Since we travel a lot, I thought it would be helpful to share some of the amazing places that we've gone to on our travels!
I was raised eating what grown-ups ate. There were very rarely chicken fingers or grilled cheese. When we go to dinner- especially when we're on vacation, my family and I enjoy going to nice restaurants- not just those that serve kids menus. The majority of the following restaurants are the kind of places that you can go and not feel like you're in romper room. All of them were extremely kid friendly, and had great food.
Unless otherwise noted, these are places where you can feel totally comfortable taking your toddler, whether its for Sunday brunch or dinner on a Friday evening at 6 PM (assuming your little one isn't tired and grumpy!)
Philadelphia
- Cake
- Try the Sunday brunch. It's amazing!
- Rollers Express-o
- Reasonably priced, and has some of the best corn beef hash I've ever had. Laela loves the ricotta cheese blintzes. Just get there early for brunch on the weekends, it can get a bit cramped if you don't beat the crowds!
- Conshohocken Cafe
- This townie favorite was recently brought under new management and had a total menu rehaul. Totally delicious, and absolutely kid friendly. You can order ONE pancake. How awesome is that?
- Phil's
- This institution has one of the biggest menus I've ever seen. My family has been eating there for years. Everything is delicious. Just be warned- the portions are ENORMOUS.
- South Street Soulvaki
- This has been my favorite place for as long as I can remember! I ate there when I was a little girl, and Laela had her first solid food- dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) there! If you like Greek food, try this place. I swear it's the best I've ever had. Plus, the people watching is epic for all ages.
- Simpson House Tea Room
- My bestie, Ali and I, used to go here every week when I lived in PA. I took Laela from the time she was old enough to leave the house, until she was 2. So long as you bring your own booster, and some entertainment for your little one, the ladies at this outstanding tea room are wonderful with little ones. Just remember, it's a tea room, so if your kid is in a more active or wild mood, this one isn't the best idea.
- Buddy's Burgers
- Best turkey burger ever. The kids meals are reasonably priced, the food is fresh, and everyone leaves super stuffed and happy.
- Winnie's Le Bus
- Laela and I went here a few times with our buddies Max and Lauren. Awesome. Kid gets rammy? Stuff a pastry in their mouth. Oh, and did I mention you can stroll around Manayunk afterwards to run off the sugar?
- Zake's Cakes and Cafe
- Kyle and I discovered this place when we were desperate to get out of the house when Laela was really little. The food is fancy, but the people are laid back. They give your little one crayons and there are tons of healthy (and some not so healthy) treats for the little ones.
- Rx Restaurant
- We brought Laela here once. It's a bit of a hipster joint in the city. They were very accomodating, and Laela loved the pancakes. Try the steak and eggs.
- Redstone
- Yes, it's a run of the mill chain on paper, but if you're a parent, and you want a good steak, and you don't want to go to Outback (which I actually love, but I digress), this is a slightly more upscale alternative. Try the cornbread. It's amazing.
- Dalessandro's Steaks and Hoagies
- For some of the best cheesesteaks in the area, hit up this Manayunk favorite. They've been serving up some of the (okay, in my opinion, possibly the best- at the very least, one of the top 5) most amazing cheesesteaks in the city. On a crowded day, have your cash ready, and just order it to go. Oh, and if you're not in the mood for a cheesesteak, the hoagies are pretty great too.
- Pasta Via
- Pasta Via encompasses a lot of the things I love about Philadelphia- amazing, delicious homemade food like Grandma makes at super reasonable prices. You can order in or take-out. Truthfully, we almost always got take-out rather than eating in at this restaurant because it's pretty small inside. However, it made for a pretty great picnic because it's down the street from a very cool park that has benches, a fun play area, and a really nice walking path.
- Tony A's Pizza
- If you're looking for a quick dinner, or some great take-out, try Tony A's. My family usually eats from the Conshohocken location, but I've heard that they're all good. The pizza is delicious and the cheesesteaks are great!
- Lenny's
- This little gem in Conshohocken is one of my favorite hoagie places..ever. They make a mean Italian hoagie, and Lenny and his gals are some of the nicest people around. We usually get take-out when we go there, but you can feel free to eat outside on a nice day, or inside at the small bar overlooking Fayette Street. Or you can do what we've always enjoyed doing- grabbing some hoagies to go, and walking down 8th or 9th street to the park and having a picnic!
- Franzone's Pizza
- Franzone's is just awesome. It's all about the pizza. I can honestly say I've never tried anything else there. The pizza is different because they have a sweet sauce. My husband, daughter and I love it. We make sure to visit every time we go back to PA to see our family.
- Soby's
- Soby's has great food, and is great for family brunch or dinner, as well as for a date night without the kiddies. *This is one of those restaurants that is better to go for an earlier dinner if you have little ones. If you have older kids, Soby's is fine anytime.
- Ford's
- Want a taste of New Orleans without the cost of a flight? Try Ford's. If there's a party on the inside, the outdoor seating suits family dining perfectly. Laela loves the shrimp with red beans and rice.
- Coffee Underground
- This is probably my family's favorite brunch place in Greenville. They bring pancakes as an appetizer while you wait for some of the best coffee and breakfast around. On top of that, Coffee Underground is up front about being kid friendly until 3pm, and adults only during the evening, so you can enjoy your brunch without fretting over disturbing the natives.
- Bucky's BBQ
- When you drive up to this joint, you won't think it's a real restaurant...but it is, and man, is it some of, if not the very best pulled pork around. Try all of the sides. The mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, and beans are my family's very favorites, but everything at this restaurant is to die for- and dirt cheap.
- Smoke on the Water
- This is the perfect mix between nice restaurant and family fare. The food is delicious, the staff is super kid friendly, and if you have a wee one, the indoor seating is usually just loud enough to drown out your little ones noise. Oh! And if you have a kid who likes to dip their food, Smoke on the Water is known for their various sauces, so your little one can go to town!
- Handi Indian Cuisine
- Bring your tot to the lunch buffet. It's cheap, it's delicious, and the staff is fantastic to kids.
- Luna Rosa
- Who doesn't like gelato? Take a stroll down main street, and then go to Luna Rosa. The sausage and peppers are amazing, and the gelato is to die for.
- The Chocolate Moose
- The Chocolate Moose is by no means a restaurant, but man oh man, do they have some of the best cupcakes around. When it's too hot to bake, or you just want a cupcake, go to Chocolate Moose. It's amazing.
- Lieu's Chinese Bistro
- Want your little one to experience some authentic Chinese? This is one of the closest to authentic Chinese food places we've found in SC. Our favorite part? The training chop sticks that they gave Laela to learn to eat with. She loved it!
- Saskatoon
- This may be the most kid friendly "fancy" restaurant that we have ever been to. The second you sit down, your waiter(s) ask for each person at the table's name. The kids get treated like gold. If you want to try wild game, or have a great bite of fish and can't find a babysitter, grab your kids and try Saskatoon. You won't regret it.
- Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria
- We've really struggled to find a good pizza place in Greenville. Barley's crust is pretty awesome, and the toppings list is pretty extensive. Laela and Kyle really went to town on the garlic knots and pizza! Also, Ky and I have gone here for date night, and the craft beer menu is pretty amazing. Give it a try!
- Tommy's Country Ham House
- Tommy's is one of the most family friendly places that I've ever gone to in my life. The food is great- you can order from the menu, or get lunch cafeteria style. Tommy goes to each table to make sure everyone is happy. It's like having a meal at a family or friend's house. The coolest part? Last time we were there, some old timers (yes, one of them really was dressed as a flapper!) took up the piano and broke into song. It was so fun!
- Tony's Pizza
- This place is hands down the best pizza in Greenville. The restaurant itself reminds me of all the eat-in pizza places near where I grew up- all of the care and attention are put into the food. Sure, there are nights when you want a nice dinner with tons of atmosphere, but then there are those nights when you are just too tired to cook, and you want a nice, greasy slice of pizza with some tasty gelato for dessert.
- Blue Ridge Brewing Company
- We went here for lunch one day while we were walking around downtown. Kyle had some really tasty fish and chips that he's still raving about. Laela and I split the mystery fish tacos-yum! I've also heard (but have sadly never gotten to try!) that Ophelia's chicken is to die for! Don't let the "brewing" bamboozle you into not trying this little gem. It's great!
- Mimi's
- Yes, this is a chain. I feel compelled to share it because Mimi's has always been reliable for a really great breakfast/brunch. They have everything under the sun for breakfast, and they treat kids like superstars. Plus, I've never had anything at Mimi's that wasn't delicious. (Just be warned, the portions are enormous!)
- Papas and Beer
- For you Mexican lovers out there, this is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Greenville. It's completely kid friendly, so feel free to pig out on the amazing nachos, the fish tacos, or any of their incredible burritos. And don't forget to visit the salsa bar!
- Saffron
- Laela and I love Saffron! We've gone for "lunch play-dates" with friends and it's fantastic because they'll put all the really spicy sauces/spices on the side so that you can make their delicious dishes more spicy, while the children get milder ones. Plus their garlic naan is out. of. this. world.
- Oriental House
- The Woodruff location became our regular take-out/eat in spot whenever we wanted some really good Chinese food, without any muss or fuss. The food is great, the service is wonderful, and the food is cheap cheap cheap.
Siesta Key, Florida
- Flavio's Brick Oven Pizza
- Laela and I ate here on our girls vacation in Feb 2012. I had some of the best pasta fagioli I've ever had (Laela wound up stealing my bowl of soup!), and we both scarfed the pizza. It was so good, we ate the leftovers on our way to the beach the next morning!
- The Cottage
- Laela and I ate here 4 times on our Feb 2012 vacation. Holy moly is this some of the best food I've ever had. Laela tried watermelon and tuna sushi with me and we both loved it! We sat in the back and listened to music, and when Laela got up and danced, our waitress danced with her, and then the man playing the sitar showed her how to play (not well, but she got to mess with the strings.) We had a great experience every time, so we kept going back!
- The Old Salty Dog
- This was a great place for a quick meal. Laela and I split the blackened tilapia caesar salad. Our waitress was great. She brought Laela french fries and pickles while we waited for our food. Not the fanciest restaurant, but perfect for a nice and relaxed meal in your flip flops and cover up.
- The Broken Egg
- Holy breakfast batman! This place is always packed! We walked by on our last day of vacation, and since they weren't packed to the gills, gave it a go. I had this amazing breakfast with poached eggs, peppers, spinach and the best damn potato pancake I have ever, ever had. Yum. Laela had a Mickey Mouse pancake the size of her huge plate. Our waitress was awesome. If you're in Siesta Key, you HAVE to go here for breakfast at least once.
- Clayton's Grill
- Kyle, Laela and I went here during our family vacation in July 2011. We went here twice because it was just. so. good. Laela noshed on some of the yummiest hummus we've ever had. I couldn't stay away from the clams and mussels. Everything we had each time was delicious. Between this and The Cottage, I'd be hard pressed to eat anywhere else for a "grown up" meal that is also kid friendly.
- Lelu's Coffee and Cocktails
- Great coffee, kid-friendly staff, amazing tapas (try the fish tacos!), and great breakfast (the tomatillo salsa with eggs, rice and beans, with a side of fried plantains is to die for), and oh, don't forget the carrot cake. My kid inhaled the stuff.
- Big Olaf's Ice Cream
- Yes, this is a chain. But you know what? Who cares? It's awesome. And when in your life can you have an ice cream cone everyday other than when you're on vacation?
- Gilligan's Island Bar and Grill
- This was a happy accident. I didn't think this place was going to be super kid friendly, but when Laela and I were walking down the main strip of restaurants and they all looked crowded, the hostess waved me in. She sat us on the deck (great for people watching), and Laela and I split some yummy grouper. We had a great time!
- Owen's Fish Camp
- Best seafood in Sarasota, hands down. Great service, great for kids, awesome, delicious food.
- Columbia
- If you go to St. Armand's Circle (which let's face it, you should- it's great shopping, and Lido Beach is beautiful), eat here. The paella is amazing, the staff is fantastic, the people watching is great, and it's really kid friendly.
- Daiquiri Deck
- This is not the big fancy. Our favorite location is on St. Armand's Circle. If you go during the day, or for an early dinner, this place is perfect for some yummy fried conch fritters, chicken fingers, and fish. It's great for kids when they need a break from grown-up food and just want a chicken finger and some french fries.
- Hominy Grill
- Oh Hominy Grill, you evil restaurant with your amazing "Big Nasty" breakfast sandwich. If you go to Charleston, try the "Big Nasty". And for the love of all things good, try the chocolate pudding. It's out of this world. Did I mention the breakfast sandwich with the homemade sausage? Homina. Homina. Homina.
- The Crab Shack
- We've been to both locations, but I would recommend going to the one on Folly Beach. It's within walking distance from the beach. The crabs were delicious! And I absolutely can't forget the calamari! It was perfectly fried- not heavy and greasy like many places are.
- The location in the French Quarter was pretty good. Laela and I shared some delicious crabcakes. It was also a big plus that it was open earlier for dinner than a lot of other restaurants on Sunday. We were hungry and Laela was tired, so this was a great find.
- Dor-Stop
- There are pancakes, and then there are pancakes. Dor-Stop is a must stop for us whenever we visit the 'Burgh. Laela and I love the pumpkin pancakes, but we've tried a lot of the other flavors as well, and all I can say is, GO. You won't regret it.
- Primanti Bros
- We usually go to the one on the South Side since it's near our friend Darin's house. I wouldn't go taking a kid there after 7 on the weekend, but before then, it's totally fine, and the food is awesome. Just don't pronounce the "T" in Primante and you'll fit in with the locals.
- Crespino Ray
- This place is a little off the beaten path in Florence, but it's totally worth it. We went here for an expat Thanksgiving dinner and the food was outstanding. I've also heard the pizza is to die for.
- Trattoria 4 Leoni
- My family and I were directed to this restaurant by a good friend who's from Florence. It's always a mix of tourists and Florentines, but trust me on this, the food is awesome. The Florentine steak, gnocchi (pear and regular), and the desserts are AMAZING. Oh, and I've taken Laela here by myself for Mommy and me dates, and the staff treat her like a superstar.
- Mama's Bakery
- If you're having an "I need American food" moment, this is a great restaurant for a fix. They have yummy lemon squares and tasty bagels with lots of different flavored cream cheeses.
- Gusta Pizza
- This is one of my favorite pizza places in town. If you get there at the right time, you can grab a table and watch the guys make the pizzas! The Gusta Pizza and the Margharita are two of my family's favorites.
- Trattoria Casalinga
- If you want to eat somewhere that feels like you're eating at someone's home, this is definitely the place to go. The best part? Laela was passed out in her stroller, and no one minded. And when she woke up, they brought her some tasty noodles right away.
- Gelateria Venchi
- This place has tasty gelato and chocolates, and is super easy to find.
- La Bussola
- Delicious appetizers, fantastic pizza, and great atmosphere! Also, I loved that when we went there the first time, there was a huge family with kids ranging from 1-15.
- Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco
- This place is great for families. The staff loves children, and is great about bringing the kids' food first. The wild boar pasta is delicious.
- Cantina del Gelato
- This gelateria is dangerously delicious. It's one of those places that if you're passing it, you have to go. You just have to. It's the best gelato we've had so far in Florence.
- Il Cantastorie
- We love this place. The guys that work there are so wonderful to our little family, and the food never disppoints. They have some of the best homemade pasta I've ever had. (The boar ragout with tagiatelli and the pumpkin ravioli are out of this world!)
- Buca Mario
- Here's the thing, Buca Mario is a tourist restaurant...but it's awesome. This was another restaurant recommended by an Italian friend, and it's delicious!
- Mamma Gina's
- This place has some really great food. Try anything made by "Mamma" and you can't go wrong!
- Il Mandarino
- We LOVE this place! One of the things we've missed most about America is Chinese food, and man oh man, does this place have some seriously tasty Asian food. Yum. Try the spicy shrimp, the dumplings, the fried rice, the sweet and sour chicken...it's all absolutely delicious.
- The Diner
- This place has some of the tastiest breakfast/brunch around. Being a Philly/Jersey girl, I feel this inherent need to chow down on a big breakast on the weekends. How great is it that this place is called "The Diner" and actually serves diner food!? In Florence!? It's awesome. Oh, and get extra sausages, I didn't and my husband and daughter stole them all. So good.
- La Beppa fioraia
- This place is amazing. We've gone here on dates and as a family. The portions are huge (especially the antipasti platter- it's a huge heaping platter of yummy goodness, that you'll never be able to finish). We've never been there when there haven't been huge families sitting down for a couple of hours to tear into a delicious, completely authentic Italian meal.
- Trattoria Armando
- In my family's humble opinion, this is if not the best restaurant in the city, one of the top three. The food is outstanding. The owners are delightful and are incredibly kind to children. Also, we like to go for lunch, because the menu is discounted, and we can try twice as many things for a lesser price.
- Il Profeta
- My family and I adore this restaurant. First of all, the food is awesome (until we'd gone to Trattoria Armando, this was my husband and my favorite meal in Florence besides La Beppa fioraia). Secondly, the first time we went there, the owner came out and played with Laela, gave her a coloring book and a doll, and treated her like a complete princess. Now Laela and I go there almost once a week for "Mommy and me" lunches, and the food and staff are flawless every time.
- Maso'
- This place is a gem. The staff at Maso' are some of the nicest folks you'll ever meet. They go out of their way to make my daugher happy. The prices are reasonable, the food is great, and we've gone here with a big group of parents and kids of varying ages, and everyone left telling the chef how fantastic the food was, and thanking the owner for a great dining experience. There are restaurants you visit now and then..this is one that should be in your regular rotation.
- Trattoria Nella
- This restaurant is delicious. The staff are super friendly and the service was great. Just make sure to make a reservation...they don't have a ton of tables.
- Dim Sum
- This place has some pretty great pulled noodles- which you can watch them make while you wait! They also have the best dim sum in the city. Great for lunch or dinner.
- 5 e Cinque
- This is a quaint little organic restaurant in the Oltrarno. My daughter loves the hummus. Not super cheap, but you tend to pay for it when you go organic in Florence.
- Osteria Santo Spirito
- Great gnocchi and pasta. This place is so great for kids- you can sit inside, or sit outside and let them run in the Piazza like monkeys while you relax. Besides being really kid friendly, the prices are reasonable, and they're great about giving the kids smaller portions.
- The Goldenview/Open Bar
- First off, this place has the best coffee in the city. Period. Yes, I mean the bar. The bar (which if you aren't familiar with Italy, I'm not talking booze fest, I mean place where you can get a coffee, pastry, sandwich, and yes, some booze if you're so inclined) has great breakfast pastries, amazing spremunta (fresh squeezed juice), and some of the best cannoli in town. The staff are fantastic, the lunch is cheap, and we just love it there. Oh, and did I mention that it's right on the banks of the Arno?
- Café Bianco
- This is my family's second favorite (sometimes tied for first) bar in the city. The owner, Andrea, is a great guy. He runs a tight ship that serves up amazing coffee, pastry, aperitivo, and some a fantastic lunch. If you're looking for a great place to have a quick, healthy lunch, this is the place for you. They serve up a great burger, and some amazing pastas, and everyone that works there is fantastic with kids.
- Il Santo Graal
- This is my husband and my absolute, hands down, favorite restaurant in the city. The staff are great with kids (we've gone for both lunch and dinner more times than I can count). They'll make your little ones just about anything they want (Laela LOVES their spaghetti, and whatever they do to their buttered rigatoni is simply magical). The food is to die for. It's the only restaurant that we've ever been to in Florence that has traditional Tuscan cuisine, as well as a "New Style" of modern Tuscan cuisine. Go. Go now. You won't regret it.
- Il Guscio
- Laela and I both love the pasta here. They're one of the few restaurants in the city that regularly serve tasty, fresh fish with pasta dishes. Yum. And the prices are crazy reasonable.
- Caffe Rivoire
- I am not sending you here for dinner. In fact, I am advising you not to go here for a meal. BUT, you have to try the cioccolata calda and gnosh on some of the best chocolates in town. Just do it. Don't sit. Stand. Sip and savor the chocolatey goodness. And then walk it off. This place is a lifesaver when you're braving the damp-cold Italian winters.
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