Two weeks after Hong Kong began allowing dogs into permitted restaurants, more than 940 eateries have reported a range of reactions, with some outlets recording revenue growth while several are withdrawing from the programme.
The pet-friendly dining scheme, outlined in the 2025 Policy Address and officially rolled out on July 9, targets Hong Kong’s 240,000 pet-owning households — which keep over 400,000 cats and dogs — to unlock new business opportunities for the catering sector.
“For the permitted venues, the effect can be quite visible. Some operators are already talking about a 20-25 per cent increase in business, and a 10-20pc uplift looks realistic for cafes and casual restaurants that actively court the pet crowd,” said Zhang Yifei, a senior lecturer at HKU Business School.
Jonathan Leung, a Legislative Council member for the Catering Functional Constituency, said that while some restaurants have seen their turnover double, owners’ adaptability to the scheme has varied widely.
“Some cafes have operated smoothly, whereas certain fast-food outlets and cha chaan tengs (Hong Kong-style diners) have encountered operational difficulties, with complaints from customers uneasy about sharing dining space with dogs. Traditional banquet restaurants, once considered unlikely to join the scheme, have performed strongly because their larger premises can accommodate private rooms and group bookings for dog owners,” Jonathan Leung said.
