Having a kid or four in tow is a great excuse to order that dish of fancy macaroni and cheese to "share" or extra focaccia rosemary bread because "the kids can’t wait for their food." There are plenty of fabulous eateries around the Twin Cities that welcome children and their weary parents with wholesome plates of high quality, chefy plates that may or may not have smiley faces on them. Have you found a favorite bistro to dine with the fam? Let us know in the comment section.
Read More/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49702451/Tilia_cr_FB.0.0.jpg)
Seven Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul
View as Map

Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.
Tiny Diner
The patio at Kim Bartmann’s Tiny Diner is a little slice of paradise where kids can explore flowers and herbs, or cozy up in a branch Teepee for a quiet minute. Ok, a quiet 20 seconds. Let them traverse the winding paths through Tiny Diner’s charming gardens while you sip on a housemade soda and finish off their grass-fed burger.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62533098/Tiny_Diner_cr_FB.0.0.0.jpg)
Cook St. Paul
Kids can release their inner Picasso by participating in a drawing contest and win prizes like hats or tiny mugs, all donated by vendors. The children’s menu includes three panels and little patrons can draw inside the bottom panel. Winners are chosen periodically by staff and get to have their masterpiece displayed in the next kids menu.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62533099/CookStPaul_Cannon_eater_03.0.0.0.jpg)
Surly Brewing Company
That's right. Bring a baby to a bar. Send them off to the far corners of the massive lawn and they will be safe while staying out of trouble (probably.) In cooler days, the kind folks at Surly have created a little nook for busy hands under the staircase in the main dining hall. Still in sight, but quite possibly out of mind.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62533100/surly_exterior.0.0.0.jpg)
Chris & Rob's - Saint Paul
It’s in a train car. Need more? They serve fantastic hot dogs. Chris & Rob’s was born to host children of all ages, serving a vast menu filled with kid friendly nibbles like burgers, pizzas and proper Chicago-style hot dogs. They have a tiny dedicated children’s menu, but it’s hard to imagine kids sticking to chicken tenders when they can indulge in something called a Pizza Puff. Did we mention it’s in a train?
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62533101/109397091.0.0.0.jpg)
Tilia
Tilia is well known as a welcoming neighborhood bistro, and little diners feel the love when they are handed “Busy Boxes”- colorful lunch boxes filled with rubbery toys, tiny notebooks, markers and other trinkettes. The kids menu is a toy in of itself, printed on one of those paper fortune teller doohickeys usually reserved for revealing a second grader’s future spouse. Adventurous tots can dine on stir fried shrimps or stick to classics like cheeseburgers. Either way, they get a cookie if they clear their plates.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62533102/Tilia_cr_FB.0.0.0.jpg)
Longfellow Grill
Longfellow Grill is a popular family destination for several reasons. For one, the kiddos can run circles around that weirdly cool flame statue outside while waiting for a table. The patio is always boisterous and children’s meals are served on adorable retro plastic trays straight out of The Brady Bunch. Much to the delight of customers old and young, Longfellow serves breakfast all day and their buttermilk pancakes come shaped like Mickey Mouse.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62533103/Longfellow_grill_cr_LFG.0.0.0.jpg)
Fika
Who doesn't want to spend an afternoon dreaming about living in a castle? Fika is located inside the American Swedish Institute, attached to an actual castle. For parents, the food is sophisticated and lovely. For the kids there are simple, recognizable plates like and an entire green square area filled with toys to play with. Plus, there's a pastry case filled with treats for everyone.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62533104/Fika_outdoor_cr_FB.0.0.0.jpg)