Inside Saudi Arabia's first dog cafe in the coastal city of Khobar

Dog owners in the kingdom now have a place to bring their canine friends

A German shepherd leaps to look at snacks along a counter at the Barking Lot cafe in Khobar, Saudi Arabia. AFP

A husky looks on while standing next to a seated man at the Barking Lot cafe. AFP

Dog owners place orders at the Barking Lot cafe. AFP

A woman sits with her German shepherd at the Barking Lot cafe in Saudi Arabia's eastern Gulf city of Khobar, 450 kilometres east of the capital, Riyadh. AFP

Dog owners in Saudi Arabia can now enjoy a cup of coffee outside their home alongside their beloved pets in a new cafe – a first for the kingdom. AFP

A man, mask-clad due to the Covid-19 pandemic, holds his German shepherd on a leash at the Barking Lot cafe. AFP

A woman sits with her German shepherd at the Barking Lot cafe in Khobar. AFP

A woman adjusts her headdress as she sits with her dog at the Barking Lot cafe. AFP

A husky stands while another German shepherd lies down by their owners at the Barking Lot cafe. AFP

A woman holds her dog at the Barking Lot cafe. AFP

Dog grooming is also available at the Barking Lot cafe. AFP

A German shepherd walks past mask-clad patrons sitting with their dogs at the Barking Lot cafe. AFP

Dog owners in Saudi Arabia can now enjoy a cup of coffee alongside their beloved pets at a new cafe – a first for the kingdom.

Previously, dogs were barred from public places in Saudi Arabia. But The Barking Lot, which opened its doors in June in the coastal city of Khobar, has delighted animal lovers in a country where there are few places to take pets outside the home.

Pets are becoming an increasingly common sight with animal shelters, having sprung up in several cities.

The adoption of strays has become more popular in the rapidly modernising kingdom, which has undergone sweeping changes as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 plan.

The Barking Lot's Kuwaiti owner, Dalal Ahmed, said she got the idea during a previous visit to the kingdom.

"I came to Saudi Arabia for a visit with my dog, but wasn't allowed to walk on the beach with him," she told AFP.

"I was very sad and decided to help by opening a coffee shop for people who have dogs – and even for those who do not."

Young men and women gather at the cafe with dogs of all sizes.

Some pets playfully romp around, while others sit on their owners' laps, or wait patiently at the counter as their guardians order drinks.

In one section, dogs are treated to washes and blow-dries as part of the grooming services offered.

"The idea of this cafe is very new," said Johara, a Saudi citizen. "It's a distinct place where dogs can come and meet other dogs."

For Nawaf, also from Saudi Arabia, it was the first time visiting the cafe, which he described as "beautiful".

"I came here to play with the dogs, which now have a cafe for themselves for the first time in Saudi Arabia," he said.