The Bernese Barista is a coffee shop located in Markham that gives dog owners the chance to enjoy a cup of java with friends, while accompanied by their four-legged pals too.

Co-owners and friends Victoria Chan and Chanice Dryden decided they wanted more than just an average nine-to-five. And so the pair quit their jobs (at the same employer) and opened up the pet-friendly café last year.

“We have dogs and so do our friends, and during the pandemic we used to joke around and say, ‘Oh, if only there was a dog-friendly place where we could go, hang out and bring our dogs,’” Dryden says. “We decided to take our joke to the next level.”

Once Ontario’s Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, which Dryden says has “a soft spot for dogs,” was passed and loosened the rules on dogs on patios, the duo wanted to implement a café menu that both stood out and catered to local customers.

“Victoria really loves her coffee, so she took charge in terms of making sure we have great options to serve,” says Dryden

Dryden and Chan have an auto industry background, an environment that Dryden says revolves around starting your day with a coffee run.

The Bernese Barista offers café staples alongside some classic Asian treats. Dryden says that the most popular order is “a pup cup
for the dog, a pineapple bun for the human and usually a latte or cappuccino.”

The Bernese Barista is located at 6 Nipigon Ave. and is open Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on weekends from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The coffee shop welcomes all pooches — regardless of their size!