The rise of pet-friendly shopping malls in recent years has created opportunities for the food and beverage industry. Restaurants can make use of the pet-friendly spaces in these malls, allowing owners to enjoy meals with their furry companions and creating a warm and interactive atmosphere.
The 2025 Policy Address mentioned the introduction of a licensing arrangement allowing operators to let dogs enter their food premises, further promoting a "pet-inclusive" lifestyle. This policy not only meets the expectations of pet owners but also offers new ideas for restaurant operations.
However, how to balance hygiene, safety, and comfort remains a key focus.
Regarding the implementation of pet-friendly restaurant licenses, Caroline, the owner of Uffy (a dog), shared her experiences dining out with her pet, "There have never been many options, so I often meet friends at AIRSIDE or The Mills." To her, pet-friendly restaurants do not need to be fully open to pets; instead, placing a few tables outside for pet owners seems more practical.
"Some people don't own dogs or are even afraid of them, especially when we bring large dogs out. If we were to sit anywhere in the restaurant, it could easily lead to conflicts," she explained. For instance, she once visited a restaurant with an outdoor area with Uffy and a friend, and a nearby diner immediately appeared uneasy upon seeing Uffy.
"Fortunately, the restaurant had separate zones, so we moved straight to the pet-designated table, and no one felt uncomfortable afterward."
She emphasized that while restaurants don't need to be fully open to pets, they must provide basic service amenities.
"Some restaurants at The Mills, for example, prepare water bowls specifically for pets. This is especially practical—Uffy can drink water whenever she wants while sitting, and I don't have to take a bottle out of my bag—convenient and reassuring."
She added, "It would be even better if restaurants could proactively offer small pet treats, like tiny pieces of duck meat. They don't need to provide a lot, but enough to keep pets entertained while I eat. This would also align better with restaurant hygiene standards than bringing my own snacks."
However, a café owner in Mong Kok noted that if pet-friendly restaurant licenses are introduced, restaurants would need to increase staffing to accommodate customers with different needs and enhance daily cleaning efforts.
"The number of households with pets has grown significantly compared to ten years ago. Introducing such licenses can be seen as a way for the food and beverage industry to keep up with the times. Even with rising operational costs, many restaurants would likely be willing to give it a try."
He shared that there are already mixed opinions and concerns within the industry, and whether to apply for a license often depends on the restaurant owner's personal preferences. He suggested that if restaurants wish to apply for pet-friendly licenses, the government should categorize them based on their size, space, and basic licensing conditions or establish a grading system.
Regarding the idea of "fully legalizing pets in restaurants," Caroline raised several concerns.
First, there could be conflicts between pets. "Nowadays, people not only bring dogs but also cats. If a cat is in a stroller and placed in the same area as dogs, conflicts are almost inevitable." Second, hygiene issues matter. "Some owners are unaware and use restaurant bowls to let their dogs drink water. Other customers would definitely find it uncomfortable—imagine a bowl used by a dog, even if washed afterward, being reused for people. Who would feel at ease?" She also pointed out that if the law requires restaurants to purchase expensive sterilization equipment, such as units costing HK$200,000, to qualify as pet-friendly, small restaurants would be unable to afford it, ultimately reducing options for pet owners.
Caroline recalled her childhood experience of owning a German Shepherd, "We could only walk around downstairs. There was nothing like today, with so many pet-friendly malls to visit... It's only in the last five years that things have improved significantly." In the past, "even pushing a stroller with a dog into a mall wasn't allowed. Now, it's different—many malls allow pets to walk on the ground, but they still can't be off-leash."
"Now, many malls clearly mark pet-friendly areas, a huge improvement from before. But I still hope there will be more off-leash spaces in the future."
Additionally, Caroline highlighted the importance of a restaurant's "philosophy" toward pets.
"Restaurants that genuinely want to be pet-friendly must truly love pets, not just ride the trend." She explained that after obtaining a license, restaurants willing to refine details—such as ensuring pet-friendly floors are easy to clean or using pet-specific utensils—can reflect their attitude and make pet owners more likely to return.
With the rapid growth of pet-owning households in Hong Kong—over 240,000 households now keep cats or dogs as pets—the tenant mix in many pet-friendly malls has also undergone noticeable changes.
At Sha Tin's New Town Plaza, the number of pet-friendly restaurants continues to grow, with 25 currently operating in the mall. The first-floor dining area, designed with a "bubble concept," breaks away from traditional walled separations between shops, enhancing spatial and visual openness while offering plenty of outdoor seating. At Kwai Fong's Metroplaza, AIRSIDE in Kai Tak, and Central Market, on-site visits revealed that plenty of restaurants feature designated pet-dining areas in their outdoor spaces.
(Source: Wen Wei Po; Journalist: Yuwen)
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