A State-by-Date Guide to the Best Family-Friendly Restaurants
A State-by-Date Guide to the Best Family-Friendly Restaurants
It's Friday night and you want to take your spouse and kids out to eat for a delicious dinner at a family-friendly restaurant, but you aren't sure where to go. You want somewhere that's going to have suitable options for the kids, tasty food for you, and, most importantly, the right atmosphere to make sure you feel comfortable bringing your kids there in the first place. With so many things to consider, choosing a family-friendly restaurant can be hard.
There's a commonly accepted belied that kid-friendly restaurants tend to have less than stellar food, but we're here to say that's not true. With a little help from Yelp, we've rounded up the best family-friendly restaurant in every state that will not only welcome and accommodate every member of your family, but will provide you with some truly delicious food that will keep you coming back again and again.
Melt — Birmingham, Alabama
Melt is a dream for diners of all ages — it has mac and cheese-stuffed egg rolls, juicy hamburgers, and loaded nachos, after all. It also has plenty of board games to keep the whole crew entertained while they wait for their food.
Blue Roof Bistro — Fairbanks, Alaska
The amazing selection of delicious American bistro food will have the adults singing Blue Roof's praises, while the kids will go wild for the delectable mac and cheese.
Brat Haus — Scottsdale, Arizona
As if a beer garden wasn't already fun enough, Brat House provides plenty of extra entertainment with games like corn hold, jenga, and table tennis. Plus, it also offers kid-sized sausages as well as "dog dogs" so even the family pet can be included.
Cheers At The OPO — Fayetteville, Arkansas
If your family is craving some southern comfort food, then this is where you need to go. Cheers' menu offers a selection of tasty seafood and burgers, as well as solid staples like chicken tenders and grilled cheese. But you'll want to save room for dessert — there's a banana and caramel-topped waffle on the menu!
Corvette Diner - SanDiego, California
Themed restaurants can get a rap for having subpar food, but trust us, the Corvette Diner is not one of those restaurants. This 50's-themed diner, decked out with cars, is sure to be a fun night out for the whole family. You'll love the sassy waitresses who serve up more than a dozen different kinds of decadent milkshakes to go with your yummy burger.
Hops & Pie — Denver, Colorado
The pizza at Hops & Pie is a must-try. And you don't have to worry about the kids' meals being too small here — the portions are more than generous. And if the little ones finish eating before you, they can head on over to a toy area to play while you enjoy your meal.
Bar Taco - Stamford, Connecticut
In addition to its Stamford location, Bar Taco also has restaurants in West Hartford and Westport. The yummy chips and guac and variety of tacos — even on the kids' menu — means there's something that everyone in the family will enjoy.
Big Fish Grill on The Riverfront — Wilmington, Delaware
Just like the name suggests, Big Fish Grill has some truly delicious seafood, including PEI Mussels and New England fish and chips. Kids won't have to miss out either since you'll find fish fingers, grilled tilapia, and crab cakes on the menu as well.
Rustic Inn Crabhouse — Fort Lauderdale, Florida
With paper table cloths and crayons on every table, Rustin Inn Crabhouse screams "family friendly." And the food is delicious: fried popcorn shrimp, bbq ribs, and of course some fresh crab. Finish off the meal with a peanut butter pie, and you'll swear you've gone to heaven.
Folk Art — Atlanta, Georgia
Folk Art is great for families with dietary restrictions, offering both vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Duke's Waikiki — Honolulu, Hawaii
Adults will love sipping on some tropical cocktails while the kids can dig into the buttermilk crusted chicken fingers at Duke's Waikiki. And the best part of all? You can add an unlimited salad bar to your kid's meal for just $1.
The Griddle — Boise, Idaho
With additional locations in Eagle and Meridian, The Griddle is the spot to go for a family breakfast that your entire crew is sure to remember for years to come.
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria — Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is synonymous with deep dish pizza, and the warm and welcoming Lou Malnati's will be a hit with the whole family. For picky eaters who aren't a fan of deep dish, it offers a few thin crust options, as well as a gluten-free crust.
Traders Point Creamery — Zionsville, Indiana
The fresh, delicious food and, of course, ice cream, is only part of the draw to Traderspoint Creamery. You can enjoy a tour of the onsite farm, complete with stroller-accessible paths, where you'll be able to see plenty of cows and chicken.
Pullman Bar & Diner — Iowa City, Iowa
The classic midwest menu is served in more of an upscale environment, making it a great choice for families wanting a nicer night out. Pullman Bar & Diner also serves breakfast all day and has several menus for different dietary requirements.
The Gruff — Covington, Kentucky
Kids will love diving into the "Gruff Dog" — an all beef hot dog made for younger diners — while parents will find themselves drooling over the brick oven pizzas. The Gruff also has a great selection of toys and coloring books to entertain the little ones in case they get restless.
Fitz's — Saint Louis, Missouri
Your whole family will go wild for the juicy burgers and flavored sodas — including the signature root beer — at Fitz's. Plus, picky eaters can build their own burger if none of the options on the menu are up their alley.
The Backyard — New Orleans, Louisiana
You can be sure that there are plenty of barbecue joints in Louisiana, but The Backyard is both delicious and great for families. There is even a playground out back where the kids can burn off some energy while the grownups enjoy the great selection of beers and cocktails.
When Pigs Fly Pizzeria — Kittery, Maine
As if the mouth-watering wood fire pizzas wouldn't be enticing enough, you can finish off your meal with a sinfully delicious brownie sundae. And for picky kids who aren't fans of pizza, When Pigs Fly has a kids' menu with childhood staples like chicken fingers and mac and cheese.
Mission BBQ — Annapolis, Maryland
With 14 locations across the state, you're never far from a Mission BBQ in Maryland. Kids can eat their very own bbq just like their parents with the jr. ribs and a variety of sliders.
Full Moon — Cambridge, Massachusetts
With a play area at the back and crayons on each table, younger kids will be wildly entertained at Full Moon. Meanwhile, older kids and parents can sit back and enjoy the variety of cuisines like the Mexican chicken chipotle soup or Thai vegetable spring rolls.
Green Dot Stables - Detroit, Michigan
Going to this horse race-themed restaurant is worth the trip for the ambience alone, but the food makes it even more worth it. The menu at Green Dot Stables is comprised largely of different types of sliders, each person will be able to order as many or little as they'd like.
Pizzeria Lola — Minneapolis, Minnesota
You can't go wrong with pizza and wings, and Pizzeria Lola does both spectacularly. With everything from plain cheese pizzas to Korean-inspired pies, there's something for everyone.
Sal & Mookie's — Jackson, Mississippi
Thankfully the delicious New York-style pizza and tasty burgers at Sal & Mookie's aren't confined to just one location, with restaurants in Jackson and Bilosi as well. Not to mention the fact that your little ones will love the in-house ice cream stand.
The Fountain on Locust — Saint Louis, Missouri
The comforting atmosphere at The Fountain on Locust is only one-upped by their divine ice cream and sundae selection.
Montana Ale Works — Bozeman, Montana
Montana Ale Works has a great kids menu that matches the caliber of the adult menu, which is complete with both bison and wagyu beef burgers. Try to get there on the earlier side if you have kids who don't like waiting, as the large space tends to fill up later in the evening.
11-Worth Cafe — Omaha, Nebraska
11-Worth Cafe is the perfect old-school, greasy spoon diner that never disappoints — especially if you get the biscuits and gravy. It gets busy (and loud) on weekends so you won't have to worry if you have kids who are on the noisier side.
Black Bear Diner — Las Vegas, Nevada
With big portions and affordable prices, you can't do much better than the Black Bear Diner for a family meal. Kids will love the "cubs menu," complete with chocolate chip pancakes and corn dogs. The best part of all is that there are four locations in Las Vegas alone, and four more around the state.
Tucker's — Concord, New Hampshire
There are delicious breakfast foods galore at Tucker's, including a Mickey Mouse-shaped pancake and challah bread French toast. It's only open until 2 p.m. though, so make sure you get there in time.
Cafe Archetypus — Edgewater, New Jersey
There may be no kids' menu here, but your little ones will absolutely love the dark, ancient Grecian cave feel of Cafe Archetypus. The menu is filled with tasty dishes that will be loved by diners of all ages, including nachos, french bread pizza, quesadillas, and burgers.
The Range Café — Albuquerque, New Mexico
The southern and Mexican-inspired menu at The Range Café is seriously drool-worthy, and children will love the more unique options on the kids menu, like the enchiladas, burritos, and hot turkey plate.
Carmine's - New York, New York
What's better for a family than a family-style meal? The Italian fare at Carmine's is unbeatable, with plenty of options that everyone will love, like their iconic spaghetti and meatballs. And the portions are HUGE, so there will be plenty of food for everyone and then some.
Burtons Grill & Bar — Charlotte, North Carolina
With other locations in Park Road and Blakeney, and an extensive menu that cater to everyone from vegetarians to paleos, Burtons is perfect for a family night out. Kids will love the "B Choosy" menu, where they get to design their own meal by picking their protein and four sides.
The Shack on Broadway — Fargo, North Dakota
The Shack on Broadway has a small town diner feel with the reasonable prices to match. But even with the low prices, this menu is still high in flavor. The homemade gravy that comes with a lot of the dishes is a crowd favorite.
Crosswinds Restaurant & Bar — Port Clinton, Ohio
Crosswind's proximity to Lake Eerie means there is some delicious fresh perch on the menu. And younger diners will love diving into the corn dogs or chicken bites.
Muu Shabu — Edmond, Oklahoma
You family will love getting to see their meal cooked before their very eyes at Muu Shabu, a Japanese hot pot restaurant. The broth and ingredients are all fresh and delicious, and the experience will be a nice mix-up from the typical fare.
Hopworks Urban Brewery — Portland, Oregon
A brewery may not seem like the first choice for a family meal, but Hopworks is truly great for every age. Not only do they have an extensive kids' menu with some interesting options like a quinoa bowl, but they also have a play area where kids can go while the parents finish their brews.
Speckled Hen Cafe — Strasburg, Pennsylvania
Quick and friendly service is exactly what you want when dining out as a family, and that's exactly what customers at Speckled Hen Cafe get. The breakfast foods, especially the biscuit sandwiches, are to die for. And your kids will love the designated play area.
Waffle — Providence, Rhode Island
From sweet to savory, Waffle has, you guessed it, waffles for every mood. You'll love the cheesy pizza waffle, perfect for lunch or dinner.
River City Cafe – Myrtle Beach — South Carolina
River City Cafe is always bustling and loud, so you won't have to worry about taking young kids there. The burgers are iconic and your family will love splitting a massive blooming onion.
Skogen Kitchen — Custer, South Dakota
Skogen Kitchen is a great option for parents who want to have a nicer night out with the kids in tow. The food is amazing and there is a kids' menu with some solid staples.
Hugh-Baby's — Nashville, Tennessee
There's a fun, family atmosphere at Hugh-Baby's that will keep you coming back. It's a fast-casual restaurant, so you can order as soon as you get in, which means less waiting. And, most importantly, the kids can play on the slide on the patio once they've gobbled up their food.
Kerbey Lane Café — Austin, Texas
With eight different locations across Austin, you'll have plenty of chances to enjoy the signature chicken and pancakes or crispy chicken Benedict at Kerbey Lane Café. Plus, everything on the kids' menu is under $5, so a meal here won't be a hit to your bank account.
Hook & Ladder Co. Fire Station No. 13 — Salt Lake City, Utah
The mom and pop atmosphere at Hook & Ladder Co. is perfect for a family meal. Everyone will love this fish and chips with tater tots and the arcade games for entertainment.
Check out Hook & Ladder Co. Fire Station No. 13 on Facebook.
Butch + Babe's — Burlington, Vermont
With things like hot dog mac and cheese pancakes on the menu, your children won't have to settle for the regular old kid options. Butch + Babe's also has a few lighter menu items like sandwiches and soups if you're looking for a healthier meal.
Coastal Flats — Fairfax, Virginia
Customers love the attentive service at Coastal Flats almost as much as the fresh seafood. Parents will love the fresh mojitos and little ones will enjoy the kids-sized smoked salmon.
Duke's Seafood & Chowder — Seattle, Washington
Sat on the waterfront, you can enjoy gorgeous views while slurping down Duke's award-winning clam chowder. And seafood lovers will love the many fresh choices of fresh seafood — and there's plenty of fish on the kids menu to boot.
Black Bear Burritos — Morgantown, West Virginia
You can enjoy a crisp beer while chowing down on a delicious build-your-own burrito. Black Bear Burritos also has kid-sized burritos for your little ones to enjoy.
Copper Dock — Hubertus, Wisconsin
With views of the water and a dock you can walk the kids down to, Copper Dock will soon become a family favorite. The attentive staff will make sure your seafood eating experience is top notch.
Calico Restaurant & Bar — Wilson, Wyoming
Calico takes the cake in making sure its family friendly: there's a large field next to the restaurant where kids can run around while their parents enjoy a drink on the patio and finish their delicious Italian meal. Plus, everything on the kids' menu is $3.50, so it's a total steal. Finish the meal off with a root beer float and your kids will be begging to go back the next day.
Stress-free dining for the whole gang.