Going out to eat with your kids, especially when they’re very young, can seem impossible. Bringing hungry kids out of the house? Seems like a recipe for disaster!
Well, fortunately Portland is chock-full of restaurants that welcome kids of all ages. These restaurants are some of our very favorites – because of the menu, the play space, the vibe, the coloring sheets — but mostly because we feel welcome, not just tolerated (even if the occasional tantrum happens).
North & Northeast
Lovely’s Fifty Fifty. With superb Portland pizza and the best ice cream, Lovely’s makes the whole family happy. 4039 N Mississippi Ave.
Wonderwood Springs. This medieval, time-traveling cafe is pure magic. Kids and adults alike will enjoy Mike Bennett’s signature art, and there’s always something fun happening at Wonderwood, from kids’ concerts to bingo. 8811 N Lombard St. Pro tip: Check out our kid’s calendar for events at Wonderwood Springs!
Mississippi Pizza. You can get yummy pizza fast at this North Portland spot. You’ll also often find kid-friendly entertainment from some of Portland’s best kindie musicians, including Red Yarn and Mr. Ben, so you can rock out while you eat. 3552 N. Mississippi Ave.
Por Que No. Even with the long lines you’re apt to see at either of the Por Que No locations, you’ll still find yourself seated and eating in half the time you would at a traditional restaurant. Por Que No has a super-affordable kids’ menu, and a hearty menu of options for adults. 3524 N Mississippi Ave. and 4635 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
The Sports Bra. The Sports Bra plays only women’s sports, all the time. Their food is tasty, too, and they welcome children. 2512 NE Broadway.
Ikea. Grab your food in minutes and then check out the planes taking off and landing while you eat. The menu is very affordable, too, with several gluten-free options.
Parallel. OK, it’s a wine bar, but hear us out. This cute spot has a stellar kids’ menu, clean high chairs, and crayons/activities to keep your kids happily busy.
The Paladins League. If you love tabletop gaming and want to enjoy a delicious meal, head to the Paladins League. The space is inviting and very kid-friendly.
Downtown and Northwest
The Daily Feast. Enjoy diner food, but with a healthy twist, plus a bookshelf of toys to choose from while you wait. Across the street from Central Library and six blocks from Powell’s Books, this is a perfect spot to grab lunch before heading off with your little bibliophiles. 837 SW 11th Ave.
Mother’s Bistro. This downtown bistro features upscale comfort food that extends to its kids menu (think meatloaf, chicken & dumplings, pot roast). The restaurant also features a children’s play area. This is a great one to visit with out-of-town guests when you want to go just a little fancy. Our staff always has our annual brunch here! 121 SW 3rd Ave.
Playdate PDX. You’ve probably been here for a birthday party or two, but it doesn’t have to be just a special occasion spot. Grab a bite to eat while your kids go wild in the play area. When they’re tired out, they can fuel up with lots of options from the kid-friendly menu. 1434 NW 17th Ave.
Buranko Cafe & Bar. This Asian fusion restaurant feels like date night, but they have an incredible play space and a fish tank. Linger over a cocktail and crispy chicken, while your kids play happily. 108 SW Pine St.
Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House. This brewpub has something for everyone: Tasty food — including a kids’ menu — 26 beers and ciders on tap for the adults, and a play space for littles in the back. Pro tip: Ask to be seated near the play space, so you can enjoy a drink while the kiddos play.
Southwest and Suburbs
Jola Café. This surprisingly large café has healthy and delicious food that appeals to kids and grownups, plus beer and wine. There’s a small but well-stocked play area tucked in a corner—which might just buy you enough time to drink your coffee before it gets cold. (A parent can dream!) 5915 SW Corbett Ave.
Marco’s Café. Marco’s has been serving Portland since 1983. You’ll find an extensive kids menu at this lovely spot located in the heart of Multnomah Village—from huckleberry pancakes to veggie burgers. Crayons and coloring pages are provided upon arrival. 7910 SW 35th Ave.
Bethany’s Table. This farm-to-table, European style bistro is great for the whole family. There’s a kids’ menu, toys for kids to play with, and Zoe (the restaurant dog) frequently pops up in the dining room. 15325 NW Central Drive, STE J-1.
Southeast
Shami Cafe. This Syrian fast-casual restaurant serves some seriously tasty hummus. There’s a great kids’ menu, and indoor and outdoor seating. Pro tip: Mt. Scott Park is across the street!
Ate-oh-Ate. This is the spot for delicious Hawaiian food! The kids chicken teriyaki plate is a winner, as are the juicy burgers, chicken katsu, and kalua pig. 5200 SE Woodstock Blvd.
Hopworks Urban Brewery. Known as HUB, this go-to joint has multiple play spaces, a solid kids’ menu, and great beer for the parents. SE Powell and Vancouver locations.
Nayar Taqueria. There’s no play area at this Fo-Po joint, but it’s still one of the most kid-friendly spots in town. The owner always makes a point of talking to the kids and making everyone feel welcome. There’s lots of outdoor seating for those warm summer days, and the food is great too. 5919 SE Foster Rd.
Que Pasa Cantina. This kid-friendly spot is a great choice for outdoor eating. Their outdoor seating area is enclosed and has heat lamps—perfect for Portland. They also have a great happy hour and lots of coloring books for kids. 1408 SE 12th Ave.
Slappy Cakes. Cook your own pancakes at your table, plus a full menu of breakfast and lunch dishes. But seriously — cook your own pancakes at your table. You don’t need much more incentive than that. 4246 SE Belmont St.
Dick’s Primal Burger. In our burger-loving city, Dick’s is a standout for families. The food is fresh, made-to-order and comes our surprisingly quickly. We love that the burger joint sources from local vendors including Carman Ranch grass-fed beef, Franz buns and Portland Ketchup.
Multiple Locations
Grand Central Bakery. The Sellwood location has sandwiches and soups in addition to their pastries, and a small kids area in the back with a child-sized table and chairs, bins of toys and a chalkboard. Multiple locations.
Laughing Planet. Another counter restaurant (less wait time is always a good thing!) with food that’s healthy, abundant, and not too pricy. The kids will love playing with the large array of plastic dinos while they wait. Multiple locations.
SuperDeluxe. Portland’s answer to In-N-Out Burger, SuperDeluxe has tasty burgers, classic fries, chicken nuggets and vegetarian options. The real fruit fizzy water is always popular with kids! Multiple locations.
Grassa. What kid won’t eat noodles? And the handcrafted pasta at Grassa is so good, even the adults would eat it plain. Multiple locations.
Mio Sushi. You’ll find quick service and a nice kids menu (California roll, teriyaki chicken, edamame), and food gets to your table fast. Most locations also have crayons and coloring sheets. Multiple locations.
The Old Spaghetti Factory. This Portland-based chain caters to families with affordable pasta dishes. The kids plates are a steal, with an entrée, applesauce or salad, a drink, and vanilla ice cream. Multiple locations.
Looking to enjoy a grown-up bevvy, in a place that also welcomes kiddos? Check out our kid-friendly breweries, and our family-friendly wineries. Want to enjoy your food while it’s still hot? These places have play spaces to occupy the kiddos. And everyone loves a good deal. These places have great happy hour deals — and welcome littles. For Vancouver families, these eateries are can’t miss.
And for even more kid-approved places to eat out with the family, read about best kid-friendly restaurants in our yearly readers’ poll.