These Socal restaurants up the ante on pre-meal fun so you can dine out without a meltdown
You crave a nice family dinner, but you’re worried your little sidekicks may get too squirmy waiting for the food to arrive. We hear you. That’s why we’ve found a bunch of restaurants with entertainment where kids can play and get their wiggles out from drinks to dessert. Pre-meal distractions like giant swings, arcade games, and a giant foosball table will keep your darlings dazzled while they wait for their brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Nate's Garden Grill
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Nate's Garden Grill is located in San Diego's largest organic nursery, City Farmers. Here you and the kids will feel cozy and welcome dining on the rustic patio while listening to local musicians play toe-tapping tunes daily. Kids will love the fresh, house-made biscuits and jam they can enjoy while jamming to the music. The folks at Nate's say, "It is the perfect setting for relaxing with family and friends and enjoying good quality food, beverages and music." Sounds perfect to us!
3120 Euclid Ave.
San Diego
Online: natesgardengrill.com
Campfire
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Based on the age-old notion of gathering around the fire to share good food with friends and family, Campfire has a hospitable vibe and even invites kids to play and relax in the teepee on their patio. They'll feel like they're camping right in the city with water poured from a canteen into metal mugs. Grown-ups will be pleased to find artisanal cocktails including a variety of fiery combos. The kids' menu is a simplified version of the regular menu, but most kids will opt for the gooey grilled cheese. Everyone will delight in the desserts, including, you guessed it, s’mores.
2725 State St.
Carlsbad
Online: thisiscampfire.com
Officine Buona Forchetta
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Swings, a seesaw, and tasty Italian food––that's amore. It's a parent's paradise when kids can play on the playground before and after dinner. Even more, the pizza and pasta dishes are homemade and the menu is huge. Also, you can sit outside on the heated covered patio with a full view of the play area.
Liberty Station
2865 Sims Rd.
San Diego
Online: officinebuonaforchetta.com
Viewpoint Brewing
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What's not to love about giant swings with a view and fun games like bean bag toss? Without a doubt, this craft brewery has a picturesque view of the San Dieguito Lagoon, with good beer and a delicious menu to boot. Try the Backyard burger, truffle fries, and burrata kale salad, which all deserve a shout-out. Further, dogs are welcome (on the patio) too!
Del Mar Neighborhood
2201 San Dieguito, Suite D
San Diego
Online: viewpointbrewing.com
Karl Strauss Brewery Gardens
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Whether it's Sunday brunch or afternoon eats, this local brewery's koi fish pond keeps the littles entertained. Get a seat outside on the patio, which is perched upon the expansive pond that's filled with fishies to admire. We appreciate the kids' menu with items like mac n' cheese, grilled chicken breast, and a root beer float. Also, you can order a craft brew flight and you can't go wrong with the fish and chips. On the other hand, it's a perfect Sunday brunch spot where it's loud enough for kid noise and you'll find items like pancakes, eggs, and a carving station. Whatever you do, be sure to put this eatery on your list of places to go.
9675 Scranton Rd.
San Diego
Online: karlstrauss.com
Flight Path Grill
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Kids' meals and plane watching! Grab the lunch combo after checking out the museum. Little aviation experts love digging into grilled cheese (with apples or chips) while watching planes fly over. The view is beautiful and you can have a glass of wine too. Notably, plan on making a day of it since you must visit the museum (or pay admission) to get to the grill.
Balboa Park
San Diego Air & Space Museum
2001 Pan American Plaza
San Diego
Online: sandiegoairandspace.org
Hello Betty Fishhouse
After ordering, little surfers can run to play in the dune buggy (right in the middle of the restaurant). More still, the pinball machines are tons of fun. You'll eat up the Baja fish tacos and peel-and-eat shrimp. Likewise, kids will dig the chicken fingers or cheeseburger (off the kids' menu). Make it a family date night with a walk to the nearby theater or Oceanside Pier.
211 Mission Ave.
Oceanside
Online: hellobettyoceanside.com
Mitch's Seafood
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Watch the fishing boats dock with the day's catch while eating fresh fish. Also, the seagulls and seals in the water make for great entertainment. You'll find a little guppy menu with fish and chips and a cheeseburger. If kiddos need to move around, there's a small beach next to the restaurant. In short, we recommend this place for the fresh seafood and the views of the seals, ships, and boats.
1403 Scott St.
San Diego
Online: mitchsseafood.com
Punch Bowl Social
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Punch Bowl Social is a whopping 23,500-square-foot restaurant, bar, and entertainment destination that families will love. It boasts two bocce courts, private karaoke rooms, eight bowling lanes, shuffleboard, Bonzini, an arcade, a custom-built 360-degree bar with televisions galore for sports enthusiasts, and numerous lounging and gathering spots. The kids' menu features tyke-friendly fare ranging from a cheeseburger or enchiladas to a lemon waffle or banana almond butter sandwich. Adults can sink their teeth into delectable salads, burgers, fried chicken, and additional comfort foods with elevated flair––and it's great that they also offer tantalizing vegetarian and gluten-free items. Punch Bowl Social's made-from-scratch food is described as an "American diner with a fresh, modern take on Mexican cuisine."
Good to know: After 10 p.m., Punch Bowl Social is open only to the 21 and older crowd.
1485 E. St.
San Diego
Online: punchbowlsocial.com
Park 101
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This kid-friendly and dog-friendly 8,000 square-foot multi-level, plaza-style complex fuses dining, lounging, and sipping in a playful, relaxed community-inspired ambiance. Kids can roam around or plop down on the astroturf, play the giant Connect Four game, or bean bag toss. There's open-air seating, cozy fire pits, and many ways to eat. You can grab a cup of coffee and a donut or eat a bigger meal like pulled pork, chicken, or salmon.
Good to know: Park 101 also hosts many family-friendly events including trivia nights, movie nights in the park, and Mom's Who Mimosa to name a few.
3040 Carlsbad Blvd.
Carlsbad
Online: park101carlsbad.com
Farmer & The Seahorse
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One of our favorite brunch spots, Farmer & the Seahorse, has an expansive play area complete with several corn hole games, balls, and frisbees that kids can throw on the lawn, a grassy area to run and play tag or to use hula hoops or a parachute or stack the large outdoor Jenga game. The restaurant also has a rotation of indoor board games such as Scrabble to enjoy. Be sure to check out their lunch and brunch menus.
10996 Torreyana Rd.
La Jolla
Online: farmerandtheseahorse.com
Mendocino Farms
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Order up a healthy sandwich or salad at the counter of this charming eatery and let the kids enjoy the indoor and outdoor play spaces. They'll find a foosball table and corn hole on the front patio and giant chalkboard walls for drawing and playing tic-tac-toe in a nice-sized nook for kids inside. You'll love the vegan Banh Mi sandwich, they'll love the grilled cheese.
Del Mar Heights Neighborhood
12873 El Camino Real
Del Mar
Online: mendocinofarms.com
Corvette Diner
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Head to Corvette Diner for some good, old-fashioned 1950s nostalgia. This Liberty Station restaurant practically screams family-friendly. It’s an old-school style diner with tasty eats and ice cream shakes. The best part is the huge arcade where you can buy a swipe card and have a blast. The employees offer some great entertainment too. Dressed in their best 1950s attire, the wait staff has been known to perform Grease classics and The Chicken Dance right in front of your table. If you’re there at the right time, kids will enjoy watching a magician perform tricks and a balloon artist make some fancy creations. Plan for a wait on the weekends; but remember you can pass the time in the arcade.
2965 Historic Decatur Rd.
San Diego
Online: cohnrestaurants.com/corvettediner
The Crack Shack
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The Crack Shack offers food the whole family will love as well as a warm and inviting interior and a fun patio with outdoor seating that includes a sandbox for the kiddos. There's also a classy bar area for those who'd like a drink. Casual and local, this cool eatery in Encinitas is definitely worth a family trip.
407 Encinitas Blvd.
Encinitas
Online: crackshack.com
