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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.