The vibrant city of Boston, Massachusetts, is renowned for its rich historical background, prestigious colleges, and remarkable food scene, perfect for a New England family vacation, but did you know that there are many family-friendly restaurants in Boston where your children can indulge in and experience a range of culinary delights?
Boston has no shortage of foodie hotspots, from classic American to inventive fusion cuisine. This bustling metropolis is teeming with family-friendly restaurants committed to making dining out with the whole family a pleasant and unforgettable experience; from the rooftop bars to regional cuisine and even fine dining, Boston has a little bit of everything for everyone.
In today’s post, I’ll take you through some of our favorite family-friendly restaurants in Boston across the city (and the surrounding suburbs, which most people do call Boston, but don’t get me started on that…)
Our 6 Favorite Family-Friendly Restaurants in Boston 2023
Legal Seafood, Aquarium T Stop
One of my favorite things about Boston is its abundance of fresh seafood, and my family’s favorite pick in the city to enjoy it is Legal Seafood’s Long Warf location. This spot offers ocean-side dining and is right across from the New England Aquarium, one of my family’s favorite places to visit, and as the restaurant says, see fish, eat fish.
If you’re feeling a little uneasy about eating Nemo after seeing him swimming about next door, don’t fret. While the seafood here is top-notch, the menu does offer land-based options like chicken sandwiches, ribs, and more. We recommend making reservations if you plan to visit, as the restaurant can get quite busy. If you do have to wait, the kids will adore the rich and lively aquarium in the waiting area.
Seating here is quite comfortable with booths, tables, and hightops, and due to its location, you’ll find many families enjoying a bite, so even though it’s more upscale than Faneuil Hall, you won’t have to worry about the kiddos being out of place. If you love seafood, this is one of our top picks for family-friendly restaurants in Boston.
Fogo de Chao, Copley Place
If your kids are nibblers and prefer more variety than a single entre, one of the best decisions you could make for family-friendly restaurants in Boston is visiting Fogo de Chao at Copley Place for authentic Brazilian BBQ. This restaurant chain, whose first location opened in the 70s, has delicious food prepared by chefs that have completed their churrasqueiro training. What is a churrasqueiro?
A “churrasqueiro” is a person who grills or barbecues, typically in the context of Brazilian cuisine. The term is derived from the Portuguese word “churrasco,” which refers to a style of barbecue popular in Brazil and other parts of South America. Churrasco-style cooking often involves large cuts of meat—like beef, pork, or chicken—that are slow-cooked on a skewer over an open flame or grill.
A churrasqueiro needs to have a deep understanding of various types of meat, how to prepare them, and how to cook them to bring out their best flavors. This includes knowing how to marinate the meat, the right temperature to cook it at, and how to cut it for serving.
Besides, the role of a churrasqueiro is not just about cooking. It often involves entertaining guests since a churrasco (barbecue) is a social event that brings people together in many Brazilian homes. Hence, a churrasqueiro’s at Fogo de Chao are lively, friendly, and fun servers that love to entertain tableside.
In Brazilian steakhouses known as “churrascarias,” professional churrasqueiros prepare and serve a variety of grilled meats in the “rodizio” style, where skewers of meat are brought to the table, and slices are cut directly onto the diners’ plates. They continue to bring more skewers until the diners indicate they’ve had enough. This requires the churrasqueiro to have both culinary skills and good people skills.
Fogo de Chao offers a massive salad bar with fresh veggies, common side dishes, and local cuisine to complement the meat-heavy menu. Your kiddos can nibble away to their heart’s content while you enjoy a delicious meal and a fantastic glass of wine. This is one of our favorite family-friendly restaurants in Boston to splurge on when we visit the city, and it’s also close to one of our favorite family-friendly hotels in Boston.
Giacomo’s, North End
No article on family-friendly restaurants in Boston would be complete without a trip to the North End. Giacomo’s was established in 1982 by Giacomo and his wife, Kathy, and it quickly gained fame for its delicious Italian dishes, particularly seafood, and its cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
The restaurant became renowned for its affordable prices and the long lines of people waiting outside for a table because they don’t take reservations, and it is consistently rated in the top 20 Italian restaurants in the country. Tip: Giacomo’s is cash-only!
While Giacomo’s is known for their seafood dishes and homemade pasta, they also offer traditional style dishes that kids will enjoy, like Chicken Ziti in cream sauce, Pesto sauces, and it’s no trouble if you ask them to hold the seafood.
The atmosphere here is warm and welcoming, and if you’re lucky enough to get seated near a window, you’ll get the added benefit of watching the world of the North End hum by outside.
Flour Bakery, Multiple Locations
If you and the kids have a sweet tooth, Flour Bakery is another one of our can’t miss family-friendly restaurants in Boston. They have 9 locations across the city, and their specialty is sweet treats, though they also offer a large collection of breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
A visit to one of their bakery locations is a dream come true for smaller children, with an infinite and dazzling array of beautiful sugary options glistening longingly from behind the counter, so grab a tea or coffee while you wait for them to decide.
Led by James Beard power couple Joanne Chang and Christopher Myers, who also happens to own our next pick, Flour is the bee’s knees in bakery items in Boston.
Myers + Chang
Make your way to Myers + Chang, a charming gem in Boston’s buzzing streets. At first glance, the East-meets-West vibe of this place captivates you, making you quickly forget the hustle and bustle left behind the door.
Myers + Chang serves up a delightful array of Asian-inspired dishes that dazzle your senses with their vibrant colors and tantalizing aromas. They whisk you and your family away on an exciting culinary journey that blends the comforting familiarity of Boston with the exotic flavors of Asia.
But it’s not just the food here that makes Myers + Chang a winning spot for family-friendly restaurants in Boston. They’ve thoughtfully considered the most important aspects of dining with children. A dedicated kids’ menu, with portions perfect for their pint-sized appetites, ensures that the little ones have an enjoyable dining experience.
And for those young, restless souls who would rather explore than sit still, Myers + Chang’s cleverly contrived distraction – coloring sheets – will surely keep them delighted and entertained.
The best part? On Tuesdays after 5 pm, kids under 12 eat free! Yes, you read that right. You can let your kid’s adventurous taste buds run wilder than usual without worrying about the bill.
After all, at Myers + Chang, they believe an exciting, family-friendly dining experience doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether sampling their delectable dishes or watching your kids happily engrossed in their coloring sheets, every moment spent here only adds to your stash of cherished family memories.
The Friendly Toast
Tucked away in vibrant Back Bay is an eatery known for its all-day breakfast and distinctive decor. It’s The Friendly Toast, a spot that’s become a favorite amongst locals seeking a side of playfulness with their pancakes – a hotspot that injects color and fun into family dining.
Greeted by its kaleidoscopic collection of wall adornments, guests are invited into a whimsical world where vintage memorabilia meets quirky charm. This one-of-a-kind aesthetic charms you no matter the time of day and seems to come alive amidst the jovial chattering of families digging into a scrumptious meal.
Visiting The Friendly Toast feels like stepping into the past with its retro-style atmosphere. Each animated contour and vivid color sings of style from yesterdays, telling tales of vibrant decades spent laughing, loving, and making memories. Stepping inside, you’re greeted by the aromas of sizzling bacon and syrupy pancakes and the visual feast of eclectic decor.
As you weave through the chattering tables, you may notice the playful menu filled with creative dishes that are as exciting in name as they are in taste. From breakfast to dinner, the fare ensures no little one leaves disappointed. Their kid’s menu is a delightful medley of comfort foods, offering choices from simple grilled cheese sandwiches to fluffy pancakes, highlighting a culinary collage that caters to all taste buds.
Beyond the menu, the true value of The Friendly Toast lies in its lively atmosphere that creates a backdrop for coming together as a family. There’s a buzz of warmth as the clinking of coffee mugs mingles with cheerful chatter, promising you an unforgettable dining experience.
Exploring the culinary scene in Boston with children can be an immersive and exciting family activity, and places like Giacamo’s, Legal Seafoods, Flour, and others make it even more enjoyable with their kid-friendly menus, comfortable family-friendly atmospheres, and interactive serving styles.
While it may seem overwhelming if you’re trying to evaluate all of the family-friendly restaurants in Boston, these picks will delight almost any family and keep everyone fed and happy.
So, consider these fantastic places the next time your family visits Boston and needs a nibble for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You’ll enjoy an authentic experience, try something new, and create lasting memories of your New England family vacation to the big city.