Cleethorpes with dogs: boating, cocktails and lunch by the sea
Updated: Aug 13
Cleethorpes is at its best when nobody tries to conquer it. The seafront is made for wandering, the boating lake supplies just enough wholesome seaside nonsense and some of the town’s best food venues welcome dogs inside with considerably more enthusiasm than a bowl pushed towards the door.
This itinerary runs from Friday evening to Sunday lunch. Saturday has one destination—the boating lake—with the activity and food beside each other. There is no chain of reservations and no need to keep moving the car. Every food venue named below welcomes dogs inside.
The weekend in brief
Friday is dinner and cocktails at The Side by Side. Saturday belongs to Cleethorpes Boating Lake, where dogs can join you aboard the boats before everyone settles in at Cleethorpes Taphouse & Kitchen. Sunday is a final promenade wander and an unhurried lunch at Darracotte’s.
Friday evening: The Side by Side
Begin at The Side by Side, an independent, family-run bar and restaurant on Alexandra Road.
It has the polished feel of somewhere chosen for a proper evening out, but without becoming precious about the dog arriving too. Dogs are welcome inside, with water bowls and complimentary pup cups available. Some visiting dogs are even treated to discounted choices from the children’s menu, which introduces an unfortunate level of optimism whenever food passes the table.
The human menu moves between small plates, larger dishes and freshly cooked favourites, with cocktails given just as much attention as the food. It works particularly well on a Friday because there is no need to decide between a dog-friendly pub and somewhere that feels a little more special. The Side by Side manages to be both.
Settle in, order dinner and let Friday remain one complete plan rather than the beginning of a venue crawl.
Saturday: the light railway and boating lake
Saturday stays within the Lakeside end of Cleethorpes, where two short seaside activities fit together without consuming the entire day.
Begin with the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, one of Britain’s oldest seaside miniature railways. It has been carrying passengers since 1948, running beside the coast and around the boating lake on a journey that takes approximately 30 minutes.
Dogs are welcome aboard for a small fare and remain on lead during the journey. It is cheerful, gently nostalgic and just long enough to see this stretch of Cleethorpes from a different angle. The dog may treat the entire experience with enormous seriousness, particularly when given a window seat.
Train times change through the year, so check the official railway timetable before travelling.
After the railway, Boat Hire at the Boating Lake adds a second small adventure. Dogs are welcome aboard the rowing and pedal boats, so the whole group can take to the water together.
The boating lake is compact, and that is part of its charm. This is a quick circuit rather than an afternoon-long voyage: enough time for somebody to misunderstand the steering, for the dog to look unexpectedly important at the bow and for everyone to return to shore ready for food.
Boat hire operates seasonally and can depend on the weather, so check that the boats are running before setting off. If they are not, the railway and a lakeside wander still give the day a proper Cleethorpes shape.
Once back on dry land, walk straight into Cleethorpes Taphouse & Kitchen. It sits beside the boating lake, so food feels like a natural continuation of the outing rather than another stop requiring a new plan.
Dogs are welcome inside as well as in the outdoor seating areas, with water bowls and a dog menu available. For people, the menu centres on relaxed crowd-pleasers including pizzas, burgers, fish dishes and familiar comfort food, accompanied by a good drinks selection.
Make this a late lunch and allow it to stretch into the afternoon. The railway is short, the boating lake is small and the restaurant is beside both of them, leaving plenty of time to sit down properly rather than spending Saturday chasing the next activity.
Sunday: the promenade and Darracotte’s
Sunday returns to the seafront. Take an easy wander along the promenade, watch whatever the North Sea is doing and allow plenty of time for the dog to investigate the smells deposited overnight.
Lunch is at Darracotte’s Coffee Shop & Icecream Parlour, directly overlooking the beach and promenade.
Dogs are welcome inside in the Promenade Room, where everyone can settle together with the seafront still visible through the windows. Fresh water, natural chews, treats and dog ice cream are available, making this one of the most thoughtfully dog-friendly café stops in Cleethorpes.
The human offering includes barista coffee, made-to-order lunches, cakes and a substantial ice-cream selection. Table service keeps the stop pleasantly unhurried, and there is no compelling reason to leave before coffee has become lunch and lunch has acquired an ice cream afterwards.
From there, take one last look at the sea and head home. Cleethorpes does not require a packed itinerary to feel like a proper weekend. Friday provides the evening out, Saturday keeps everything beside the boating lake and Sunday ends with sea views and a café that has remembered the dog properly.
The Cleethorpes page on The Dog Friendly Map has the full current directory of places where dogs are genuinely welcome inside.
Don’t fancy this particular itinerary?
Tell us where you’re going and what matters to you. We’ll find 10 dog-friendly places that genuinely suit you and pin them all to your own personalised Google Map — all for £14.99.
(Price correct as of 20 July 2026.)
Comments