Is anxiety a legitimate reason to have a service dog and for it to be allowed in restaurants specifically?

Answer 1

Yes, with a court order and a court ordered psychiatrist visit, with a letter from the psychiatrist, in extreme cases it may be granted.

(* FOLLOWING EXIT BY RW *

The answer above is incorrect. No court order or court ordered psychiatrist visit is required. Actually, the courts have nothing to do with this. If your anxiety is severe enough to qualify as a legal disability under ADA standards, and a dog can be trained to perform a task, that you cannot perform yourself, that's directly related to and mitigates your disability, then you qualify for a service dog.

If your anxiety isn't severe enough to qualify as a disability, or there's isn't a task that you cannot perform yourself that's directly related to your disability that the dog can be trained to perform, or you need the dog just for emotional support, comfort or companionship, you may qualify for an Emotional Support Animal.

To qualify for one you must be mentally disabled or have a mental condition severe enough to be considered disabling, be under the ongoing care of a mental health professional and the mental health professional will determine if a ESA will be beneficial to your treatment plan. But these animals are not protected under the ADA, the animal cannot go into public with you (restaurants are a serious no no) and you only get special accommodations in rental housing and flying in cabin on an airplane.