The best family restaurants in Canada
A cross-country guide to the best places to eat with your kids
Photo: Rocky Mountain Flatbread
Going out as a family for a great meal is often a treat, or at least it should be. Restaurants that go out of their way to welcome young families score extra points, so we’ve scoured the nation to dish up some of our favourites. From the big-chain restaurants to hidden local gems, here are our tastiest picks for where to go for kid-friendly food and fun.
Nation-wide chains
Boston Pizza
Families love the easygoing atmosphere of this resto, which packs a huge selection of meals for parents and kids. Tots will feel all grown up while eating pint-sized portions of grown-up dishes, ordering from a special kids’ menu and sipping Shirley Temples. And don’t leave without digging around in some Worms and Dirt—a rare delicacy for any kid who loves chocolate pudding and squirmy gummi worms.
bostonpizza.ca
Old Spaghetti Factory
Got a pasta lover in your brood? Check out the Old Spaghetti Factory, where you’ll find everything from classic lasagna to veal à la parmigiana, as well as eclectic antique-y decor. Their Toronto location features a vintage streetcar and a king-size bed for seating options. Their Just for Kids menu includes a soup or salad and, of course, dessert with every meal.
oldspaghettifactory.ca
Jack Astor’s
Can’t get the kids to stop drawing on the walls? Take them to Jack Astor’s where they can draw on the tables instead! Once they’ve had their fill of creating art, kids can check out the mounted TVs, which broadcast blooper videos, classic Charlie Chaplin clips and even the game for sports fans.
jackastors.com
East Side Mario’s
Nothing says family like a home-cooked Italian meal, and at this eatery everyone’s family. If the fun decor, funky kids’ drinks (like the Cookie Cream Dream, an ice cream cake you can drink) and menu designed for tiny tummies aren’t getting any smiles, the trio of mini ice cream cones and a visit from the treasure chest for a take-home toy ought to do the trick.
eastsidemarios.com
Pizza Hut
A family favourite that no kid can resist, Pizza Hut offers 18 different choices and a “create your own pizza” option to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Not in the mood for a slice? Try out a pasta dish or wings and pick a side from their varied menu including stuffed pizza rollers, crispy potato wedges, garlic bread and even Hershey’s Chocolate Dunkers! Kids 10 and under eat free on Tuesdays.
pizzahut.ca
Keep reading for a province-by-province breakdown of the best family restaurants (starting in BC)>
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What do you think?
Ibrahem (not verified) says ....
Darlene, you are a testimony of what faith in God and yoruself and perserverence will allow one to do. You know I remember some of the tough nights and days so long ago but I am very proud of your achievements. Now you are more prepared to do God's work.Gene
Ottawa Mom of T... says ....
I can't believe Zak's Diner is the best restaurant choice for Ottawa. Who picked this? The food is terrible, expensive and the service is sub-par. We last ate there a few years ago and swore we'd never return. There are so many more restaurants that deserve this 'title' than Zak's!
Elisha (not verified) says ....
Wow, apparently there's only ONE restaurant in Manitoba worth taking your kids to, and only because it has toys! Come ON, Today's Parent, you can do better than that.
May I suggest: The new restaurant at the Qualico Family Centre in Assiniboine Park, Salisbury House and pretty much any restaurant at the Forks.
karen white (not verified) says ....
Red's all the way!
Sarah MacKay (not verified) says ....
WOOP WOOP for Red's Corner!!
Lyne Grimes (not verified) says ....
Soooo happy that Palladium Restaurant in Cole Harbour made the list! We've been going to this restaurant for years and took our daughter there for the first time when she was just a month old! Three years later and its her all-time favorite restaurant! The owners are wonderful and really do go the extra mile! What I love the most is that they have actual meals for kids - my daughter loves getting the pan-fried haddock or souvlaki chicken... Well done Fernando and family!