Whether a dog is welcome in a German café or restaurant is, legally, the individual owner's decision rather than something set by national law. Legal commentary citing the Deutscher Anwaltverein (German Bar Association) is direct on this point: there is no statutory rule banning dogs from restaurants or pubs in Germany, and the basis for a venue refusing a dog is its own Hausrecht (the owner's right to control who enters their premises), the same right that lets a business set any other house rule.

EU food-hygiene law (Regulation 852/2004) still sets real limits, applying the same way in Germany as it does across the bloc covered elsewhere in this guide: it governs keeping animals out of kitchens, prep and dishwashing areas, and a venue can reasonably exclude a dog from somewhere food is openly displayed, such as a self-service salad bar or buffet, for hygiene reasons specifically.

In practice, without a posted sign at the entrance saying otherwise, a guest can generally assume dogs are welcome, and many German cafés and restaurants — especially those with outdoor (Außen-) seating — do allow them at the table. It's still an individual choice each venue makes, so asking before being seated, or calling ahead for anywhere particularly formal, avoids an awkward surprise.