Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Baltimore

When you have little kids, eating out at a restaurant becomes a whole different game. You need someplace that serves food the kids will eat and service that’s fast. Ideally the place will be welcoming to a slightly rowdier bunch and maybe even offer some sort of entertainment.

We’ve considered all that criteria and more to come up with our list of the best kid-friendly restaurants in Baltimore. We’ve broken our list down by breakfast, lunch, and dinner so that you can easily find just what you need!

Best Kid Friendly Restaurants in Baltimore for Breakfast

Iron Rooster

Ask anyone in Baltimore about where to get breakfast with kids and you’re likely to hear Iron Rooster come up. The restaurant has three locations: Hunt Valley, Canton, and Locust Point, and all three serve amazing food. You’re going to get your classic pancakes, waffles, and eggs and so much more. The Roos Tart is a homemade toaster pastry that is not to be missed. Iron Rooster also hits it out of the park with their chicken dishes (homemade biscuits, gravy, and fried chicken, anyone?).

We love all three locations but if you’re going with kids you should know that the Hunt Valley location includes an outdoor playground that’s attached to the restaurant and the Canton location is situated right next to a small playground (although you have to cross a small parking lot to get to it).

Silver Queen

Silver Queen is a small but mighty breakfast option in the Baltimore area. Located in the charming neighborhood of Hamilton, the cafe serves up local fare that’s made fresh. You’d never guess by looking at the humble exterior that the restaurant serves up some of the best food in the area. The menu is always changing, and often pays homage to Maryland.

Most exciting for families, a small alcove by the front windows is dedicated as a play space for children. With a play kitchen and dolls, it can keep the children entertained so that you can actually finish a meal.

Miss Shirley’s

Miss Shirley’s is truly a Baltimore staple. Featured consistently as one of the best restaurants in Baltimore, they are known for their out of this world breakfasts. Last time we visited, I was smart enough to order the Gravy Train Southern Skillet… fried buttermilk boneless chicken breast on a house made biscuit, collard greens with ham, grits, sausage gravy, cheddar, and a sunny side up egg all dusted with Cajun Spices. It honestly doesn’t get any better than that.

Miss Shirley’s has three locations: Roland Park, Inner Harbor and Annapolis. The important thing to know is this: Miss Shirley’s is popular and there is often a wait. Do yourself a favor and don’t take starving children there. We recommend going early during breakfast service to ensure a short wait and bringing a couple activities to keep the kids busy if you do encounter one. We promise, it will be worth it!

Paper Moon Diner

You really can’t understand the full magnitude of the Paper Moon until you’ve seen it. The restaurant is packed to the gills with amazing memorabilia and tchockies. From Pez dispensers to posed mannequins, Paper Moon is the most brightly colored restaurant you’ll ever dine in. The diner is the embodiment of Baltimore’s charming eccentricity.

Beyond the amazing interior, the food is delicious. The menu aims to be both carnivore and vegetarian friendly and they hit it out of the park. Their menu features an all-day breakfast and I’ve never had a dish I didn’t enjoy.

Best Kid Friendly Restaurants in Baltimore for Lunch

R. House

Baltimore has experienced a resurgence in market style restaurants in the past few years, and we are loving it. Like a food court on steroids, R. House houses 11 restaurants that serve fast-casual style meals that run the gamut from burgers to tacos, Mediterranean to Korean BBQ. The center of the space also has R. Bar where adult patrons can grab a drink.

Market dining has quickly become our favorite as we can order the kids a burger or a hot dog from one stall while the adults can grab Korean tacos from another and a gyro from yet another. There’s also no waiting for a server or a check necessary. R. House takes it to the next level by offering kid-sized seating and a children’s play area.

High Topps

High Topps Backstage Grille could really be listed as a lunch or dinner option but I opted for lunch for one reason: you’re going to want to hang out. High Topps is a favorite for families because they feature an outdoor “beach”: a playground set atop sand. The beach area is nestled right next to a ton of fabulous outdoor seating options that make you feel like you’ve been transported to an eastern shore resort town.

Beyond the great amenities for kids and families, the food at High Topps is great. The kids menu is expansive and the adult options provide something for every palette. While we have gone to High Topps on many occasions for an early dinner, going around lunchtime ensures that you can grab a primo table near the playground and hang out for a bit longer than if you go later in the evening!

Gunpowder Lodge

Gunpowder Lodge is one of your best choices for lunch on a nice day. Near Perry Hall, Gunpowder Lodge is situated right next to the Gunpowder River as well as the trails that surround it. The food is great but it’s the outdoor space that really drives this one home.

Their outdoor dining option puts you in mind of a really amazing backyard. The grassy space is large and is surrounded by forest. The kids can take advantage of a playset and the adults can take advantage of horseshoes as well as an outdoor bar. After your meal, you can travel the 100 yards to the trailhead and hike along the river!

Emma’s Tea Spot

A tea house might be a non-traditional option for lunch, but I promise that you’ll love it. The charming interior makes you feel like you’ve stepped into your grandmother’s kitchen while the amazing tea service will make you feel like you’re dining with the queen.

While I wouldn’t recommend Emma’s for the more rambunctious kids out there, the “mini high tea” that was served to our girls (in real china!) was a true crowd pleaser. I can honestly say that I’ve never seen such delight cross their faces. The adults in the crowd were able to enjoy local, organic fare (definitely try the curried chicken!) as well as our own tea service. The kids happily played in the children’s section while we ordered yet another pot of tea to enjoy. If you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary, Emma’s is the place to go!

Best Kid Friendly Restaurants in Baltimore for Dinner

HomeSlyce Pizza Bar

HomeSlyce has six locations in the Baltimore-Washington region, including 4 in Baltimore City, but Canton is our favorite pick for families. We go to HomeSlyce for the amazing pizza (and I mean amazing) but we stay for the Skee-Ball and chalk walls.

If you don’t like pizza, they’ve got classic bar food like chicken tenders and mozzarella sticks but if you’re a pizza lover, we recommend the “slyce”. It’s basically a small pizza folded up like a delicious, cheesy boat. You could split one between two kids or feed one hungry adult.

Nacho Mama’s

As the name implies, you can expect to get delicious tex-mex style food at Nacho Mama’s. The restaurant also has a kids menu with favorites like chicken tenders and cheeseburgers. The interior features wall-to-wall Baltimore memorabilia with a heavy emphasis on the Orioles and Elvis. You can even stand on a home plate from Camden Yards as you enter the restaurant!

Nacho Mama’s also offers a “Kids Eat Free” special on various nights of the week. The day of the week changes depending on the season, so check the website to get the most current information.

Poulet

Poulet is where you want to go on a weeknight when you just can’t muster up the energy to cook. Their concept is "fast, fine dining" and they live up to it. They serve chicken, quesadillas, sandwiches, soup plus a plethora of unique veggie sides. Customers order their food from a cafeteria style line which means that kids can see how delicious everything looks and may even be willing to try a new veggie or two. Your food is given to you as soon as you're done choosing it so there is no waiting for service!

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