Known for its well-priced Oaxacan and Northern Mexican fare, the Northeast 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.

Yakuza’s known for its sleek dining room, serene garden, and polished izakaya, but the spot’s kid-friendly happy hour, running daily from 5 p.m. until closing, lets parents enjoy some grown-up time with the toddlers in tow. Kids who aren’t down with edamame, avocado slices, or some crunchy, honey-sesame rice balls can always order up chicken katsu (or “chicken fingers” in kid-speak).

This old-school pizzeria is the ideal place to take kids for pepperoni and soft-serve, especially in the summers: A large backyard with a play area was made for kids to wander around and explore.

The wood-fired pies are literally a thing of beauty at this casual-yet-cozy Mississippi Avenue pizzeria, with organic, hyper-seasonal toppings such as fennel sausage, porcini mushrooms, salty pancetta, and edible flowers. For the non-adventurous, there’s plain cheese on the menu as well. Kiddos will love it for the house-made ice cream, with rotating flavors ranging from burnt honey with toffee to strawberry buttermilk.

Kids love pizza, and their parents like good pizza, especially when it’s wood-fired with a nice, blistery crust. The long tables at Life of Pie are often packed with sets of parents and their many progeny, and it offers $5 happy hour margarita pizzas for seven hours every day of the week.

French fries are the show stoppers at this uber-casual, Idaho-based chainlet, where kids can craft deep-fried goodness from a half-dozen different potato types, up to five cuts (curly, shoestring, homestyle, etc.), and nearly 20 salts and sauces. Beef, bison, and vegan burgers are available, too, for those who need some protein to pair with their fries.

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 kid’s menu with things like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, grilled cheese, and plain macaroni and cheese.

Family game night hits a whole new level at this swanky, 32,000-square-foot restaurant-slash-entertainment center located on the third floor of Pioneer Place — activities range from bowling to private karaoke room to an old school arcade. Classic favs on the kids menu includes grilled cheese and spaghetti and meatballs. 

This homey, old-school Australian pie shop features salads and sandwiches, along with hearty meat pies, vegetable pasties, and classic Aussie favorites. The menu has a sweet side, too, with chocolate bourbon hazelnut and other pies. All kids meals come with crunchy veggies and an Anzac biscuit, Australia’s unofficial national cookie.

Here Mexican flavors are fused with Pacific Northwest ingredients to create fresh, inexpensive dishes, many vegetarian, gluten-free, paleo, and/or vegan friendly, with plainer options for the kiddos. At the Sylvan Highlands location, one mile west from the zoo, diners will find a quirky interior and a large outdoor patio during the warmer months.

Vegetarian, Celiac, and vegan families will love this cheery FoPo café serving meat-and-gluten-free classics for brunch and dinner. Standouts for young diners include pumpkin cheesecake waffles, house-made meatless burgers, and macaroni and “chz” sauce topped with Ritz crackers.