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Best San Diego Kid-Friendly Restaurants

For restaurants' pint-size patrons, chicken fingers dipped in marinara can't taste any better than when there's butcher paper lining the table and a glass of crayons to color with. When the dough and toppings are put directly in your child's hands, pizza becomes an interactive sport. Okay, not all restaurants have to offer entertainment in this form or the extreme---television, clowns and video games---to keep the youngsters happy. A warm waitstaff, a kitchen open to the flexible whims of a child's palate and a room of diners tolerable of tantrums all add up to a winning formula for feeding your children outside of the home. Take a look at our kid-friendly restaurants in San Diego that can please both big and little diners.


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Alfonso's of La Jolla Mexican
10/20
Dining Room at Alfonso 1251 Prospect St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-454-2232
Americanized Mexican food and good margaritas in a festive setting in downtown La Jolla. More...

Barbarella Italian
13/20
2171 Avenida de la Playa
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-454-7373
Barbarella's cozy ambience and hearty portions of Italian- and French-inspired foods make it a terrific beach bistro destination. More...

Beach Grass Cafe Contemporary
12/20
Plaza 101
159 S. Hwy. 101
Solana Beach, CA 92075
858-509-0632
The low-key Beach Grass Café serves up creative, affordable food in generous portions in Solana Beach. More...

Beaumont's Modern American
14/20
5662 La Jolla Blvd.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-459-0474
Casual, high-energy setting with good food, live entertainment and a fun bar scene. More...

Big Kitchen American
11/20
3003 Grape St.
San Diego, CA 92102
619-234-5789
A neighborhood breakfast and lunch haunt frequented by a lively, eclectic crowd. More...

Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria Pizza
14/20
Dining Room at Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria, Encinitas, CA The Lumberyard
897 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Ste. 102
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-634-7671
Thin-crust gourmet pizzas, craft tap beers and boutique wines in Encinitas. More...

Bread & Cie Bakery
Quick Bite
350 University Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
619-683-9322
Bread & Cie offers peasant-style loaves, muffins and gourmet sandwiches plus a laundry list of specialty coffee, beer and wine. More...

The Brockton Villa Restaurant California
12/20
1235 Coast Blvd.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-454-7393
This charming historic cottage, overlooking La Jolla Cove, serves up simple fare in a romantic setting. More...

Cafe 222 Breakfast
12/20
222 Island Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-236-9902
A hip hangout in a functional, funky-industrial atmosphere that complements owner Terryl Gavre's quirky style of cooking. More...

Cafe Chloe French
13/20
721 Ninth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-232-3242
This Parisian-style bistro continues to win us over with its earthy, unpretentious French fare. More...

Cafe Secret Peruvian
14/20
1140 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
858-792-0821
Peruvian food in a charming Del Mar cottage. More...

California Pizza Kitchen Pizza
12/20
Beachwalk Plaza
437 S. Highway 101
Solana Beach, CA 92075
858-793-0999
Family-friendly chain with pizza, salads and pastas in Solana Beach. More...

California Pizza Kitchen Pizza
12/20
Fashion Valley Shopping Center
7007 Friars Rd., Ste. 901
San Diego, CA 92108
619-298-4078
While pizza with cross-cultural toppings is the main draw, the other dishes also merit attention at this Fashion Valley Shopping Center location. More...

California Pizza Kitchen Pizza
12/20
La Jolla Village Square
3363 Nobel Dr.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-457-4222
While pizza with cross-cultural toppings is the main draw, the other dishes also merit attention at this La Jolla location. More...

California Pizza Kitchen Pizza
12/20
Otay Ranch Town Center
2015 Birch Rd., Ste. 725
Chula Vista, CA 91915
619-591-4630
While pizza with cross-cultural toppings is the main draw, the other dishes also merit attention at this Chula Vista location. More...

Cody's La Jolla American
12/20
8030 Girard Ave.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-459-0040
Located in a renovated 1920s cottage, Cody’s serves up California-American fare and a great view of the sea. More...

Corvette Diner & Gamers Garage American
11/20
2956 Historic Decatur Dr.
San Diego, CA 92106
619-542-1476
Now in Point Loma, the even bigger and better Corvette Diner serves up burgers and fun in a 1950s-inspired setting. More...

The Cottage Contemporary
12/20
7702 Fay Ave.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-454-8409
Classic La Jolla bistro featuring California cuisine on one of the village’s most charming patios. More...

D.Z. Akins Jewish
12/20
6930 Alvarado Rd.
San Diego, CA 92120
619-265-0218
An East County institution, D.Z. Akins is a refuge for those searching for a true New York deli. More...

Fidel's Mexican
10/20
Dining Room at Fidel 607 Valley Ave.
Solana Beach, CA 92075
858-755-5292
The Montanez family brings authentic Mexican to Solana Beach in the Hacienda-style restaurant. More...

Fugu's Sushi & Wok Japanese
12/20
915 Pearl St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-456-1414
A La Jolla favorite for a blend of Japanese, Chinese and Korean barbecue cuisine. More...

Island Prime Steakhouse
12/20
880 Harbor Island Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-298-6802
Overlooking the bay, city skyline and Coronado, this modern eatery sports creative appetizers and straightforward main courses. More...

Kitchen 1540 Modern American
No Rating
Dining Room at Kitchen 1540, Del Mar, CA L'Auberge Del Mar
1540 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
858-793-6460
Sophisticated modern American cuisine in coastal Del Mar. More...

Le Papagayo Global
12/20
1002 N. Coast Hwy. 101
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-944-8252
Global cuisine and live music nightly in Leucadia. More...

Lotsa Pasta Italian
11/20
Pacific Plaza
1762 Garnet Ave.
San Diego, CA 92109
619-581-6777
A family-style mix-and-match pasta joint that offers lots of ways to tailor your meal to your specific tastes or needs. More...

Lotus Cafe & Juice Bar Vegetarian
Quick Bite
The Lumberyard
765 S. Coast Hwy. 101
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-479-1977
Extensive menu of fresh, healthy eats in Encinitas. More...

The Mission American
12/20
2801 University Ave.
San Diego, CA 92104
619-220-8992
Traditional American and Latino fare, along with Asian-inspired recipes with a healthy bent. More...

Naked Cafe Healthy
12/20
106 S. Sierra Ave.
Solana Beach, CA 92075
858-259-7866
Healthy, flavorful eats in a hip neighborhood café overlooking Fletcher Cove Park and the ocean in Solana Beach. More...

Parkhouse Eatery American
12/20
4574 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92116
619-295-7275
Experience "American ethnic grub," a combination of coastal cuisine accented with a variety of world flavors at this neighborhood eatery. More...

Phil’s BBQ Barbecue
12/20
3750 Sports Arena Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92110
619-226-6333
Serious barbecue in a spacious Point Loma location. More...

Pizza Nova Pizza
11/20
3955 Fifth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
619-296-6682
This casual joint serves non-traditional gourmet pizzas, massive salads and fresh pastas. More...

Pizzeria Arrivederci Italian
12/20
3845 Fourth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
619-299-6282
Authentic Italian pizza in San Diego---at long last! More...

Ranchos Cocina Mexican
11/20
3910 30th St.
San Diego, CA 92104
619-574-1288
Festive North Park spot for memorable Mexican fare. More...

Rimel's Rotisserie California
13/20
Dining Room at Rimel 2005 San Elijo Ave.
Cardiff, CA 92007
760-633-2202
Rimel's serves up artisan meats, along with fresh salads, rice bowls and impressive homemade sauces. More...

Rimel's Rotisserie Seafood
12/20
Dining Room at Rimel 1030 Torrey Pines Rd., Ste. E
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-454-6045
Kid- and pet-friendly, Rimel’s has a comfortable atmosphere and hometown feel. More...

Saffron Chicken and Saffron Noodles & Sate Thai
12/20
3731 India St.
San Diego, CA 92103
619-574-0177
Fresh seasonal Thai cooking along with dishes from Korea, India and Vietnam. More...

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza Pizza
12/20
702 Pearl St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-456-5222
Wood-fired pizzas and an interesting global tapas menu make Sammy’s an ideal spot for families. More...

Soleil@K California
13/20
Dining Room at Soleil@K, San Diego, CA Marriott San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
660 K St.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-696-0234
This Marriott restaurant serves up creative California cuisine in a modern, sophisticated setting. More...

Spice & Rice Thai Kitchen Thai
12/20
7734 Girard Ave.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-456-0466
For those Thai cravings, Spice & Rice offers traditional dishes in a nice setting in La Jolla. More...

Stone Flats American
Quick Bite
Dining Room at Stone Flats, San Diego, CA 9844 Hibert St.
San Diego, CA 92131
858-444-2280
Custom-designed flatbreads with natural ingredients make for an ideal fast casual bite. More...

Super Cocina Mexican
10/20
3627 University Ave.
San Diego, CA 92104
619-584-6244
Authentic home-style Mexican cuisine from family recipes passed along to each generation. More...

Twenty/20 Grill & Wine Bar California
No Rating
Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa
5480 Grand Pacific Dr.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-827-2500
This casual wine bar/restaurant at the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa offers an eclectic menu. More...

Veranda Fireside Lounge & Restaurant Mediterranean
14/20
Dining Room at Veranda Fireside Lounge & Restaurant, San Diego, CA Rancho Bernardo Inn
17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr.
San Diego, CA 92128
858-675-8555
This al fresco dining spot features Mediterranean cuisine with California flair. More...

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