Hong Kong's dog-friendly restaurant scheme gets 700 applications on first day
Over 700 eateries rushed to apply, filling 70% of the 1,000 first-phase licences.
Hong Kong’s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) unveiled a licensing scheme this week permitting dogs inside participating restaurants. Interest was immediate: by 6pm on the first day, roughly 700 applications had been submitted, accounting for 70% of the 1,000 first-phase licences. The application window closes on June 8, and if demand exceeds supply, allocation will be determined by a random ballot. The department anticipates the scheme will go live in July.
Restaurateurs see this as a competitive edge. Hyvan Tong, owner of Fisholic in Fortress Hill – a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient since 2023 – applied on day one. His 10-table venue serves innovative fish-based dishes like fish noodles in broth. Tong believes the move will attract the city’s large dog-owning population. With Hong Kong’s high pet ownership and limited pet-friendly dining options, the scheme could reshape the city’s F&B landscape by letting restaurants cater to both humans and their four-legged companions.
- 700 applications received on the first day, filling 70% of the 1,000 first-phase licences
- Application window closes June 8; if over 1,000 apply, spots are allocated by ballot
- Scheme expected to launch in July, allowing dogs inside licensed restaurants for the first time
Why It Matters
Opens a new pet-friendly dining market for 1,000+ Hong Kong restaurants, benefiting millions of dog owners.