Fisherman’s Wharf kids’ fun equals seeing the famous sourdough bread expertly crafted into animal shapes right before their eyes. Be lured in by the aroma of clam chowder mingled with freshly baked bread and head for the upstairs dining room with a cool mini museum and terrific views over the bay. If the children don’t go for chowder in a bread bowl, there’s a regular kids’ menu as well.

A couple of piers along, this funky landmark is just right for after an Exploratorium visit. The kids’ menu offers fish ’n chips as well as the standard burger, hot dog, and grilled cheese. Mixing up regulars and tourists for decades, this popular spot has bay views from its huge suntrap patio that’s a magnet in the rear, and complimentary cowboy hats come with the crayons in a Mason jar. Parental tip: Avoid happy hour, though they do make a special kid drink called the Gold Rush that has 7-Up, grenadine, OJ, and whipped cream.

Think outside the box at this counter service Russian Hill mac ’n cheese restaurant. Kids will love choosing a cheese sauce, pasta shape (shells or elbows) and mix-ins like bacon and hot dogs (or broccoli and peas if green veggies are their thing). Parents can experiment with ingredients like truffle oil, lobster, or hot Cheetos.

Yes, Yank Sing is pricier than most other dim sum restaurants in the city, but what you get is the ability to make a reservation, cart service so that you can pick exactly what you want to eat the minute you’re seated. Opt to dine in the airy atrium to give little ones space to roam while you feast on Cantonese classics. If you prefer to dine outdoors, their second location on Stevenson has a covered patio.

Give kids another reason to love sushi when it’s delivered by bullet train. Order sushi, noodles, skewers, and more from an iPad, then wait for a high-speed miniature train to whizz by with your food in this dinner-plus-entertainment favorite across from Japantown.

The name says it all in two magical words that kids crave: grilled cheese. Buttery and crunchy, it’s an irresistible, old fashioned treat for the ages and for all ages. AGCK is a small place, so get your sandwiches wrapped up to go, especially when the nearby vest pocket-sized South Park has seats in the sun.

This old-school ice cream shop in the Richmond sports one of the cutest parklets in SF and has scooped homemade ice cream since 1959. Mixed in with familiar flavors like rocky road and cookies and cream are Asian-inspired scoops of sweet red bean, black sesame, and Thai tea. To make it a full meal, order classic burgers and fried sides, or opt for a Korean-inspired bulgogi burger, Seoul-food salad, or gochujang fries instead.

Wood-fired barbecue pits churn out smoked brisket, ribs, and sausages to go with twists on kid favorites like bacon-wrapped hot dogs and the frankaroni (deep-fried mac ’n cheese with hot dogs inside) in this NOPA mainstay. Dig in on a patio picnic table or take it to nearby Alamo Square instead.

Between the landmarks of Golden Gate Park and the Pacific Ocean, the kids’ menu here is a standard one featuring the usual culprits. Wait for a sunny morning and bring your blanket for a picnic on a real grass lawn where location, parking lot, children, and dogs are reasons to come that rate higher than the food and service. You may get lucky nabbing an Adirondack chair while the little ones run around with no fears of being reminded to keep their elbows off the table.

Any kid can tell you it tastes better to eat with your hands, and at Pica Pica they agree. Gluten-free, handmade Venezuelan arepas are the signature dish at this father-daughter owned and operated restaurant. Yuca fries and cachapas (folded sweet corn crepes) provide a twist on classics that little eaters find flavorful and fun.

This Inner Sunset mainstay is directly across the street from Golden Gate Park when you need a break from the museums or want to grab takeout to eat in the park. Weave your way through strollers to get to indoor dining or the tiki-themed outdoor seating area. Kids can choose between fried food baskets, bowls, or sushi, and grown ups can dine on all manners of seafood from poke to tacos. A second location in the Marina offers sidewalk and parklet seating.

The butter and cheese pastas on most kids’ menus are dull and flavorless, but Fiorella is a welcome exception. Specializing in pizza and pasta, they make a cheesy pasta for kids that’s so good you’ll wish you could snag a bite. Grownups will appreciate great salads and starters, plus the ability to order wine by the carafe. The original location in the Richmond and the newest location in the Sunset both have lovely patios, and the one on Polk has a few outdoor tables too.

The owner and his family are often on hand to welcome you and yours to this popular family-style restaurant serving Vietnamese food near Golden Gate Park. When your visit is timed just right, there’s no queue for a table and your first taste of that Hu Tieu Ga (chicken noodle soup) or Bun (vermicelli noodle bowls) that kids love. Parental tip: A tank filled with live seafood in the rear is a good distraction for antsy moments.

Nothing makes organic vegetables disappear faster than a movie served up on the giant outdoor wall screen to accompany dinner. The three-course prix fixe kids’ meal (veggie and fruit to start; pasta, chicken, or steak; and ice cream to finish) feels ever so grown up, yet comes with a coloring book and crayons. They also have a brunch menu for the little ones if daytime is more your speed.

This cozy British-style tea room gives adults and kids a chance to dress up and nibble on scones, finger sandwiches, and sweets in a space full of antiques and character. Those who don’t feel like the traditional tea service have the option for some pub fare instead. They’ve added a parklet should you want to sip your tea outside, or you can order takeout tea service if you’d rather dine on your own china at home instead.

It is known: Kids love pasketti [sic] and meatballs. But grown-ups do too, and Emmy’s offers something for every age, including wine and beer for the older generation. Besides lovely mounds of noodles and red sauce, Emmy’s has entrees like eggplant parmesan and zoodles (zucchini noodles) for the non-carb-eating crew. Kids eat free on Tuesday evenings with the purchase of adult meals.