Pet culture in Hong Kong keeps growing, and dogs have long been part of the family. Until now, eating out with a dog meant finding one of the few places with outdoor seating — but that has changed. To promote inclusion and respond to public demand, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has amended the Food Business Regulation and, from 9 July 2026, ordinary dogs may enter approved food premises.
It is a genuine milestone for pet-friendly Hong Kong. Before you head out for a meal, though, it is worth knowing the rules — and how to solve the transport problem if you have a large dog. This guide covers the new 2026 regulations, the etiquette owners need to observe, and how GoGoX fits into a day out with your dog.
🍽️ 1. What the new “dogs allowed in restaurants” measure actually says
Under the amended Cap. 132X Food Business Regulation, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene may grant permission for dogs to enter and remain in food premises where the statutory requirements are met. For the first phase:
– Effective date: 9 July 2026.
– Number of approved premises: 1,000 restaurants approved by ballot in the first phase.
– Types of restaurant covered: to protect safety and ensure there is room to move, every approved restaurant is larger than 20 sq m. To reduce the risk if a dog gets out of control, premises mainly serving hotpot or barbecue (Korean BBQ, for instance) are excluded.
– How to spot an approved restaurant: approved premises must display the FEHD’s prescribed “dogs permitted” notice prominently at the entrance at all times. You can also check the current list on the FEHD’s dedicated web page before you set off.
⚠️ 2. Four rules owners must follow
To keep the policy workable and protect food safety and public hygiene, the FEHD has set strict licensing conditions. As a responsible owner, observe the following:
1. Excluded breeds and health requirements
Not every dog may enter. Under the law, fighting dogs (pit bull terrier, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileiro and their crosses) and any dog found by a court to be a known dangerous dog are barred from food premises. Dogs entering must also be vaccinated against rabies, microchipped and hold a valid dog licence.
2. Leash and control (important)
Inside the restaurant, you must keep your dog properly under control and avoid causing a nuisance to other diners.
- Your dog must be on a leash no longer than 1.5 m, or kept in a pet bag, carrier or stroller.
- Note: even a dog that has passed the AFCD’s large-dog exemption test and wears the bronze badge must still be kept on a leash inside food premises — off-leash is not permitted.
3. Tableware and seating (keep people and pets separate)
- No dogs on the table: dogs must never be placed on the dining table.
- No shared tableware: human and dog tableware must be clearly separated, and premises may not let dogs use reusable tableware intended for people. Bring your own bowl and water bottle, or ask the restaurant whether non-plastic disposables are available for dogs.
4. Handling dog food
Premises may not cook or heat food for dogs in the kitchen or dining area. Food offered to dogs must be pre-packaged pet food, or brought by the owner. Heating or cooking at the table (open flame or an electric hob) is also prohibited, to prevent accidents.
🚐 3. Getting there: GoGoX pet transport
With the restaurant rules understood, the next problem is transport. Public transport in Hong Kong — the MTR, franchised buses — still does not take ordinary dogs, and some taxis will decline, or charge a surcharge, because of the driver’s preference or the space involved. For a large dog (a golden retriever, a husky) or a multi-pet household, going out for a meal is a real challenge.
That is where GoGoX comes in. As a flexible transport platform, it makes taking your dog out considerably easier:
🐕 1. Genuinely pet-friendly, no more refusals
When you book in the GoGoX app, tick “pet-friendly driver” and note the number of pets in the remarks. The system matches you with a driver happy to carry pets, so there is no waiting at the kerb wondering whether you will be turned away.
🛋️ 2. A roomy cabin for large dogs and pet strollers
Approved restaurants are spread across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, so the journey may not be short. GoGoX vans have very generous cabin space, whether you have a dog over 30 kg, several dogs at once, or a folding pet stroller plus bags, water bottles and mats.
📍 3. Point to point saves time and effort
Walking a dog around in high summer or heavy rain looking for the restaurant is nobody’s idea of fun. GoGoX takes you straight to the door of an approved restaurant, cutting the risk of your dog overheating or getting soaked.
📱 4. Transparent pricing, one-tap booking
Enter your pick-up and the restaurant as your destination and the estimated fare appears immediately, with nothing hidden. A few taps and your dog has a ride.
In short
Hong Kong’s pet culture is growing quickly. Government statistics put more than 247,500 households as cat or dog owners, with over 400,000 animals in total. The pet-friendly restaurant policy answers a genuine demand and is an important step towards a more inclusive city.
Ready? Book GoGoX pet transport and go explore the new pet-friendly Hong Kong. 🐶
FAQ
Q1: Besides dogs, can I bring a cat, a rabbit or another pet into these approved restaurants?
The 2026 Food Business (Amendment) Regulation amends section 10B of Cap. 132X, which restricted dogs specifically. The new rule therefore applies to dogs only.
– Other pets: there is no express statutory ban on other pets as there was for dogs, which means whether a cat or another animal may enter is entirely down to the operator’s own pet policy.
– Advice: cats stress easily with a change of environment or the presence of dogs, so even where a restaurant allows it, call ahead to check how busy and how open the space is.
Q2: If my dog has an accident inside, is it the owner’s responsibility or the restaurant’s?
Under FEHD guidance, food safety and hygiene are a shared responsibility:
– Immediate cleaning: both the owner and restaurant staff are responsible for thorough cleaning and disinfection straight away.
– Penalties: if premises are found to have breached the relevant hygiene licensing conditions three times within 12 months (including failing to clear up after a dog), the FEHD may revoke the “dogs permitted” endorsement.
– Prevention: to reduce accidents caused by a long walk, heat or excitement, book GoGoX pet transport. A point-to-point air-conditioned ride eases anxiety, and you can let your dog relieve itself on grass outside before going in.
Q3: Can approved restaurants set their own house rules — no dogs on chairs, one dog per table?
Yes, and it is very common. The FEHD gives operators considerable latitude. Beyond the statutory floor (no dogs on tables, no shared tableware), a restaurant may decide:
– whether dogs may sit on customer chairs (or need a mat)
– whether to designate a dog-friendly zone or restricted hours
– a limit on the number or size of dogs per table
– For owners: follow the staff’s instructions and help keep the shared environment workable.
Q4: Any practical tips for booking GoGoX pet transport to a pet-friendly restaurant?
Three things:
– Be specific in the remarks: tick “pet-friendly driver” and state the size and number of pets (“one 30 kg husky + one medium pet stroller”) so the system matches the right driver and vehicle.
– Bring a towel and a mat: the drivers are pet-friendly, but out of courtesy to the next passenger, lay your own towel, mat or fur pad on the seat.
– Confirm any surcharge: pricing is clear and the app shows the estimated fare, but some drivers or vehicle types may add a reasonable pet cleaning or carriage surcharge, so confirm with the driver after matching.
Dining out with a dog: common questions
Do the new rules cover cats and other pets, or only dogs?
Only dogs. The Food Business (Amendment) Regulation changed the restriction on dogs in section 10B of the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X).
Cats, rabbits and the rest are not banned in the same explicit way, but whether they may come in is entirely the restaurant’s own policy.
Cats also stress easily around unfamiliar rooms and other animals, so even where a venue allows it, ring ahead and ask how busy and how open the space is.
Rules and enforcement as published by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
If my dog has an accident indoors, whose responsibility is it?
Both — FEHD guidance puts food safety and hygiene on the owner and the restaurant together. Each has a duty to clean and disinfect the spot immediately.
A venue that breaches the hygiene conditions of its licence three times in twelve months — including failing to clear up after a dog straight away — can have its “dogs permitted” endorsement revoked.
The prevention is simple: let the dog relieve itself on grass outside before you go in.
Licence conditions and enforcement as published by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
Can an approved restaurant still make its own rules?
Yes, and most do. Beyond the legal floor — no dogs on the table, no shared utensils — FEHD leaves venues a lot of operating latitude. The usual house rules are:
🪑 Seating — whether a dog may sit on a chair, and whether a mat is required.
📍 Zones and hours — a designated dog-friendly area, or restricted times.
🐕 Number and size — a cap on dogs per table, or a size limit.
Follow the staff’s directions; that is what keeps these venues viable.
What does it cost to take a dog by car?
HK$10 a trip, however many animals you bring. The fare goes by vehicle and distance, from HK$55 for a van; HK$20 upgrades to the Premium Van for a roomier cabin.
The confirmed price shows in the app before you book.
Anything to get right when booking a ride to a pet-friendly restaurant?
Three things: write clear notes, bring a mat, and walk the dog first.
📝 Detailed notes — tick the pet-friendly driver option and describe the size and number, e.g. “one 30 kg husky plus a medium pet stroller”, so the match fits.
🧺 Bring a towel or mat — every matched driver is pet-friendly, but a mat over the seat keeps the cabin clean.
🌳 Walk before you go in — an air-conditioned point-to-point ride settles an anxious dog; let it relieve itself outside on arrival, before you sit down.
Travelling with a pet? GoGoX pet transport
GoGoX matches you with a pet-friendly driver for HK$10 extra per trip, for any number of animals. As at August 2026 the platform has completed over 800,000 pet orders.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pet surcharge | HK$10 per trip, any number of animals |
| Base fare | Van from HK$55, charged by distance |
| Premium Van upgrade | HK$20 extra per trip |
| Cabin space | 5.5 × 4 × 4 ft — roomier than the back seat of a private car |
| Overtime waiting | First 15 mins free, then HK$10 per 5 mins |
| Coverage | All of Hong Kong, drivers accepting orders 24 hours a day |
| Platform service fee | A small service fee applies to every order |
When you book, note the species, the number of animals and their size in the remarks, and bring a carrier or a pet seat belt. A personal user's van order carries HK$2,000 of cargo compensation at no cost.
Customer service hotline 2337 1234, daily 07:00–24:00. Vehicle specifications are on the service and fleet page, fares on the pricing page, and cover on the cargo compensation page. About GoGoX pet transport.
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