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Handcrafted character buns.

18 Kid-Friendly Restaurants in San Diego That Also Appeal to Adults

Find creative children’s menus, play areas, and dishes that parents will crave.

by Helen I. Hwang Updated Sep 21, 2023, 11:50am PDT

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Handcrafted character buns.

| Harumama

by Helen I. Hwang Updated Sep 21, 2023, 11:50am PDT

San Diego is family-friendly year-round, but October is especially easy on the wallet. During the autumn month, several museums and attractions offer free admission to kids, and restaurants get on board the annual campaign to give families a break.

Here are 18 restaurants that welcome kids with open arms where you can find dedicated children’s menus and fun play areas along with drinks and appealing entrees for the adults.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Piper

The bright, airy restaurant is located on the street level of Seabird Resort in Oceanside. The breakfast kids menu includes malted pancakes while the dinner menu offers local bass or house-made rigatoni. Open for breakfast and dinner only.

105 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92054

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Burger and fries.

Also featured in:

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The Plot

This popular restaurant showcases inventive ways to appreciate meat-free dishes. Kids can roam the regenerative backyard garden where seasonal ingredients make appearances on their plates. The children’s menu features soy nuggets, as well as avo and cucumber rolls after 4 p.m. From the main menu, they can try Takoyaki gluten-free hush puppies made with celery root pulp.

1733 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054

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A post shared by THE PLOT (@theplotrestaurant)

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Campfire

Housed in what looks like a giant bunkhouse with a tent, fire pit, and stacks of wood, the playful restaurant brings out the child in everyone. Though there are specific dishes for kiddos , chef Eric Bost (Jeune et Jolie) serves kid-friendly fare like broccoli with roasted peanuts and s’mores with housemade marshmallows for toasting on the table.

2725 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008

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A teepee for kids on the side patio of Campfire.

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The Crack Shack - Encinitas

The kids’ menu at Crack Shack is a lot like the grown-up menu—fried chicken galore. “Lil Cluckers” have options like nuggets or grilled cheese, as well as a bonus cookie. The SoCal, Baja-style poultry is non-GMO and ultra-free-range. With several locations in San Diego and beyond, note the Encinitas and Little Italy restaurants have play areas.

407 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA 92024

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A giant chicken statue on the patio of a restaurant. — Crack Shack Encinitas.

Also featured in:

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Viewpoint Brewing Company

Not all breweries are kid-friendly but this one overlooking Del Mar is especially welcoming. The 7,000-square-foot space with swinging chairs and nearby trails gives kids a place to play. The kid’s menu features mac and cheese and cheeseburgers, with accompaniments like fries or salad.

2201 San Dieguito Dr Suite D, Del Mar, CA 92014

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Central bar counter and taps at Viewpoint Brewing with bar-height tables in the dining area.

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Crab Hut

Getting messy, wearing a bib, and eating with your hands goes for everyone here. While seafood boils are the specialty here, kids’ meals range from chicken tenders to clam chowder. Fish and chips are another option on the regular menu.

8280 Mira Mesa Blvd Suite E, San Diego, CA 92126

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A mixed seafood boil.

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Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs

This sprawling indoor and outdoor barbecue joint, serving Central Texas-style smoked meats, is a kid’s paradise. There’s room to play, afternoon live music, and a laid-back vibe in this East County establishment. The kids’ menu has chicken strips and a pulled pork sandwich, but the general menu has options for carnivores of all ages, like barbecue spareribs with Frito relish.

15505 Olde Hwy 80, El Cajon, CA 92021

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Kura Revolving Sushi Bar

Watching plates go around on the restaurant’s conveyor belt is mesmerizing for all ages, and kids love feeding their empty plates into the gachapon machines to win round toy capsules.

4609 Convoy St STE F, San Diego, CA 92111

Visit Website

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar — Conveyor sushi.

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Dodo Bird Donuts

The Bird Rock café adjacent to its sister restaurant, Paradisaea, serves up glazed or chocolate donuts scratch made each morning, along with brekkie sandwiches. Baby chinos and hot or iced chocolate are on hand while parents fuel up from an expansive expresso menu. In October, kids under 12 get a free donut or ice cream with no purchase necessary.

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369 Bird Rock Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

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variety of donuts. — Variety of donuts.

Also featured in:

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Cesarina

The Michelin-recognized Point Loma pasta kitchen is an easy winner for kids and adults. The colorful kids’ menu gives children the pick of house-made pasta shapes, sauces, and desserts for a bargain at $4.95. Meanwhile, parents can dine on dishes with the signature mushroom sauce that can also come as vegan.

4161 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107

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A fork is lifting Cesarina’s cheesy spaghetti as strings of melted cheese connect it to the heap of pasta in the dish below.

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One Door North

For urban adventurers, this North Park eatery sets up tables inside tents for camp-inspired cuisine. Kids can choose from cheese flatbread with marinara or cheeseburgers. The s’mores platter or cast-iron chocolate chip cookie are sweet options before lights out.

3422 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104

Visit Website

A restaurant with tents over the tables. — One Door North.

Also featured in:

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Underbelly North Park

This Asian-American fusion restaurant offers kid-friendly baos with pork belly, Japanese fried chicken, and ramen bowls. If the kids’ palate is really picky, there’s also ramen with just “broth, noodles, love.” Both locations in North Park and Little Italy also have a wide selection of beers on tap.

Open in Google Maps

3000 Upas St, San Diego, CA 92104

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Interior dining area at Underbelly — Interior dining area.

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Officine Buona Forchetta

This family-friendly restaurant with locations all over San Diego focuses on Neapolitan-style pizzas and Northern Italian dishes. The pasta dishes can be modified to kiddie portions for a more budget-friendly price. The Liberty Station location has two playgrounds and a vintage Fiat retrofitted as a dining table.

2865 Sims Rd, San Diego, CA 92106

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Pizza coming out of the oven at Buona Forchetta — Neapolitan-style pizza.

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Panama 66

Located in the sculpture court at the San Diego Museum of Art, this Balboa Park restaurant lets families order at the counter before finding a table on the generous patio. It goes without saying that children can’t climb on the statues themselves but are encouraged to admire them from their seats. For kids, they have plates with a choice of steak or falafel, or for the sugar-inclined, almond butter and Nutella sandwiches.

1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

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The open-air main bar at Panama 66 in front of the sculpture garden.

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Station Tavern

This longtime South Park spot is a favorite of families, thanks to its spacious kid and pet-friendly outdoor play area and a solid all-day menu of burgers and salads. For children, grilled cheese, hot dogs, or tofu pups are options, along with sides like sweet potato fries.

2204 Fern St, San Diego, CA 92104

Visit Website

A patio outside a tavern. — The outdoor patio.

Harumama Noodles + Buns

This adorable Asian-centric restaurant is a total kid magnet with a beer and sake menu for the adults. With five locations from Carlsbad to Little Italy, transporting the little ones to a meal is less of an ordeal. Harumama’s hand-decorated animal character buns come savory (chicken, barbeque beef) or sweet (Nutella, ube).

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1901 Columbia St, San Diego, CA 92101

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Panda-shaped steamed buns.

The Smoking Gun SD

The big draw here is the arcade games and TVs showing sports games and UFC fights. Kids might stop back at the table for the TV Dinner with brisket or Smoking Gun burger, but they’ll definitely be back for the fried chocolate chip cookie.

555 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101

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People playing ping-pong.

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Huntress

The contemporary steakhouse in the Gaslamp Quarter always welcomes children with a menu of burgers and chicken fingers. But in October, kids 12 and under eat for free every Sunday through Thursday. Another kid-pleaser is the Magic Mushroom dessert for two, made of mousse and seasonal jams unveiled out of a dry ice cloud.

376 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Magic Mushroom dessert. — Magic Mushroom dessert at Huntress.

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Piper

105 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92054

The bright, airy restaurant is located on the street level of Seabird Resort in Oceanside. The breakfast kids menu includes malted pancakes while the dinner menu offers local bass or house-made rigatoni. Open for breakfast and dinner only.

105 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92054

Visit Website

Burger and fries.

The Plot

1733 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054

This popular restaurant showcases inventive ways to appreciate meat-free dishes. Kids can roam the regenerative backyard garden where seasonal ingredients make appearances on their plates. The children’s menu features soy nuggets, as well as avo and cucumber rolls after 4 p.m. From the main menu, they can try Takoyaki gluten-free hush puppies made with celery root pulp.

1733 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by THE PLOT (@theplotrestaurant)

Campfire

2725 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Housed in what looks like a giant bunkhouse with a tent, fire pit, and stacks of wood, the playful restaurant brings out the child in everyone. Though there are specific dishes for kiddos , chef Eric Bost (Jeune et Jolie) serves kid-friendly fare like broccoli with roasted peanuts and s’mores with housemade marshmallows for toasting on the table.

2725 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Visit Website

A teepee for kids on the side patio of Campfire.

The Crack Shack - Encinitas

407 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA 92024

The kids’ menu at Crack Shack is a lot like the grown-up menu—fried chicken galore. “Lil Cluckers” have options like nuggets or grilled cheese, as well as a bonus cookie. The SoCal, Baja-style poultry is non-GMO and ultra-free-range. With several locations in San Diego and beyond, note the Encinitas and Little Italy restaurants have play areas.

407 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA 92024

Visit Website

A giant chicken statue on the patio of a restaurant. — Crack Shack Encinitas.

Viewpoint Brewing Company

2201 San Dieguito Dr Suite D, Del Mar, CA 92014

Not all breweries are kid-friendly but this one overlooking Del Mar is especially welcoming. The 7,000-square-foot space with swinging chairs and nearby trails gives kids a place to play. The kid’s menu features mac and cheese and cheeseburgers, with accompaniments like fries or salad.

2201 San Dieguito Dr Suite D, Del Mar, CA 92014

Visit Website

Central bar counter and taps at Viewpoint Brewing with bar-height tables in the dining area.

Crab Hut

8280 Mira Mesa Blvd Suite E, San Diego, CA 92126

Getting messy, wearing a bib, and eating with your hands goes for everyone here. While seafood boils are the specialty here, kids’ meals range from chicken tenders to clam chowder. Fish and chips are another option on the regular menu.

8280 Mira Mesa Blvd Suite E, San Diego, CA 92126

Visit Website

A mixed seafood boil.

Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs

15505 Olde Hwy 80, El Cajon, CA 92021

This sprawling indoor and outdoor barbecue joint, serving Central Texas-style smoked meats, is a kid’s paradise. There’s room to play, afternoon live music, and a laid-back vibe in this East County establishment. The kids’ menu has chicken strips and a pulled pork sandwich, but the general menu has options for carnivores of all ages, like barbecue spareribs with Frito relish.

15505 Olde Hwy 80, El Cajon, CA 92021

Visit Website

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar

4609 Convoy St STE F, San Diego, CA 92111

Watching plates go around on the restaurant’s conveyor belt is mesmerizing for all ages, and kids love feeding their empty plates into the gachapon machines to win round toy capsules.

4609 Convoy St STE F, San Diego, CA 92111

Visit Website

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar — Conveyor sushi.

Dodo Bird Donuts

369 Bird Rock Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

The Bird Rock café adjacent to its sister restaurant, Paradisaea, serves up glazed or chocolate donuts scratch made each morning, along with brekkie sandwiches. Baby chinos and hot or iced chocolate are on hand while parents fuel up from an expansive expresso menu. In October, kids under 12 get a free donut or ice cream with no purchase necessary.

Open in Google Maps

369 Bird Rock Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

Visit Website

variety of donuts. — Variety of donuts.

Cesarina

4161 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107

The Michelin-recognized Point Loma pasta kitchen is an easy winner for kids and adults. The colorful kids’ menu gives children the pick of house-made pasta shapes, sauces, and desserts for a bargain at $4.95. Meanwhile, parents can dine on dishes with the signature mushroom sauce that can also come as vegan.

4161 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107

Visit Website

A fork is lifting Cesarina’s cheesy spaghetti as strings of melted cheese connect it to the heap of pasta in the dish below.

One Door North

3422 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104

For urban adventurers, this North Park eatery sets up tables inside tents for camp-inspired cuisine. Kids can choose from cheese flatbread with marinara or cheeseburgers. The s’mores platter or cast-iron chocolate chip cookie are sweet options before lights out.

3422 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104

Visit Website

A restaurant with tents over the tables. — One Door North.

Underbelly North Park

3000 Upas St, San Diego, CA 92104

This Asian-American fusion restaurant offers kid-friendly baos with pork belly, Japanese fried chicken, and ramen bowls. If the kids’ palate is really picky, there’s also ramen with just “broth, noodles, love.” Both locations in North Park and Little Italy also have a wide selection of beers on tap.

Open in Google Maps

3000 Upas St, San Diego, CA 92104

Visit Website

Interior dining area at Underbelly — Interior dining area.

Officine Buona Forchetta

2865 Sims Rd, San Diego, CA 92106

This family-friendly restaurant with locations all over San Diego focuses on Neapolitan-style pizzas and Northern Italian dishes. The pasta dishes can be modified to kiddie portions for a more budget-friendly price. The Liberty Station location has two playgrounds and a vintage Fiat retrofitted as a dining table.

2865 Sims Rd, San Diego, CA 92106

Visit Website

Pizza coming out of the oven at Buona Forchetta — Neapolitan-style pizza.

Panama 66

1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Located in the sculpture court at the San Diego Museum of Art, this Balboa Park restaurant lets families order at the counter before finding a table on the generous patio. It goes without saying that children can’t climb on the statues themselves but are encouraged to admire them from their seats. For kids, they have plates with a choice of steak or falafel, or for the sugar-inclined, almond butter and Nutella sandwiches.

1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

The open-air main bar at Panama 66 in front of the sculpture garden.

Station Tavern

2204 Fern St, San Diego, CA 92104

This longtime South Park spot is a favorite of families, thanks to its spacious kid and pet-friendly outdoor play area and a solid all-day menu of burgers and salads. For children, grilled cheese, hot dogs, or tofu pups are options, along with sides like sweet potato fries.

2204 Fern St, San Diego, CA 92104

Visit Website

A patio outside a tavern. — The outdoor patio.

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Harumama Noodles + Buns

1901 Columbia St, San Diego, CA 92101

This adorable Asian-centric restaurant is a total kid magnet with a beer and sake menu for the adults. With five locations from Carlsbad to Little Italy, transporting the little ones to a meal is less of an ordeal. Harumama’s hand-decorated animal character buns come savory (chicken, barbeque beef) or sweet (Nutella, ube).

Open in Google Maps

1901 Columbia St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Panda-shaped steamed buns.

The Smoking Gun SD

555 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101

The big draw here is the arcade games and TVs showing sports games and UFC fights. Kids might stop back at the table for the TV Dinner with brisket or Smoking Gun burger, but they’ll definitely be back for the fried chocolate chip cookie.

555 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

People playing ping-pong.

Huntress

376 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

The contemporary steakhouse in the Gaslamp Quarter always welcomes children with a menu of burgers and chicken fingers. But in October, kids 12 and under eat for free every Sunday through Thursday. Another kid-pleaser is the Magic Mushroom dessert for two, made of mousse and seasonal jams unveiled out of a dry ice cloud.

376 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Magic Mushroom dessert. — Magic Mushroom dessert at Huntress.

Related Maps