Let’s face it, going out to eat with kids can be stressful at times. As moms, our minds fill with questions such as; “Will they have food my kid will like?”, “Will they have a kid’s meal option so I don’t pay for an entire adult entree for my child?”, “If my kid is loud, will I get kicked out?” and more. I’m here to eliminate the guesswork of going out to eat with kids by sharing my favorite family-friendly Columbus restaurants with a casual atmosphere, kids’ meal options and kid-friendly activities to keep the littles busy while you wait. So, grab the fam and give one of these spots a try for a fun family night out.
1. Roosters
This is my favorite family restaurant. The kid’s meals are CHEAP at $4.99, come with A LOT of food and have a variety of options to choose from. Kids 12 and under get a drink, entree and two sides. Plus, the environment is casual and a little rowdy, so the kids don’t have to be super quiet. My boys love watching football on all the TVs. The servers don’t always bring coloring pages and crayons, but they’ll give us some if I ask for them .
2. 101 Beer Kitchen
All kids get their own menu on an activity sheet with games and places to color while you wait. The kids’ meal comes with a drink, an entree, two sides and a dessert and has several options to choose from.
3. The Rusty Bucket
The kids meal comes with a drink and a side, with a few options to choose from. My kids say the french bread pizza on the kids menu is their absolute favorite pizza. I like that the restaurant is lively so I don’t feel like my kids need to be super quiet. Plus, with the Bucketeer Bookworm Reading Program, kids can earn a FREE meal after reading five books!
4. Bd’s Mongolian Grill
My kids love getting to fill their bowls (with my help) with the ingredients of their choice, and then watching all the food be cooked while we wait.
5. Cap City Fine Diner
The kids’ meals range in price from $4.99-$8.29 and come with a side and a drink. They have a large selection for kids to choose from and have some more sophisticated options above your standard kids’ meal including, meatloaf or salmon. But, don’t worry, they also have all the classics such as chicken tenders, grilled cheese and mac and cheese. They also have kids’ desserts for as low as $1.99, ensuring Cap City Fine Diner will be a hit with the entire family!
6. Brew Dog
With a huge facility, games, a patio area and “hoppy meals” for the kids, Brew Dog has everything I want in a family restaurant.
7. Roots Natural Kitchen
New to the Columbus area, this casual build-your-own bowl restaurant has kids eat free all day, every day, with the purchase of an adult entree. Enough said. For more kids eat free options, click here!
8. Culver’s
Culver’s has a few basic kids’ meal entrees to choose from, with casual fast food, all coming with a side and a drink. In addition, each kids meal comes with a free scoop of custard, making it an extra special treat.
9. Melt Bar & Grilled
Melt is casual and kid-friendly. Kids’ meals are $6 every day and half off on Wednesdays. Kids 10 and under get their choice of entree, a side and a drink.
10. First Watch Cafe
This is our go-to family breakfast spot but is also great any time of day because kids LOVE breakfast food. There are a few kid options to choose from, all with an entree, a side and a drink. My kids get the giant chocolate chip pancake with bacon as their side and can usually barely finish it. The kids also get crayons and activity sheets, making the wait more pleasant.
11. Budd Dairy Food Hall
This casual food hall has a variety restaurants, ensuring you can find something the kids will like. Each of the floors has a different vibe, all being kid-friendly, and some areas even have games you can play, making the whole experience super fun.
12. Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace
With a fun, casual atmosphere and a menu boasting a range from ordinary to elaborate hot dogs, kids will love this spot.
13. Local Cantina
Kids 12 and under can enjoy a kid meal with an entree, a side and a drink. Plus, there are free chips and salsa for everyone.
14. Northstar Cafe
With a casual order-at-the-counter and seat-yourself atmosphere, Northstar is a great spot for a quick-ish family dinner. They have a small kids’ menu with a few classic items to choose from whether you go for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
15. Highbanks Distillery
Highbanks has a kids’ menu for both brunch and dinner. It’s worth noting that their high chairs are larger than average, serving moms by reducing the number of times you have to bend over a retrieve a toy. I recommend asking to sit at a picnic table in the back or on the outdoor patio when weather permits.
16. Superchefs
This breakfast spot is bright and colorful with a fun, kid-friendly atmosphere. For $7.99, kids can enjoy waffles or pancakes served with eggs and a meat of their choice.
17. Hot Chicken Takeover
With multiple Columbus locations and a casual atmosphere, Hot Chicken Takeover is a great spot for families. They have kids’ meals for $6.75, including chicken (you can get it without spice) and a side, or you can grab a family meal to feed everyone.
18. Pies & Pints
Casual and kid-friendly. You can always get a big pizza to split as a family, but if you want to keep the large pie for adults only, the kids’ menu has a few personal (and non-pizza) kid options for $6-$7.
19. City BBQ
The kids’ menu has an assortment of items to choose from, or you can forego individual kids meals’ and get a family meal for everyone to share.
20. Jason’s Deli
Kids 12 and under have a variety of entrees to choose from that all come with a drink and a free ice cream.
