Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Boston

Finding a good meal in Boston is easy; finding a great restaurant that features a kid's menu is a little trickier, but it doesn't have to be hard. If you're in the city and need some ideas, here are three tried-and-true, kid-friendly dining spots (in no particular order).

Flour Bakery and Cafe: Your breakfast stop on the waterfront, conveniently located by the Children's Museum. Complete with high chairs and a selection of kid-friendly foods, this deli has tasty ham and cheese pockets, quiches, and sandwiches for your comfort food needs. For more grown-up palettes, roasted chicken with brie and vegetables, curried tuna with golden raisins and greens on homemade toast, lime cornmeal cookies, and quiches hit the spot. And at $5 for the quiche, Flour Bakery is also friendly on the wallet. As a bonus, you and your kids are all likely to enjoy the homemade giant Oreos! Flour Bakery gets crowded into lunch hour, so make this a breakfast destination, or try to be early for lunch. As we know all too well, as the line gets longer the place becomes less kid-friendly, even if they get everything else right.

303 Cafe: A New American dining experience that is a gem in the East Boston area. This chic restaurant serves great, creative food in a casual atmosphere. The menu changes periodically, but some of the interesting items on the menu recently were Thai spring rolls, salad with shrimp, and a grilled pizza appetizer. There is a selection of kid-friendly foods, but 303 makes the kid-friendly list thanks to its laid-back, accommodating ways. Vegetarian? The selections go much further than just mixed green salads. Celiac disease? They'll whip something up that's gluten-free. Picky eater at the table? They'll do their best to make it work for you (though it may be wise to point out to Junior that this is a great place to try new things!). The interesting beer and wine selection makes this a good dinner destination. If you enjoy art, you'll also appreciate that they display works by local East Boston artists.

Atlantic Fish Company: A seafood restaurant that's also good with kids? Yes, it's possible, and of course, it's Boston. At this Back Bay restaurant, grown-ups will enjoy the raw bar or alternatively can request the daily catch made to order (e.g. seared, grilled, blackened), while the kids should at least try the outstanding chowder. You don't need to stay away if you're not a seafood fan, AFC serves a good filet mignon, pasta, or chicken. Kids might still prefer mac and cheese, but they'll be ok with one of the simpler chicken or pasta dishes, and if nothing else, dessert will make it up to them! One peril: the sangria is excellent and the wine list is impressive, so take it easy or come back another time, without the children. As an added convenience, you can make reservations on the website, www.atlanticfishco.com.

Restaurant information

Flour Bakery and Cafe
Address:
1595 Washington Street
(between Concord Street and Rutland Street)
Boston, MA 02118
Telephone: (617) 267-4300
Website: www.flourbakery.com

303 Cafe
Address:
303 Sumner Street
(between Orleans Street and Wilbur Court)
Boston, MA 02128
Telephone: (617) 569-3001
Website: www.303cafe.com

Atlantic Fish Company
Address:
761 Boylston Street
(between Exeter Street and Fairfield Street)
Boston, MA 02116
Telephone: (617) 267-4000
Website: www.atlanticfishco.com