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Portland is home to several kid-friendly restaurants, including brewpubs and pizzerias
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Primo Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Portland

You can have children and eat good food, too

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Portland is home to several kid-friendly restaurants, including brewpubs and pizzerias
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In some ways, Portland is more of a “parent-friendly” city than a “kid-friendly” city. Parents can get top-tier coffee, food, beer, and wine at practically any kids location — whether it’s the zoo, OMSI, play centers, or within walking distance of one of our plentiful and beautiful city parks.

But the abundance of restaurants in Portland doesn’t always translate to ones that cater to children. It’s never fun for parents or servers when children arrive to a revered spot only to find that everything within reach is something breakable or spillable; toddlers are not the ideal customer, which is fine — we parents want spots like those for our date nights. The good news: Many options in Portland appeal to both wild kids and gastronomically inclined adults. Food trucks and food pods are always a great option for the family, but there are also some terrific full-scale restaurants that do a remarkable job of keeping kids in mind while planning the menu. In many ways, Portland is the epicenter of the casual-but-delicious counter service — which makes for excellent expedited leaving just in case you need to bail early with your young ones.

Check out our list of Portland restaurants that will set parents’ minds at ease about the kids’ menu available (and the subsequent mess to follow).

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Marco’s Café and Espresso Bar

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Located in the Nelson Thomas Building since 1983, Marco’s has an eclectic vibe and umbrella-clad ceiling that provides a conversation starter for the table. Marco’s offers a kids’ menu printed out with games like mazes and crossword puzzles. Standout lunch options for kids include chicken strips, quesadillas, and buttered noodles, and on the all-day breakfast menu, a single buttermilk pancake, and a “waffle gnome” with whipped cream and berries.

Laughing Planet

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Laughing Planet has been a regional staple in Oregon and Southwest Washington for years, with its vegetable-packed fare. Laughing Planet also caters to those with gluten-free or vegan diets, which means there’s something for all kids — even picky eaters. Mini burritos or mini quesadillas made with pinto or black beans can come with steamed broccoli or corn, along with a choice of apple juice or milk. Laughing Planet’s Lil Spanky’s bowl is the gluten-free option for kiddos, with mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, corn, and cheddar cheese. Or choose your own adventure with the kid’s Trifecta bowl: brown, white, or jasmine rice, along with a side of broccoli, green beans, veggies, yams, or mashed potatoes; proteins like tofu, tempeh, or chicken are optional. The restaurant also has two smoothies specifically for kids — namely berry-peach and mango-banana. 

The Daily Feast

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This downtown breakfast spot maintains the all-day brunch diner tradition with some range: Alongside the biscuits and gravy and corned beef hash, the Daily Feast blends green smoothies, fills bowls with steel-cut oatmeal with berries, and slings plates of chilaquiles. Kids can opt for fresh-squeezed juices and can easily make a mini breakfast out of sides; plus, the restaurant offers an entryway bookshelf loaded with animal figurines that the kids can bring to the table, such as gorillas, giraffes, moose, elephants, and dinosaurs.

The children’s singer-songwriter Caspar Babypants once wrote an entire song about how much kids love noodles and butter, and this local chain serves a $5 version for pasta-particular kids. For an elevated-but-non-stuffy take on pasta, Grassa serves house-made noodles in a casual, counter-service setting. The pork belly mac and cheese is a huge hit of course, but you can’t go wrong with simple combo of cacio e pepe made with truffle butter, salt, and pepper, or the spaghetti aglio olio with breadcrumbs and garlic. Kids’ pastas range from spaghetti and meatballs to mac and cheese, plus — of course — noodles and butter.

¿Por Qué No?

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Taqueria Por Qué No’s colorful atmosphere makes it a fun spot for kids to explore, with sidewalk chalk and crayons for kids along with coloring pages. The kid’s menu includes a bean-and-cheese taco for $2.50, a kids quesadilla for $4.75, and a kids bowl for $3.50, making it one of the cheaper dining out options for kids in Portland. Pro tip: The Mississippi location has a large outdoor area upstairs that kids can move around in a bit more freely than the street-level area seating. 

Mother's Bistro & Bar

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Like at mom’s, families will find a warm welcome and a comfortable vibe at this Portland institution, made famous for its brunches, high-quality comfort food, and special Mother of the Month dishes. Younger children will enjoy the kids’ menu with things like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, grilled cheese, and plain macaroni and cheese — plus, the restaurant’s root beer floats, hot chocolate, and hot apple cider are sure to please.

Boke Bowl

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The Bambino Bowl at Boke Bowl on Southeast Water Ave is one of the best kid-friendly dishes you’ll come across in Portland. The simple-but-delicious ramen bowl comes with noodles, broth, snow peas, and a choice of caramelized fennel tofu or pork. Similarly, the Bambino rice bowl comes with a choice of protein plus snow peas, carrots, and cucumbers. Boke Bowl also has a nice assortment of steam buns — fried chicken, miso mushroom, jackfruit, brisket — and a peanut butter and jelly steam bun for kids. Some juice for the kids and craft cocktails or sake for the adults will have everyone happy, and the shop’s dinosaur chopsticks are a great way to get uninitiated kids started.

Tin Shed

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Catering to kids of all ages, Tin Shed serves bright, flavorful American-style dishes at family-friendly prices. Kids breakfast plates range from cheesy eggs and potatoes to sourdough French toast, with vegetarian options like tofu, greens, and grits; during lunch, plates of grilled cheese and quesadillas are accompanied by carrot sticks or chips. Tin Shed also offers Crayon coloring, and a selection of small toys for little ones. The key is to visit during the week or make a reservation, because the lines can get a little extreme on weekends.

Tamale Boy Dekum

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Known for its well-priced Oaxacan and Northern Mexican fare, the Northeast Portland restaurant of this former food truck also dishes up burritos and quesadillas for the niños. Families are welcome to bring toys and games, so parents shouldn’t feel shy about spreading out on the large patio and catching some rays while sipping a happy hour margarita or Modelo.

Two Sisters Play Cafe

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Yes, places like Playdate and the Wiggle Room exist, but as far as indoor play areas and restaurants go, Milwaukie’s Two Sisters seems to find the right balance between fun for kids and food you actually want to eat. The breakfast menu here, while simple, is inexpensive and well executed, serving things like soft scrambled eggs and thick cut bacon, or sausage gravy-smothered biscuits. Kids can play for around $5, and kids’ menu meals don’t exceed $7 — including a main, side, and drink.

Hopworks Urban Brewery

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The Hopworks on Powell has long been known as the “brewery with a kids’ play area,” and for that, we give kudos. Order your burger, beer, and pretzels with beer cheese and watch your kids disappear into the play area until the food arrives. The brewery also offers things like Crayons for those wanting to hang at the table. The location in Vancouver is family-friendly as well.

Pizza Jerk

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This old-school pizzeria is the ideal place to take kids for pepperoni and slushies, with beer for the booze-friendly grown-ups and Martinelli’s for the kids and non-drinkers. A large backyard with a play structure and area for kids to wander around and explore is a particular hit, especially in the summertime. Finish the day with some of the shop’s soft serve.

Slappy Cakes

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This extremely kid-friendly breakfast joint lets diners make their own pancakes on griddles right at the table, utilizing batter-filled squeeze bottles and adding their choice of fixings like fruit, nuts, and chocolate chips. If the adults at the table aren’t feeling the idea of eating DIY pancakes, Slappy Cakes also has a slew of à la carte options and plates prepared in the kitchen, such as country fried steak, eggs Benedict, and “Slappy Hash.” Note: Due to the heat of the griddles, may not be appropriate for very young kids. 

Double Mountain Taproom

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Home to a casual, no-frills atmosphere and brick oven-baked pizzas, the spin-off of the popular Hood River-based brewery is a magnet for neighborhood families. If pizza’s not the kiddo’s thing, this Woodstock pub slings sandwiches and quesadillas for tiny diners. Coloring pages and Crayons available upon seating. 

Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai

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Most Portlanders probably already know about Pip’s Original and its fresh-fried doughnuts. However, when it comes to kid-friendly treats, it may be one of the city’s easiest no-brainers. The doughnuts are truly kid-sized, so families can try a few flavors without inducing major tummy aches. Drinks include kid-friendly items like hot chocolate and apple juice.

Level Beer

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The Argay location of this video game-themed brewery in Portland is perhaps the best place to grab a beer while entertaining an antsy kid: Indoors, the brewery is home to several pinball machines and arcade games, where older kids can entertain themselves while waiting for food. Outdoors, the backyard and patio is expansive, meaning kids can run around without tripping nearby patrons or servers. The carts nearby supply oysters for the adults and fish and chips or quesadillas for the tiny crowd.

Sugarpine Drive-In

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This Troutdale drive-in can be a busy scene on a summer afternoon, and there’s a good reason why: The custardy soft serve here comes slathered in toppings like miso caramel or honey hot fudge, the grilled cheeses are waffle-pressed, and the salads come loaded with Oregon- and Washington-grown produce. Kids can toddle around the picnic tables or nearby park while waiting for treats, and soft serve comes in kid-sized servings.

Marco’s Café and Espresso Bar

Located in the Nelson Thomas Building since 1983, Marco’s has an eclectic vibe and umbrella-clad ceiling that provides a conversation starter for the table. Marco’s offers a kids’ menu printed out with games like mazes and crossword puzzles. Standout lunch options for kids include chicken strips, quesadillas, and buttered noodles, and on the all-day breakfast menu, a single buttermilk pancake, and a “waffle gnome” with whipped cream and berries.

Laughing Planet

Laughing Planet has been a regional staple in Oregon and Southwest Washington for years, with its vegetable-packed fare. Laughing Planet also caters to those with gluten-free or vegan diets, which means there’s something for all kids — even picky eaters. Mini burritos or mini quesadillas made with pinto or black beans can come with steamed broccoli or corn, along with a choice of apple juice or milk. Laughing Planet’s Lil Spanky’s bowl is the gluten-free option for kiddos, with mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, corn, and cheddar cheese. Or choose your own adventure with the kid’s Trifecta bowl: brown, white, or jasmine rice, along with a side of broccoli, green beans, veggies, yams, or mashed potatoes; proteins like tofu, tempeh, or chicken are optional. The restaurant also has two smoothies specifically for kids — namely berry-peach and mango-banana. 

The Daily Feast

This downtown breakfast spot maintains the all-day brunch diner tradition with some range: Alongside the biscuits and gravy and corned beef hash, the Daily Feast blends green smoothies, fills bowls with steel-cut oatmeal with berries, and slings plates of chilaquiles. Kids can opt for fresh-squeezed juices and can easily make a mini breakfast out of sides; plus, the restaurant offers an entryway bookshelf loaded with animal figurines that the kids can bring to the table, such as gorillas, giraffes, moose, elephants, and dinosaurs.

Grassa

The children’s singer-songwriter Caspar Babypants once wrote an entire song about how much kids love noodles and butter, and this local chain serves a $5 version for pasta-particular kids. For an elevated-but-non-stuffy take on pasta, Grassa serves house-made noodles in a casual, counter-service setting. The pork belly mac and cheese is a huge hit of course, but you can’t go wrong with simple combo of cacio e pepe made with truffle butter, salt, and pepper, or the spaghetti aglio olio with breadcrumbs and garlic. Kids’ pastas range from spaghetti and meatballs to mac and cheese, plus — of course — noodles and butter.

¿Por Qué No?

Taqueria Por Qué No’s colorful atmosphere makes it a fun spot for kids to explore, with sidewalk chalk and crayons for kids along with coloring pages. The kid’s menu includes a bean-and-cheese taco for $2.50, a kids quesadilla for $4.75, and a kids bowl for $3.50, making it one of the cheaper dining out options for kids in Portland. Pro tip: The Mississippi location has a large outdoor area upstairs that kids can move around in a bit more freely than the street-level area seating. 

Mother's Bistro & Bar

Like at mom’s, families will find a warm welcome and a comfortable vibe at this Portland institution, made famous for its brunches, high-quality comfort food, and special Mother of the Month dishes. Younger children will enjoy the kids’ menu with things like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, grilled cheese, and plain macaroni and cheese — plus, the restaurant’s root beer floats, hot chocolate, and hot apple cider are sure to please.

Boke Bowl

The Bambino Bowl at Boke Bowl on Southeast Water Ave is one of the best kid-friendly dishes you’ll come across in Portland. The simple-but-delicious ramen bowl comes with noodles, broth, snow peas, and a choice of caramelized fennel tofu or pork. Similarly, the Bambino rice bowl comes with a choice of protein plus snow peas, carrots, and cucumbers. Boke Bowl also has a nice assortment of steam buns — fried chicken, miso mushroom, jackfruit, brisket — and a peanut butter and jelly steam bun for kids. Some juice for the kids and craft cocktails or sake for the adults will have everyone happy, and the shop’s dinosaur chopsticks are a great way to get uninitiated kids started.

Tin Shed

Catering to kids of all ages, Tin Shed serves bright, flavorful American-style dishes at family-friendly prices. Kids breakfast plates range from cheesy eggs and potatoes to sourdough French toast, with vegetarian options like tofu, greens, and grits; during lunch, plates of grilled cheese and quesadillas are accompanied by carrot sticks or chips. Tin Shed also offers Crayon coloring, and a selection of small toys for little ones. The key is to visit during the week or make a reservation, because the lines can get a little extreme on weekends.

Tamale Boy Dekum

Known for its well-priced Oaxacan and Northern Mexican fare, the Northeast Portland restaurant of this former food truck also dishes up burritos and quesadillas for the niños. Families are welcome to bring toys and games, so parents shouldn’t feel shy about spreading out on the large patio and catching some rays while sipping a happy hour margarita or Modelo.

Two Sisters Play Cafe

Yes, places like Playdate and the Wiggle Room exist, but as far as indoor play areas and restaurants go, Milwaukie’s Two Sisters seems to find the right balance between fun for kids and food you actually want to eat. The breakfast menu here, while simple, is inexpensive and well executed, serving things like soft scrambled eggs and thick cut bacon, or sausage gravy-smothered biscuits. Kids can play for around $5, and kids’ menu meals don’t exceed $7 — including a main, side, and drink.

Hopworks Urban Brewery

The Hopworks on Powell has long been known as the “brewery with a kids’ play area,” and for that, we give kudos. Order your burger, beer, and pretzels with beer cheese and watch your kids disappear into the play area until the food arrives. The brewery also offers things like Crayons for those wanting to hang at the table. The location in Vancouver is family-friendly as well.

Pizza Jerk

This old-school pizzeria is the ideal place to take kids for pepperoni and slushies, with beer for the booze-friendly grown-ups and Martinelli’s for the kids and non-drinkers. A large backyard with a play structure and area for kids to wander around and explore is a particular hit, especially in the summertime. Finish the day with some of the shop’s soft serve.

Slappy Cakes

This extremely kid-friendly breakfast joint lets diners make their own pancakes on griddles right at the table, utilizing batter-filled squeeze bottles and adding their choice of fixings like fruit, nuts, and chocolate chips. If the adults at the table aren’t feeling the idea of eating DIY pancakes, Slappy Cakes also has a slew of à la carte options and plates prepared in the kitchen, such as country fried steak, eggs Benedict, and “Slappy Hash.” Note: Due to the heat of the griddles, may not be appropriate for very young kids. 

Double Mountain Taproom

Home to a casual, no-frills atmosphere and brick oven-baked pizzas, the spin-off of the popular Hood River-based brewery is a magnet for neighborhood families. If pizza’s not the kiddo’s thing, this Woodstock pub slings sandwiches and quesadillas for tiny diners. Coloring pages and Crayons available upon seating. 

Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai

Most Portlanders probably already know about Pip’s Original and its fresh-fried doughnuts. However, when it comes to kid-friendly treats, it may be one of the city’s easiest no-brainers. The doughnuts are truly kid-sized, so families can try a few flavors without inducing major tummy aches. Drinks include kid-friendly items like hot chocolate and apple juice.

Related Maps

Level Beer

The Argay location of this video game-themed brewery in Portland is perhaps the best place to grab a beer while entertaining an antsy kid: Indoors, the brewery is home to several pinball machines and arcade games, where older kids can entertain themselves while waiting for food. Outdoors, the backyard and patio is expansive, meaning kids can run around without tripping nearby patrons or servers. The carts nearby supply oysters for the adults and fish and chips or quesadillas for the tiny crowd.

Sugarpine Drive-In

This Troutdale drive-in can be a busy scene on a summer afternoon, and there’s a good reason why: The custardy soft serve here comes slathered in toppings like miso caramel or honey hot fudge, the grilled cheeses are waffle-pressed, and the salads come loaded with Oregon- and Washington-grown produce. Kids can toddle around the picnic tables or nearby park while waiting for treats, and soft serve comes in kid-sized servings.

Related Maps