The 10 Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants In Washington DC

kid friendly restaurants in dc
Swadeep Singh
Swadeep Singh 
Updated
| 6 min read

It’s easy to find yourself at a passable eatery everywhere in Washington DC, it’s still not hard if you include the family as well, but all of that will instantly become challenging when you have kids. It’s because of the fact that kids wouldn’t like your type of menu, they prefer to see everything colorful or at least what they have tasted before, plus they require a very particular ambiance in a restaurant or they would get bored very quickly, the classy dim light modern diners won’t work on them. If you’re also in DC and know this situation, Trip101 is here to help. We have evaluated numerous restaurants in this city and compiled a short list for you, be with us on this page to have names and details of the best kid-friendly restaurants in Washington DC.

1. Firefly


It’s a family restaurant and not only the youngsters but seniors would also appreciate this place. The interior of this location has a rustic décor soft-light ambiance, and strikingly there is a giant tree-trunk in the middle of the dining area that offers the Halloween effect. All in all, the theme, in general, is woodsy, hence one can presume that kids would be clicking too many selfie-shots here. Coming to the edibles, they have normal and gluten-free options in brunch, lunch, and dinner, plus there is separate kids menu as well. Every entrée for the little guests would be served decorated, either with a glass of juice or with milk. As if that weren’t enough, Firefly would also provide coloring placemats and crayons to keep the kids engaged.

Firefly

Address: 1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036

Website: Firefly

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 7am - 2pm, 5:30pm - 10pm; Fri: 7am - 2pm, 5:30am - 10:30pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 2pm, 5:30pm - 10pm

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2. Old Europe


Old Europe is one of the oldest restaurants in Washington, and there’s a high chance that the senior-most locals of the current generation might have visited this place when they were young. Now, guess the theme of this place as we detail some of its highlights, it has rustic ambiance, there are portraits on the wall with names written in German, middle-age wooden ship models dangling from the ceiling, cuckoo clock and wall crests, an accordion man playing live German tunes, and also traditional dirndl dressed waitresses. Yes! it’s Germany or at least it’s the Europe of the previous century. Youngsters always like such interesting places, to double the amount of their liking, this place would offer them a special German kids-menu.

Old Europe

Address: 2434 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

Website: Old Europe

Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

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3. Pinstripes


Undoubtedly, your kids will fall in love with this place as it’s not a boring eatery to have just a meal. If you’re not experienced with Pinstripe, they are a bowling alley and a bocce ball court, where people have an added advantage to dine while enjoying the game. There is no age restriction here so children (not too young) can also join the game, of course, when they are wearing bowling shoe and socks (provided here). Once they get exhausted by the game, they can have their all-time favorite items such as cheeseburgers, pizzas, mac & cheese and so on. Alongside the kids-menu, Pinstripes has a full range of brunch, lunch, dinner, and drinks. We promise, one just cannot stay dull for too long in Pinstripes.

Pinstripes

Address: 1064 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

Website: Pinstripes

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 11pm; Fri: 11am - 1am; Sat: 10am - 1am; Sun: 10am - 10pm

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4. Cafe Deluxe


If someone is somewhere around the middle of this city with kids or without them too, they can select this casual restaurant ‘Café Deluxe’ for a dine-out. There are many varieties served here for the elders including a separate cocktail menu, but since our list is dedicated for kids, let’s talk about something of their liking. For young guests, they have an extensive menu of the main course, sides, brunch, dessert, drinks, and milkshakes. High chairs are also accessible in here for little babies, furthermore, paper placemats and crayons can also be available to families on demand. Café Deluxe opens with the sunrise, so a family breakfast can be planned here too.

Cafe Deluxe

Address: 2201 M St NW, Washington, DC 20037

Website: Cafe Deluxe

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 6:30am - 11pm; Fri: 6:30am - 12:30pm; Sat: 7am - 12:30pm; Sun: 7am - 11pm

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Washington Tour Guide

Annie Leguennec

Annie Leguennec

My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the city's rich heritage and its continuing legacy as the birthplace of the United States of America. Book my tour. Explore and learn about this unique city where you will walk on the footsteps of our America's founding Fathers. My tours are conducted in English, French and Italian.

Tours by Annie

Washington Tour Guide

Stephanie Eley

Stephanie Eley

I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of the US: Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona! Let's GO!! stepheley@gmail.com

Tours by Stephanie

5. Ted's Bulletin

Ted's Bulletin
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Cherry Ride used under CC BY 2.0

This place has bright lights and energetic aura, which should be suitable by a kid’s liking, plus the food that’s served here looks sparkling too, it was all needed because only the appealing things would taste good to youngsters. Thus, specifically in that referral, they create everything good-looking, if you have a doubt you can have a look at their Ted’s-Tarts as an instance. Ted’s Bulletin has an ever-changing kids menu, hence there could be a surprise element if someone is visiting on gaps. This place serves sizable portions even with the kid’s menu, so probably parents would also desire to taste the taste. However, if kids wouldn’t want to share, elders have several attractive meals to order, including their version of adult-milkshake. Suppers, starters, breakfast, and beverages are available too.

Ted's Bulletin

Address: 505 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Website: Ted’s Bulletin

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 7am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 7am - 11pm

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6. Clyde's


Clyde’s Gallery is not just a restaurant but somewhat it’s an art-gallery too, as the moment one would get in, they will surely get amazed by the so many painted murals, American sporting portraits, sculptures, and statues. They even constructed the washroom artistic as its wall does have some portraits, then there is a beautiful looking terrace seating too. Since this place doesn’t look boring, kids would enjoy your company here. A wide range of dining and drink option is available, including a late-night menu because this place can stay open as late as 3:00 in the morning. Talking about kids-menu, their entrées would be coming here with a combo of sides and beverage.

Clyde's

Address: 707 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Website: Clyde’s

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 2am; Fri: 11am - 3am; Sat: 10am - 3am; Sun: 10am - 2am

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7. Hard Rock Café


Hard Rock Café or HRC might not need an introduction, the café chain has venues in over 70 countries and has 180+ cafés worldwide. Talking about the HRC in Washington, it has the same ambiance and rock-and-roll kind of aura, thus not every family with kids would fit here. No doubt the elders would love being here, as HRC collects a lot of memorabilia of their time, this place, in particular, has a guitar of Aerosmith, Jimmy-Eats-World, etc. However, some kids are also born with a good taste in music, if you’re a lucky parent to have that child, this place is for you. HRC Washington has three levels of dining and drinks with a comprehensive menu, their kid’s menu is also wide enough.

Hard Rock Café

Address: 999 E St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Website: Hard Rock Café

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm

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8. Old Ebbitt Grill

Old Ebbitt Grill entrance
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user APK used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Old Ebbitt Grill is perhaps the oldest bar and brunch place in Washington, it was founded in 1856 as a saloon, and except for a location change, nothing much has been changed. Such seniority comes with grace, and one can totally witness that elegance inside of this refined place. They literally have the widest range of everything, as an illustration, just their ‘wine and bubbly’ page alone has 150+ names. The kid’s menu is obviously vast as well. Only the good things can be uttered about this restaurant, and since it’s so good already, you may need to have reservations first.

Old Ebbitt Grill

Address: 675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Website: Old Ebbitt Grill

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 2am; Fri: 11:30am - 3am; Sat: 8:30am - 3am; Sun: 8:30am - 2am

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9. Brookland's Finest Bar and Kitchen


Brookland’s Finest is yet another casual bistro in Washington, but with a twist, which is its spinning menu. This restaurant follows their self-made rule to serve only the fresh and locally grown ingredients, thus you may not find in summers what you had ordered here in winters. Due to this seasonal rotation, their menu is not so long, the kid’s menu is limited too, to compensate that fact, they have a range of desserts, cakes, and pies. They serve usual and crafted drinks as well, and this place can stay open till very late in nights.

Brookland's Finest Bar and Kitchen

Address: 3126 12th St NE, Washington, DC 20017

Website: Brookland’s Finest Bar and Kitchen

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 1:30am; Fri: 11am - 2:30am; Sat: 10am - 2:30am; Sun: 10am - 1:30am

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10. Comet Ping Pong


This place might look lowkey, and possibly wouldn’t suit everyone’s ideal family dine-out plan, but Comet Ping Pong should be a great venue if you’re throwing kiddie birthdays and small parties. The place has faux-rustic décor exterior and urban decay interiors, and it indeed looks interesting. They don’t have a kid’s menu here, but most of the menu items are already kid-friendly. For your information, they have ping pong and foosball tables in the hidden restroom.

Comet Ping Pong

Address: 5037 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Website: Comet Ping Pong

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 9:30pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 10:45pm; Sun: 11:30am - 9:30pm

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Try something from the kid's menu

Original Mac n Cheese
Source: Photo by user Texasfoodgawker used under CC BY-SA 4.0

You’re an adult and probably married too and that is why (you’re taking the responsibility of taking your kids with you to a restaurant. But when was the last you had something else than your usual menu? Possibly long ago. But you know what? This is a chance to order a fun kiddie meal for yourself too when you’re visiting these restaurants with amazing kids’ menu. You can order the usuals as well, but it doesn’t harm to give yourself a small treat of pop tarts, mac and cheese, and kids’ items sometimes too.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Also known as Bobby, Swadeep Singh is a businessman since 2013 but he has forever nurtured a passion for writing. Traveling never makes him exhausted, which is why he's never known turn down any...Read more

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