Nestled in a small town about an hour North of Baton Rouge is St. Francisville, Louisiana. Full of beautiful trees, historic homes, and southern hospitality, St. Francisville makes for a perfect day trip from Baton Rouge. To top things off, the town is very dog friendly! Recently, we headed up to one of our favorite dog friendly spots in St. Francisville, The Francis Southern Table and Bar.
The Francis Southern Table and Bar‘s patio has a beautiful tree set right in the center. It offers shade and a nice breeze to those dining on the patio. In addition to this patio, there is also another patio on the side of the restaurant facing the street. Teddy always loves to sit under the tree and stare at the other diners when we go here! There is plenty of parking, but I do recommend coming early because it can get more crowded as families finish up their Saturday morning sports, errands, etc. We usually try to come shortly after they open, around 11 am. One reason for that is that it is less crowded during this time, which makes for the perfect time to dine with Teddy. He is always well behaved but sometimes when there are some yummy smells, he can let out little barks for attention. Another great thing about the Francis, is that there is a grassy area right across from the patio where you can take a quick walk if your dog needs a break. This patio is beautiful during the spring and fall. During the winter, they have portable heaters for outdoor diners.
Dog Friendly Dining: The Francis Southern Table & Bar
Teddy stares while we wait on our food. He’s ready to smell burgers! 
This is the tree that sits in the middle of the patio. How gorgeous is it!?
The food at The Francis is always delicious! We love to grab the burger with fries and the red beans and rice. If you like sweet tea, their sweet tea is light and refreshing! We usually share the burger with a side of the red beans.The menu offers burgers, sandwiches, seafood, pasta, and Louisiana fare. Teddy is always happy to remind us that he is there, hoping for a little nibble of the burger!
The sweet tea is a must try! Ring is by Lolamina Designs. 
We are obsessed with the fries. They’re like a curly potato wedge!
Downtown St. Francisville
After lunch, head just a few minutes away to downtown St. Francisville, where you can find dog friendly shopping. We took a walk around an arts market that was being held at Parker Memorial Park (located at Historic District – Commerce St. and Burnett Road). On the day we went, there was live music, local makers and artists, dogs galore, and beautiful trees. Right next to the park, you can find the St. Francisville Inn. The Inn is located in a Victorian landmark surrounded by historic oak trees. The grounds are perfect spot to stop for photos.
You can walk from the park or the Inn grounds to find the shops in downtown St. Francisville. You will find local antique shops, clothing boutiques, mercantiles, and more. Most of the shops welcomed Teddy with excitement, but we always ask before bringing him inside a shop.
Have you been to St. Francisville? If you’re located in Baton Rouge or nearby, we highly suggest making an afternoon of it. They host different festivals during the year, so you might even be able to go on a day where there’s an event going on.
