38 Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Chicago & Suburbs

At Johns’ Blue Top Drive In, nostalgia meets culinary delight. Nestled in Highland, Indiana, this charming drive-in takes you back to simpler times with its classic diner vibe and automotive-themed menu. Signature items like the Blue Top Burger and loaded fries shine, while specialty drinks like Garbage Coke add a quirky twist. The warm atmosphere, aided by friendly staff and vintage car displays, makes it a community hub

Medici on 57th is a beloved, long-standing restaurant in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, known for its eclectic menu and cozy, artistic vibe. Popular with University of Chicago students and faculty, it serves a variety of dishes, including handmade pizzas, sandwiches, and fresh-baked pastries. The walls are famously covered in decades of graffiti and doodles, adding to its unique, welcoming character.

Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery is a unique brewpub located in a restored historic train station in Flossmoor, Illinois. It offers a rotating selection of award-winning craft beers brewed on-site, along with a menu of hearty American fare. The setting combines railroad charm with a family-friendly atmosphere, making it a local favorite for both dining and craft beer lovers.

MingHin Cuisine is a popular Chinese restaurant group in the Chicago area, known for its authentic Cantonese dishes and extensive dim sum menu. With elegant, modern interiors, it offers a refined yet approachable dining experience suitable for both casual meals and special occasions. MingHin has earned a strong reputation for quality, consistency, and traditional flavors, making it a go-to spot for Chinese cuisine lovers.

Wildberry Pancakes and Café is a popular breakfast and brunch spot in the Chicago area, known for its creative twists on classic American dishes. Their signature pancakes, topped with fresh berries and house-made sauces, are a standout favorite among locals and tourists alike. With a warm, inviting atmosphere and consistently high-quality food, Wildberry often draws long lines, especially on weekends.

Alexandra F. said:  Wildberry offers an extensive menu of brunch favorites, from waffles and French toasts piled high with yummy toppings, to omelettes and skillets for the “savory” crowd, to sandwiches and salads for the lunch lovers among us. The kids menu includes such delights as fruity pebble french toast and berry bliss pancakes, and perhaps best of all, they have a fabulous smoothie and coffee bar serving Intelligentsia coffee...my personal favorite! The menus include plenty of gluten-free options.

Epic Burger is a Chicago-based fast-casual chain known for its focus on fresh, all-natural ingredients and customizable gourmet burgers. Founded in 2008, it emphasizes “mindful eating” by using hormone-free beef, cage-free eggs, and hand-cut fries. With its modern, eco-conscious approach, Epic Burger has become a favorite for those seeking a healthier take on the classic American burger.

Flat Top Grill is a customizable Asian-fusion stir-fry restaurant where guests build their own bowls from a wide selection of fresh vegetables, proteins, sauces, and spices. The interactive dining experience includes watching chefs cook your creation on a large, flat-top grill. With a casual atmosphere and a focus on personalization, it's a popular spot for both healthy eaters and adventurous food lovers.

The Berghoff Restaurant is a historic Chicago institution known for its traditional German cuisine and classic old-world ambiance. Established in 1898, it has been serving hearty dishes like schnitzel, sauerbraten, and house-made sausages for over a century. The restaurant also features its own line of Berghoff beers and root beer, adding to its timeless charm and legacy.

The Sugar Factory is a vibrant, celebrity-endorsed restaurant and candy shop known for its over-the-top sweets, colorful cocktails, and Instagram-worthy desserts. With locations across the U.S., including a popular spot in Chicago, it offers a fun, high-energy dining experience for all ages. Signature items like the smoking goblet drinks and towering milkshakes make it a go-to destination for celebrations and special occasions.

Giordano’s is a famous Chicago-based pizzeria chain best known for its Chicago-style stuffed deep‑dish pizza, where cheese and toppings are layered between two crusts and topped with sauce. Founded in 1974, Giordano’s has grown to dozens of locations across several states and also ships frozen pies nationwide. Its pies are celebrated for their heavy cheese, flaky crust, and rich tomato sauce, making them a staple in Chicago’s iconic pizza scene.

Vanessa M. said:  If you enjoy Chicago's deep dish pizza, hold onto your fork because Giordano's serves stuffed deep dish pizza, which is a whole different entity. It can only be described as "a double-crusted, cheese-stuffed masterpiece" and should be on every Chicago visitor's bucket list. With so many locations within Chicago, it is easy to fit a meal at Giordano's in, no matter where you are sightseeing! When ordering, do as the Chicagoans and phone your order in ahead of time as pizzas are made to order and take about 45 minutes to bake. Giordano's has many locations throughout Chicago and the Suburbs.

Wishbone Chicago is a beloved Southern-style restaurant known for its hearty comfort food with Cajun and Creole influences. Popular dishes include shrimp and grits, fried chicken, and biscuits with gravy, all served in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. A staple in the city for decades, Wishbone is especially popular for its vibrant weekend brunch and down-home hospitality.

Molly Weber said:  Wishbone serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays and their menu includes some dishes with a Southern flare. There is also a kids menu available that includes french toast covered in crunchy corn flakes - yum!

Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. is a unique and cozy restaurant known for its signature Pizza Pot Pies, made with a thick, golden crust and filled with gooey cheese, homemade sauce, and fresh toppings. Located in a historic brownstone in Lincoln Park, the restaurant has a warm, old-world atmosphere with dim lighting and rustic charm. It's a hidden gem with a loyal following, often drawing long lines for its one-of-a-kind take on Chicago-style comfort food.

Eggsperience is a cheerful breakfast and brunch chain in the Chicago area, known for its generous portions and wide variety of classic American and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. From fluffy pancakes and omelets to skillets and fresh-squeezed juices, the menu caters to both traditional and health-conscious diners. With its cozy atmosphere and fast, friendly service, Eggsperience is a favorite spot for families, friends, and brunch lovers alike.

Alexandra F. said:  One of my favorite things about Eggsperience is that most of their locations have high ceilings -- which make the restaurant feel spacious -- and an open floor plan to make maneuvering a stroller or car seat around less daunting! And of course, you can enjoy all of your breakfast and lunch favorites (including some of the yummiest skillets around!), with kid-friendly dishes like chocolate chip pancakes, French toast triangles, and green eggs and ham. Gluten free options also available.

The Chicago Diner is a beloved vegetarian/vegan diner in Chicago, operating “Meat Free Since ’83,” which puts creative plant‑based twists on classic comfort foods. Favorites include their Radical Reuben (seitan in place of corned beef), vegan milkshakes, and a full brunch menu with dishes like country fried steak and biscuits & gravy. With locations in Lakeview and Logan Square, its retro diner decor, cozy vibe, and large menu make it a go‑to spot for folks looking for hearty food without the meat.

Vanessa M. said:  Come to the Chicago Diner, an iconic Chicago staple, where they've been "meat free since '83". Delicious vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options abound. From the "Titanic BLT burger" to their famous "Radical Reuben", I promise you won't leave hungry. Kids enjoy "mac and teese", veggie burgers, and vegan ice cream sundaes from the kid's menu. Don't miss their insanely good, award winning vegan shakes! Oh, and brunch!

Note they have 2 locations: the original (smaller) diner on Halsted, and their larger location in Logan Square.

Pequod’s Pizza is a Chicago-area pizzeria famous for its signature “pan‑style” deep dish pies with a caramelized cheese crust edge. Their original location opened in Morton Grove in the 1970s, and a Lincoln Park location followed in 1992. In 2024, Yelp ranked Pequod’s as having the #1 pizza in the U.S., highlighting its popularity and critical acclaim.

Yoli B said:  Pequod's Pizza is always on the list of best deep dish pizza in Chicago and if you are willing to wait at this busy spot you will be handsomely rewarded. They only use the freshest ingredients and have the gooiest slices I have ever seen. The crust is caramelized and packs a nice crunch when you bite down but wait one more second and you will get the flavor explosion! You can't go wrong with anything at Pequod's Pizza. Tip: go early or call ahead for seating. There is always a line!