One too many trips to an arcade-filled pizza joint with a rat-turned-mouse mascot can make these child-centric establishments feel not-so-special come birthday time. To usher in your wee one’s next year of life, these places are the best of the best for kid-friendly celebrations even adults will love.
Best Birthday Songs
It doesn’t get more festive than a Mariachi band belting out a birthday ditty; most days you’ll find sombrero-wearing guitar players strolling through this U street hot spot, but if you come here on an off- night, don’t worry! The restaurant staff will sing with the same gusto of its resident Latin band, shaking maracas and pounding (loudly) on drums. Your kids are sure to remember this birthday rendition for years to come.
Best Birthday Desserts
Skip the traditional birthday cake at this modern, brick-oven pizza joint where — in addition to classic Italian desserts — you can order a dessert pizza for your favorite pie-lover: instead of tomato sauce, this oven-fired dough is topped with Nutella and gooey, toasted marshmallows. And, yes!, it is a full-size pizza… if you can’t finish it, it heats up well in the microwave for a next-day celebration.
6361 Walker Ln. (Alexandria, Va)
Online: osteriamarzano.com
This chocolate-themed lounge has a very grown-up feel, but despite it’s swank-factor, it is kid-accommodating. Ask for a seat at the “Chocolate Bar” — where artisanal chocolatiers handcraft sweets — and even the oldest members of your party will feel like kids again. Skip dinner all-together and opt for a three-course dessert experience for your little birthday boy or girl with each sweet dish bearing a special, chocolate birthday message.
929 F St., NW (Federal Triangle)
202-347-4265
Online: coco.com
Best Overall Party Atmosphere
HalfSmoke
A meal at this Shaw output feels a lot like a day at a carnival with menu options like top-your-own personal sized funnel cake and milkshakes with fluffy cotton candy topping. Little ones will enjoy the giant Jenga (perfect for tiny fingers). And a day at the carnival wouldn’t be complete without one of those vintage-y photo strips — Halfsmoke offers a free photo booth to capture the birthday festivities.
What restaurants do you visit to celebrate a birthday. Tell us in the comments section below.
–Meghan Meyers
