Best of Toronto
The Best Kid (Family) Friendly Restaurants in Toronto
The best kid and family friendly restaurants in Toronto are easy Sunday evening choices. Now, these are not your colour-on-the-wall, chicken-fingers-for-everyone, Raffi-over-the-speaker-system type places, but rather, restaurants that the entire clan can agree on, that have both grilled cheese for kids and grilled calamari and linguini for mom and dad. Or grilled cheese for mom and dad, too. These restaurants generally aren't afraid of the little bit of noise that comes with a family's night out, and can typically offer distractions à la crayons and toys so that you don't have to take that linguine to go. It should also be noted that all the below spots offer high chairs and booster chairs.
Here is the list of the best kid and family friendly restaurants in Toronto.
See also:
The best baby stores in Toronto
The best candy stores in Toronto
The best mac and cheese in Toronto
The best grilled cheese sandwich in Toronto
Barque Smokehouse
Lots of noise, lots of food, and lots of sticky, sweet smoky ribs. Where better to unload the whole family than at Roncesvalles’ favourite barbecue joint? Sunday at Barque Smokehouse is family night, offering huge platters and family-style sharing, along with a plentiful supply of crayons for when the kids inevitably finish first. A kids’ menu is available throughout the week, along with booster seats and highchairs on reserve. More »
Pizzeria Libretto Danforth
Pizzeria Libretto, needless to say, offers something the whole family can agree on. The Danforth location is primed for young families, with an atmosphere where no one will look twice if you nix the slacks for sweats. The restaurant also makes a “bambini” mini margherita pizza for kids, which comes with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate gelato for $9. More »
Caplansky’s Deli
Though you can challenge the wee ones to tackle a piled-high smoked meat sandwich, better to go with one of the kiddie options such as your standard grilled cheese, or the egg, beef bacon, latka and toast combo. Caplansky’s is loud and boisterous (as every good deli should be) so no need to worry about spoiling the vibe with the arrival of your troupe. Just order a plate of deep-fried pickles for the table, and sit back. More »
Uncle Betty’s Diner
How can kids not love a place that comes with its own ice cream bar? Greg’s Ice Cream is, of course, a major part of Uncle Betty’s appeal, but so too is its eggs Benny on a doughnut, its dressed-up hot dogs, and its “ultimate” take on the classic grilled cheese. And that’s just the adult menu! Uncle Betty’s does a kids menu, too, with plenty of crayons on hand, plus sock puppets and toys, and ample room to play. More »
Lakeview Restaurant
An option for those unfortunate 4 a.m. bouts of wakefulness. Try another nighttime story? Nah. Lakeview Restaurant is open 24 hours a day, offering you a little midnight breakfast, and perhaps more importantly, a change of scenery. The restaurant also comes prepared with booster seats, high chairs, and a kids’ menu of mac and cheese, fish and chips, and brussel sprouts (??). There are also crayons and a maze menu, of course. More »
The Ace
Kids at The Ace needn’t resort to plain old mac and cheese (though they can, if they like, and rumour has it it’s pretty good). No, the children’s menu here includes petite filet mignon with gaufrette potato chips and a green salad for $11, though I doubt many kids could properly define “gaufrette.” Or filet mignon, for that matter. There’s also broccoli and aged cheddar for similarly refined palates, and incredible fried chicken for the rest of the family. More »
Lady Marmalade
While Lady Marmalade doesn’t have a dedicated kids’ menu, per se, there are plenty of kid-sized all-day-breakfast options to keep everyone happy. The vibe at this Leslieville spot is super low key, to say the least, meaning families need not worry if they bring a little extra noise on their pursuit of the midday crepe croque monsieur. But since kids and long lineups are natural archenemies, parents should approach Lady Marmalade’s weekend brunch with caution. More »
7 Numbers
7 Numbers is another spot without an autonomous kids’ menu, though it does offer any menu item at half the price (and a smaller size) for kids. That’s right, the refined child can indulge in a little braised veal shank with grilled zucchini on the side. The restaurant has high chairs and booster chairs available for tiny visitors, as well as a good supply of crayons to keep busy while that veal shank has some time to digest. More »
Stack Restaurant
Stack Restaurant is the home of the hand-torched s’more doughnut, which is probably why you tend to see so many families eagerly entering its doors. The menu (including the kids’ menu) is an all-around crowd-pleaser, with options such as classic burgers, mac & cheese, and Stack “smmmoked” ribs. There’s also an in-store treasure chest for child perusal, as well as crayons and toys to keep little hands busy. More »
Against the Grain
A tavern? For families? Well, you show me a family outing that doesn’t necessitate a cold beer (or three) and perhaps we’ll have to reconsider. But until then, Against the Grain by Sugar Beach offers an ideal spot to grab some grub after frolicking at Toronto’s most artificial beach. The kids’ menu offers all the childhood staples including pasta and tomato sauce and grilled cheese sandwiches, with each meal rounding off with a Popsicle for dessert. And Innis & Gunn for you. More »
Magic Oven Danforth
Expect swarms of kids at Magic Oven Danforth on Monday evenings, when kids eat free between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. On all other days kids can count on a menu made just for them, featuring classic pizzas, chicken wings, Caesar salad with chicken, penne, and more. The restaurant has games and puzzles available as well, along with light reading on the merits of eating organic. It’s not Goodnight Moon, but it’ll do. More »
Lil' Baci Taverna Yonge
Lil' Baci does its own "lil" take on classic adult menu options. There's no physical kids' menu to scan, but this midtown outpost does a half-sized spaghetti, a half-sized plate of gnocchi, and a child-sized cheese pizza. High chairs are available but crayons have a tendency to disappear from the restaurant, so if you want guaranteed distractions, best to bring your own. More »
Discussion
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"S'mores doughnuts ($7) were too tempting to be turned down, even if we were rather stuffed. They arrived piping hot and covered in tiny marshmallows, crumbly graham crackers and a drizzle of chocolate. We didn't even finish half of them, but the few we managed closely resembled the iconic Tiny Tom doughnuts from the CNE, in a good way."
From the outside, I had not considered The Ace to fall into this category, but now we will definitely check it out. I can say that Thai Chef Cuisine right next door to The Ace (on the north side, not the other Thai restaurant further south) is very welcoming to kids (and has great food too).
I wonder if one of the reasons some children behave poorly in "fancy" (i.e. non-McDonald's) restaurants is because they don't go out to these places enough??? I encourage parents to take your children to nice restaurants and give them the experience. Sure, there are a few people who may have trouble with this... but if it wasn't for the kids, these people would probably find something else to be angry with.
http://www.drgenerosity.com/
2197 Bloor St. West
Toronto, Ontario
M6S 1N2