Finding a spot to eat that the whole family will enjoy is a struggle. You want the kids to be able to run around and have fun and for the menu to have stuff they’ll actually eat. And you want food you’ll enjoy — not just kid food.
These spots, which are all around the Metroplex, satisfy that wish list. Some of them even serve wine and cocktails (you’re welcome).
Cenzo’s Pizza & Deli
This place was developed to be family-friendly, from the bare bones interiors to the large outdoor patio seating. While most of the pizzas have bespoke meats on them, there is a pepperoni option for picky eaters and a kids menu with a simple cheese pizza, pepperoni, or chicken strips and fries for the super picky eater. The chaperones can help themselves to a beer or wine while they hang out and enjoy a fine pizza pie and there’s a big, fenced-in outdoor area where kids can do kid-things.
1700 West 10th Street, Dallas, Texas 75208
Norma’s Cafe
Take the kids back to the ‘50s in this retro diner with four locations around DFW. The means features kid-approved favorites, including peanut butter and jelly, grilled cheese, and chicken tenders. Adults can partake in the blue plate specials, such as meatloaf and chicken fried chicken, or Norma’s favorites, which include pot roast and Southern-fried catfish.
1123 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208(214) 946-4711
Pie Tap Pizza Workshop + Bar
Pie Tap has a fun, bustling atmosphere (so loud kids aren’t going to be a problem), a patio with some outdoor seating, pizza (the most important kiddie thing), and they give dough to kids to play with while they wait for the meal — so if there’s a future pizzaiolo in your family, this might be their new favorite place. There are also tons of chicken dishes, salads, and pasta options that kids will enjoy.
1212 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75207(469) 677-0997
Goodwins
This new spot on Greenville Ave. wasn’t designed for kids, but it’s a neighborhood restaurant and, of course, kids are welcome. They’re sure to enjoy the focaccia, burger, mac and cheese, and even the steaks and pastas. The dining room is pretty kid-proof, with easily wiped down booths, and kids seem to really like the small patio area. Just keep ‘em out of the Goose Bar around back.
2905 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75206(214) 272-9677
Sadelle’s Dallas
For kids who are into Alice and Wonderland and a storybook vibe, Sadelle’s launched a kids menu with kid-sized treats like pigs in a blanket, a smaller version of its cheeseburger, quarter-size pancakes topped with strawberries or blueberries, and a grilled cheese. The restaurant even created a kid-sized version of its clipboard menu that comes with a sheet of stickers and a game of “I Spy” on the back that kids can play from the table.
1 Highland Park Vlg, Dallas, TX 75205(469) 290-6009
Palmer’s – Hot Chicken, Catfish and Shrimp
Think hot chicken and kids don’t go together? Well, that’s probably right. Happily, Palmer’s offers naked spice, which is no spice, so the kids can just enjoy their chicken while the adults go as hot as they can stand. It has a nice little play area out front for the kids that’s easy to keep watch on through the big glass windows. And there’s a whole family-style menu for to-go orders that will meet the needs of both adults and kiddos.
6465 E Mockingbird Ln #316, Dallas, TX 75214(972) 863-9366
Birdie’s Eastside
The expansive patio on this East Dallas spot holds an open play space just for kids. Their parents can watch closely but get a little breathing room on the turfed patio. The kids menu has all the favorites: cheese pizza, chicken tenders, quesadillas, and grilled cheese. Parents can dip into the menu for grown-ups (and cocktails), from the vegan harvest bowl to the roast chicken breast. It’s also a solid brunch spot — not a meal that a lot of places have where kids fit right in.
6221 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75214(214) 484-2001
Celebration
Some restaurants aren’t really relaxed enough for kids. Celebration is not one of those places. For it’s over a half-century in business in Dallas, the no-frills dining room has welcomed local families. Enjoy Southern favorites — the chicken fried steak smothered in gravy is noteworthy — in a family-friendly atmosphere. The kids menu features gluten-free spaghetti, fried catfish, a grilled cheese on Texas toast with fresh fruit, and more.
4503 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209(214) 351-5681Visit Website
Vector Brewing
This brewery has board games tucked away for kids, an outdoor area where families frequently congregate, and incredible sourdough pizza that come in 6 inch versions for kids if they need their own — and there is a kids spaghetti. Adults can enjoy live music, excellent beers, and their own pizza, sandwiches, or the newly added breakfast menu served inside.
9850 Walnut Hill Lane, TX 75238(469) 676-0797
Goldie’s
When Goldie’s opened, the idea behind it was to have a nice neighborhood restaurant in Lake Highlands that is good for date night but also welcoming to families — even with kids. If getting your kids used to fine(ish) dining is on the agenda, Goldie’s has kid-approved items including burgers and fries — there is also a crispy cod cutlet for the fish sticks loving crowd. It’s also a good place to start expanding their palate. As for adults, the magic chicken thighs never miss, and the chopped salad with shaved prime beef is a smash.
9850 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, Texas 75238(214) 586-3033
Hat Creek Burgers
Where can you find burgers, fries, and a playground that isn’t McDonald’s? Hat Creek Burgers — which has multiple locations all over the Metroplex — has all that and a bag of fries. Their little burgers, called hats, are kid-sized deliciousness. There’s also a gluten-free menu. Wine for the grown-ups and milkshakes for the kids make this a family favorite. For the grown-ups there are burgers, obviously, but also a Paleo and vegan burger bowls, Buffalo chicken nugs, and a pretzel jack burger that elevates the whole burger format.
8185 Walnut Hill Ln, Dallas, TX 75231(469) 206-3305
Royal China
It’s time for baby’s first soup dumplings, and they might as well be some of the best dumplings in DFW. This classic Dallas spot, which been around for 50 years this year, has always been accessible and family friendly. From the dumplings to jian bing (a folded crepe that is popular Beijing street food), there are fun dishes to introduce the kids to in a restaurant loaded with traditional Eastern decor and cooking methods. Adults can enjoy any traditional Chinese-American dishes they imagine, and incredible handmade noodle dishes.
6025 Royal Ln (at Preston Rd), Dallas, TX 75230(214) 361-1771
Bonchon Addison
Want to introduce the kids (or yourself) to Korean cuisine? Start with something familiar: fried chicken. Bonchon, with multiple locations across DFW, is a great place to start. It’s the crispy, savory chicken kids love, plus sauces and sides that will expand their palettes in a family-friendly fast casual dining environment.
4980 Belt Line Rd Suite 140, Dallas, TX 75254(972) 865-4088
The Magic Time Machine
Go somewhere magical. This spot may be more for the kids than the grown-ups, but everyone will have a great time. Servers work in costume and tables are magical experiences like a carousel or a teapot. Order a Roman Orgy (er, work out how to explain that name to the kids first) for four and get brisket, chicken, fruits, vegetables, and the works served family style.
5003 Belt Line Rd, Dallas, TX 75254(972) 980-1903
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SOURCE: dallas.eater.com