Hong Kong ends 30-year dog ban: 900+ restaurants welcome pups

Hong Kong officially ended its 30-year ban on dogs in restaurants on July 9, 2026, as part of a new pet-licensing scheme. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department approved 940 eateries — ranging from Chinese restaurants to fast food chains and coffee shops — to admit dogs on the first day. The ban was originally enacted to protect against rabies, forcing pet owners to rely on outdoor seating or grey-area arrangements. Now, over 900 establishments have opened their doors, with many seeing a steady stream of customers eager to dine indoors with their dogs.

At The Wai shopping centre, Canton House welcomed pet owners throughout the morning. Homemaker Isabella Chow, 58, brought her three poodles in a pram, saying she had long dreamed of having dim sum with them indoors. “In the past, there weren’t many places to have dim sum indoors with dogs. My dream has come true,” she said. The scheme marks a significant cultural shift in Hong Kong, where pet ownership has been rising. While the scheme requires restaurants to comply with hygiene standards, it offers a formal path for pet-friendly dining, ending years of uncertainty for both businesses and dog owners.