Check out the best kid-friendly restaurants in Los Angeles for a meal the whole family can enjoy.
Let’s be honest: dining out with kids is not an easy experience. And with a fussy baby, the constant toddler chasing, and fighting five-year-olds, sometimes it can feel like a daunting task to get out the door and enjoy a sit down meal.
But when you live in Los Angeles, a city with thousands of restaurants to please millions of palates, a much-needed break from cooking and cleaning isn’t something you can only dream about.
You deserve to get out and enjoy a meal you didn’t prepare for a change, and Los Angeles restaurant owners agree.
So, we’ve compiled a list of the 9 best kid-friendly restaurants in Los Angeles where you and your kids can have a yummy breakfast, lunch, or dinner together.
And if chaos ensues, well, at least the restaurant staff and fellow families knew what to expect!
Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Los Angeles
1. Cassell’s Hamburgers
Downtown Los Angeles
Al Cassell opened Cassell’s Hamburgers in 1948, and the burger joint quickly became a popular Los Angeles lunch spot.
From the start, all beef has been ground in-house daily, and the current chef still uses the same grinder, crossfire broiler, and meat press that Al used in the diner’s early days.
Staying true to their roots is a recurrent theme at Cassell’s, and the restaurant maintains the ambiance of a 1950s diner.
The Downtown Los Angeles location features a “Cassell” sign glowing red on a brick wall, along with retro signs and posters. A 50s-inspired drink case is also set beside an open-view kitchen and counter.
Cassell’s doesn’t have a dedicated kid’s menu, but who doesn’t love a good cheeseburger, fries, and a milkshake? Other kid favorites include chicken tenders, grilled cheese, and pancakes.
Don’t Miss Out
Cassell’s “Surrender Dorothy” shake is a colorful explosion of rainbow sprinkles, fruity pebbles, and mini marshmallows.
Choose strawberry ice cream as your base for an extra splash of color, and top it off with whipped cream!
Downtown:
421 W. 8th St, Los Angeles, CA, 90014
Koreatown:
3600 W. 6th St, Los Angeles, CA, 90020
https://www.cassellshamburgers.com/
2. Iron Teapot Dim Sum
Culver City
Sally Chan opened the Iron Teapot in the early stages of the pandemic to celebrate Chinese food and culture in a part of Los Angeles with a smaller Chinese population.
The restaurant is bright and modern, with stone flooring, a sleek bar, and large shelves stocked with different colored teapots. There is also a covered patio for families looking to dine outdoors.
Iron Teapot’s menu is perfect for kids because there is a wide assortment of animal-shaped baos, dim sum, and dumplings that are as delicious as they are fun to look at.
As an extra fun bonus, the food is served by a cat robot!
Don’t Miss Out
The kids (and adults) will go crazy for the mini hot dogs wrapped in ube bao.
But for the full experience, order their sample platters.
“The Magnificent Six” includes one of every colorful soup dumpling on the menu. The yellow chicken and red veggie dumplings are especially kid-friendly.
Then finish your meal with an assortment of six animal-shaped baos. The chocolate teddy and strawberry cheesecake piggie are fan favorites.
If you want to make your own bao, the Iron Teapot offers a kid-friendly bao-making class.
10306 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034
https://www.iron-teapot.com/
3. JOY
Highland Park
With a casual dining environment and a menu of street-style Thai food to impress diners of all ages, JOY is a perfect restaurant for families.
The restaurant is bright and modern, providing table, booth, and bar seating. But be sure to arrive early to avoid long waits.
While JOY does not have a kid’s menu, many items are kid-friendly, like the thousand-layer pancake filled with egg and cheese and the scallion bread and beef sandwich.
The kids can bite into doughy and creamy mochi or enjoy fruity shaved ice for dessert.
Don’t Miss Out:
JOY is known for its Dan Dan noodles, which are coated in a peanut sauce and tossed with cucumbers and cilantro for a fresh and sweet burst of flavor.
The minced pork on rice is another popular menu item worth trying.
5100 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
https://www.joyonyork.com/
4. Kitchen Mouse Cafe
Highland Park
Owner Erica Daking started Kitchen Mouse as a small catering business, with all prep and cooking done in her own kitchen.
Today, her business has expanded to include the Kitchen Mouse Cafe and the Kitchen Mouse Bakery.
Food options at both locations are stellar, but Kitchen Mouse Cafe is perfect for a sit-down breakfast or lunch with the kiddos.
The cafe is vibrant and welcoming, with a rainbow painted across the storefront and an eclectic modern interior.
Families can enjoy the tables set up out front, or parents can enjoy a meal at one of the many indoor tables as the kids eat in the colorful kid’s corner.
The menu is vegan and gluten-free, and a dedicated kid’s menu includes mac and cheese, grilled cheese, and silver dollar pancakes.
Don’t Miss Out
Adult diners should try out some of Kitchen Mouse’s most popular breakfast items.
The breakfast tacos are loaded with potato hash, eggs, or tofu and topped with a chipotle cream sauce.
The Moros cakes are another hit. The meal comes with two brown rice, black bean patties, and a side of cole slaw.
5904 N Figueroa St, Highland Park, CA 90042
https://www.kitchenmousela.com/
5. My Little Paris Cafe & Play
San Gabriel
The opening of My Little Paris was inspired by a dinner Raphaël Roumili and his partner had in Taiwan, where a playground was set up inside the restaurant to entertain the little ones while their parents enjoyed a peaceful meal.
Roumili wanted to provide that experience for other parents and their children, and in 2021 My Little Paris Cafe & Play was born.
There is a large white and gray playroom with toys bringing in pops of color. A separate playspace is available for babies and toddlers.
Diners will order their food at a large marble counter and eat at one of the many tables in the spacious dining area.
The restaurant offers kids a “My Little Combo & Play” option, including their meal, drink, dessert, and two hours of playtime. Chicken nuggets, pasta, pizza, and ice cream are a few of the items kids can choose from.
Don’t Miss Out:
The garlic fries, creamy pesto penne, and tiramisu are must-tries for parents.
An assortment of wine and beer is also available.
Reservations are recommended.
416 E Las Tunas Dr Unit C, San Gabriel, CA 91776
https://www.my-little-paris.com/
6. Sam’s Bagels
Santa Monica
A short stop at Sam’s Bagels is a great idea if you want to test the restaurant waters but avoid being trapped with a screaming two-year-old and long wait times.
Order a bagel sandwich, adorable mini peanut butter and jelly bagels for the tots, and scarf everything down within five minutes at one of the benched tables.
The food is prepared quickly, and your toddler will be so occupied gnawing on their little bagel that there won’t be time for them to sprint around the shop.
Thankfully, the space is small, so you can catch your kid if they do manage to speed off.
Don’t Miss Out:
The everything bagel with cream cheese and tomato is exactly what a bagel should be: crispy, creamy, and refreshing.
If you’re a breakfast sandwich person, a sesame bagel with egg, cheddar cheese, and bacon is the way to go.
And consider ordering extra bagels to go–they’re perfect for breakfast the next day, too.
1305 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403
https://samsbagelssantamonica.business.site/
7. Spoke Bicycle Cafe
Elysian Valley
Laurie Winston and Rich Latronica opened their bike shop and event venue in 2015, and two years later, they added a full-service eatery to their business.
Spoke Bicycle Cafe is a primarily outdoor dining spot beside the LA River bike path. The open patio area is perfect for the little ones who love to move around, and the art-covered brick walls and colorful umbrellas give off a fun, spunky vibe.
Kids can order items off the dedicated kid’s menu. Options include beef and veggie burgers, grilled cheese, and breakfast with potatoes, egg, and toast.
Spoke also serves vegan chicken nuggets and peanut butter and jelly toast.
Don’t Miss Out:
Spoke’s chai and vanilla lattes are delicious, especially with their made-in-house almond milk.
If you’re in the mood for a meal that is fresh and packed with flavor, order the California chopped salad.
For a more filling option, their breakfast burrito is stuffed with eggs, potatoes, fire-roasted salsa, and your choice of protein.
End your meal with the ice cream sandwich for a delightful combination of creamy ice cream and chewy chocolate chip cookies.
3050 North Coolidge Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039
https://www.spokebicyclecafe.com/
8. Sugar Taco
West Hollywood
Located in West Hollywood, Sugar Taco is a plant-based Mexican restaurant dedicated to “saving the world” by bettering the planet, feeding those in need, and supporting local farmers.
The exterior and interior of the Sugar Taco are bursting with color.
From flower and plant-covered walls to bright yellow shelves and chairs upholstered in traditional Mexican fabric, the kids will love the lively space.
Sugar Taco offers a small kid’s menu with a quesadilla, burrito, or bowlito. The chips and guacamole are also a tasty addition for the whole family.
Don’t Miss Out:
If you love fish tacos, you might be thrown off by the idea of trying your favorite food in vegan form, but the fish tacos at Sugar Taco do not disappoint.
You also can’t go wrong with the loaded fries, made with plant-based meat and topped with queso, beans, salsa, and amazing chipotle crema.
And don’t forget the churro donuts for dessert!
7257 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
https://sugartaco.com/
9. The Bear Pit Bar-B-Que
San Fernando Valley
The Bear Pit has been serving Missouri-style barbecue since the 1940s and has long been considered the best barbecue restaurant in the San Fernando Valley.
The restaurant’s diner-like interior features dining booths with cement flooring and a blend of stone and paneled walls. An outdoor patio is also perfect for families with wiggly kids.
The Bear Pit offers a kid’s menu with tasty options like baby back ribs, chicken nuggets, a pork sandwich, and a chocolate sundae.
Don’t Miss Out:
The Bear Pit Special is a huge hit. The sandwich is loaded with thinly sliced ham and beef, covered in bbq sauce, and held together with two slices of garlic toast.
The restaurant also serves crispy tater tots, spicy chili poppers, and tender ribs.
10825 Sepulveda Blvd Mission Hills, CA 91345
https://bearpitbbq.com/
Happy Dining at these Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Los Angeles
