antrim coast and the Glens. Tell us about your venue and your dog policy — a basic listing is free — and we'll be in touch within 2–3 business days.
The Best Dog Walks Around Larne
We walk these routes every single day. Our first-hand guides cover the top dog-friendly walks around Larne — where to park, what to expect, and which routes suit which dogs.
Too busy to make the most of all this?
That's what we're for. A dedicated walker, structured sessions with a purpose, and a walk report after every visit — this is where they come alive.