Hong Kong’s first dog-friendly restaurants could be opening sooner than you think

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Oscar LiuJanuary 29, 2026 at 10:03 AM

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Hong Kong is expected to approve its first dog-friendly restaurants by mid-2026, a move intended to boost the city's "pet economy." The proposal, announced by Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan, allows restaurant operators to apply for special licenses to permit dogs on their premises for the first time in thirty years. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will collaborate with other government departments to streamline the approval process for outdoor seating, aiming to help the catering industry. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu highlighted the potential of the pet economy, noting the large number of pet-owning households in Hong Kong. These measures are part of a broader effort to revitalize the catering sector.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Legislative Council 60% John Lee Ka-chiu 60% Food and Environmental Hygiene Department 70% Tse Chin-wan ×280% Hong Kong ×290%

Keywords

dog-friendly restaurants 100% hong kong 90% pet economy 80% dining regulations 70% catering sector 60% outdoor seating 50% special licence 50% approval process 40%