Dog Blog: Brunch in Berlin

IT’s editors have been getting bombarded with pet travel ideas; thus, the first of many dog blog installments. First up? Travel writer Denise Dubé—a mother of three (kids) and one cat—recently paid a visit to a dog-friendly brunch in Berlin. She reports:

In Germany dogs are revered and even invited to visit. One Berlin hotel not only has its own dogs, it treats others as treasured guests, worthy of a meal, sans begging. The Großer Kurfürst hotel hosts a weekly brunch (Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) where diners are encouraged to bring a mops (pug).

Attendance varies. According to general manager Jens Peters anywhere from 10-15 people and their pugs make their way into the lobby of the multi-floor hotel, located by the Spree River in mid-Berlin. Once there, two- and four-footed guests are greeted by the hotel’s own pugs, Max and Friedrich Wilhelm.

Couples, singles, groups—all with pugs in tow—are brought to two rooms. Two-legged creatures go to the restaurant while their four-legged friends are brought to a nearby conference room. Both are served a full brunch. While those who speak ask for eggs and other savory delights, the pugs bark for specially made doggy fare. The brunch is only held during the fall, winter, and spring because as Peters said, ‘it’s too hot in the summer.’

Not a dog lover? The Großer Kurfürst also has bowls of goldfish that guests may keep in their rooms.

Prior to packing your pooch to Deutschland, IT suggests you refer to the German Consulate’s new rules for pets entering the EU. Take note of the small print: They only allow five pets per person! For those of you with say, seven pugs, try the Dog Days Brunch held every Sunday of August at Opus 22 in New York City.