If you are looking for that extra-special spot to celebrate a birthday or an impressive report card, look no further: These kid-friendly restaurants bring more to the table than your average burger and fries joint. Picture mini golf courses, rain showers, cat company and more—the kids will be entertained and you’ll get a fun family date night out without having to resort to digital bribery. Win-win!
Golf & Food Trucks: Stagecoach Greens
This kid on the mini-golf block was destined to be a major fave for families in the SF area. After it opened several years ago in Mission Bay, everyone fell in love with the amazingly-detailed putt-putt holes from the Chinatown dragon to the 1906 Victorian complete with earthquake. Located right across the street from the food truck mecca SPARK Social SF, it even has a number of food trucks of its own. Al Pastor Papi and Hookt Donuts will be mainstays while other trucks rotate through. Rent a cabana and make it a family night!
1379 4th St.
San Francisco
Online: stagecoachgreens.com
RELATED: Our Full Review of Stagecoach Greens Mini-Golf and Food Trucks When It First Opened
A Night on the Island: Tonga Room
Skip the Rainforest Cafe and go to the real deal instead. Opened in 1945 within the Fairmont Hotel, this campy and yes, touristy lounge showers visitors in old-school Tropicana. The Polynesian-esque ambiance includes the Tonga Room’s epic rain showers every 30 minutes and a lagoon where a live band plays on a thatch-covered barge. Happy hour (Wed.–Fri., 5–7 p.m.) offers a sweet deal on food and drinks for the whole family, and bartenders are happy to whip up a colorful, fruity, booze-free concoction in a coconut for the kids. All ages are welcome until after 10 p.m. when it goes 21+.
The Fairmont Hotel
950 Mason St.
San Francisco
Online: tongaroom.com
Table Tennis & Graffiti Art: SPIN
This spot near SFMOMA and Yerba Buena Gardens is the place to go when you want to up your table tennis game in style. SPIN is definitely not your mom's garage—it is a funky industrial space with custom graffiti-style artwork on the walls and old-school jams playing. Open from noon until late, kids are welcome at SPIN until 9 p.m. when it goes 21+. You reserve table time in one-hour increments and there's a menu full of shareable plates and cocktails to go along with your game.
Choose one of the two tables in their patio area and you'll have your own space to lounge, eat and play. Kids will love the SPIN Burger or the always-dependable pepperoni pizza. Check their calendar for upcoming family-friendly events.
690 Folsom St.
San Francisco
Online: wearespin.com
