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22 Especially Child-Friendly Restaurants in San Francisco

Tested and proven restaurants where the younger set are welcome

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Eating out with children is a particular kind of challenge, one that involves distractions, concessions, and planning ahead. Does the restaurant provide crayons? Will there be room for a high chair or stroller? Will the kitchen just make some damn pasta and butter if need be? And in these pandemic times, even though many kids are vaccinated, a lot of parents are still seeking out the lower risks of outdoor dining.

The most successful dining experiences with tots in tow involve tested and proven restaurants where the well-behaved younger set are welcome. To take out that guesswork, we compiled a list of 22 of the most child-friendly restaurants in San Francisco, so that when it's time for a family meal out, everyone can have a good time.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

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Boudin Bakery Café Baker's Hall

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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.

Pier 23 Cafe

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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.

Takeout shrimp sandwich Pier 23 Cafe

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.

MAC’D

Waterbar

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Kids love panoramic bay views, too, and this one even includes a fire boat under the Bay Bridge. The impressive tubular floor-to-ceiling fish tanks substitute for yet another visit to the Cal Academy’s aquarium, or sit outside on the well-shaded patio. The kids’ menu comes with pictures, crayons, word search, and a fish maze to entertain while waiting for a shrimp cocktail, crispy chicken breast, or ricotta cheese ravioli, plus an ice cream sundae for being on best behavior.

Yank Sing (Stevenson St.)

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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.

Dim sum carts at Yank Sing Yank Sing

Hikari Sushi & Bar

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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.

Lemonade Yerba Buena

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Kids really dig the see-it-and-point concept at this mini-chain of bright, upscale cafeterias imported from Los Angeles. Parents appreciate knowing that everything is freshly made daily on the premises. Get a tray and combine any number of options from the counters displaying cold and hot mains and sides, sandwiches, desserts and drinks like blood orange lemonade before settling into a booth with your trays. Yerba Buena Gardens is right outside to picnic or run around in, and there’s a second location in West Portal.

The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen

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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.

Grilled cheese sandwich American Grilled Cheese Kitchen

Joe's Ice Cream

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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.

Patricia Chang

4505 Burgers & BBQ

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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.

Spark Social SF

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These two food truck parks in Mission Bay are directly across the street from each other and have enough options that even the pickiest eaters will find something they like (and some have online ordering). Lots of picnic benches and turf make this a great place to grab a bite and burn off some excess energy, and there are even bar trucks with beer, wine, and cocktails. Bonus: Stagecoach Greens is located in Parklab Gardens for some mini golf fun.

Aerial view of Spark Social park Spark Social

Park Chalet

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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.

Fish and chips Park Chalet

Pica Pica Arepa Kitchen

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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.

Pacific Catch

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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.

Pacific Catch

The fluffiest of gingerbread pancakes with lemon curd and roasted bosc pears are a crowd pleaser at this neighborhood standout in family-friendly Cole Valley, beloved in particular for its pretty outdoor garden dining patio, high chairs, and children’s menu. Beware a weekend brunch wait that’s too long for even the most patient child, but you can join the wait list through Yelp now.

Fiorella Sunset

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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.

Rooftop patio at Fiorella Sunset Fiorella

Yummy Yummy

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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.

Tacolicious

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With a menu full of hits like guacamole and cheese dip, parents are sure to convince children to consume at least a bite or two, especially since there’s a choose-your-own adventure kids’ meal. There are plenty of margaritas, more advanced taco fillings, and patio and parklet seating at both locations (Mission and Marina) of this happy, laid-back, kid-friendly spot that does a fine happy hour and Taco Tuesdays.

Tacolicious

Foreign Cinema

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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.

Foreign Cinema Foreign Cinema

Lovejoy's Tea Room

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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.

Emmy's Spaghetti Shack

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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.

Spaghetti with meatballs
Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack

Squat & Gobble

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Kids, crêpes, and a funny name go together at this bright corner in West Portal where you can order breakfast and more anytime of day. They tick all the boxes for kid-related paraphernalia: Patio, high chairs, and booster seats. Order at the counter and find overflow seating upstairs. There’s only indoor seating and a few sidewalk tables at the second, smaller location in the Marina District.

Outdoor patio with kids Squat & Gobble

Boudin Bakery Café Baker's Hall

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.

Pier 23 Cafe

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.

Takeout shrimp sandwich Pier 23 Cafe

MAC'D

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.

MAC’D

Waterbar

Kids love panoramic bay views, too, and this one even includes a fire boat under the Bay Bridge. The impressive tubular floor-to-ceiling fish tanks substitute for yet another visit to the Cal Academy’s aquarium, or sit outside on the well-shaded patio. The kids’ menu comes with pictures, crayons, word search, and a fish maze to entertain while waiting for a shrimp cocktail, crispy chicken breast, or ricotta cheese ravioli, plus an ice cream sundae for being on best behavior.

Yank Sing (Stevenson St.)

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.

Dim sum carts at Yank Sing Yank Sing

Hikari Sushi & Bar

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.

Lemonade Yerba Buena

Kids really dig the see-it-and-point concept at this mini-chain of bright, upscale cafeterias imported from Los Angeles. Parents appreciate knowing that everything is freshly made daily on the premises. Get a tray and combine any number of options from the counters displaying cold and hot mains and sides, sandwiches, desserts and drinks like blood orange lemonade before settling into a booth with your trays. Yerba Buena Gardens is right outside to picnic or run around in, and there’s a second location in West Portal.

The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen

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.

Grilled cheese sandwich American Grilled Cheese Kitchen

Joe's Ice Cream

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.

Patricia Chang

4505 Burgers & BBQ

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.

Spark Social SF

These two food truck parks in Mission Bay are directly across the street from each other and have enough options that even the pickiest eaters will find something they like (and some have online ordering). Lots of picnic benches and turf make this a great place to grab a bite and burn off some excess energy, and there are even bar trucks with beer, wine, and cocktails. Bonus: Stagecoach Greens is located in Parklab Gardens for some mini golf fun.

Aerial view of Spark Social park Spark Social

Park Chalet

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.

Fish and chips Park Chalet

Pica Pica Arepa Kitchen

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.

Pacific Catch

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.

Pacific Catch

Zazie

The fluffiest of gingerbread pancakes with lemon curd and roasted bosc pears are a crowd pleaser at this neighborhood standout in family-friendly Cole Valley, beloved in particular for its pretty outdoor garden dining patio, high chairs, and children’s menu. Beware a weekend brunch wait that’s too long for even the most patient child, but you can join the wait list through Yelp now.

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Fiorella Sunset

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.

Rooftop patio at Fiorella Sunset Fiorella

Yummy Yummy

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.

Tacolicious

With a menu full of hits like guacamole and cheese dip, parents are sure to convince children to consume at least a bite or two, especially since there’s a choose-your-own adventure kids’ meal. There are plenty of margaritas, more advanced taco fillings, and patio and parklet seating at both locations (Mission and Marina) of this happy, laid-back, kid-friendly spot that does a fine happy hour and Taco Tuesdays.

Tacolicious

Foreign Cinema

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.

Foreign Cinema Foreign Cinema

Lovejoy's Tea Room

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.

Emmy's Spaghetti Shack

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.

Spaghetti with meatballs
Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack

Squat & Gobble

Kids, crêpes, and a funny name go together at this bright corner in West Portal where you can order breakfast and more anytime of day. They tick all the boxes for kid-related paraphernalia: Patio, high chairs, and booster seats. Order at the counter and find overflow seating upstairs. There’s only indoor seating and a few sidewalk tables at the second, smaller location in the Marina District.