Eating out is great, but it can get pricey when you have lots of little mouths to feed. The good news is our area if full of restaurants where kids eat free! From burgers and fries to tacos and fish, we did some digging and assembled this list of family-friendly restaurants where kids eat free in the DMV.
Photo credit: emrank via Flickr
Monday
The Daily Dish
The Daily Dish offers diners seasonally inspired, farm fresh cuisine. What’s that mean when you’re under 10? That you can chow down on well made, flavorful mac and cheese and burgers for free on Mondays!
8301 Grubb Rd.
Silver Spring, MD
301-588-6300
Online: thedailydishrestaurant.com
Surfside
Laid back food and tasty tacos. What’s there not to love? Kids can get in on the free action with a paying adult every Monday evening.
2444 Wisconsin Ave.
202-380-9353
Online: surfsidedc.com
Hard Times Cafe
Known for doling out the coziest of comfort foods (think: chili and mac and cheese), kids eat free with an adult entree every Sunday and Monday.
1404 King St.
Alexandria, VA
703-837-0050
Online: hardtimes.com
Modern Market Eatery
Modern Market Eatery is a fast casual restaurant dedicated to healthy, organic food. Kids eat free at all of their locations every Monday (and Sunday at the Bethesda location) from 5 p.m. to close. One free kids meal per adult entree.
1010 Vermont Ave NW
4930 Elm St.
Bethesda, MD
Online: modernmarket.com/
Gusto Farm to Street
Gusto Farm to Street is a healthy fast-casual restaurant chain. Kids eat free on Mondays! One free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult meal. They even have pizza!
8512 Fenton St.
Silver Spring, MD
301-565-2800
4733 Elm St.
Bethesda, MD
240-396-6398
Online: .eatgusto.com/
Big Greek Cafe
Big Greek Cafe offers great Greek food in a fast-casual environment. Kids eat free every Monday and—bonus—on Wednesdays they have $5 Gyros. Who doesn’t love Gryros?!
8223 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD
301-907-4976
Online: biggreekcafe.com/
Photo credit: Pizzeria Orso
Tuesday
Pizzeria Orso
Pizza eaters can rejoice, and enjoy pizza on a budget at Pizzeria Orso for Kid Tuesday. They happily hook up the little diners (age 10 and under) with a free kids’ meal with the order of a traditional or specialty pizza.
400 South Maple Ave.
Falls Church, VA
703-226-3460
Online: pizzeriaorso.com
Whitlows on Wilson
You know you’re cool when Buzzfeed says you’re cool and Whitlow’s is officially cool. Offering burgers, salads, and the like, they also have a tiki bar on the roof. Probably no kids at the bar but, if they’re under 10, you can drag them along Tuesday-Sunday between 4 pm and 7 pm for a free kid’s meal. You get one free kids meal per adult meal which means shucks, you have to eat too!
2854 Wilson Blvd.
Clarendon, VA
703-276-9693
Online: whitlows.com
Brookland Pint
American casual cuisine. Kids under 12 eat free all day every Tuesday! Plus, don’t forget to ask for a balloon on Tuesdays. Limit 2 kids per adult entree.
716 Monroe St. NE
202-758-2757
Online: brooklandpint.com/
BurgerFi
This national chain has more than just beef burgers – their menu also features a veggie burger, grilled chicken sandwich, and the plant-based Beyond Burger. Kids eat free every Tuesday!
8504 Fenton St
Silver Spring, MD
301-565-2100
Online: burgerfi.com
Eggspectation
Eggspectation is an international franchise with something for everyone (their menu is gigantic!). Kids eat free every Tuesday.
923 Ellsworth Dr.
Silver Spring, MD
301-585-1700
Online: eggspectation.com
photo: Chris L. via Yelp
Wednesday
Los Toltecos
Here you’ll find straightforward, authentic Mexican food (think: chimichangas, enchiladas, and burritos). The grub is free for kids when they’re tagging along with a paying adult.
4111 Duke St.
Alexandria, VA
703-370-4111
Online: lostoltecosrestaurant.com
Qdoba Mexican Grill
Get yourself a nice plate of enchiladas and get a free meal for your kiddo but the day varies from location to location; usually it’s on Sunday or Wednesday.
Various locations around the DMV
Online: qdoba.com/
Friendly’s
Score kid’s meals for just $1.99 all day on Wednesdays. Yes, ALL DAY LONG!
412 Crain Highway SW
Glen Burnie, MD
410-768-4910
Online: friendlysrestaurants.com/
photo: Lebanese Taverna
Thursday
Duffy’s Irish Pub
Duffy’s Irish Pub is an independently owned, neighborhood pub in Washington, DC’s historic H Street NE corridor. Kids eat free every Thursday from 4pm-7pm. 1 free kids meal per adult entree & drink.
1016 H St. NE
202) 462-9464
Online: dcduffys.com/
Roofer’s Union
Roofers Union offers classic American fare and an amazing rooftop. Every Thursday from 5-8pm is Family Night and kids under 12 eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.
2446 18th St. NW
202-232-7663
Online: roofersuniondc.com/
photo: Jennifer B. via Yelp
Friday
Whitlows on Wilson
You know you’re cool when Buzzfeed says you’re cool and Whitlow’s is officially cool. Offering burgers, salads, and the like, they also have a tiki bar on the roof. Probably no kids at the bar but, if they’re under 10, you can drag them along Tuesday-Sunday between 4 pm and 7 pm for a free kid’s meal. You get one free kids meal per adult meal which means shucks, you have to eat too!
2854 Wilson Blvd. (Clarendon, Va)
703-276-9693
Online: whitlows.com
iHop
Like kids need to be talked into free pancakes! Get ‘em piping hot and for zero dollars every night of the week at participating iHops, 4 pm-8 pm, with the purchase of an adult entrée.
3100 14th St., NW
202-939 0500
Online: ihop.com
photo: Shanes Rib Shack
Weekends
Shane’s Rib Rack
Perfect spot to enjoy finger lickin’ BBQ and on Sunday you can drag your teeny cowboys and girls along for free.
7698 Richmind Hwy.
Alexandria, VA
703-660-6288
Online: shanesribshack.com
Taqueria del Barrio
Their menu features many authentic Mexican recipes as well as some modern takes on classic Latin American dishes. Kids eat free every day with the purchase of an entree or 3+ tacos.
821 Upshur St. NW
202-723-0200
Online: taqueriadelbarrio.com/
Tastee Diner
Open since 1935, the Tastee Diner is part of the historical cultural fabric of the area and is open 24/7. Kids eat free Monday-Friday 5pm-8pm. One free kids meal per paying adult.
8601 Cameron St
Silver Spring, MD
301-589-8171
Online: tasteediner.com/
—Guiomar Ochoa, Ayren Jackson-Cannady and Amanda Rodriguez
featured photo: iStock
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