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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 Café 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
13/20
5662 La Jolla Blvd.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-459-0474
A charming La Jolla eatery---with one of the best burgers in San Diego. 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...

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...

Café 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...

Café 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...

Cantina Panaderia Asian
12/20
966 Felspar St.
San Diego, CA 92109
858-272-8400
Food Girl strikes again! Breakfasts and lunches are hearty, yet healthy, but dinner is the main attraction. 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...

Fugu's Sushi & Wok Asian
12/20
915 Pearl St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-456-1414
A La Jolla favorite for a blend of Japanese, Chinese and Korean 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
15/20
Dining Room at Kitchen 1540, Del Mar, CA L'Auberge Del Mar
1540 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
858-793-6460
Modern American cuisine with clever twists enlivens the sophisticated beach-style ambience. More...

Le Papagayo Global
13/20
1002 N. Coast Hwy. 101
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-944-8252
Affordable global cuisine in a vibrant setting with live music nightly. 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...

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

Naked Café 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
The menus focus on the foods of Thailand, but meander into Korea, India and Vietnam too. 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
Future restaurateurs would do well in studying the poetry in motion that is Spice & Rice Thai Kitchen. More...

Super Cocina Mexican
10/20
3627 University Ave.
San Diego, CA 92104
619-584-6244
At Super Cocina, one can eat true Mexican “casera comida” (home cooking). More...

Trattoria Acqua Italian
14/20
Dining Room at Trattoria Acqua, La Jolla, CA Coast Walk Center
1298 Prospect St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-454-0709
Casual and family-owned, this La Jolla Cove spot serves traditional Cal-Ital dishes and a few adventurous standouts. More...

Veranda Bar & Grille California
12/20
Rancho Bernardo Inn
17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr.
San Diego, CA 92128
858-675-8500
Casual diners will be pleased with the friendly, comfortable atmosphere of the Veranda. More...

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