Kid Restaurants
San Diego Top Places to Eat
These kid-friendly restaurants serve great meals at the right price!
Finding good kid restaurants in San Diego is pretty easy. We're fortunate to have a variety of cuisines readily available, from good ol' American goodies to fresh sea food to tasty Mexican to an abundance of Indian restaurants...and beyond. On this page, we're assuming you want to get beyond the chain restaurants like Chilis and Applebees, which you probably already know cater to family dining, and dig into some of the best San Diego has to offer, while still keeping the kiddos happy. (And below, we'll share the places that offer free meals for kids...that's always great when you're on a budget vacation, right?)
While most, if not all, if these restaurants provide children with activities and crayons to keep them busy, I always sock a few extra things in my purse, just in case. Real pens come in handy for school-age kids and bring along the crayon box you got from that OTHER restaurant. Small toys are good too.
Now, on to the list of kid restaurants San Diego!
Located in La Jolla, The Spot is perfect for a late lunch after your family has explored the nearby tide pools and oggled the sea lions inhabiting the Children's Pool. Kids get crayons and activities to work on and there are TVs mounted around showing sporting events. Unlike most sports bar restaurants though, I never feel it's too loud at The Spot. Volume on the TVs seems to be just right, so it's enough to keep children distracted but not so overwhelming you can't talk to your spouse. Or just gather your thoughts for a minute.
Favorite eats are the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. It takes longer to make up, so expect a wait. Salads are huge, so expect to share. Tom, our 13-year old, raves about the mac and cheese on the kids' menu, and trust me, he knows his macaroni.
Prices are reasonable and Mom and Dad can have a little nip of beer or wine, too.
1005 Prospect St., La Jolla.
You'll find Pizza Port in Solana Beach or Carlsbad, two beach cities just a bit north of San Diego and worth a visit (okay, there are actually three locations, but just two in San Diego County). Known for its beer selection as much as its pizza, you can have fun trying out the various handcrafted brew while the kids keep busy playing video games.
Seating is communal dining, with long tables and benches, so make yourself at home. Both locations are tasty, but Carlsbad provides easier parking and a lot more room, with a great patio for outdoor dining. If you're headed to Carlsbad, try the Chronic Amber Ale. It goes down smoooooth. The garden salad is nothing to write home about, but if you require some greens, it's fine. Kids may like to try the homemade root beer.
135 N. Highway 1, Solana Beach.
571 Carlsbad Village Dr., Carlsbad.
Yes, In 'N Out is a fast food burger joint. But if you're accustomed to the likes of McDonald's and Burger King, this restaurant chain is in a league all their own. In 'N Out has its roots planted firmly in Southern California and it's a favorite here among people of all ages. Their motto is keep it simple, make it fresh, and serve it with a smile.
The menu includes burgers, fries, shakes and drinks. Period. They do them so well, though, that you won't feel like you're missing a thing. Those in the know know about the restaurant's "secret menu," where no-carbs folk can order their burger "protein style," cheese-lovers can get a grilled cheese, and those with a big appetite can order a "double double," or a burger with double everything, including meat.
Try the shakes; they're delicious.
Various locations around San Diego.
The Fish Market is a casual dining seafood restaurant that also makes kids feel right at home. They also serve up fresh fish, so that's a huge plus. There are two locations in San Diego, but I recommend the one near downtown, just for the views alone. It's also right next door to the USS Midway and walking distance to Seaport Village, so you can easily spend an afternoon exploring this area.
Ask for a table by the water, so kids can check out the boats going by when they're bored with coloring. I'm not a seafood lover, but there are menu options for "us" too and I have always enjoyed my meal. If it's a nice day, ask for the patio.
If you want to go upscale, head upstairs to the Top of the Market, for a fine dining experience and views of the Coronado Bridge and Point Loma.
750 North Harbor Drive, San Diego.
In the mood for Italian? You can't beat any of the restaurants in our Little Italy, but for dining with kids, Filippi's Pizza Grotto is a favorite.
Squeeze through the tiny Italian grocery fronting the restaurant and find your way to the back, where you can dig into yummy pizzas, lasagna, and enjoy a glass of house Chianti. It's got a cozy atmoshphere, with wine bottles hanging from the ceilings and if you're seated in the right spot, you can even get a peek at the kitchen as they make your meal. Kids are kept busy with coloring pages.
If you've got strollers, leave them in the car. It's truly jam packed in the front and can be difficult to manuever. This place gets busy, too, so you may see the line snaking all the way outside.
1747 India St., San Diego.
Other restaurants popular with San Diego families include:
- Corvette Diner, Liberty Station. Perfect for a special treat, this 50s-themed restaurant is a hit with everyone. Sit back and relax for a minute or two and let the folks at Corvette Diner entertain the kids.
- The Old Spaghetti Factory, Gaslamp District. Granted, the food here is mediocre. But the location is ideal and the renovated decor is adult-friendly. Grownups will like the upstairs bar area (cocktails are spendy) while waiting for a table and kids will like the menu and coloring pages that come with service. The garlic cheese bread with marinara sauce is yum!
Coming soon!
San Diego Mexican Restaurants
Kids eat free
Go from
Subscribe To
3boysinSanDiego.com
