Being one of the best family-friendly destinations in the US, San Diego offers a family-friendly atmosphere in all restaurants and cafés. Some restaurants have gone ahead towards kids and offer entertainment and a separate menu for tiny totes. Few places provide games and food-related activities. Here, we have a list of 20 kids and family-friendly restaurants.
Farmer & The Seahorse
Farmer & The Seahorse, the name itself suggests the incorporation of freshly produced by local farmers and fresh sources from Pacific coastal waters. This place has created a healthy and flavorful menu by using organic ingredients. The dishes at ‘Farmer & The Seahorse’ are innovative and seasonally changing. This inventive place offers breakfast, lunch, brunch, and beverages; they offer a long menu that provides something for everyone.
Burger Lounge
Burger Lounge is a modern counter serving grass-fed beef, free-range turkey & quinoa varieties. Burger lounge is a place where thoughtfully sourced ingredients and the highest quality have been incorporated to create exceptionally delicious burgers. Meat is seared on a flat-top grill for a crispy exterior and the buns have just a hint of molasses. Burger Lounge is a gimmick-free fast casual respite where guests can enjoy real food made from whole food ingredients in a modern and comfortable setting.
Urban Plates
The journey of Urban Plates started in San Diego and expanded beyond its hometown. Choose from three San Diego County locations: Del Mar, Carlsbad, and La Jolla. The café boasts a scratch kitchen with a diverse menu that includes something for everyone. The menu focuses on complete meals prepared around high-quality proteins like grass-fed steak, free-range chicken, wild line caught albacore tuna, and more. A varied beverage selection rounds out the menu which includes kombucha on tap, local craft beers, wine, and organic house-made juice replenishers.
The Prado
The Prado restaurant, located inside San Diego’s Balboa Park, is classically charming and offers plenty of upscale indoor and outdoor seating. Visit the place for Californian fare filled with scrumptious flavors. Couples have options for craft cocktails like a Guava Ginger Martini or Balboa Park Sangria. Kids can enjoy sparkling lemonade flavored with strawberry, passion fruit, pink guava, or raspberry.
The Crack Shack
The Crack Shack is a fun spot for chicken & egg dishes with stylish outdoor seating & lawn games. It is one of San Diego’s most popular family-friendly restaurants for fried chicken on the highest level of all parameters of flavor. This place has evoked a passion for fried chicken sandwiches. Adults love the “coop-like” décor, full bar with craft cocktails and local beers. They offer a full menu for kids and also boast other healthy and fresh options for adults.
Richard Walker's Pancake House
Richard Walker’s Pancake House, located in downtown San Diego near the Convention Center, has been famous for its baked-to-order pancakes with 25 gourmet pancake varieties. Over twenty different kinds of baked omelets, plus Belgian waffles and crepes are available to take you on a different level and taste experience. Choose them for the all-day breakfast. Don’t forget to sip on their whole-bean prime-roasted coffee
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
Only The Finest Japanese Ingredients, conveyor belt sushi bar with a selection of hot Japanese dishes & desserts. Kura Sushi’s dishes adhere to the Japanese virtue of serving natural and healthy meals prepared with fresh, premium ingredients. Visit the place for authentic sushi, their Kura Sushi seems like a flavor bomb. Everything here is carefully processed and manufactured from wasabi to vinegar. For kids, there is also a regular menu with tempura, noodles, and other cooked dishes.
Cafe Coyote
Since 1989 Café Coyote has remained one of San Diego’s Landmark Restaurants located in the Heart of Old Town San Diego’s Historic Walking District. Café Coyote provides guests with a festive atmosphere and traditional Mexican entertainment within an intimate table setting. Colorful flowers and fountain-filled courtyards are an attraction for sight. Cafe Coyote specializes in Authentic Mexican food, also the winner of Best Mexican 20 years in a row. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, every day.
Corvette Diner
Corvette Diner is a San Diego institution now located in the Point Loma area of Liberty Station where 1950s-styled waitresses sport beehives & sing while serving burgers & shakes. The kid-friendly restaurant offers an interesting ambiance with entertainment and a delightful menu with a wide range of dishes especially liked by kids.
CUCINA enoteca at Del Mar & CUCINA urbana at Bankers Hill
Contemporary Italian restaurants & wine shops with craft cocktails are housed in stylish and whimsical settings. Tracy Borkum’s collection of CUCINA restaurants is known for combining the flavors of Italy with the organic freshness of Southern California. Both restaurants offer an interesting twist to kids’ menus where they can choose their pizza toppings and craft their pie.
Duke's La Jolla
Overlooking La Jolla Cove with sweeping views of the Pacific, Duke’s celebrates the cooking techniques of Hawaii & California. Duke’s at La Jolla boasts a prime La Jolla location on Prospect Street and is one of the most family-friendly restaurants. The menus are crafted to reflect a melting pot of cultures while being playful, approachable, and focused on seasonal, locally sourced, and all-natural ingredients. Dessert delights like Hula pie with macadamia nut ice cream, whipped cream, fudge, and a cookie crust are perfect for little bellies.
Filippi’s pizza grotto
The DePhilippis family has owned and operated this restaurant since 1950 where traditional old Italian family recipes are being served. Filippi’s pizza grotto offers pizza & red-sauce Italian staples in generous portions. The restaurant has a shop where you can buy sauces, cookies, and much more. If you are on a go then pick ‘n’ go is available here.
Ghirardelli's Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop
In 1852, Domingo Ghirardelli created the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. From the selection of the highest quality cocoa beans to the extensive conching, Ghirardelli Chocolate, unlike many other manufacturers, proudly controls all steps of the chocolate-making process, providing customers with ultimate chocolate quality. Iconic chocolatier selling chocolate gifts galore, including chocolate squares, bars & baskets.
Jose's Courtroom
In and around La Jolla since the 1950s, Jose’s Courtroom has a rich history in La Jolla. Jose’s offers ocean views, family-friendly dining, and late-night drinks and entertainment. They serve authentic Mexican food with a modern twist. From Ceviche to Veggie Burritos – everything from sauces and sides to marinades and chips and salsa are made in-house. Jose’s features an unparallel craft margarita and cocktail menu using the freshest ingredients and highest quality spirits.
Park 101 at Carlsbad Village
Park 101 is Carlsbad’s unique and beautiful answer to community dining, lounging, and sipping in style in the heart of the Carlsbad Village. Park 101 is kid and dog friendly. The place is popularly known for barbecued meats. They also serve California Coastal cuisine like shrimp tacos and they has made sure that there’s something for everyone at their multi-level, plaza-style complex. They even have a deli where you can make your ice cream sandwiches.
Rubio's – San Diego Classic
Rubio’s menu features their award-winning Original Fish Tacos, chef-crafted tacos, burritos, bowls, and flavorful salads, all made to order with fresh, quality ingredients and your choice of protein – a variety of responsibly sourced seafood, all-natural chicken. Rubio’s is famous for its yummy beer-battered fish tacos served with cabbage, white sauce, and salsa. The kid’s menu has been crafted to please tiny palates like a cheese quesadilla or chicken nuggets.
Broken yolk Café
The Broken Yolk Café started in 1979 in Pacific Beach, San Diego. As the name suggests this café is dedicated to the perfection and specialization in omelets along with pancakes and waffles, soups, and Mexican-style breakfast burritos. Broken Yolk is a full-service restaurant for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Their French toast and pancakes are perfect picks for kids. If you finish their famous dozen-egg omelet topped with chili and a pile of potatoes, your bill will get reduced to a fraction, and take home a free T-shirt as a reward.
Harumama Noodles + Buns
Located at 5 different sites Little Italy, La Jolla, Ocean Beach, Encinitas, and Carlsbad, it’s a stylish option for Asian dishes with a modern twist, including ramen, sushi, noodles & buns. Harumama offers a wide range of delicious character buns, these theme buns look play-full and cute, and everything that is top-tier in taste on the menu is mostly Japanese, Chinese and Korean favorites.
Chocolate Cremerie
Chocolate Cremerie is a sleek Italian counter-service cafe serving up delicious lunch options like panini and salads as well as crêpes, gelati, hot chocolate & pastry. The family-owned place keeps all the ingredients seasonal & fresh, and of the highest quality. Everything is hand-iced and baked in small batches to bring out the essence of old-fashioned cooking. Try to grab their chocolate box of luscious chocolate with a rich perfume for you to inhale and taste together.
Roberto's Mexican Food
Roberto’s, also known as the original “Mexican Taco Shop” by many, has become a strong community icon in the north coastal area of San Diego. This place delivers authentic, fresh, simple food made from quality ingredients and served in satisfying portions. The soulful food served here from the depth of the heart. Try their chicken tacos or crispy tacos filled with shredded beef cheese and lettuce. Tacos come with the right amount of topping. Visit the place for authentic tacos.
