Favorite Family-friendly Eats in San Antonio

With the closing of some major players, like MoMak’s Backyard Malts and Burgers (sniff, sniff), I’ve been looking for some new places to grab a good bite to eat and hang with the family. I’m not talking about major destinations like Incredible Pizza or Main Event Entertainment or even downtown, just somewhere to grab a bite and entertain the kids without resorting to quick-service restaurants such as my old standby, McDonald’s. Here are a few mom favorites to try out. 

Outdoor Dining

The Cove

An oldie but goodie, The Cove is a quirky family staple that’s fun for everyone. It is a restaurant, beer garden, laundromat, and car wash that often features live music. It also has a great playground and happens to be dog-friendly. The food is really good—plus “sustainable, organic, and local”—and the beer selection is top-notch. (606 W. Cypress St., San Antonio, TX 78212 | (210) 227-2683)

Street Fare SA 

This is a newer one and looks pretty awesome, featuring a play set, horseshoe pits, a dog park, and other games to keep kids entertained. The food trucks rotate, so the menu is always different, and they have an air stream bar featuring beer and wine. A similar premise but on the other side of San Antonio is The Point Park and Eats, which touts itself as “San Antonio’s first family-friendly Texas ice house, food truck park, and coffee house.”

1916 Austin Hwy., San Antonio, TX 78218 | (210) 737-6767

Cerroni’s Purple Garlic

Be prepared to find sand everywhere after this visit because your kids will love the huge sandpit in the patio area. Smartly, Cerroni’s has an outdoor sink area to help wash off. But it is so worth it to enjoy a nice meal at “that neighborhood Italian joint.” Plus, kids eat free on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with the purchase of one adult entree.
 
1017 Austin Hwy., San Antonio, TX 78209 | (210) 822-2300

Center Court Pizza & Brew Stone Oak

Center Court has a pretty good play scape, although it does lack shade during the daytime. The menu offers a variety, from pizza to tacos, and kids eat free on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
 
20711 Wilderness Oak, San Antonio, TX 78258 | (210) 497-5152

Viola’s Ventanas

Viola’s Ventanas website says that they offer a “safe play area where your children can make new friends while you can relax and enjoy life one sip at a time.” Awesome, right? Part of the Los Barrios Restaurants family, the menu has everything from tacos to enchiladas and even chicken nuggets for the pickiest of eaters.
 
9660 Westover Hills, San Antonio, TX 78251 | (210) 684-9660

Indoor Eats

EZ’s Brick Oven & Grill

EZ’s doesn’t have a playground. However, I find its easygoing vibe to be great for families, and they have lots of bright colors, coloring sheets/crayons, and solid WiFi. Also, typically they host a summer reading program and have books for kids to look at while waiting for their food.
 
Two locations: Alamo Heights—6498 N. New Braunfels Ave., San Antonio, TX 78209 | (210) 828-7977
281 @ Bitters—734 W. Bitters Rd., San Antonio, TX 78248 | (210) 490-4809

Tribeca 212

Tribeca is well known for brunch but also serves up food with a European flair including pizza, pasta, and steak. The absolute highlight of visiting this place? The kids room. That’s right: a room dedicated to kids at a nice restaurant. It has games, crafts, and even streaming TV shows.

4331 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212 | (210) 320-0698

Fuddruckers

Touting themselves as the home of the “World’s Greatest Hamburgers®,” Fuddruckers has four San Antonio locations. In addition to hamburgers, they actually have a pretty diverse menu including exotic meats (like elk) and Napa Valley grilled chicken salad. Make sure to bring a handful of change, as most locations have a small arcade area.

Four locations in San Antonio: Alamo Plaza—115 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205 | (210) 223-9944
Botts Lane—8602 Botts Lane, San Antonio, TX 78217 | (210) 824-6703
Wurzbach—9845 IH-10 West, San Antonio, TX 78230 | (210) 694-0825
Bandera Road—11654 Bandera Rd., San Antonio, TX 78250 | (210) 556-3757

Just Desserts

Cereal Killer Sweets

I feel like this name says it all. Cereal Killer Sweets offers a variety of novelty flavored Rice Krispie treats and unique candies. I really must try the Unicorn Swirl, which is a combo of Fruity Pebbles topped with white chocolate and sprinkles.
 
10501 Huebner Rd., San Antonio, TX 78240 | (210) 966-0166

Big Daddy’s Eats and Treats

Either at their Southtown location or the food truck, Big Daddy’s is always welcomed on a hot San Antonio afternoon. Whether you opt for an original raspa (shaved ice), a mangonada, or Cucumber Krumber, you can’t go wrong. They also host an annual Raspa Fest in September. 
 
228 E. Cevallos St., San Antonio, TX 78204 | (212) 724-2936)

Arctic Ape Wild Desserts

Here is the place to get all things ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, and more. In addition to sweets, they also offer board games, fun music, and free WiFi, all thematically designed around their mascot, The Arctic Ape. 
 
5221 Walzem Rd., Suite 1, San Antonio, TX 78218 | (210) 257-5949
 

Tell us your favorite family-friendly restaurants by sharing in the comments below!

Stacey
Before she had kids, Stacey would have described herself as an alternative rock lover, bibliophile, foodie and adventure seeker. She started her career working as a DJ at radio stations, then as a news reporter and somehow ended up in advertising and marketing. But now, she identifies as all of those things but in addition, she is a mom. Stacey has two boys (4 and 7) and her eldest is high-functioning Autistic. She is sensitive and aware of the challenges and opportunities moms with special needs kids have. Plus, she has two nieces (when she needs girl time) and a big old Golden Retriever named Bolt. Stacey's currently working part-time at an ad agency.