We spent a very enjoyable family trip to Philadelphia and were lucky enough to sample some great meals in some genuinely kid-friendly restaurants along the way. Here’s our pick of 10 of the best family friendly restaurants Philadelphia has to offer, whether you’re after a hearty brunch, a classic cheesesteak, or something a little more unusual.
#1. Honey’s Sit ‘N’ Eat
Honey’s Sit ‘N’ Eat is a great spot for brunch, with homestyle Southern food like latkes, grits, challah French toast and drop biscuits with sausage gravy.
Both locations — Northern Liberties on 4th and Brown, and 2101 South Street — are popular, so it’s worth going early on weekends or being prepared to wait a while for a table. The wait is worth it, though: the food is delicious and kids get free lemonade refills.
#2. Pizzeria Stella
Pizzeria Stella, located in historic Society Hill on the corner of 2nd and Lombard Streets, is a lovely place to bring the kids, with a beautifully tiled wood-fired oven as its centrepiece.
There’s plenty of antipasti and a good range of Neapolitan-style pizzas to please pickier eaters (Margherita and Pepperoni) as well as those with more adventurous tastes (try the Pistachio or Tartufo). The house-made gelato, made to a secret family recipe, is a delicious way to finish the meal.
#3. Sketch Burger
You’ll find inventive burgers at Sketch Burger, 413 E. Girard Ave in Fishtown, where you choose your burger meat (beef, kobe beef, turkey, veggie) and then your house sauce, from Harissa to vegan BBQ.
While they wait for their food, kids can draw with the construction paper, markers and crayons left at every table. After the meal, you can add your artwork to the collection that covers the walls, windows and tables.
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#4. Le Pain Quotidien
With locations at 8th & Walnut, Rittenhouse Row and The Granary, Le Pain Quotidien is a hit with kids thanks to its fresh French-style bread and pastries, including croissants and pain au chocolat. They also serve soups, sandwiches and sharing platters.
Kids can enjoy Belgian hot chocolate or fresh lemonade, while parents can try a glass of organic wine, a craft beer, or one of the wide range of coffees and teas. There’s a kids’ menu too, and seasonal baking classes for children run at certain times of year, so it’s worth checking what’s on if you’re visiting during a holiday period.
#5. Philly Cheesesteak
No trip to Philadelphia is complete without trying a Philly cheesesteak. The key is knowing what to order — tell the cashier what kind of cheese you want and whether you’d like fried onions.
Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s are the big names competing for the best cheesesteak title, but there’s a wider spread of great spots worth trying too — see this guide to authentic Philly cheesesteaks for more options.
And if you need a hand ordering like a local, this short video will help:
#6. City Tavern
To really soak up Philadelphia’s history, head to City Tavern at 138 S 2nd St, a reconstructed Colonial tavern where servers in period dress deliver old-fashioned American fare.
It’s a little touristy, and the food is fairly plain by modern standards, but it’s a fun step back in history, and the children’s menu — including cornmeal-crusted chicken tenders and a Colonial-style meat and cheese pie — has won awards. Go for the experience and the friendly staff rather than expecting a top gourmet meal.
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#7. Luke’s Lobster
We enjoyed lunch at Luke’s Lobster, 130 S 17th St, near Rittenhouse Square, where you can get Maine-style lobster, crab or shrimp rolls on toasted buns, plus clam chowder.
The meal deal option lets you add a drink and a packet of chips to your seafood roll of choice. It’s not fancy, but kids will enjoy piling onto the benches for a relaxed seafood lunch.
#8. Lil’ Pop Shop
It’s well worth the detour to West Philly for Lil’ Pop Shop at 265 South 44th Street, where you’ll find ice pops handcrafted in small batches from fresh, natural, locally sourced ingredients.
Flavours include unusual combinations like chocolate with salted caramel brownie, Earl Grey with black pepper, and lemon blueberry buttermilk. We loved it so much we went back twice more to try different flavours.
#9. Trolley Car Diner
The Trolley Car Diner, 7619 Germantown Avenue, was another hit on our visit. It’s an old-school diner serving breakfast and lunch alongside a real trolley car. Our youngest declared the lemonade the best she’d ever had, and the fries got a big thumbs up too.
The kids’ menu features teddy bear pancakes, while adults can choose more unusual dishes like pan-seared calves’ liver and a roasted veggie grinder, alongside the usual diner classics. The comfy booths are kid-friendly, and the diner has run half-price kids’ meals on Tuesday evenings and movie screenings on Saturdays during the summer in the past, so it’s worth asking what’s currently on offer.
#10. Earth Bread and Brewery
We loved Earth Bread and Brewery, 7136 Germantown Avenue. It’s eco-friendly and kid-friendly, with a menu full of hearth-baked flatbreads and beer brewed on-site. Our menus came stuck onto old children’s picture books — a nice touch that gave the kids something to read while we waited.
The flatbreads feature homemade mozzarella and range from simple tomato-and-cheese combinations to tapenade-topped crusts. You can also try house-made sodas like sarsaparilla and ginger ale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these restaurants suitable for younger children?
Yes — every restaurant on this list was chosen because it works well with kids, whether that’s through dedicated children’s menus, activities like drawing at the table, comfy booths, or simply a relaxed, no-fuss atmosphere.
Do I need to book ahead?
Some of these spots, like Honey’s Sit ‘N’ Eat, get busy at peak times, especially weekend brunch, so arriving early or being ready to wait for a table is worth bearing in mind. Check with each restaurant directly for their current booking policy.
Which restaurant is best for trying a classic Philly cheesesteak?
Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s are the two most famous names for cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, though there are plenty of other well-regarded spots around the city worth exploring too.
Are there vegetarian options for kids who don’t eat meat?
Yes — Sketch Burger offers a veggie burger option, and Pizzeria Stella’s Margherita pizza and antipasti selection work well for vegetarians, alongside options at several of the other restaurants listed.
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