What are the best restaurants for young children?

The best restaurant types for young children (ages 0-5) include casual chain restaurants (Applebee's, Chili's, IHOP) with predictable kids menus, pizza restaurants where kids love the food and service is quick, Mexican restaurants with chips at the table for instant entertainment, breakfast/brunch spots with kid-friendly pancakes and waffles, and buffet restaurants where picky eaters can find something they like. For babies and toddlers, choose restaurants with early bird specials (4:30-5:30pm), high chairs with safety straps, changing tables, and outdoor seating options.

How can I find kid-friendly restaurants near me?

Use ChooseMy.Food's 'Family Dinner' occasion filter to find kid-friendly restaurants in your area. Look for restaurants advertising kids menus, family nights, or 'kids eat free' promotions. Check Google reviews for mentions of high chairs, changing tables, and family-friendly atmosphere. Best budget-friendly options ($-$$) include local pizzerias, Mexican restaurants, diners, and casual American chains. Avoid fine dining restaurants with dress codes, bars that serve food, places with communal seating only, or anywhere with explicit 'adults only' policies.

What should I look for in a kids menu?

A good kids menu should offer familiar, child-sized portions at reasonable prices ($4-8 per meal). Look for variety beyond just chicken nuggets - the best menus include options like grilled chicken, plain pasta, quesadillas, mini burgers, pancakes, and fruit sides. Check that the menu accommodates common allergies (dairy-free, gluten-free options) and offers healthy sides like vegetables or fruit instead of just fries. The best family restaurants also allow kids to order from the adult menu in smaller portions or let you split adult entrees, which is often better value than the kids menu.

When is the best time to take kids to restaurants?

The best time to dine with kids is during early bird hours (4:30-5:30pm) before the evening rush when restaurants are less crowded and staff is less stressed. For babies and toddlers, this timing also aligns with their early bedtime routines. Avoid peak hours (6-7pm on weekdays, 12-1pm and 6-8pm on weekends) when wait times are longest and restaurants are loudest. Many family restaurants offer 'kids eat free' nights on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Lunch is 30-40% cheaper than dinner for the same food and typically has faster service.

How do I handle a crying baby or tantrum at a restaurant?

If your baby or toddler starts crying or having a meltdown, take them outside immediately for a calm-down walk to respect other diners. Before it gets to that point, prevent meltdowns by bringing snacks to occupy them while waiting for food, choosing restaurants with fast service, requesting your kids' meals be brought out first, and bringing quiet entertainment like coloring books or tablets. Request booth seating to contain active toddlers more easily. If the situation doesn't improve, don't hesitate to pack up food to-go and leave - it's better than letting the tantrum continue. Always tip extra if your kids made a significant mess.

Family-Friendly Restaurants: Complete Parent's Guide

Q: What makes a restaurant family-friendly?

A truly family-friendly restaurant has these essential features: a kids menu with age-appropriate portions, high chairs and booster seats available, changing tables in restrooms, wide aisles for strollers, fast service (kids can't wait 45 minutes), noise tolerance from other diners, entertainment like crayons or coloring sheets, and a flexible menu willing to accommodate special requests. The best family restaurants also have booth seating, outdoor space for managing active children, and staff experienced with families.

📅 September 25, 2024 | ⏱️ 6 min read

Finding restaurants that accommodate kids while still offering quality food for adults can be challenging. This guide helps parents identify truly family-friendly spots.

What Makes a Restaurant Family-Friendly?

Essential Family-Friendly Features:

✅ Kids Menu – Age-appropriate portions and choices
✅ High Chairs & Booster Seats – Available and clean
✅ Changing Tables – In both men's and women's restrooms
✅ Space – Wide aisles for strollers, room between tables
✅ Fast Service – Kids can't wait 45 minutes for food
✅ Noise Tolerance – Other diners expect children
✅ Entertainment – Crayons, coloring sheets, or activities
✅ Flexible Menu – Willing to accommodate requests

Best Restaurant Types for Families

1. Casual Chain Restaurants 🍔

Examples: Applebee's, Chili's, IHOP, Olive Garden

Pros: Predictable kids menus, high chairs everywhere, family-oriented staff

Cons: Generic food, can be crowded on weekends

Best for: Kids ages 2-12, budget dining

2. Pizza Restaurants 🍕

Examples: Local pizzerias, craft pizza spots

Pros: Kids love pizza, shareable, quick service

Cons: Can be loud, limited healthy options

Best for: All ages, casual family dinners

3. Mexican Restaurants 🌮

Examples: Local taquerías, Mexican grills

Pros: Chips at the table (instant entertainment), kids love quesadillas

Cons: Spicy food options may be limited for very young kids

Best for: Ages 5+, family celebrations

4. Breakfast/Brunch Spots 🥞

Examples: Diners, pancake houses

Pros: Kids love breakfast food, typically affordable

Cons: Weekend wait times can be long

Best for: Morning dining, special family brunches

5. Buffet Restaurants 🍴

Examples: Hometown Buffet, Golden Corral

Pros: Everyone finds something they like, no wait for food

Cons: Food quality varies, can overstimulate young kids

Best for: Picky eaters, large family groups

Family Dining by Age Group

Babies & Toddlers (0-3 years)

Best times: Early dinner (4:30-5:30pm) before evening rush

Restaurant features needed:

High chairs with safety straps
Changing tables
Ability to warm bottles
Quick service
Outdoor seating (easier to manage crying)

Pro tip: Bring your own snacks to keep them occupied while waiting

Preschoolers (3-5 years)

Best restaurants: Casual chains, pizza places, breakfast spots

What they need:

Kids menu with familiar foods
Coloring activities
Tolerance for noise
Fast food arrival

Pro tip: Let them choose between 2-3 options on kids menu

School Age (6-12 years)

Best restaurants: More variety! Can handle most casual restaurants

What they need:

Options beyond basic kids menu
Some entertainment (tablets, games)
Moderate noise tolerance

Pro tip: This age is great for trying new cuisines

Teenagers (13+)

Best restaurants: Almost anywhere!

What they want:

Adult menu options
WiFi access
Trendy/Instagram-worthy spots

Pro tip: Let them research and suggest restaurants

Red Flags: NOT Family-Friendly

⚠️ Signs to Avoid with Kids:

❌ "Adults Only" or "18+" explicit policies
❌ Fine dining with dress codes
❌ Communal seating only (hard to contain kids)
❌ No kids menu and no flexibility
❌ Extremely long wait times (45+ minutes)
❌ Open kitchens with hot equipment visible
❌ Bars that serve food (wrong atmosphere)

Budget-Friendly Family Dining

Strategy	Savings
Kids Eat Free Nights	Save $5-10 per child
Early Bird Specials	15-25% off
Share Adult Entrees	Better value than kids menu
Water Instead of Drinks	Save $10-15 total
Lunch vs Dinner Pricing	30-40% cheaper

Tips for Stress-Free Family Dining

Before You Go:

✅ Check the menu online – Ensure kids will eat something
✅ Call ahead – Confirm high chairs, wait times
✅ Time it right – Avoid peak hours (6-7pm)
✅ Feed snacks – Prevents meltdowns while waiting
✅ Bring entertainment – Coloring books, small toys, tablets

At the Restaurant:

✅ Request booth seating – Easier to contain toddlers
✅ Order kids meals first – They can eat while you wait
✅ Be prepared to leave – Have an exit strategy if needed
✅ Tip well – Servers dealing with kids work hard
✅ Clean up messes – Pick up big spills/dropped food

Dietary Accommodations for Kids

Common Food Allergies:

Always inform your server about:

🥜 Peanut/tree nut allergies (life-threatening)
🥛 Dairy allergies or lactose intolerance
🌾 Gluten sensitivity or celiac disease
🥚 Egg allergies
🦐 Shellfish allergies

Pro tip: Carry allergy cards that list restrictions clearly

Picky Eaters:

Look for restaurants with "build your own" options (pizzas, tacos, bowls)
Choose places with simple preparations (grilled chicken, plain pasta)
Don't stress – many kids menus are similar (nuggets, mac & cheese, burgers)

Using ChooseMy.Food for Family Dining

Find Family-Friendly Restaurants:

Set your location and radius
Select "Family Dinner" under occasions
Choose budget-friendly price ranges ($-$$)
Pick kid-friendly cuisines (American, Mexican, Italian)
Get a random family-friendly restaurant

Why it works: Filters ensure kid-appropriate restaurants, saves research time

Find family restaurants now →

Restaurant Etiquette for Families

Teaching Kids Good Restaurant Behavior:

🎯 Inside voices – Practice at home first
🎯 Stay seated – No running around tables
🎯 Use please & thank you – Teach respect for servers
🎯 Wait patiently – Bring entertainment
🎯 Try new things – Encourage adventurous eating

When Kids Misbehave:

Take them outside for a calm-down walk
Don't let meltdowns continue inside – respect other diners
Pack up food to-go if necessary
Tip extra if your kids made a mess

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