As parents in the Raleigh area, we are always on the lookout for kid-friendly restaurants. However, we prefer to bring them with us to eateries that they will truly love.
There are numerous lists available detailing places where kids are welcome, but we wanted to create a list of places where kids are not only allowed but also prioritized.
We don’t take our children out to eat that often, so we like to make it count when we do!
These are restaurants we’ve found that kids not only CAN go to, but ones they’ll love and beg to return to.
We’ve personally visited these and had a fabulous experience. We will also include a list of kid-friendly restaurants we haven’t personally tried but our readers have highly recommended.
Dos Taquitos (Raleigh)
Dos Taquitos is a beloved Mexican restaurant for its vibrant atmosphere covered in decorations, delicious food, and QUESO TRAIN.
Kids have a blast looking at the wild surroundings full of silly skeletons, hanging sombreros, colorful plants, fish tanks, and pet chickens outside. Request a seat next to the train tracks to have their train bring your table appetizers and desserts- your children will squeal in delight (and honestly, you might too).
As if that wasn’t enough, they also have a great kids’ menu with Mexican dishes for only $6.95, and you can add on an ice cream sundae for $1.99! Every Wednesday is Familia Day, where kids’ menu items are only $1.99 (one per adult entree).
On the second Wednesday of each month, they bring in a clown to do face painting and balloon animals!
V Pizza (Cary and Raleigh)
V Pizza makes some of the best wood-fired pizzas in the area, and their kids’ menu is solid. Kids can choose buttered cavatappi noodles with or without sauce or a one-topping 10” pizza.
What makes them stand out as one of the best kid-friendly restaurants: You can request a ball of pizza dough for your child to play with while you wait for your food! Our kids get so excited to stretch and shape the dough. This is an unwritten perk known by word of mouth only (you’re welcome!), so make sure you ask for it and tell your friends!
V Pizza also allows you to host pizza-making parties! Parents can “rent” the kitchen between 10-11am for kids to make their own pizzas (10 kids minimum).
The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar (Raleigh)
Why choose between burgers and sushi when you could have both?! Cowfish brings both worlds together in a fun setting. Kids will love the giant fish tank in the middle of the restaurant and the large patio complete with lawn games.
The kids’ menu has silly, fun menu items like Ninja Nuggets and PB&J “sushi” roll-ups!
a’Verde Cocina + Tequila Library (Cary)
a’Verde is one of our kids’ favorite restaurants they’ve ever been to. Besides just having incredible food, this restaurant knows how to have a good time. From the Nutella Nachos where the waiter “makes it rain” Nutella (you have to see it to understand) to the sparklers and bubbles for celebrations, a’Verde is a spot your kids will never forget.
Every Thursday is Kids Night, where children 10 & under eat for only $0.99 and can enjoy face painting, sparklers, and bubbles. So fun!
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom (Apex and Cary)
Scratch has one of my favorite kids’ menus in the Triangle because of one thing: a three-side plate! When my kids were younger, I could not get them to eat meat for the life of me. We frequented Scratch and loved that we were able to order them a plate with fries, macaroni and cheese, and fruit. It’s the perfect option for picky toddlers and shows me the owners of this restaurant understand what parents and kids really want!
Speaking of what kids want, Scratch also gives children Play-Doh with their kids’ menu so they can play and be entertained while waiting for their food. Score!
S & T’s Soda Shoppe (Pittsboro)
S & T’s Soda Shoppe is a delightful glimpse into history that kids and adults will both love. It recreates an iconic drug store and soda shop that operated in the same space in the early 1900s. Every detail of this establishment offers nostalgia! With burgers, hot dogs, various ice cream creations, and both classic and modern soda creations, this spot will please any patron regardless of age.
Our kids enjoy the food but especially love checking out the old relics of the past, like the vintage juke box, soda signs, and cash registers.
13 Tacos & Taps (Raleigh)
13 Tacos & Taps is easily one of the best Mexican restaurants in Raleigh, and there’s one major reason I’m including them on this list: kids eat free on SATURDAYS.
A kids-eat-free deal on a weekend is almost unheard of, and I love that they’re giving families an affordable way to dine out together during prime time. They could have easily made this deal for Tuesdays to up their weeknight traffic, but they’re clearly putting families first here. Kudos, 13 Tacos.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants Recommended By Our Followers
We asked our followers on Instagram to tell us some of their kids’ favorite restaurants. The most suggested, by far, was Tap Station in Apex, a brewery and restaurant with a large, fenced-in play area for children.
Another highly recommended spot, thanks to its fenced-in play area, was Lakewood Social in Durham. One follower said, “It is fenced! They sell delicious ice pops, and my kids love running around.”
Let us know where your kids love to dine in the Triangle!
We are all always looking for more kid-friendly restaurants, right?! Be sure to leave a comment letting us know other great restaurants kids love!
I absolutely love this list (along with so much that you do!). My kids also love Mamacita in Apex. The food is served by robot cats that get them excited every time. Not to mention lots of great flower backdrops and photo opportunities. (Admittedly, I have all girls.)