One thing I love about San Antonio is that it is SO family friendly! There are countless restaurants that welcome children and offer the hustle and bustle to drown out your child’s hunger screams as you wait for your food, but there are a few favorites on my list. To be in my favorites category, it typically has a great patio, an area where your kids can run some energy off or be entertained in some way, and offer tasty food. In no particular order, my top San Antonio kid-friendly restaurants are:
The Cove (Downtown)
Giving San Antonio a little of that “Austin-vibe”, The Cove is one eclectic joint. A laundromat, a car-wash, a restaurant, a beer garden and live music venue, it certainly offers a little something for everyone. Their patio surrounds a huge play-yard and is equipped with misters for those super hot summer days. If the heat gets to you, sit inside and enjoy the local music that kids can dance along to. Try their fish tacos and sweet potato fries – this is a great spot for vegetarians and gluten-free dining as well.
Big’z Burger Joint (1604/Bitters)
With burgers, fries, a large drink selection and a massive artificial turf yard for your kids to run around, Big’z Burger Joint is perfect for large groups. It has a Party Barn for private events and you can bring soccer balls, footballs, kickballs (heck, you get the idea) for your kids to play with. The burgers are delicious and come made to order with a variety of toppings like pineapple, coleslaw or beer braised onions. I like to hit Big’z up on a weeknight or a lunch playdate as Friday and Saturday nights can get nuts. They’ve also opened a second location on the west side of town.
MoMak’s Backyard Malts & Burgers (McAllister Park)
A soccer field, a playscape/treehouse and outdoor seating make MoMak’s a perfect spot for families. Parents can watch their children while sipping on wine, beer or sodas on the outdoor patio. If you have a group of kids, make life easy and order the Bucket of Burgers.
Cerroni’s Purple Garlic (Alamo Heights)
An Italian restaurant on Austin Highway, Cerroni’s Purple Garlic has recently renovated their back patio and play area. Their new sandbox let’s kids dig and dig until their heart’s content. And bonus! Kids eat free on Wednesdays and Saturdays with the purchase of an adult meal. Just a warning, be sure to dump shoes out before climbing into your car or you could end up with sand castles under the carseats!
Two Bros. BBQ Market (West/Bitters)
Mmmm, mmmm – I love me some Texas bar-b-que and it doesn’t get any tastier than Two Bros. BBQ Market. Just across from Walker Park, Two Brother’s has a large playscape and sandbox surrounded by picnic tables, and always a plus in my book, it’s owned by local chef Jason Dady. This is our go-to when we have a large group of friends meeting for dinner.
Mi Casa Tamales (Leon Springs)
Just up I-10 in between San Antonio and Boerne, Mi Casa Tamales is the place for great drinks, good Mexican food, a fun patio and live music. Mi Casa Tamales backs up to the showroom for Rainbow Play Yards so kids can go wild on their choice of playscapes – talk about a kids dream! They also have a sports court and private party room so keep it in mind for a casual family gathering or birthday party.
Chris Madrid’s
If you are going to call yourself a true San Antonian, you have to have checked eating a burger at Chris Madrid’s off of your list. Known for the best burgers in San Antonio, Chris Madrid’s is not only delicious but also family friendly. You can take your kids, sit on the patio and stuff yourself silly with a Cheddar Cheezy. Keep your kids entertained by playing “I Spy” with all of the San Antonio history and fun that hangs from the walls!
What’s your favorite local, kid-friendly restaurant?
[…] once again – and they had some GREAT suggestions! You can check out their post on top kid-friendly restaurants in San Antonio for full details on seven different hot spots, but I will go ahead and give you my top picks for […]
Boardwalk on Bulverde, Beto’s, Two Step, Los Barrios on the north side, Mi Casa Tamales ( Leon springs). All have some sort or play area. Also, if your into dancing east of SA there in a BBQ place call Texas Pride BBQ. It’s like a dance hall for the whole family, they also have a play area.
Brooke, you must try Sushihana in Castle Hills. They have high chairs and big family booths, and really, really good food.
Bill Miller
I must say that I am sooo glad I found this post. We are not from San Antonio but we like to visit this beautiful city often, we are always in the lookout for local restaurants , I usually spend hours searching for our next place to eat. Thanks to all of your wonderful suggestions we have excellent choices for our upcoming trip in two weeks.
Thanks Leidy! So happy you’ve found us and hopefully we can assist with other tips for your future San Antonio visits.
Bill Miller…for breakfast!
I’ve never tried Bill’s for breakfast! Inie, you must tell us more 🙂
Dear Brooke: First of all, not all the locations serve breakfast, but the selected locations have a big outdoor breakfast sign. When I take my grandchildren we buy the Bill Miller breakfast which has eggs, beans, hash brown potatoes, sausage, and two tortillas for a very reasonable price of $5.59. This meal feeds my three grandchildren aged between 3 and 2 years. You can make any substitution you like. We opt for double hash browns and no beans, and take bacon instead of sausage. The food is served in a cafeteria line, so there is no waiting for hungry children. They also have the most delicious pancakes, which my husband likes. These are made to order, so after you go through the cafeteria line, when they are ready, a server brings them to your table. The children are too anxious to eat to wait for them. On the weekends, when they are really busy in the dine-in restaurant, we use the drive through and eat at home.
Love all these places! And Fralo’s has a great atmosphere as well as good food!
Yes! Fralo’s is so fun to sit outside, especially when the weather is nice.
I shared on my FB page also!
After trying these places out we may have a new favorite! I don’t know that we have one now we just love exploring new places. My daughter did love the playscape at The Cove.
Thanks for sharing Malorie! Let us know if you find a favorite from these suggestions!
Big fan of El Jarro and Chris Madrid’s. Great post.
LOVE El Jarro! We might just have something special from them in the coming week 🙂
Congratulations girls! The blog look awesome! and the pics turned out pretty good and go perfectly with your blog! I can see how successful it’s quickly going to be! I can’t wait to utilize it!
Sweetie’s on Avenue B is a quiet spot that my kids enjoy.
Oh, never tried Sweetie’s! Always good to have a new one 🙂
Oh my goodness, you just created a craving for a delicious Chris Madrid’s burger with this ravenous preggo!
Bigz!
We also love Longhorn Cafe at 1604 and Blanco.
Yes Jennifer – love their burgers!
We also love Beefy’s Backyard on 281.
I’ve heard of Beefy’s a couple of times but have yet to try it. Thanks for the suggestion Sarah!
Old West Burgers is great too!
Oh, that’s a new suggestion for me Natalie! We haven’t been there yet but will soon.
Green vegetarian on the rice walk is great. My minis love the outdoor patio picnic tables & ducks come up from the river walk to be fed!
We’ve been to the Green at Alon but haven’t tried the new location yet. Will definitely have to add it to the list of ones to try!
We love willies with their sandbox and large fans to beat the heat. The hubs loves it during crawfish season.
Willie’s is definitely a favorite of ours. We have never been to MoMak’s so we will try that out for sure! Great places on your list!
Lisa – no surprise that this is on the your list since we go there so often with y’all 🙂
Oooh, and Willie’s for the younger kids!
You’re right Taylor – Willie’s is a good one. I LOVE their fish tacos!
We love Dog & Pony Grill in Boerne!
Thanks Erin! Need to try Dog & Pony Grill out!