- June 23, 2014

50+ Places to Eat Out With Kids in Austin

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Family Friendly Restaurants Austin
There are those days when you need an excuse to pack up the whole family, flee the house and leave someone else in charge of preparing, feeding and cleaning up after your brood. Thanks to you, brilliant readers, we have a list of more than 50 restaurants which not only fit the bill, but are also family-friendly! Without further ado, here’s our (and your) list of reader recommended places to eat out with kids in Austin!
Restaurants Playgrounds Central Austin

1. The Triangle 2. Waterloo Ice House 3. Whole Foods Market 4. Central Market

Central Austin

Casa de Luz
This community gathering place, which offers plant based, 100% organic, vegan, vegetarian food, has a playground which kids are welcome to use after 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and all day on Saturday and Sunday.

1701 Toomey Rd.
Austin, TX 78704

Central Market
Austin families flock to Central Market’s large, outdoor deck, wooden shaded playscape, pond area and very climb-able sprawling oak tree. Kids eat free on Tuesdays after 5pm. (One free kid’s meal per adult entrée purchased.)

4001 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78756

Hat Creek Burgers
The Westlake and Burnet Road locations both have playscapes and outdoor seating.

5400 Burnet Rd.
Austin, TX 78756

5902 Bee Caves Rd.
Austin, TX 78746

Hula Hut
This Austin favorite has outdoor seating and a lakefront setting to watch the ducks and boats go by.

3825 Lake Austin Blvd.
Austin, TX 78703

Mandola’s Italian Market
The Triangle location of Mandola’s has outdoor seating and a playscape and splash pad nearby (across the street). Plus, kids get a scoop of gelato with their meals!

4700 W. Guadalupe St.
Suite 12
Austin, TX 78751

P. Terry’s Burger Stand
P. Terry’s has a sandbox for the kids.

3303 North Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78705

404 South Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704

Shady Grove
This iconic Austin restaurant has lots of outdoor space.

1624 Barton Springs Rd.
Austin, TX 78704

Texas French Bread
TFB has a playscape near the parking lot.

2900 Rio Grande
Austin, TX 78705

Waterloo Ice House
Waterloo’s location on 360 and 2222 has a large outside seating area with a playscape and sand pit.

6203 N. Capital of Texas Hwy.
Austin, TX 78731

Whole Foods
The flagship location of Whole Foods has a rooftop outdoor seating area with a small playscape.

525 N Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78703

Restaurants Playgrounds North Austin

1. Phil’s / Amy’s Austinville 2. Whole Foods Domain 3. The Salt Lick Round Rock 4. Phil’s / Amy’s on Burnet

North Austin

Dahlia’s Cafe
This restaurant, which specializes in home cooking, has a large outdoor area with a playground for kids, live music and washers.

2430 RR 1869
Liberty Hill, TX 78642

Flores Mexican Restaurant
Flores has a playscape outside at its Four Points location.

8300 North FM 620
Austin, TX 78726

Hat Creek Burgers
The Georgetown location of Hat Creek has an outdoor play area for kids.

201 San Gabriel Blvd.
Georgetown, TX 78626

Joe’s Crab Shack
Joe’s has a playscape on an outdoor patio with sand.

2401 South IH 35
Round Rock, TX 78664

Phil’s Ice House
All Phil’s locations are conveniently located next door to Amy’s Ice Creams, offer kid-friendly fare and feature playgrounds and outdoor space.

5620 Burnet Rd.
Austin, TX 78756

Austinville location:
13265 US Hwy. 183 N
Austin, TX 78750

The Salt Lick BBQ
The Round Rock location has a fenced-in playscape for the kids. Outdoor seating is sometimes available. Indoor seating is casual, at picnic tables.

3350 E. Palm Valley Rd.
Round Rock, TX 78665

Silver Grill Cafe
Silver Grill has outdoor seating and a playscape.

4005 West Parmer Ln.
Austin, TX 78727

Whole Foods
The Domain location has an outdoor eating area next to its parking lot with a small play area.

11920 Domain Dr.
Austin, TX 78758

Zack’s American Bistro
Zack’s has a playground with a playscape.

5145 North FM 620, Bldg. C
Austin, TX 78732

Restaurants Playground West Austin

1. Midway Food Park 2 & 3. Ski Shores Cafe

West Austin

Austin’s Pizza
Austin’s Pizza has a shady, outdoor patio area with a small playscape.

3638 Bee Caves Rd.
Austin, TX 78746

Boat House Grill
The Boat House Grill has a covered playscape in the back with live music.

6612 North RR 620
Austin, TX 78732

Craig O’s
Craig O’s has a fenced playscape.

2501 Ranch Road 620S
Lakeway, TX 78734

Flores Mexican Restaurant
The Lakeway location of Flores has outdoor seating and a playground for the kids.

2127 Lohmans Crossing
Lakeway, TX 78734

How Do You Roll?
Located in Plaza Volente (Anderson Mill), which has a playground on-site.

11521 Ranch Road 620 N
Suite 1500
Austin, Texas 78726Mangieri’s Pizza Cafe
Mangieri’s Lakeway location has a fenced-in playground.2133 Lohmans Crossing Rd.
Lakeway, TX 78734The Midway Food Park
This fenced-in collection of food trucks has a playground, live music, lots of picnic tables with umbrellas, a fire pit and fenced-in open space. Each food trailer has its own hours, so check their individual Facebook pages before heading out.1905 South Capital of Texas Hwy.
Austin, TX 78746Nutty Brown Café
There is outdoor seating and a play area for kids at this restaurant and live music venue.

12225 U.S. Hwy. 290
Austin, TX 78737

Ski Shores Cafe (review)
Ski Shores has an enclosed playscape, movie nights during the summer with free s’mores and video games.

2905 Pearce Rd.
Austin, TX 78730

Torchy’s Tacos
Located in Plaza Volente (Anderson Mill), which has a playground on-site.

11521 RR 620 North #1000
Austin, TX 78726

1. Joe's Place 2. in.gredients 3. Cherrywood Coffeehouse

1. Joe’s Place 2. in.gredients 3. Cherrywood Coffeehouse

East Austin

Café Mueller at HEB
The grocery store’s restaurant, close to the Thinkery and Mueller Lake Park, has outdoor seating and live music. Kids eat free on Mondays (one free kid’s meal per $8 purchase).

1801 E. 51st St.
Austin, TX 78723

Cherrywood Coffeehouse (review)
Cherrywood Coffeehouse has a full menu, outdoor seating and free kids’ music every Sunday at 10am.

1400 E. 38 1/2 St.
Austin, TX 78722

Hoover’s Cooking
This casual restaurant on Manor Road is popular with families.

2002 Manor Rd.
Suite C
Austin, TX 78722

Hot Mama’s Cafe
Hot Mama’s has a shady, outdoor eating area and usually, hula hoops.

2401 East 6th St.
Austin, TX 78702

House Pizzeria
Lots of families with kids frequent this restaurant with outdoor seating and a jukebox.

5111 Airport Blvd.
Austin, TX 78751

in.gredients (review)
This grocery store, which encourages customers to bring their own containers, also offered prepared foods and has a fenced-in playground for kids.

2610 Manor Rd.
Austin, TX 78722

Joe’s Place
This restaurant, just east of downtown, has outdoor seating in the back with a sandbox.

1814 East MLK Blvd.
Austin, TX 78702

Rio’s Brazilian Cafe
Rio’s has a small covered outdoor patio.

408 N. Pleasant Valley Rd.
Austin, TX 78702

1, 2, and 3. Southpark Meadows 4. Freddie's

1, 2, and 3. Southpark Meadows 4. Freddie’s

South Austin

Angel’s Icehouse
Angel’s has a large outdoor play area for kids, live music and allows leashed pets.

21815 Hwy. 71 West
Spicewood, TX 78669

Burger King – This location closed in August 2017
This Burger King has an indoor playscape.

5033 West Hwy. 290
Austin, TX 78735

Doc’s Backyard
Doc’s south location has a large back patio with a series of partially-shaded playscapes.

5207 Brodie Ln.
Sunset Valley, TX 78745

El Mercado
El Mercado’s south location has a back patio with a playscape.

1302 South 1st St.
Austin, TX 78704

Flores Mexican Restaurant
Flores’ Dripping Springs location has a playscape off its back patio.

2440 East Hwy. 290 West
Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Freddie’s Place – Freddie’s closed in June, 2015.
Freddie’s has a large outdoor patio with a small playscape, washers and live music.

1703 South 1st St.
Austin, TX 78704

Homespun
Homespun has a playscape and outdoor seating.

131 East Mercer St.
Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Jason’s Deli
The Southpark Meadows location shares a playground with other restaurants in The Grove.

9600 S IH35
Austin, TX 78748

Mama Fu’s
The Southpark Meadows location shares a playground with other restaurants in The Grove.

9600 S IH35
Suite C-100
Austin, TX 78748

Mandola’s Italian Market
The Mandola’s in Arbor Trails has an outdoor eating area with a playscape.

4301 West William Cannon
Austin, TX 78749

Patsy’s Cowgirl Cafe
Patsy’s has a playscape in their fenced-in outdoor area.

5001 E. Ben White Blvd.
Austin, TX 78744

Phil’s Ice House
All Phil’s locations are conveniently located next door to Amy’s Ice Creams, offer kid-friendly fare and feature playgrounds and outdoor space.

2901 S. Lamar
Austin, TX 78704

The Salt Lick BBQ
The original location has a Kids Ranch with several playgrounds, a bocce court, picnic tables, some shade and an adjacent fenced-in grassy area.

18300 FM 1826
Driftwood, TX 78619

Smoke’n Hops
Smoke’n Hops has an outdoor fenced-in playground and there are kid-focused live music shows.

3799 U.S. 290
Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Trattoria Lisina (review)
The restaurant is a “taste of Tuscany in the hill country,” with lovely landscaping, outdoor seating, bocce ball courts and a well-shaded playscape.

13308 FM 150 West
Driftwood, TX 78619

Waterloo Ice House
The Southpark Meadows location shares a playground with other restaurants in The Grove.

9600 S IH35 Service Rd SB
Suite D-100
Austin, TX 78748

The Circle C location has outdoor seating and a playscape.

9600 Escarpment Blvd.
Austin, TX 78749

What’s your favorite family-friendly restaurant in the area? Please let us know in the comments if it’s not on the list!


A recovering workaholic, Nicole Basham now spends her time rediscovering Austin through her 8-year-old son’s eyes. A soccer-playing mom, Nicole also enjoys tickling too close to bedtime, taking in some live music and being silly. You can also find her writing at LiveMom, Savvy Source for Parents and CultureMap.