There are plenty of options for dining in San Francisco, even for those who are traveling with tots in tow. Sure, dogs outnumber kids 5-1 in San Francisco, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have fun, kid friendly restaurants!
10 Of The Best Kid Friendly Restaurants in San Francisco
- SOMA StrEat Food Park
- FOREIGN CINEMA
- MAC’D
- TONGA ROOM
- STRAW
- 15 ROMOLO
- PIER 23 CAFE
- SUPER DUPER BURGER
- TOMMASO’S
- ST. FRANCIS FOUNTAIN
We get asked a lot of questions on our kind friendly bus tour — Dylan’s Famous San Francisco Tour to Muir Woods, but one of the most common has got to be about the best restaurants for families in San Francisco.
Even though Cheesecake Factory has an AMAZING rooftop patio overlooking Union Square, we want to try and steer travelers to more local San Francisco restaurants.
Take a peek at some of our favorite local restaurants with our top ten surprisingly family friendly restaurants in San Francisco for your next San Francisco family vacation!
Don’t forget to book a bus tour with Dylan’s while you’re in town – it’s a HUGE hit with kids!
Kid Friendly Restaurants San Francisco – Our Top Picks!
#1 – SOMA StrEat Food Park
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Type of food: Food trucks; American, BBQ, Asian Fusion, Latin and Desserts
Location: South of Market Area
Cost: $
Food truck culture is booming San Francisco. We even have a dedicated location for about a dozen different food trucks called the SOMA StrEat Food Park.
This unique SF gem screens games and holds events in an old barn and a former school bus that has been converted into a dining area.
A perfect location if you’re traveling with a lot of people who all want different things and one of the really fun things to do in San Francisco with kids!
If you’re traveling to San Francisco with children, this is a great little spot to eat at for a quick lunch on your way to the next attraction.
#2 – Foreign Cinema
Type of food: California-Mediterranean fusion
Location: Mission District
Cost: $$$
California dishes with a Mediterranean flare make the food at Foreign Cinema approachable to even kids who are the pickiest of eaters.
Many date nights in San Francisco take place at Foreign Cinema since the restaurant screens movies on their back patio wall. But the same reason this is such a popular places for dates, makes it just as popular of a destination for family friendly restaurants in San Francisco — the movie screenings!
This is one of those must-do unique experiences in the city for a San Francisco family vacation.
#3 – MAC’D
Погледајте ову објаву у апликацији InstagramWhen the food is so good that the picture can wait until after the first bite ? ?: @betweenballoons
Type of food: Macaroni and cheese, fries and brussel sprouts
Location: Marina District
Cost: $$
We’ve got four words for you: mac and cheese RESTAURANT.
That’s right, San Francisco actually has a restaurant dedicated to macaroni and cheese. Can you think of a better kid friendly restaurant in SF?
Here’s how it works: choose from six delicious cheese sauces (don’t worry if you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, they even have a non-dairy option), choose your macaroni (cauliflower for anyone gluten-free), choose between a variety of meat and veggies to mix in, and finally choose toppings from classic breadcrumbs to the unconventional Korean short ribs.
MAC’D SF is a short Uber/Lyft/cab ride from Fisherman’s Wharf and one of the great baby friendly restaurants in San Francisco. It’s also one of those restaurants near Ghirardelli square, a historic and fun spot for the whole family.
P.S. This is my 5 years olds favorite kid friendly restaurant in San Francisco!
#4 – Tonga Room
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Type of food: Polynesian inspired
Location: Fairmont Hotel in Nob Hill
Cost: $$$
One of San Francisco’s kitchiest bars is located inside of, arguably, one of the nicest hotels in the city.
At the height of the iconic tiki craze that swept through America in the late 40s, Fairmont Hotel transformed their junior Olympic sized swimming pool into a “lagoon”. They also built a special boat so the live band could play IN THE WATER!
Many are surprised to learn this kitschy tiki bar is actually one of San Francisco’s kid friendly restaurants! Reservations are suggested since Tonga Room is pretty popular.
If you’re looking for the most unique things to do in San Francisco with toddlers, don’t miss this popular themed restaurant.
#5 – Straw
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Type of food: New American, carnival themed
Location: North Beach/Little Italy
Cost: $$
Even though Straw offers cotton candy cocktails, it is still very much a family friendly restaurant in San Francisco with their fried chicken waffle sandwiches and brunch options! In fact, this is the ideal place for a kid friendly brunch in San Francisco.
By no means a healthy restaurant — but it is one of the really fun things to do in San Francisco with kids!
On warm days, you can enjoy their outdoor seating. Otherwise, small groups should try to snag a seat in the old tilt-a-whirl!
If you’re looking for things to do in San Francisco with a baby, Straw is a good option for all ages, including your youngest.
#6 –ROMOLO
Type of food: New American, Basque inspired
Location: North Beach/Little Italy
Cost: $$
Hidden in an alleyway in North Beach, wedged between a gentleman’s club and beatnik museum, is what looks like a dive bar without a name.
The modest looking 15 Romolo (both the name and address) was once the dining hall for the Basque Hotel (which is still upstairs).
For the past 20 years this surprisingly family friendly restaurant has been pioneering craft cocktails in San Francisco and turning out incredible Basque inspired American dishes.
#7 – Pier 23 Cafe
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Type of food: New American
Location: The Embarcadero
Cost: $$
Pier 23 Cafe is the perfect spot to eat after visiting Alcatraz Island on our 1-Day Alcatraz Island Tour since it’s only a 10-15 walk from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing.
The interior of Pier 23 Cafe a bit small, but head out to the back and enjoy a meal along the waterfront. Don’t worry if it gets cold — they have outdoor heaters!
This casual waterfront cafe is a fun kid friendly restaurant by day, but turns into a popular live music venue in the evening. So, be sure to arrive before the cover charge starts.
#8 – Super Duper Burger
Type of food: Burgers and milkshakes
Location: Castro District, Financial District, Union Square, Marina District & Metreon in Yerba Buena Gardens
Cost: $
Okay, so, Super Duper Burgers is technically a chain. But it’s a *local* chain. And a much loved one at that.
Super Duper Burger started in the Castro District in 2010, offering simple, classic and affordable burgers and milkshakes.
They’re also one of the only family friendly restaurants open past 10pm in San Francisco, which makes Super Duper one of the tastiest late night dinner options in San Francisco.
Take it from us – this is one of the best kid friendly restaurants in the Bay Area.
#9 – Tommaso’s
Type of food: Italian
Location: North Beach/Little Italy
Cost: $$
The oldest continually running Italian restaurant in Little Italy introduced the brick oven to the West Coast in 1935 and continues to be one of the most welcoming family friendly restaurants in San Francisco.
Tommaso’s is a true family style Italian restaurant led by brother and sister duo, Aogstino and Carmen, who treat everyone like a part of the family.
#10 – St. Francis Fountain
Type of food: Classic American, ice cream
Location: Mission District
Cost: $
This vintage All American diner has been a favorite amongst San Franciscans since 1918 and is like walking into a time machine.
St. Francis Fountain is a classic American diner often overlooked by travelers visiting San Francisco because they think it’s just an ice cream shop.
This retro diner is a classic kid friendly restaurant in San Francisco, and, even better — it’s reasonably priced (for this city at least).
St. Francis Fountain is a must for anyone looking for fun things to do in San Francisco with kids!
We hope you can add a few of these local restaurants to your San Francisco family vacation itinerary next time you’re in town.
And don’t forget to join one of our San Francisco tours led by 100% local guides for personal recommendations on fun kid friendly things to do in San Francisco and places to eat.
You can even book a customizable kid friendly San Francisco foodie tour with us!
For more ideas on family friendly activities in San Francisco, be sure to check out:
10 fun things to do in San Francisco with kids
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