I’m going to preface this blog post that I do not have kids but oddly every once in a while a reader will ask me for kid-friendly restaurants. Since I don’t have kids and therefore not an expert on what counts as “kid-friendly,” Shruti of @PajamaMama512 on Instagram is guest posting on this topic. Shruti has two adorable daughters and she was born and raised in Austin so she knows Austin like the back of her hands. She also informed me that she thoroughly researched all the restaurants and even asked her fellow mommas.
SEE ALSO: 23 Best Breakfasts In Austin Worth Waking Up For
This is the ultimate #momapproved guide to the best kid-friendly restaurants in Austin, TX organized by neighborhoods, playgrounds, family-friendly entertainment, and kid-friendly menus.
Shruti emailed me a year ago graciously asking me if she could ever help me on out of the blog so I asked her if she would be interested in guest posting on kid-friendly restaurants in Austin. A couple of months in, Shruti messaged me and told me that she found out that she had breast cancer and had to start chemo so she wouldn’t be able to work on the blog post. Months later she messaged me telling me that she had finished chemo and wanted to finish up the blog post. When I had lunch with her to thank her in person, Shruti told me that the blog post kept her going through chemo. She would bring her laptop to the hospital and call each of the restaurants to make sure they were still kid-friendly. I was so taken back by her determination and dedication in such a difficult time of her life. Shruti is now working on creating get well kits for those going through breast cancer, if you’d like to support or help her, please DM her on Instagram at @PajamaMama512!
Hi! My name is Shruti aka @PajamaMama512 on Instagram. My family and I are from Austin, Texas. If you do not already know this, Austin has an amazing food scene. When my husband and I had kids, we both immediately agreed we wanted them to be little foodies. We LOVE trying new restaurants with our kids. While we’re out and about with our kids in various parts of Austin, whether it be at our dentist appointment in South Austin or ballet class in Cedar Park, our kids will enter sudden hangry episodes where they must be fed right away! Jane and I thought a guide to kid-friendly restaurants around Austin could help my fellow parents find that perfect kid-friendly spot, no matter what part of town you’re in. Bon Appetit!
Table of Contents
North & Central
Oakmont Food Company
Oakmont Food Company just reopened in Central Austin serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch on the weekend. What makes it kid-friendly aside from the stroller-friendly ramp and high chairs is the play area underneath the stairs.
Let the kids play while you can enjoy your food and drinks on the patio. You can also ask the staff for an individually sealed packet of chalk for the kids to play with that you can take home with you too!
1106 W 38th St, oakmontfood.com
Hat Creek Burger Company
Every Hat Creek Burger location has a fun play area, delicious, reasonably priced kids menu, and build your own milkshakes. On Tuesdays after 5 pm, Little hat, Big Hat or the Signature Burger are ½ off.
Hat Creek’s large patios offer the perfect place to enjoy a burger with a beer, while allowing the kids to enjoy each location’s fun-filled playgrounds. For those looking to take their burger fix on the run, 24 of the brand’s 26 locations offer drive-thru service.
For the adults: Every Thursday is $1 beer & $1 wine ALL DAY!
5400 Burnet Road, hatcreekburgers.com
Central Market
Central Market has a very large shaded playground, delicious cafe, great kids menu, live music most weekends, and various workshops throughout the week. On Tuesdays after 5 pm, with the purchase of one adult entree, you get a kids entree free. Kids always get a free drink with the purchase of a kids entree any day of the week.
4001 N Lamar Blvd, centralmarket.com
Easy Tiger
Easy Tiger’s beer garden is spacious for the little ones to run and play while you enjoy a craft beer.
6406 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd Suite 1100, easytigerusa.com
SEE ALSO: 19 Best Dog Friendly Restaurants In Austin
Mod Pizza
This pizza place does not have a playscape but there’s something really fun about letting kids customize their own pizza. I find that when kids can make their own meals, they tend to eat more, which is a good way to sneak in additional vegetables. Mod Pizza’s Mueller location is a fun place to check out after hanging out at the Thinkery all day.
For the adults: Every Tuesday, draft beer is $2
1801 E 51st Street, modpizza.com
Culinary Dropout
If you’re shopping at the Domain this is one of our favorite kid-friendly spots. Sitting outdoors on a nice day is a MUST! They have a fun, unique area just for kids with games such as bean bag toss and foosball. They do have a great kids menu and overall the place has such a fun vibe!
For the adults: Monday thru Friday from 3pm-6pm, there are discounted bites and $5 cocktails
Domain Northside 11721 Rock Rose, Ste 100, culinarydropout.com
Mandola’s
This Italian restaurant is very kid-friendly. They have a great outdoor dining space, small kids tables indoors, and an excellent kids menu. All kids meals come with a free scoop of gelato. If your kids get antsy while waiting for their food to be prepared, ask your server for some pizza dough to play with. The Bee Cave & Arbor Trails locations have a play area as well as bocce courts.
4700 W Guadalupe St, Ste 12, mandolas.com
Maudie’s Tex Mex
This Tex-Mex location is one of our favorites because of the outdoor playground so close to the restaurant. Maudie’s has a great kids menu, and when you’re done with your meal, you can walk over to Mandola’s across the street for some gelato!
4600 W Guadalupe Street, Ste B5, maudies.com
Silver Grill Cafe
I have not been to this restaurant yet, but it’s on my list of places to try. According to the website, it has a nice playground, kids menu, and on Tuesdays, kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.
4005 W Parmer Ln, silvergrillcafe.com
DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana
If your kids love pizza, this place is awesome. Upon entering, you’ll walk past the Dough Room where you can watch someone making fresh pizza dough. When you order your pizza, you can order it Carnivale style, which comes in a really fun almost starfished shape, and it has a ricotta stuffed crust. After you place your order, ask for some dough for the kids to play with and sit back and relax. You and your family can watch your pizzas be hand-tossed in the air. Once your meal is done, make sure you order a cannoli for dessert. They are so delicious!
8000 Burnet Rd, desanopizza.com
SEE ALSO: 10 Spots For The Best Pizza In Austin
Whole Foods Domain
Located in a really fun Domain area, this grocery store also has plenty of fun food options and stuff to do for the kids. Every Tuesday, they have a kids club that includes programming like crafts an snacks. It lasts about an hour starting at 9:30 am. Some Tuesdays, they host Taco Tuesdays where you can get 2 tacos for $4! On Thursdays, they host Pizza Thursday where you can get a pizza for $12.99 with up to 3 toppings.
11920 Domain Dr, wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/domain
Yard House Domain
This kid-friendly restaurant is also located in the Domain area. They have a large outdoor seating area, kid menu, kids coloring book, and a very friendly vibe.
11800 Domain Blvd, yardhouse.com
Colleen’s Kitchen
Walking distance from the Thinkery, this cute restaurant has wonderful outdoor seating and a very yummy kids’ menu. While your little ones are waiting for their food they can color and people watch.
1911 Aldrich St, Ste 100, colleensaustin.com
The Arboretum
The Arboretum at Great Hills has plenty of shopping, lots of delicious restaurants and a cute place for the kids to play, the famous cow sculpture garden and park. Restaurants and eateries in the Arboretum include Amy’s Ice Cream, Barnes & Noble Cafe, Blue Baker, Brio Tuscan Grille, Drunk Fish, Estancia Churrascaria, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Teapioca Lounge, The Cheesecake Factory, and Zoe’s Kitchen.
10000 Research Blvd, washingtonprime.com/map/profile.dT/the-arboretum
Home Slice Pizza
One of our favorite pizza places and centrally located. As soon as you sit down you can ask the waitstaff to bring out dough for the kids to play with until food arrives. The food is absolutely delicious and they have a nice outdoor space to eat and a play area for the kids.
501 E 53rd Street, homeslicepizza.com
Downtown & South Congress
Chuy’s
This funky Tex- Mex restaurant with its multiple locations is always a hit with the kids. All kids’ meals come with a drink and a fun kids’ menu they can color.
10520 N Lamar Blvd, chuys.com
Whole Foods Downtown
This fun downtown location has an outdoor playground. Every Wednesday from 9:30-10:30, they have Kids’ Club, which usually includes snacks, storytime, crafts, and more. After Kids’ Club, head to the large food court. There are plenty of food options for kids any age.
525 N Lamar Blvd, wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/lamar
North Italia
North Italia’s downtown location is Walking distance from the new Austin Public Library! North has wonderful outdoor seating and is so fun for people watching. After you sit down, ask your server for Etch A sketches for the kids, which is sure to keep them busy until their food arrives. This place has an excellent kids’ menu and some fantastic desserts as well.
500 W 2nd street, Ste 123, northitaliarestaurant.com
Tacodeli
Taco Deli has some of the best breakfast tacos in Austin that are prepared by hand every day. Choose a taco from their menu or create your own.
4200 N Lamar Blvd, tacodeli.com
SEE ALSO: Ultimate Neighborhood Guide To South Congress, Austin
Torchy’s
Not only does Torchy’s have some of the best tacos in Austin, but it also has one of our favorite quesos. Most locations have a kids’ menu, crayons, and coloring sheets.
1822 S Congress Ave, torchystacos.com
SEE ALSO: 7 Secret Tacos On Torchy’s Secret Menu With Photos
Modern Market
Modern Market has a kids’ menu and delicious food for adults, like sandwiches and pizza. They also have a casual family atmosphere.
1822 S Congress Ave, modernmarket.com
West Austin & Lakeway
Rudy’s BBQ
Rudy’s BBQ is located at 620 & 2222, and it has a playground and delicious bbq!
7709 Ranch Road 620, rudysbbq.com
SEE ALSO: 10 Spots For The Best BBQ In Austin
Waterloo Ice House
Waterloo Ice House has a kids’ menu, crayons, playground, and is pet-friendly! Truly, it’s perfect for your entire family!
6203 N Capital of Texas HWY, waterlooicehouse.com
Mandola’s
Mandola’s has complimentary bread baskets, a playscape, and a kids’ menu. Kids can get a free scoop of gelato with purchase of their meal.
12815 Shops Pkwy, Ste 400, Bee Cave, mandolas.com
Craig O’s Pizza & Pastaria
Craig O’s Pizza & Pastaria is probably one of the most kid-friendliest restaurants in the Lakeway area. They have a kids’ menu, outdoor patio and play area, chalkboards, video games, and offer pieces of pizza dough for children to play with. From Monday through Thursday, you get a small cheese pizza free with a purchase of an XL specialty pizza.
2501 Ranch Road 620 South, craigoslakeway.com
Hat Creek Burger Company
Every Hat Creek location has a fun play area, delicious, reasonably priced kids’ menu, build your own milkshakes, on Tuesdays after 5 pm Little hat, Big Hat or the Signature burger are ½ off.
For the adults: Every Thursday is $1 beer & $1 wine ALL DAY!
5902 Bee Cave Rd, hatcreekburgers.com
Flores Mexican Restaurant
Flores has a very LARGE playscape, delicious food, and a great kids’ menu. All kids’ meals come with a scoop of ice cream and a drink. The menu comes with crayons for the kids to color.
8300 N FM 620, floresmexican.com
Mangieri’s Pizza Café
Mangieri’s Pizza Café has a kids’ menu.
2133 Lohmans Crossing Rd, mangieris.com
Lucy’s Fried Chicken
Lucy’s offer beautiful views for you to enjoy while you enjoy fried chicken. There’s a kids’menu, play area, and crayons.
2900 Ranch Road 620, lucysfriedchicken.com
Ski Shores Cafe
Located on the water, Ski Shores has a kids’ menu which includes drinks. Their full playground has a sandpit.
2905 Pearce Rd, skishoresaustin.com
Austin’s Pizza
Austin’s Pizza has a large outdoor patio with playscape.
3638 Bee Caves Rd, austinspizza.com
Hill Country Galleria
This beautiful outdoor mall has tons of kid-friendly eating options for your little ones. Shop and then when you’re hungry, grab a bite from any of their eateries.
12700 Hill Country Blvd Ste, T-100, Bee Cave, hillcountrygalleria.com
Round Rock/Cedar Park/Lake Travis
Kerbey Lane
Kids eat free on Tuesdays.
2120 N Mays St, kerbeylanecafe.com
Hat Creek Burger
(see above)
3700 E Palm Valley Blvd, hatcreekburgers.com
Napa Flats Wood-Fired Kitchen
This is one of our favorites. Napa Flats have hand-tossed pizza and they make their own gelato. The kids’ menu includes a drink and a small gelato with each entree. My favorite part is kids get to make their own pizza.
8300 n FM 620 bldg M Ste 100, napaflats.com
Lucy’s Fried Chicken
Lucy’s Fried Chicken has a great kids’ menu, beautiful views, outdoor seating, and a play area.
2900 Ranch Road 620, lucysfriedchicken.com
Phil’s Ice House
Phil’s Ice House has good food, outside play area, nice outdoor seating, and is located next to Amy’s Ice Cream so you can have your dinner and walk next door to grab some ice cream.
13265 US Hwy 183 N, philsicehouse.com
Oasthouse
Oasthouse has a nice playground, a great kids’ menu, and delicious food.
8300 N FM 620, oasthouseaustin.com
Torchy’s on 620
(see above)
11521 RR 620 North, Ste E-1000, torchystacos.com
Salt Lick
This Salt Lick location has both indoor and outdoor seating, kids playscape, good food, and live music on some weekends
3350 Palm Valley Blvd, saltlickbbq.com
Santa Catarina
The Cedar Park location of Santa Catarina has a nice shaded outdoor playscape and indoor and outdoor seating.
500 Cypress Creek Rd, Ste 170, santacatarinarestaurant.com
Dahlia Cafe
Dahlia Cafe is very kid-friendly, with indoor and outdoor seating. There’s a swingset outside. They host live music on most weekends.
2450 RR 1869, dahliacafe.com
IKEA
Yes, the furniture store. Who would have thought right? They have a play area for the kids as well as a cafeteria type restaurant inside. The food is inexpensive and tasty as well.
1 Ikea Way Round Rock, ikea.com
The Gnarly Gar
Gnarly Gar is a cute restaurant on the lake. Literally. It’s a floating kid-friendly restaurant and bar with beautiful views. Kids can feed the fishes.
18200 Lakepoint CV-Point Venture, gnarlygar.com
The Oasis
This restaurant has one of the most beautiful views of the lake. This is one of our favorite dinner spots to go to and watch the sunset. They have kid-friendly food with a beautiful view.
6550 Comanche Trail, oasiscafeandpizza.com
South Austin / Dripping Springs
Fresa’s Chicken Al Carbon
Fresas is always a good time. Good food, great patio, great margaritas, and amazing ambiance. This location has misters and fans for the summer. They have a great outdoor space and a fun play area for the kids. Did I forget to mention they have really good authentic Mexican food that makes you feel like you’re dining in Mexico?
1703 S 1st St, fresaschicken.com
SEE ALSO: Ultimate Guide To Best Happy Hours In Austin
Austin Pizza Garden
Austin Pizza Garden had tasty food! Their outdoor patio has a playscape as well. This is a great place for a play date!
6266 W HWY 290, apgatx.com
SEE ALSO: 36 Best Restaurants In South Austin
Home Slice Pizza
Hands down one of our favorite Austin Restaurants that is SUPER kid-friendly. Once you get a table the waitstaff will give your kids pizza dough to play with and this keeps my kids entertained until the delicious food comes.
1415 S Congress St, homeslicepizza.com
Hula Hut and Mozart’s Coffee Roasters
If you live in Austin or are just visiting, Hula Hut place is a MUST! Located on beautiful Lake Austin, this Tex-Mex restaurant with a Polynesian twist is so fun! Sitting outdoors is recommended on a beautiful day. Kids can color while enjoying the beautiful views and eating chips & salsa. The kids’ menu is also excellent, and they have delicious desserts! After you’re done eating, be sure to check out Mozart’s next door.
3826 Lake Austin Blvd, hulahut.com, mozartscoffee.com
SEE ALSO: Best Coffee Shops In Austin, Sorted By Neighborhood
Doc’s Backyard
Doc’s Backyard has nice outdoor seating, as well as an outdoor play area. This is a great place for a play date or big groups meeting up.
5207 Brodie Ln, eatdrinkdocs.com
Tarka
Tarka has some of the best Indian food in Austin with a great kids menu.
5207 Brodie Lane, Ste 120, tarkaindiankitchen.com
Southpark Meadows
This large shopping complex has so many kid-friendly restaurants to choose from. For instance, the Grove within Southpark Meadows is a wonderful place to gather. You can enjoy live music there, and they have a fantastic playscape area for the kids. There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat or even get it to go and enjoy in the grove.
9500 S IH 35, shopsouthparkmeadows.com
Waterloo Ice House SouthPark Meadows
This location of Waterloo Ice House has a very LARGE playground that is shaded by big trees depending on the time of day. Good food. They do have live music on certain holidays.
9600 S IH35, waterlooicehouse.com
Mandola’s
Mandola’s has very good Italian food. They have a large playscape outside and nice outdoor dining. This location also has bocce ball. If you choose to sit indoors, they have kids tables and a great kids’ menu as well. You can ask the chef if the kids can have a little pizza dough to play with before the food arrives and don’t forget to try the delicious gelato.
4301 W William Cannon Drive Ste E-1, mandolas.com
Salt Lick (Driftwood)
I love this place so much that I don’t even know where to begin. Salt Lick has excellent BBQ and this location is beautiful with both indoor and outdoor seating. They have freshly squeezed lemonade on the weekends which my kids LOVE. There host live music on most weekends. And yes, they have a kid’s play area! This place has it all and is perfect for all ages. When we have out-of-town visitors, we love taking them here.
18300 Fm 1826, saltlickbbq.com
Trattoria Lisina
This is another one of my favorite spots to take visitors. They have beautiful outdoor seating that faces the vineyards that makes you feel like you’re dining in Italy. They have a play area in the back as well.
For the adults: They have a great wine selection!
13308 FM 150 W, trattorialisina.com
El Mercado
This place is one of our favorites. El Mercado has great indoor and outdoor seating as well as a playscape and fun play area for the kids in the back. The food is delicious and the service has always been great for us. It’s a great place to do a playdate or even take out-of-town friends with small kids. They even have a good kids menu.
1302 S 1st St, elmercadorestaurant.com
Austin Java
If you live in or plan on being in the Dripping Springs area this place is awesome. Austin Java has good food, service, and ambiance. They have a wonderful outdoor space with a playground. This is a great place to go when the weather is nice and your kids want to just be outdoors.
3799 US 290, Dripping Springs, austinjava.com
Phil’s Ice House/Amys Ice Cream
Did someone say burgers and ice cream? I absolutely love this place because if you are a parent its a one-stop shop. Phil’s has good food, and then you go over to Amy’s and have some yummy ice cream. The outdoor space is really nice and they have a playground. This place really does have it all.
2901 South Lamar Blvd, philsicehouse.com
Flores Mexican
This Tex Mex restaurant in South Austin has good food, good drinks, and is kid-friendly. It has a play area in the back for kids which my kids love.
4625 W William Cannon Dr, floresmexican.com
Waterloo Ice House
Did you know before Austin was called Austin, its original name was Waterloo? This local chain of restaurants is very kid-friendly. This restaurant has good food, a great atmosphere and has a great play area with a playscape as well.
9600 Escarpment Blvd, waterlooicehouse.com
RELATED: 16 Things To Do In Dripping Springs
Kid-Friendly Breweries in Austin
Live Oak Brewery
1615 Crozier Lane, Del Valle, Texas 78617
liveoakbrewing.com
Oddwood Ales
3108 Manor Road, Austin, Texas 78723
oddwoodales.com
Jester King Brewery
13187 Fitzhugh Road, Bldg B, Austin, Texas 78736
jesterkingbrewery.com
Treaty Oak Distillery
16604 Fitzhugh Rd, Drippings Springs, Texas 78620
treatyoakdistilling.com
Family Business Beer Company
19510 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620
familybusinessbeerco.com
Becker Vineyards
464 Becker Farms Rd, Stonewall, Texas 78671
beckervineyards.com
Duchman Family Winery
13308 FM 150 W Driftwood, Texas 78619
duchmanwinery.com
Rentsch Brewery
2500 NE Inner Lp Georgetown, Texas 78626
rentschbrewery.com
Bell Springs Winery
3700 Bell Springs Rd, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620
bellspringswinery.com
512 Brewing Company
407 Radam F200, Austin, Texas 78745
512brewing.com
This guide is part of the Austin Food Blogger Alliance’s 2021 City Guide. Check out more of the best eats in Austin, curated by Austin food bloggers, on the full list of guides.
