16 Kid-Friendly Restaurants Around Boston

Summer Shack offers traditional, creative, and ethnic versions of the freshest fish and shellfish in town, along with a special kids' menu featuring items like fish fingers, corn dogs, and fried chicken. The laid-back atmosphere is family-friendly, and they have crayons, write on tablecloths, and special events on Sundays just for families.

Since 1926, Regina Pizzeria has been greeting guests in the North End of Boston with a hearty "Welcome to Boston's Original Pizzeria!" For over three generations, Regina's delicious brick oven pizza has been inspired by the love of good food and the special pride of the Polcari Family.

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  If your family loves pizza, this is one stop you should definitely put on your list. The original location is nestled in the heart of the North End and is known as "Boston’s Original Pizzeria." For over three generations, the Polcari family has been dishing up pizza made with only fresh, all natural ingredients, special seasonings, the finest toppings and baked in a brick oven. It does get crowded, so be prepared to wait, and you might share a table with another family.

Not Your Average Joe’s is a casual‑dining restaurant chain founded in 1994 in Massachusetts, known for its creative takes on American fare like signature pizzas, sandwiches, seafood, and pasta in a relaxed but stylish setting. Their menu often includes “scratch kitchen” dishes, meaning many items are made in‑house with fresh ingredients and with dietary options such as gluten‑free offerings.

Since 1960, Mr. Bartley's has been a cornerstone of Harvard Square, earning national acclaim for its award-winning burgers, milkshakes, and onion rings. Featured in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, this family-owned establishment seamlessly blends rich tradition with modern flavors, offering a menu that caters to all tastes, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  A perennial recipient of "Best of Boston" awards, Bartley's has a fast-paced, wacky atmosphere. The dining room looks like a dorm room, filled with posters, bumper stickers, and funny signs and there is always a line ready to devour their huge variety of homemade burgers as well as onion rings, sweet potato fries, frappes, and lime rickeys. Toppings range from simple to more gourmet combinations named after current pop icons, cultural items and area landmarks.

El Pelón Taquería is a Boston‑based Mexican eatery, founded in 1998, known for using fresh ingredients and preparing meals made to order with an emphasis on authenticity. Their menu includes a range of burritos, tacos, and specialty items (like their signature “El Guapo” burrito), along with gluten‑free, vegetarian, and dairy‑free options.

Cask ’n Flagon is a restaurant and sports bar in Massachusetts with locations in Boston (right across from Fenway Park) and in Marshfield. It’s a local favorite, often ranked among America’s top baseball bars, and features a lively, game‑day atmosphere with many TVs, memorabilia, and full food & drink menus. The original Boston location began operating in 1969, and over the years, it has evolved to host not just diners but events, nightlife, and large gatherings in its adjacent club space.

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  This Fenway bar is always jam-packed with pre-and-post game patrons, but it's actually quite family-friendly as well. There is an outdoor patio to enjoy your meal on nice days and if you get there early before the game you can enjoy burgers, pizza and salads at a much more reasonable price than you'll pay inside the park.

American Flatbread in Somerville is housed inside the historic Sacco’s Bowl Haven, a vintage candlepin bowling alley that dates back to 1939. They serve wood‑fired, thin flatbread pizzas (often with local, natural ingredients), and also run a full bar with around 20 local draft brews.

Redbones is a well‑known barbecue restaurant, offering smoked meats, classic sides, and a casual, energetic dining atmosphere.

FiRE+iCE Boston is an interactive grill and bar where guests create their own meals by selecting fresh ingredients and watching chefs cook them on a large, open grill. Located near Faneuil Hall, it offers a lively, all-you-can-eat dining experience with global flavors and a fun, energetic atmosphere. It's popular for group outings, celebrations, and anyone seeking a unique, hands-on dining experience.

You don’t have to go far to experience Boston’s finest dining. This award-winning restaurant is the birthplace of the Boston Cream Pie, Parker House Rolls, and Boston Scrod.

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  The Omni Parker House Hotel, a fine dining room, is surprisingly kid-friendly. While adults fill up on chowder and house-invented specialties like Boston Schrod and Parker House Rolls, the kids can enjoy some of their favorites like hot dogs and mini hamburgers. The highlight of your meal just might be to sample the famous Boston Cream Pie, invented at the hotel.

James Hook & Company is a historic seafood business located in Boston, Massachusetts, known for its fresh lobster and long-standing presence since 1925. The family-run company supplies seafood to both individual customers and top restaurants across the U.S. 

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  On a nice day, nothing beats sitting outdoors and enjoy a lobster roll from James Hook & Co. It's a simple establishment and often has a line out the door, but many swear it's the best lobster roll they've ever had. They also offer other favorites such as New England clam chowder, lobster dinners and even lobster mac & cheese.

This mainstay in Boston's North End manages a cozy mom-and-pop atmosphere with world-class traditional cuisine. Entrees like Saltimbocca di Pollo and Linguine al Frutti di Mare hearken back to the old country, but Antico Forno is best known for its brick-oven pizzas piled high with house-made Italian sausages and mozzarella.

The Granary Tavern is a rustic-chic restaurant located on Boston’s historic Freedom Trail, offering a cozy atmosphere with exposed brick and wood-beamed ceilings. It serves a modern American menu with locally sourced ingredients, craft beers, and creative cocktails. Popular with both locals and tourists, it blends Boston’s colonial charm with contemporary dining.

At La Famiglia Giorgio’s, they are recreating the authentic family-style dining experience of Nonna’s. Their menu specializes in Roman cuisine, featuring large portions that are both distinctive in size and affordable.

Located along Boston’s historic Fort Point Channel, The Barking Crab is one of the city’s best-loved restaurants. Originally established in 1994 as a seasonal outdoor eatery for lobster rolls and longnecks, The Barking Crab has evolved into a year-round operation with an expansive deck under a distinctive yellow and red striped tent for those long summer nights and featuring a wood-burning stove for those cozy, snowy, winter nights.