Name: Boris & Horton
Address: 195 Avenue A, New York, New York, United States
Telephone: +1 (212) 510-8986

Boris & Horton isn’t just a café with a dog-friendly patio – it’s New York City’s first dedicated dog café, where you can actually bring your dog inside to hang out. Located in the East Village, this hip coffee shop and wine bar has a split layout: one side is a traditional café (order counter, prep area) and the other side is the “Dog Dining Room,” a beautifully designed indoor seating area where pups are allowed off-leash to socialize while owners sip lattes or wine.

The atmosphere is joyful and community-oriented – think bright white walls with dog murals, communal tables, and usually a few dogs of all shapes and sizes mingling. Boris & Horton (named after the owners’ two rescue dogs) offers human treats like locally roasted coffee, craft beer and wine, and vegan pastries, as well as dog treats and even merchandise for your pup. They regularly host dog adoption events, breed meet-ups, and fundraisers, making it a hub for dog lovers in the city.

The vibe is very “Tompkins Square meets tech startup” – lots of young pet owners on laptops or chatting while their dogs frolic, and staff who are just as likely to know the dogs’ names as their owners’. Because it’s fully indoors (the dog side) and climate-controlled, it’s a favorite on extremely hot or cold days when outdoor dining isn’t ideal – dogs can play in comfort. In short, Boris & Horton is a safe, social space for both dogs and humans, often dubbed “the happiest place in NYC” for dog owners.

Pet Perks

Food
Water
Merchandise
Pet Toys

Special Offers

Dogs are allowed indoors in the designated dog-friendly seating room – which is Boris & Horton’s claim to fame (they were approved by the NYC Department of Health as a special “dog cafe” by adhering to strict rules separating the food prep area).

Essentially, if you have a dog, you’ll enter directly into the dog side (there are two entrances) and you can unleash your pup inside.

If you’re dog-less, you can sit on either side (many people without pets still come to enjoy the atmosphere and maybe meet some dogs). All dogs must be up to date on vaccinations (staff may check records for regular visitors) and non-aggressive; there are House Rules posted (e.g. no excessive barking, no dogs in heat, etc.) to keep it a safe space.

Puppies are allowed (as long as they’ve had initial vaccines), and there’s no size limit – though in practice the space is better suited to small and medium dogs, large calm dogs do fine too. Cats are technically permitted in carriers, but with so many off-leash dogs around, it’s not common to bring a cat here for its own comfort.