Kid-Friendly Spots for the Whole Family to Enjoy
via Yolk
Enjoying a meal out with the whole family doesn’t always have to end up in a drive-thru, especially when you live in one of the best culinary cities in the world! While we won’t deny that there is certainly a time and a place for a good old Happy Meal, there are also so many other amazing, approachable Chicago restaurants that the whole family can enjoy while also expanding their taste palettes beyond chicken nuggets and fries :) Here is our round-up of kid-friendly spots around the city that make for a fun family outing:
Stax Cafe {Multiple Locations}
Breakfast and brunch are always a family favorite and Stax Cafe offers the best of both worlds. Stax is a family-owned and operated restaurant with two city locations, one near the UIC campus and one in River West, and has been a Chicago staple for delicious breakfast, brunch + lunch food for over 15 years. Families with kids of all ages are sure to enjoy the welcoming diner’esque atmosphere, menu stacked with morning classics and fun variety of monthly rotating seasonal specials to try.
Highlights include:
Sweet: Stuffed Nutella Raspberry French Toast + Cinnamon Roll Waffles
Savory: Sriracha Egg Sandwich + Braised Beef Brisket Benedict
Seasonal: Apple Cider Donut Pancakes + Cold Foam Iced Lattes
via Stax Cafe
Vaca's Creamery {Multiple Locations}
Let's be honest, we all DO scream for ice cream and Vaca’s Creamery offers some of the best in the city. Everyone in the family can enjoy Vaca’s regardless of most dietary restrictions because all of their ice cream is vegan; meaning absolutely no animal sources, no dairy, no eggs, no honey, and no refined sugars! Vaca’s prides themselves on using the highest quality ingredients, making almost all of their ice cream, waffle cones, sauces and toppings fresh in-house.
Highlights include:
Classic Flavors: Molten Chocolate Sundae + Strawberry Shortcake Sundae
Seasonal Flavors: Apple Cider Donut Cake Sundae + Pumpkin Spice Shake
Smack Dab {6730 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL: 872.241.9111}
Tucked in the heart of family-friendly neighborhood Rogers Park, Smack Dab is a casual brunch cafe serving up a tasty selection of signature breakfast sandwiches, small-batch donuts, coffee + more. With a deep love for their community, Smack Dab’s mission is to create a warm + inclusive environment that feels like home - aka the perfect restaurant for families of all kinds! Enjoy a menu of comforting, flavorful morning classics, whether it’s grabbing a pastry + freshly brewed coffee to-go, or settling in for the full brunch experience.
Highlights include:
Savory: ‘The Best Seller’ Breakfast Sandwich + Grits N’ Greens Bowl
Sweet: Vegan Donuts (flavors change daily!) + Double Chocolate Pepita Bread
The Goddess and Grocer {Multiple Locations}
With three city locations, an expansive selection of fresh breakfast, lunch, desserts + coffees and shelves stocked full of premade goodies + snacks, everyone in the family is sure to find something to enjoy at The Goddess and Grocer. While the Fulton Market and Gold Coast stores are catered more for pick-up, the Bucktown store boasts a spacious upstairs dining room + rooftop patio to unwind on. The Goddess and Grocer is perfect for all your meal needs; whether it’s bringing home some fresh pastries + coffees to the family, picking up a fresh salad or sandwich for all your kid’s activities or simply keeping your bag stocked with tasty snacks to whip out when the hunger strikes.
Highlights include:
Breakfast: Maple Bacon Sandwich, Breakfast Burrito + Smoked Salmon Club
Lunch: Garden Goddess Wrap, California Dreaming Sammie + Short Rib Grilled Cheese
Seasonal Sips: Pumpkin Marshmallow Latte + Banoffee Pie Latte
DeNucci's {Multiple Locations}
Families looking to indulge in a warm, comforting Italian meal should book a table at DeNucci’s in Lincoln Park. In the winter months you can cozy up in an interior booth, and in the warmer months the whole family can relax on DeNucci’s European-inspired sidewalk patio. Their menu features Italian classics with an upscale feel and an emphasis on handmade pastas + thin-crust pizzas, both perfect for sharing amongst the group. Suburban families can also visit DeNucci’s Highland Park or the brand new Hinsdale location!
Highlights include:
Pizza: Pesto Pomodorini White Pizza + Spicy Pepperoni Red Pizza
Pastas: Tagliatelle Bolognese + Spicy Crab Campanelle
via Sweet Mandy B’s
Sweet Mandy B's {Multiple Locations}
Sweet Mandy B’s is a Chicago favorite amongst children and adults alike thanks to a mouthwatering menu of gourmet cupcakes, brownies, cookies, pies, custom cakes + more. Stepping inside Sweet Mandy B’s immediately ignites a sense of warmth + nostalgia, with delicious smells, pastel colors and old fashioned décor spread throughout. Pick up a sweet treat to enjoy on the go, at home or create your own custom orders to cater your next kid’s party or gathering!
Highlights include:
Cupcakes: Confetti, Cookie Monster + Snickerdoodle
Other Sweets: Peanut Butter Rice Krispie + Sweetie Pie Cookie
Yolk {Multiple Locations)
Yolk Cafes are the quintessential breakfast spots; with bright yellow interiors, quick quality service, approachable menus and family-friendly vibes. Over the years, Yolk has become incredibly popular with both locals and tourists and has expanded from its original South Loop location to cafes in Streeterville, West Loop + Marina City. Expect to find all your favorite breakfast, brunch + lunch staples in their massive menu offerings as well as creative seasonal specials for both food + drink!
Highlights include:
Breakfast: Cinnamon Roll French Toast, Lemon Blueberry Cakes, Chilaquiles + Good Morning Burger
Lunch: Avalon Sunset Sammie, Grilled Cheese Supreme + Citrus Blast Salad
via Big Star
Big Star {Multiple Locations}
Laid back and always lively, Big Star is a perfect outing for the taco-loving families (and margarita loving parents!). Both city locations, in Wicker Park and Wrigleyville, feature bright, fun interiors and huge outdoor spaces. Big Star is the perfect setting to grab a flavorful meal of chips, dips, tacos + more before a family outing to the Cubs game or a day exploring Wicker Park. Kids are sure to enjoy the bumping music and stay busy with outdoor yard games (at Wicker exclusively) while parents can unwind with a knockout margarita or two - it’s a win-win!
Highlights include:
Tacos: Carne Asada, Walking Taco + Quesabirria
Other Delights: Big Star Nachos + Crunch Star Supreme
