Your Guide to Family-Friendly Dining in Boston

There is plenty of culinary culture to enjoy in Boston, including many kid-friendly restaurants the whole family can enjoy together.

bread and desserts at boston kid friendly restaurants

I have narrowed down the best kid-friendly restaurants in Boston, detailing their best dishes, atmosphere, and overall what makes them a great place to eat.

Regina Pizzeria

Multiple locations
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The name “Regina” means “queen,” which is a lofty name to live up to. Luckily, Regina Pizzeria delivers every time I visit.

After all, it is hard to beat a brick-oven baked pizza that has topped several travel magazine and website lists for the country’s best pizza.

Regina Pizzeria takes special care with each aspect of the pizza, from the crust to the sauce to the cheese.

The classic pepperoni mushroom pizza is pretty good. They lightly char the crusts, so it has that extra smoky flavor, which is amazing.

I should note that this is quite a popular pizzeria, so you might always have to wait. I tend to have the best luck around 4 p.m.

Legal Sea Foods – Harborside

270 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
Phone: 617-477-2900
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There is almost nothing better than taking a family meal next to a scenic harbor, especially once the weather gets warm again.

You will find Legal Sea Foods on the Boston Waterfront, with three floors and a retractable roof. However, the restaurant offers more than a beautiful place to enjoy a meal.

The menu offers plenty of classic seafood dishes, with an oyster bar and market on the first floor. There is even a four-season rooftop lounge on the top floor, where you can enjoy appetizers and cocktails whenever you like.

Legal Sea Foods is a great place to grab a quick bite if you are staying at the Westin Waterfront and Seaport or the Renaissance Boston Waterfront.

Picco

513 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-927-0066
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Nothing brings kids to the table faster than pizza and ice cream in the same restaurant. Picco prides itself on using local ingredients and making its pizza dough out of cold-fermented sourdough bread.

They also lightly char each pizza for more flavor. It is the same story for their ice cream, sourcing their milk from local farms and making all other toppings and ingredients in-house.

They feature classic ice cream flavors and several seasonal favorites throughout the year. If you like their ice cream, you can ship it to your home.

Each box comes insulated with dry ice and includes six different flavors. Picco’s also features pasta and salads if pizza is not your current craving.

Of course, I always go there for a quick bite of pizza and a few scoops of chocolate ice cream.

The Friendly Toast Restaurant

35 Stanhope St, Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-456-7849
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The Friendly Toast does not belong in any particular category. They roll out some creative dishes every day, including pancakes filled with fried chicken and blue cheese and breakfast egg rolls, among others.

Almost every dish on the Friendly Toast menu is an experience full of incredible spice and flavor. I always have difficulty deciding what to get.

But the Medley Crue and Buffalo Mac are some easy favorites, mainly because they offer unique takes on stir fry and macaroni and cheese.

There is a dish for every food mood, including appetizers, bowls, sandwiches, brunch specials, bennies, sweet breakfast dishes, and omelets.

The Independent

75 Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143
Phone: 617-440-6022
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You will probably not find the same combination of menu items twice at The Independent. Every season, they rotate both their food and drink menu, which includes rotating cocktails and local beers.

You can enjoy The Independent’s Brunch, Dinner, and Late Night Menus, which are pretty delicious. I like to go there for drinks, mainly since the bar is open until midnight every day.

However, I will always vouch for their oysters, which are pretty stellar. I suggest going a little later in the evening since it gets busy at dinnertime.

Plus, the restaurant has a warm and cozy feel when it gets darker.

The Paramount

Multiple locations
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The Paramount is an excellent choice for when you have brunch munchies, especially for waffles and egg sandwiches.

They also have some superb dinner items, like burgers, wings, burritos, and sandwiches, but they have amazing waffles and Brioche French toast.

The pork sausage and caramel banana pancakes are also standouts. The restaurant does have a drink menu if you need something a little extra with your meal.

All in all, it is an excellent place for some comfort food, especially since the place is a little smaller and always feels warm and inviting.

Brewer’s Fork

7 Moulton St, Charlestown, MA 02129
Phone: 617-337-5703
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Brewer’s Fork is the go-to for a midday craving for classic Boston cuisine. You will find menu items like sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and the classic Boston oyster dishes.

However, I like this place for its unique pizzas, including street corn pizza and OG pizza. The crab dip is good with a cold beer too.

I cannot forget the artisan bread, which starts every meal right. Overall, the atmosphere is rustic and inviting, with a huge, well-lit dining area.

American Flatbread Brighton

76 Guest St, Boston, MA 02135
Phone: 617-903-4595
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Although American Flatbread is only open four days a week, it is the place to go for pizza and bowling games.

The dining area is open and well-lit, and they give back to the community every Tuesday night with benefit events.

You will have to save a spot quickly, because the restaurant is only open six hours a day, usually from 4 till 10 p.m.

There are plenty of small and large flatbreads to pick from, though I like to make my own flatbread every so often.

You might find American Flatbread frozen flatbread at your local grocery store if you like their flatbread.

I should mention again that they have a few bowling lanes, so you can enjoy your flatbread and play some games in the meantime.

Flour Bakery + Cafe

Multiple locations
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Flour Bakery + Cafe has it right when they say you should eat dessert first. Or at least you should enjoy a sweet treat every so often.

I like to go there for a quick bite in the morning, though they have some fantastic sandwiches for when the mood strikes. They can also turn most items on their savory menu into a salad if you want.

What is a bakery without its hot drinks? Besides popping in for a scone, muffin, or spice cake sometimes, I love to get a latte or hot chocolate.

You can get an Arnold Palmer iced tea or a lemon limeade for warmer days, but I usually get hot drinks no matter the time of year.

Summer Shack

50 Dalton St, Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617-867-9955
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Do not let the name fool you. Summer Shack is open all year round, letting you enjoy the New England summer flavor whenever you want.

They mainly specialize in New England oysters, but they also have a clambake, lobster, and seasonal grilled fish.

I like their pan-roasted lobster to satisfy my seafood craving. If you are not the biggest seafood lover, they also have steaks, fried chicken, and burgers.

Like any restaurant worth its salt, Summer Shack locally sources every part of its meals from Cape Cod and local farmers.

If you need a little extra fun, you can go downstairs to find the arcade, pool tables, and bowling alley, which I am always up for when I visit.

307 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
Phone: 617-742-0020
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Carmelina’s is probably the most apparent family place on this list, especially since photos of the cook’s family pepper the restaurant walls.

Even better, the restaurant has an open-cooking space, so you can watch every meal come together from start to finish.

I do not stop at Carmelina’s without getting their meatballs and chicken parm, but their Penne Gorgonzola is a close favorite too.

The only downside is that they do not serve dessert, but there are many other bakeries and eateries close by that serve sweet after-dinner treats.

Theo’s Cozy Corner Restaurant

162 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113
Phone: 617-241-0202

Not surprisingly, Theo’s Cozy Corner lives up to its name. They serve a combination of American, Italian, and Brazilian food, all for relatively cheap.

I prefer the English Breakfast or the Italian sub sandwich whenever I come in, plus whatever the soup of the day is.

Their mimosas are also an excellent treat. Try to get a seat at the countertop, because you can watch the chef prepare the food.

You might even have a conversation or two with them while they work. I should note that they only take cash, so stop at an ATM before you arrive to eat.

Mamma Maria

3 N Square, Boston, MA 02113
Phone: 617-523-0077
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Mamma Maria is the place to go when you are feeling fancy. I have seen a few proposals happen in the restaurant and a few friends like going there for birthdays and anniversaries.

Not only is the food pretty good, but the restaurant sits on a small hill where you can view downtown Boston through floor-to-ceiling windows in one dining room.

The main dining room is warm and homey but also sophisticated. You can enjoy some oysters in classic Boston fashion.

But I think the Veal Cotoletta, the octopus pasta, carpaccio, pasta con logo, and meatballs are also worth trying. The apple tart makes for a tasty and refreshing dessert too.

Final Thoughts

It is a tall task to mention all of the kid-friendly restaurants in Boston, but these are just some of my favorites.

The great thing is that you can visit other unique Boston locations and either begin or end your day with a restaurant visit.

Remember that several of these restaurants are within walking distance of Boston’s hotels.

Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!

Best Kid Friendly Restaurants in Boston

  1. Regina Pizzeria
  2. Legal Sea Foods – Harborside
  3. Picco
  4. The Friendly Toast Restaurant
  5. The Independent
  6. The Paramount
  7. Brewer’s Fork
  8. American Flatbread Brighton
  9. Flour Bakery + Cafe
  10. Summer Shack
  11. Carmelina’s
  12. Theo’s Cozy Corner Restaurant
  13. Mamma Maria

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