- When choosing a kid-friendly restaurant in San Francisco, make sure the restaurant you choose has more than just kids’ menus. Look out for healthy choices, friendly staff, and child-friendly amenities.
- Pier 39 in San Francisco has several family-friendly restaurants that feature in this Top 10 list.
- Pier 39 also contains numerous attractions suitable for the whole family.
If you’re looking for family-friendly restaurants in San Francisco, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a list of the top restaurants suitable. This list is for both parents and their kiddos.
Kid-Friendly Restaurant Requirements
A kid-friendly restaurant must go beyond just having a menu with appealing food options. It must also encompass a dining experience that is enjoyable for both children and their parents. For example, the restaurants should have:
1. Kids’ Menus
A kid-friendly restaurant in San Francisco must obviously include a specialized kids’ menu! It should offer options that cater to children’s tastes and preferences. Ideally, the kids’ menu would contain illustrations and fun names. These tend to make the dishes more appealing to children.
2. Healthy Choices
The kids’ menu should also consider nutrition. It should offer a balance between tasty dishes and healthy choices. The most family-friendly restaurants in San Francisco have a diverse menu. They typically include lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits served in a fun way.
3. Friendly and Accommodating Staff
A welcoming atmosphere is key. It creates a relaxed and fun environment for families. Staff must be friendly and accommodating of families’ particular needs. Patience, understanding, and speedy assistance are paramount for kid-friendly restaurants in San Francisco.
It also helps to have a simplified ordering process, menus with pictures, or even digital ordering options to make it easier for kids to decide on what they want.
4. Quick Service
Children often become restless if kept waiting for a while. This is especially true when they’re hungry. This is why family-friendly restaurants should deliver food swiftly. Staff may also need to quickly provide more napkins or adjust spice levels promptly.
5. Kid-Friendly Amenities
At a minimum, kid-friendly restaurants in San Francisco should contain amenities. For example, high chairs, booster seats, and changing facilities in the restrooms are vital. Bibs, smaller cutlery, and cups with lids to prevent spills are also valuable. Don’t forget the special birthday packages just for kids!
6. Amenities for the Parents
Parents also may need amenities while caring for their children at the restaurant. This can be Wi-Fi and a place to store strollers. A family-friendly restaurant’s location in San Francisco and ease of parking are also important to parents.
7. Safety Measures
Safety becomes even more important when children are at a restaurant. Extra safety precautions should always be incorporated in a kid-friendly restaurant in San Francisco. These measures include having no sharp corners on tables and securing furniture that could easily tip over. Other barriers to potential hazards are also helpful.
8. Flexible Seating Options
The best family-style restaurants have accommodating seating options for any size family. This typically means the ability to seat more than 6. Seating larger groups helps make the dining experience more comfortable for all family members. Ensuring that there is ample space between tables is especially crucial for babies.
9. Fun Decor
Kid-friendly restaurants in San Francisco typically incorporate captivating themes or decor. These add adventure and discovery to mealtime. This decor will also keep kids engaged with the dining event.
10. Entertainment and Activities
The icing on the cake for a family restaurant in San Francisco would be entertainment options such as coloring books, crayons, puzzles, or small play areas for children. Some family-friendly restaurants in San Francisco specialize in these.
If you need family-friendly San Francisco activities or things to do with kids in the area, why not consider eating out? It may seem that the list of requirements for kid-friendly restaurants in San Francisco is long. However, multiple restaurants in the city can accommodate all or most of those needs!
Top Kid-Friendly Restaurants in the Bay Area
Here is a list of the best family-style restaurants in San Francisco:
1. Crab House at Pier 39
Location: Pier 39 on Fisherman’s Wharf
Crab House at Pier 39 is one of San Francisco’s most popular seafood restaurants. It is also an excellent kid-friendly restaurant in San Francisco. This is largely due to its location on the pier. Pier 39 is full of family-friendly activities, such as carousel rides and free sea lion viewing. Additionally, the restaurant has plenty of food that kids especially love. This includes fish & chips, cheeseburgers, pasta, and chicken tenders.
Crab House also offers stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and the San Francisco Bay. You can see these views from every table.
Open in Google Maps – 4.3 stars/4.3k+ reviews
2. Pier Market Seafood Restaurant
Location: Pier 39 on Fisherman’s Wharf
Pier Market Seafood Restaurant is another kid-friendly restaurant in San Francisco. This restaurant features a large patio area that’s perfect for the family. The kids’ menu includes grilled shrimp, fish & chips, chicken tenders, and cheeseburgers, all served with a choice of steamed broccoli, french fries, or rice.
So, after enjoying all that Pier 39 has to offer with the family, you can head to Pier Market. This family-friendly restaurant serves classic San Franciscan seafood meals for everyone.
Open in Google Maps – 4.4 stars/7.8k+ reviews
3. Eagle Cafe
Location: Pier 39 on Fisherman’s Wharf
To close out our selection of kid-friendly restaurants on San Francisco’s Pier 39, Eagle Cafe makes for a standout choice. Eagle Cafe has a casual and inviting atmosphere. This environment makes everyone feel at home. Its historic decor (the restaurant opened in 1928!) is engaging and captivates the youngest diners.
The cafe also features an extensive menu. It contains so many options that even the pickiest eaters will leave happy. The options consist of classic American breakfasts. For example, pancakes and French toast with toppings or classic eggs Benedict are served. There are also lunches like burgers, fish tacos, and more. Eagle Cafe has it all. Visiting means a great kid-friendly restaurant experience coupled with exploring San Francisco’s beloved Pier 39.
Open in Google Maps – 4.1 stars/1.3k+ reviews
4. Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
Location: Chinatown
For family-friendly restaurants in San Francisco near Union Square, consider Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar. The word “bar” may make this a confusing choice. However, it is actually a full-service restaurant that welcomes diners of all ages before 10 p.m.
Located in the basement of the historic Fairmont Hotel, this restaurant transports its diners into a tiki environment. The immersive decor even features an indoor pool. There is live music after 7 p.m., with performers on a floating boat. There are also tropical rain, thunder, and lightning “storms,” which make it a fun, kid-friendly restaurant in San Francisco.
5. Hikari Bullet Train Sushi & Bar
Location: Japantown
Hikari Bullet Train Sushi & Bar is no ordinary sushi restaurant. They have imported a bullet train system from Japan to quickly and memorably deliver hand-crafted sushi from the kitchen to your table. Both children and adults will be entertained by the technology at Hikari. They even have robots delivering drinks and other dishes tableside! The unbeatably speedy service and built-in entertainment make this an ideal kid-friendly restaurant.
6. Lemonade Restaurant
Location: SoMa
Lemonade is a Los Angeles-based mini-chain of upscale cafeterias. This kid-friendly San Francisco restaurant allows kids to directly see the food options and choose from there. The restaurant serves a seasonal menu with a modern, Californian take on cuisine. They pride themselves on offering quick, healthy, and convenient food through super-fast digital ordering and nutritious options. Don’t forget to try their endless lemonade options!
7. Joe’s Ice Cream
Location: Richmond
Families must explore this old-school ice cream shop as a family-friendly restaurant in San Francisco. It has been serving homemade ice cream since 1959! Their tagline is literally “Food, Family & Fun.” So, you know it’s great for kids. Here, you can indulge in classic flavors like rocky road and cookies & cream. You can also try their Asian-inspired flavors like sweet red bean and Thai tea. This kid-friendly San Franciscan restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating to suit everyone. They also make Korean-inspired burgers, salads, and more for those looking for a full meal.
8. Parklab Gardens/Spark Social SF
Location: Mission Bay
Spark Social SF features two food truck parks (that are across the street from each other) at Parklab Gardens. Between them, food and entertainment suitable for all ages can be found. You can sit at plenty of outdoor dining options like picnic benches and rentable cabanas, and the kiddos can run around on the green turf. Parents will enjoy the beer garden, and the whole family can check out the mini golf course!
9. Foreign Cinema
Location: Mission
This kid-friendly restaurant in San Francisco is a more upscale option for parents that offers unique entertainment for kids. From a three-course prix-fixe kids’ meal to a house-designed coloring book with crayons, Foreign Cinema keeps kids in mind. This restaurant is known for screening films on a giant outdoor wall, which can be entertaining for the whole family. Dinner is served at Foreign Cinema seven days a week, with brunch on the weekends.
10. Tony’s Cable Car Restaurant
Location: Lower Pacific Heights
Tony’s Cable Car Restaurant was established in 1972. It is uniquely shaped like the classic San Francisco cable car, making it the perfect family-friendly restaurant! As a kid-friendly restaurant in San Francisco, children will love ordering from their cable car specials. These include burgers, hot dogs, and more. Bonus points if you take them for a cable car ride, too!
Crab House at Pier 39 for Families
Positioned on San Francisco’s waterfront at Fisherman’s Wharf, Crab House at Pier 39 is a gem. This restaurant is noteworthy for its Dungeness Killer Crab®. It also has a friendly atmosphere, particularly for families. This iconic restaurant is a haven for family members looking to enjoy a tasty meal. This reason makes it a top kid-friendly restaurant in San Francisco. Listed below are more reasons why this is the case.
Location
The placement of Crab House makes it possible to try excellent food while soaking in the vibrant energy of Pier 39. This pier is one of the city’s most admired areas. With this prime setting, Crab House offers more than just a dining experience. It serves as a gateway to a day full of adventure and amusement for explorers of Pier 39.
Additionally, Crab House capitalizes on the unique area. They provide entertaining views that captivate diners of all ages. Situated on the edge of Pier 39, every diner benefits. This family-friendly restaurant has views of the San Francisco Bay. This encompasses Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Sea Lions
The real stars of the show for children from this kid-friendly restaurant in San Francisco are the sea lions. They have made the docks of Pier 39 their home. These playful marine mammals provide endless cheer with their antics. The experience of watching these sea lions frolic and sunbathe adds an extra layer of appreciation to dining out. It turns a simple meal into an engaging encounter with local wildlife.
Menu
One of the key characteristics that makes Crab House ideal for families is its kid-friendly menu. Crab House expects young diners to have specific tastes. Therefore, this San Franciscan restaurant offers kid-friendly options that cater to children. This can be anything from fish & chips to cheeseburgers. Additionally, the staff is always ready to make accommodations for young ones. This makes mealtime a breeze for parents.
Surrounding Activities
The appeal of Crab House extends beyond the San Franciscan family-friendly restaurant itself. Pier 39 is a wonderland for families. It offers a plethora of activities that cater to children and adults alike.
So, before or after dropping by Crab House (the ultimate kid-friendly restaurant in San Francisco), families can explore. There are a variety of adventures the Pier has to offer. This includes activities like the mesmerizing Aquarium of the Bay. It is here that you can get close and personal with marine life. There’s also a lovely San Francisco Carousel. It contains hand-painted scenes of the city and over thirty animals to ride. This is a hit among younger children. It provides a whimsical break between exploring and dining.
Moreover, Pier 39 contains frequent events and street performances. This ranges from magic shows to live music. These performances keep the atmosphere buzzing with liveliness. It creates family-friendly activities with a lively backdrop for a day out. It also makes visits to Crab House, a San Franciscan kid-friendly restaurant, a worthwhile venture.
With its kid-friendly menu, captivating views, and proximity to a host of activities, Crab House at Pier 39 is ideal for kids. This restaurant embodies the spirit of family-friendly dining in San Francisco. Here, families can bond over delicious food. They can also delight in the playful antics of sea lions and immerse themselves in the city’s events and landscape. This makes every trip a memorable occasion.