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A basket of chicken tenders lined with tin foil on a white and red checkered tablecloth.
Here’s where to dine out with the whole family.
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Nine Kid-Friendly Restaurants in the Twin Cities

In search of chicken tenders, French toast, and quality crayons

by Alex Lodner and Eater Staff Updated
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Here’s where to dine out with the whole family.
| Shutterstock
by Alex Lodner and Eater Staff Updated

Dining out isn’t a purely adult affair — kids deserve great food and great company too. Saturday night at the Cities’ hottest new restaurant may not be an ideal setting for the whole family, but Minneapolis and St. Paul have plenty of cozy, comfortable restaurants with crayons and grilled cheese sandwiches on hand. From falafel platters to quintessential neighborhood brunches, here are nine great options for dining with kids around the Twin Cities.

Note that these restaurants are listed geographically.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Pizzeria Lola

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Kids and adults alike can appreciate the nuances of truly great pizza. Throw in warm cookies, olive oil-topped soft serve, and a photo booth, and you have the makings of a fantastic family night out at Pizzeria Lola.

5557 Xerxes Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 424-8338
(612) 424-8338
A pepperoni and sausage pizza with a folded over brown crust and little pepperonis that curl ever so slightly.
Classic pepperoni and sausage from Pizzeria Lola.
Vestalia Hospitality

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Tilia

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Tilia, a neighborhood bistro in the heart of Linden Hills, has metal lunch boxes stuffed with activities to keep kids occupied while the grownups linger over a pint. Chef Steven Brown’s original restaurant remains one of the best places for sophisticated American fare in the Twin Cities — kids and adults will love it.

2726 W 43rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 354-2806
(612) 354-2806

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Red Wagon Pizza Company

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Pizza is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Red Wagon has some of the best pies in town, and it also serves great pasta dishes and appetizers (don’t miss the fire-roasted veggies). If you’re choosing between pizzas, note that the signature Red Wagon pizza — topped with soppressata, sausage, banana peppers and fig balsamic — was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and declared “the real deal” by chef Guy Fieri.

5416 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 259-7147
(612) 259-7147
A child sits at a table smiling at the camera and holding a piece of pizza. Older people are two the child’s left and right; they’re all sharing a meal.
Slices to share at Red Wagon.
Eliesa Johnson

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Hot Plate

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There’s so much to keep kids busy at Hot Plate until the pancakes emerge from the kitchen. This south Minneapolis breakfast and lunch spot is covered head to toe in delightful kitsch, from the shelves of ceramic figurines to a cozy, vintage-inspired corner kids can explore.

5204 Bloomington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612) 824-4794
(612) 824-4794
An adult and a child with at a table with drinks in their hands.
A cozy corner at Hot Plate.
Rebecca Zenefski

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Hazel's Northeast

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This family-run spot takes classic brunchy dishes and gives them a little twist. Whether you’re looking for drunken banana French toast, malted Belgian waffles served with meat and cheese, or granola-stuffed pancakes, you can bring the whole crowd to this cozy morning spot.

2859 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 788-4778
(612) 788-4778

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Longfellow Grill

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Longfellow Grill’s roomy booths are an ideal place to share a leisurely family meal. The massive patio overlooks a courtyard, where there’s plenty of room for kids to roam free during the warmer months, and the kids menu features everything from burgers and chicken tenders to pancakes. The decadent bread pudding is the ultimate compromise dessert.

2990 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 721-2711
(612) 721-2711

Shish

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This Mediterranean cafe near Macalester College’s campus is a casual, accommodating spot — swap out the usual kids meal of chicken tenders for chicken shawarma. Shish also serves generous platters of gyros, chicken curry, and falafel, which are great deals for families. Round out the meal with baklava and carrot cake.

1668 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
(651) 690-2212
(651) 690-2212

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The Buttered Tin - St. Paul (Lowertown)

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Breakfast, lunch, and brunch are now served at both Buttered Tin locations, in St. Paul’s Lowertown and Northeast Minneapolis. The daily soft scramble is always a good bet, and the pastry case provides plenty of choices for kids with small appetites. (Cupcake Wars winner Alicia Hinze’s enticing treats might catch their eye.)

237 7th St E, St Paul, MN 55101
(651) 224-2300
(651) 224-2300
The interior of a restaurant painted with white and light yellow tones, with a counter and pastry case to the left. Many people are sitting at the tables and eating.
Inside The Buttered Tin. Photo by Katie Cannon
Katie Cannon / Eater Twin Cities

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Brunson's Pub

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This quintessential neighborhood pub in St. Paul is often packed with chatty families, especially on Sunday mornings, when plates of wings and benedicts fly out of the tiny kitchen at warp speed. Even the brunch menu has kid options, like a brioche French toast and a breakfast sandwich. Bloody Marys for less than $10 keep everyone at the table happy. 

956 Payne Ave, St Paul, MN 55130
(651) 447-2483
(651) 447-2483

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Pizzeria Lola

5557 Xerxes Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410

Kids and adults alike can appreciate the nuances of truly great pizza. Throw in warm cookies, olive oil-topped soft serve, and a photo booth, and you have the makings of a fantastic family night out at Pizzeria Lola.

5557 Xerxes Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 424-8338
(612) 424-8338
A pepperoni and sausage pizza with a folded over brown crust and little pepperonis that curl ever so slightly.
Classic pepperoni and sausage from Pizzeria Lola.
Vestalia Hospitality

Tilia

2726 W 43rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410

Tilia, a neighborhood bistro in the heart of Linden Hills, has metal lunch boxes stuffed with activities to keep kids occupied while the grownups linger over a pint. Chef Steven Brown’s original restaurant remains one of the best places for sophisticated American fare in the Twin Cities — kids and adults will love it.

2726 W 43rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 354-2806
(612) 354-2806

Red Wagon Pizza Company

5416 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419

Pizza is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Red Wagon has some of the best pies in town, and it also serves great pasta dishes and appetizers (don’t miss the fire-roasted veggies). If you’re choosing between pizzas, note that the signature Red Wagon pizza — topped with soppressata, sausage, banana peppers and fig balsamic — was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and declared “the real deal” by chef Guy Fieri.

5416 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 259-7147
(612) 259-7147
A child sits at a table smiling at the camera and holding a piece of pizza. Older people are two the child’s left and right; they’re all sharing a meal.
Slices to share at Red Wagon.
Eliesa Johnson

Hot Plate

5204 Bloomington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417

There’s so much to keep kids busy at Hot Plate until the pancakes emerge from the kitchen. This south Minneapolis breakfast and lunch spot is covered head to toe in delightful kitsch, from the shelves of ceramic figurines to a cozy, vintage-inspired corner kids can explore.

5204 Bloomington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612) 824-4794
(612) 824-4794
An adult and a child with at a table with drinks in their hands.
A cozy corner at Hot Plate.
Rebecca Zenefski

Hazel's Northeast

2859 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

This family-run spot takes classic brunchy dishes and gives them a little twist. Whether you’re looking for drunken banana French toast, malted Belgian waffles served with meat and cheese, or granola-stuffed pancakes, you can bring the whole crowd to this cozy morning spot.

2859 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 788-4778
(612) 788-4778

Longfellow Grill

2990 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55406

Longfellow Grill’s roomy booths are an ideal place to share a leisurely family meal. The massive patio overlooks a courtyard, where there’s plenty of room for kids to roam free during the warmer months, and the kids menu features everything from burgers and chicken tenders to pancakes. The decadent bread pudding is the ultimate compromise dessert.

2990 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 721-2711
(612) 721-2711

Shish

1668 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

This Mediterranean cafe near Macalester College’s campus is a casual, accommodating spot — swap out the usual kids meal of chicken tenders for chicken shawarma. Shish also serves generous platters of gyros, chicken curry, and falafel, which are great deals for families. Round out the meal with baklava and carrot cake.

1668 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
(651) 690-2212
(651) 690-2212

The Buttered Tin - St. Paul (Lowertown)

237 7th St E, St Paul, MN 55101

Breakfast, lunch, and brunch are now served at both Buttered Tin locations, in St. Paul’s Lowertown and Northeast Minneapolis. The daily soft scramble is always a good bet, and the pastry case provides plenty of choices for kids with small appetites. (Cupcake Wars winner Alicia Hinze’s enticing treats might catch their eye.)

237 7th St E, St Paul, MN 55101
(651) 224-2300
(651) 224-2300
The interior of a restaurant painted with white and light yellow tones, with a counter and pastry case to the left. Many people are sitting at the tables and eating.
Inside The Buttered Tin. Photo by Katie Cannon
Katie Cannon / Eater Twin Cities

Brunson's Pub

956 Payne Ave, St Paul, MN 55130

This quintessential neighborhood pub in St. Paul is often packed with chatty families, especially on Sunday mornings, when plates of wings and benedicts fly out of the tiny kitchen at warp speed. Even the brunch menu has kid options, like a brioche French toast and a breakfast sandwich. Bloody Marys for less than $10 keep everyone at the table happy. 

956 Payne Ave, St Paul, MN 55130
(651) 447-2483
(651) 447-2483

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