HONG KONG – Hong Kong resident Joe Lam was finally able to sit with his pet poodle Glutinous Rice inside an air-conditioned cafe on July 9, as the city allowed dogs to enter restaurants for the first time in decades.

“Usually, we sit outside, but I just found out that we can bring the dog in today, so we were happy, because at least it won’t be so hot,” Lam, a 62-year-old retiree, told AFP.

A staff member directed Lam and his wife to park the stroller carrying the 15-year-old dog next to a designated table, after the authorities rolled out the new policy aimed at helping the city’s struggling dining sector drum up business.

Since 1994, only service dogs and police dogs have been allowed inside food premises, but dog owners were allowed to sit outside with their pets at establishments with outdoor areas.

The law was amended in 2026, in part in response to public demand, after Chief Executive John Lee called for the promotion of a “pet-friendly culture” to cash in on a growing pet market.

“I think it is great. It will give dog owners more choice,” said Lam, who refers to Glutinous Rice as his “second son”.

After the couple finished their afternoon tea and headed off, a staff member disinfected their table and seats, as well as those next to the group.