From the very first time we visited Wags N Tales in Surbiton last year, we knew this was a special place for London dogs and their owners. Wags N Tales is not just dog-friendly, it’s all about the dogs, so when we were invited to review Wags N Tales as a ‘Roving Reporter’ for the Rover Dog-friendly Pub Awards, we were really excited to share how pawsome a place it is!
And hot off the press…Wags N Tales has been voted top dog for the London region in the Dog-friendly Pub Awards which is fantastic news!
In our latest review, we’ll find out why London dogs love Wags N Tales Surbiton so much and why this award is so well deserved…
The Wags N Tales Story
Owners Raj and Pavin decided to open Wags N Tales serving delicious vegetarian and vegan food in 2016, after realising that there was a need for somewhere that truly welcomed dogs in the area.
The idea to open Wags N Tales was inspired by their beloved rescue dog Cadbury. Raj told us “We adopted Cadbury from a dog rescue shelter in California in 2005. After a few years there, we moved to Switzerland with Cadbury, then onto London. He is certainly a well-travelled dog! We have taken him on our family holidays to France, Germany, Ireland, Corsica, Italy as well as all over California and Britain.
And what about Cadbury? Raj told us “Cadbury was a loving dog that cherished our family, he was keenly intelligent, stubborn and always knew who to sidle up to with his puppy dog eyes to get whatever he wanted and yes he was definitely spoilt! When Cadbury passed away earlier this year after a long fight with Cancer, he was surrounded by people he loved, a lot of whom had travelled from India, California and New York to say goodbye to him – which was a very special farewell. He was a beloved member of our family and is very much missed.
Although you’ll no longer see Cadbury at Wags N Tales, his paw prints are imprinted on the entrance, welcoming every dog through the door.
Why London Dogs Love Wags N Tales…
For us, it’s all in the details. Many places are dog-friendly, but there are few that genuinely welcome dogs in a way that you really feel at home. Wags N Tales is one of those rare finds in London.
We’d made a last-minute reservation for a busy Saturday lunchtime and arrived to find our table waiting for us with Belinha’s name on it. That’s the first sign that dogs are treated just like any other valued customers.
The staff go out of the way to make sure dogs and humans sit at tables that work for them. There’s an area at the back where babies and buggies can spread out or nervous customers; two or four-legged can sit. In the central area, staff make an effort to seat dogs at the tables that give them the space to lie down without the fear of being trodden on.
And there’s no need to ask for a water bowl, ours was brought to the table as soon as we sat down.
Then, of course, there’s the Wags N Tales dog menu (as featured in Dine With Your Dog, a Guide to the Best Dog Menus in London), which we love.
The most popular item on the dog menu has to be the Puppaccino, a bowl of frothy Goat’s Milk with surprise dog treats inside. We saw several dogs devouring theirs, and Belinha was no different!
Also on offer are Pupcakes (Cheese, egg, carrot honey and flour ) and Pup Scones (Peanut butter, egg and flour). All the dog treats are made using the same quality ingredients that are used for human food such as free-range eggs throughout.
Tucking into pupcakes and scones is not something I let Belinha do every day, but knowing my dog can also have a special treat now and then means a lot. It also meant a lot to Belinha judging by the expression and whines of delight when presented with a selection of goodies from the dog menu.
When we arrived, the dog cake stands were full, but by the time we left a couple of hours later, they were nearly empty. Why are we not surprised.
The human food is delicious too and the cakes to die for. Sometimes vegan food can be a bit hit and miss but not here. If only everything vegan tasted as good as it did at Wags N Tales!
Every dog (and their human) we spoke to said how much they enjoyed coming to Wags N Tales and we completely understand why.
Tail-wagging Tips For The Area
You could easily spend all day at Wags N Tales for breakfast, lunch and dinner! However, if you fancy exploring the area either before or after your visit, here are some tail-wagging tips for things to do nearby with your dog in mind. And if your pup comes back wet and muddy, not to worry, Wags N Tales have you got you covered with their own dog towels waiting for you.
Walks Nearby
The Wood : The closest public park is The Wood, an enclosed area about 5 minutes walk from Wags N Tales. It’s actually also a bird sanctuary, but that part of the park is not open to the public. The Wood is not a large park by any means, but it’s a great little peaceful spot to let your dog off lead to explore.
Where: 3 Oak Hill Grove, Surbiton, KT6 6DS
Bushy Park: About 10-minutes drive away is Bushy Park, offering miles of dog walking opportunities in a beautiful setting. Bear in mind that it’s also home to wild deer who roam freely in the park, so dog owners are advised to take extra care to keep dogs away from the deer during September to October (mating season) and May to July (birthing season).
Where: Bushy Park, Hampton Wick, KT8 9BZ
Berrylands Nature Reserve: A short drive away, you’ll find Berrylands Nature Reserve, a 5-hectare wildlife oasis tucked away in the suburbs of Surbiton running alongside the Tolworth Brook. So great for a dog walk and even a doggy dip in summer.
Where: Surbiton, KT5 9EE
Take a Trip on The Thames
From spring to October, two local boat operators; Turk Boats and Parr Boats run dog-friendly boat services up and down the river. The best part is that dogs are allowed on board so perfect for popping down to Richmond or Hampton Court with your pup.
Where: Turks Launches, Kingston Town End Pier, KT1 1NB or Parr Boats, Portsmouth Road, KT1 2ND.
Wags N Tales Essential Info
When: Wags N Tales Surbiton is open from 8 am until 8 pm Monday, 8 am to midnight on Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday and 8 am to 2 am on Friday & Saturday. If you’re planning to come with your dog on an evening, make sure to book a table so Raj and the team can make sure you get a comfortable space.
Where: 7-9 Brighton Road, Surbiton KT6 5LX. Getting to Wags N Tales Surbiton is surprisingly easy, even if you’re travelling by public transport. It’s just 15 minutes on a direct train from Waterloo (or 10 minutes from Clapham Junction). Then it’s a 2-minute walk to Wags N Tales.
If driving, we found plenty of street parking, even on weekends.
The Rover Dog-friendly Pub Awards
The Rover dog-friendly pub awards discover the nation’s most dog-friendly pubs up and down the country that really live up to expectations of being dog-friendly. The awards are divided into regions, and of course, London is one of them! Check out the establishments listed in the London area on the Dog-friendly Pub Awards website for more inspiration of where to visit with your pup.
Woof woof!
I just liked all of your social media.
Lets paws and be doggy friends..
Author
Thanks! We’re always happy to meet new doggy friends!