Photograph courtesy of Southern Proper Hospitality Group
Finding kid-friendly restaurants can be an onerous task; finding ones with patios that embrace kids and well-behaved four-legged family members can seem downright impossible. Atlanta has plenty of outdoor options for dining al fresco, but some are more equipped to handle the entire family than others. Here’s a selected list of places where cups with lids and water bowls are welcome.
Photograph courtesy of Rocket Farm Restaurants
If you want Mexican:
Little Rey has a large pebbled side yard that keeps kids of all ages busy, and a good kids’ menu has standbys like tacos and quesadillas at reasonable prices. Dogs are welcome on the patio, but weekend nights get very crowded, something to keep in mind for anxious pups. In Kirkwood, El Tesoro has a gravel yard where dogs can chill under patio umbrellas while kids roam free. Big Daddy Biscuit treats are even available to purchase for furry friends. Chido & Padre’s in Buckhead has a turf-covered patio and kid-friendly menu options like fried chicken tacos. On the Westside, Tuza Taco and Bone Garden Cantina are both excellent options for easy, fast Mexican. Two notes: Dogs are only allowed in certain booths outdoors at Tuza, and the tinga de pollo at Bone Garden might be a tad spicy for younger children.
If you want pizza:
Smyrna’s new-ish Ruby’s Sourdough Pizza has excellent pies with toppings both kids and adults love, as well as plenty of outdoor seating surrounding a jumbo screen. All Mellow Mushrooms are kid- and dog-friendly, but the recently reopened Vinings location offers easy access to and from the covered patio, as well as overhead fans for circulation. Kids love the French bread pizza.
Photograph courtesy of Pendolino
If you want higher-end:
Indaco is a solid option on the Beltline, serving up elevated Italian dishes on the shaded side patio, including kid-friendly pizzas. There’s a large green space near the to-go operation with plenty of room for running if kids or dogs need to get up and move. Pendolino in Sandy Springs has a lovely shaded overhang that looks out onto a nice-sized green space and seating area. It’s perfect for letting littles run around between bites of fluffy focaccia and crispy calamari, although the real kid winner is the cheesy garlic bread. Le Bilboquet’s Buckhead patio is famous for its French feel, and well-behaved dogs and kids are welcome to take in the scene. There’s even a “secret” kids’ menu available, comprised of smaller portions of favorite dishes.
Photograph courtesy of Alpharetta City Center
If you want multiple fast options:
Turf is a common denominator in kid- and pet-friendly dining spaces, and both Chattahoochee Food Works and Alpharetta City Center offer large turfed areas. At CFW, head to The Camp, an almost completely shaded area in front of Your 3rd Spot. Grab food from stalls and restaurants like Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q and the Andrew Zimmern and Pat LaFrieda-developed Patty & Franks and set up shop near the low-rise play structures. Alpharetta City Center is more exposed to the sun with only a thin bit of shade running along the side of Chiringa, but what it lacks in cover, it makes up for in choices. There’s a fountain that kids use as a splash pad, and casual spots surround the square, like Never Enough Thyme and Boarding Pass Coffee. For a sit-down breakfast or lunch, try Hen Mother Cookhouse, whose Alpharetta location is just off the square and has an expansive patio.
If you want burgers and barbecue:
Wood’s Chapel BBQ in Summerhill has a large, contained gravel area outside the smoker with cornhole, chairs for kids to climb on, and plenty of picnic tables on which to eat smoked meats and sides. Grindhouse Killer Burgers Memorial Drive location is a family winner, where pups are welcome on the expansive, partially shaded patio and kids can choose from beef, turkey, and veggie burgers or a hot dog.
If you want beer:
Breweries have long been kid- and dog-friendly. Places like Red’s Beer Garden, Wild Heaven, and the recently opened Grove at Monday Night Brewing are all great options for casual family dinners out.
