20 Family Friendly Restaurants in Downtown Toronto (2024)
Looking for restaurants in Toronto that are kid-friendly? You’re in the right place.
Toronto is worth a visit, and as a mom of 2 who lives nearby, its a generally a safe and family-friendly city as well.
One thing I’ve noticed about family friendly restaurants there in Toronto, is that a lot of them don’t have kids’ meals. I find its rare to find kids’ meals in restaurants in downtown Toronto (unless it’s a chain – they always have kids meals.)
I don’t believe that a restaurant necessarily needs to have kids’ meals in order to be considered ‘kid-friendly, ‘ but there are other things I look for when determining which of the restaurants are kid-friendly. Kid-friendly restaurants should generally have:
- Menu options that are simple and affordable enough that we can share them with kids
- A welcoming atmosphere for children with space to move around
- High chairs (if its a dine-in restaurant)
- Options for different dietary needs (a huge bonus)
Having lived in or near Toronto my whole life, I’ve been to Toronto regularly with kids and have discovered some of the best locations to eat with kids in the downtown area.
If you’re specifically looking for restaurants near union station (CN Tower, Ripley’s, Rogers Centre) click here – otherwise, check out all the family friendly restaurants in the downtown area on the list below.
So here you have it – Family Friendly restaurants in downtown Toronto!
20 Family Friendly Restaurants in Downtown Toronto
We’ve either visited, or called each of these places, and have determined that these restaurants are best family-friendly restaurants in downtown Toronto.
1. Steam Whistle Biergarden
255 Bremner Blvd, Toronto
Located in a historic building downtown right in the Toronto Roundhouse Park across from the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium, Steam Whistle Biergarden is an adult attraction in itself, because its a brewery that offers tours and tasting.
However, Steam Whistle hasn’t forgotten about the kids! Steam Whistle has mac and cheese and chicken fingers as kid’s meals, as well as plant-based kids menu options. They have friendly service and a nice environment.
Located right across the street from the CN Tower, Ripley’s, and Rogers’ Centre, Steamwhistle Biergarten is right in a hub of many attractions and things to do with the kids.
Nearby kid-friendly attractions: CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium
- ✅Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ❌Order online
- ✅Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ✅ Gluten-free options
2. The Rec Room
255 Bremner Blvd, Toronto
The Rec Room is located right across from the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium. Its also attraction in itself for kids and adults.
There are arcades, virtual reality, a bowling alley, pool, ping pong and other games. Our 10 year old enjoys coming to the Barrie location. (Yes, the Rec Room is a chain – there are 4 locations in Ontario.)
There are two restaurants located inside the Rec Room: Three10 and The Shed. Neither have kids’ menus specifically, but they’re well stocked with shareable items that would be easy to enjoy with kids, such as wood-fired pizzas, fries, giant pretzels, chicken wings, pastas, and more.
Nearby kid-friendly attractions: CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium and the Roger’s Centre
- ❌Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ❌Order online
- ✅Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ✅Gluten-free options
3. Jack Astor’s
144 Front St W, Toronto
Jack Astor’s is a well-known Canada chain, and has a location right downtown Toronto with a large patio in the summer months. Its right near Union Station, and several other attractions. Kids can choose from chicken fingers or strips, pita, burger or pasta.
Nearby kid-friendly attractions: CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, Toronto Roundhouse, Toronto harbour front
- ✅Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ❌Order online
- ✅Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ✅Gluten-free options
4. Sportsnet Grill
1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto
Sportsnet Grill is open for breakfast, lunches, dinners and Sunday brunch. Located right inside an upscale hotel (Toronto Marriot City Centre) it has windows that look right into the Roger’s Centre, where Blue Jays games take place. (Reserve one of these super cool tables in advance if you can!)
Despite being located in such a prime-viewing spot, Sportsnet Grill is pretty well-priced: kids’ meals are $12 and even include healthy options, such as grilled chicken breast as a main, and steamed veggies as a side. There are also options such as chicken wings and fries. A bonus -Sportsnet Grill even does their part to support the environment by having Meatless Mondays.
Nearby kid-friendly attractions: Rogers Centre, CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, and Scotiabank Arena
- ✅Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order online
- ✅Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ✅Gluten-free options
5. Maya Bay Thai
252 Carlton St., Toronto, ON
Located in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto, Maya Bay Thai is an open-airy restaurant with plenty of space, friendly service, and delicious fresh Thai food.
My 9-year old absolutely got a kick out of the smoothies that you could order to drink fresh out of a pineapple. Our baby ate here too and enjoyed the food. While there isn’t a kids menu, our children enjoyed sharing in the dishes we ordered, such as spring rolls, mango salad, rice, shrimp chips and noodles. In the summertime, you can sit by the window and enjoy the breeze and observe the world outside while you eat.
Nearby kid-friendly attractions: Allan Gardens
- ❌Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order online for take out
- ❌Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ❌Gluten-free options
6. Old Spaghetti Factory
54 The Esplanade
Old Spaghetti Factory is one of my favourite family-friendly restaurants in downtown Toronto. Its a Canadian chain, but this one is the only location in Ontario. The Old Spaghetti factory is a favourite for northern Ontarians visiting the city and well-known throughout the city and province.
Kids can choose between pizza, chicken dippers or a few different types of pasta for their meal. Adult entrées come with a minestrone soup or salad, dessert, and coffee or tea! So not only is it well situated, with good and friendly service, but its affordable too.
Nearby kid-friendly attractions: Scotiabank Arena, Meridian Hall, St. Lawrence Market and Union Station
- ✅Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order online for take out
- ✅Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ✅Gluten-free options
7. Karine’s
109 McCaul St, Toronto, ON
Karine’s is a small, family-owned joint located in a ground-level food court. Its a short (10-minute) walk from Dundas Square.
Karine is so cheerful, warm and welcoming, and her restaurant is well worth a visit. Our 10-year-old thoroughly enjoyed her meal here.
The pancakes, and waffles are delicious, and there’s plenty of fruit stacked on each plate. Its very easy to enjoy Karine’s delicious food with kids. Definitely one of the best breakfasts in town.
Nearby kid-friendly attractions: Dundas Square and Nathan Phillip’s Square with the big Toronto sign
- ❌Kids meal
- ❌Highchairs (located in a food court)
- ❌Order online for take out
- ❌Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in (in the foot court)
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ✅Gluten-free options
8. Mill Street Brewery
21 Tank House Lane, Toronto
Mill Street Brewery is a large restaurant located right in Toronto’s car-free Victorian neighbourhood, the Distillery District. The Distillery District is a must-see in itself, there are plenty of lots of shops, restaurants and cafés inside. But the Mill Street Brewery is by far, our favourite.
Both my 9 year old and my baby enjoyed the atmosphere and the food. We find the environment at Mill St. so relaxed and accommodating each time we go here .They have plenty of high chairs and lots of options on their kids meals.
Family-friendly attractions nearby: Located right in the Distillery District
- ❌Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order online for take out
- ✅Reserve a table online (except for during the Christmas market)
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ✅Gluten-free options
9. Evviva Breakfast and Lunch
25 Lower Simcoe St, Toronto
Evviva has an elevated feel, and delicious and quick service for breakfast, brunch and lunch. I am always surprised by how fast the food comes out.
One unique feature about Evviva is that it features a fully plant-based menu, as well as a regular menu. It’s just nice to know they cater to kids and different dietary needs on so many levels. At Evviva Toronto, kids can choose between pancakes, waffles, French toast, burgers, grilled cheese and chicken fingers.
Nearby kid-friendly attractions: CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium
- ✅Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order online for take out
- ✅Reserve a table online (except for during the Christmas market)
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ✅Gluten-free options
10. Barbeque Smokehouse
299 Roncevalles ave, Toronto
Barbeque Smokehouse has a special kids’ dinner menu; mostly with meaty items, but also a grilled cheese. They have a handful of sides to choose from to go with the kids’ meal; fries, mac and cheese, veggie sticks and dip, and caesar salad.
Nearby kid-friendly attractions: High Park, Museum of Contemporary Art
- ✅Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order online for take out
- ✅Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ✅Gluten-free options
11. Piano Piano
55 Colborne st
Piano Piano serves mostly Italian-themed food, with some pretty elevated options for adults, such as spicy manilla clams, whipped ricotta and croquettes à la Vodka. Perfect place to enjoy a fine dining experience of foods you can’t have every day. However, Piano Piano is also a family-friendly restaurant.
With a beautiful instagram-worthy carousel in the centre of the restaurant, Piano Piano also has highchairs, and kids meals. Kids meals consist of cheese or pepperoni pizza, mac and cheese, pasta with meat or tomato sauce, along with ice cream for dessert. With its beautiful interior decor and elevated meal experience, Piano Piano is the perfect treat for the whole family.
Family-friendly attractions nearby: Kensington Market is a 15-minute walk from here, Berczy Dog Park fountain is a 3-minute walk
- ✅Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order take-out online
- ✅Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ✅Gluten-free options
12. The Backyard Smokehouse
264 Dupont St, Toronto, ON
At the The Backyard Smokehouse (not to be confused with the BBQ Smokehouse mentioned above) you can enjoy mouth-watering BBQ-themed foods that are perfect for all ages, in a mix of Canadian and southern comfort style.
There are poutines, pastas, burgers, fried chicken, and sides such as baked beans, mash, fries and smoked corn. You’ll be sure to find something that you and your kids will both have no problem finishing.
Family-friendly attractions nearby: Casa Loma is a 9 minute walk, and the Glen Edith Drive Parkette is an 8-minute walk.
- ❌Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order take-out online
- ✅Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ✅Gluten-free options
13. The Hogtown Vegan
382 College St, Toronto, ON
The Hogtown Vegan serves southern-style comfort food. Don’t let the vegan part put you off; I found everything delicious as well as my meat-loving husband, from the mac and cheeze, sandwiches and desserts.
Kids can choose from mac and cheeze and fried unchicken, with either fries or carrot sticks as a side. There’s also a few side options you could add to your meal or a kids’: mash and gravy, caesar salada, mac supremecy (a creamier version of their mac and cheeze.) Based on our experience, we’d recommend this The Hogtown Vegan to everyone – both vegans and meat-eaters.
Family-friendly attractions nearby: The Kensingnton Market is a 7-minute walk from Hogtown Vegan
- ✅Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order take-out online
- ✅Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ✅Gluten-free options
14. Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar
200 Front St W Unit #G001, Toronto, ON
Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar on Front street is an easy place to bring kids, with good service and an extensive menu.
What I like is that if you view their menu online, you can use their filter option to flag things that you don’t want to eat (such as ‘exclude vegetarian options, gluten allergy, etc.) Kids can choose between a bambino pizza, chicken fingers or a customizable pasta. Bonus: kids can also build their own gelato sundae!
Family-friendly attractions nearby: Union station , CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium
- ✅Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order take-out online
- ✅Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ❌Gluten-free options
15. Ozzy’s Burgers Toronto
66 Nassau St Unit 1/2, Toronto
Located in the heart of the Kensington Market, Ozzy Burger’s is a small eatery with indoor and outdoor seating in the summer. It’s a hit with kids with their variety of burger and hotdog options, and shareable options such as their hand cut fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, and veggie sticks.
Family-friendly attractions nearby: Kensington Market and Chinatown
- ❌Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order online
- ❌Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ❌Gluten-free options
16. Fresco’s Fish and Chips
201 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON
Fresco’s Fish and Chips is located in Toronto’s foodie neighbourhood, the Kensington Market. It’s one of the best restaurants in the area that I’d recommend eating with kids.
Fresco’s Fish and Chips doesn’t actually have a kid’s menu, but they have family deals for a family of four; all which include fish. They have a number of sides to choose from to share as well (fries, onion rings, and other menu options such as chilli.)
Family-friendly attractions nearby: Located in the Kensington Market and near Chinatown
- ❌Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order online
- ❌Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ❌Gluten-free options
17. Poop Café
706 Bloor St. W, Toronto
(Yes, you read that right.) Poop Cafe is a Korean café and dessert place that you’ll be sure to get some giggles out of. Its all very cartoonish and cutesy inside, with the cartoon poop-shaped cushions, and the lovey poop-themed wall art. The menu has items that you wouldn’t commonly find anywhere else; but it is basically milkshakes, smoothies, bowls and ice creams wrapped up with the cute poop theme. Oh and bonus – the seats across from the booth seats are made to look like toilets!
Family-friendly attractions nearby: Christie Pits Park and Korea Town
- ❌Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order online
- ❌Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ❌Gluten-free options
18. Chotto-Matte Toronto
161 Bay St., Toronto, ON
Chotto-Matte is the ultimate sushi restaurant that kids will love in downtown Toronto. It has a beautifully decorated interior with colourful art, and lots of plants, so there’s lots of observe and look at while you’re eating.
While there aren’t ‘kids’ meals, there’s so many à la carte options to share with children: edamame, vegetable tempura, charcoal roasted sweet potato, and of course the extensive list of maki rolls. For adults and even some adventurous kids, there are a lot of ‘unique’, healthy and delicious dishes to try at Chotto-Matte, such as King Oyster Mushroom tostadas.
Family-friendly attractions nearby: Hockey Hall of Fame is a 3-minute walk, and Berzcy Dog Fountain Park (kids will love the sculptures) is a 6-minute walk
- ❌Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order online
- ❌Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ✅Gluten-free options
19. Pearl Chinese Cuisine
207 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON
Take your kids to eat authentic, gourmet Chinese cuisine, while enjoying a beautiful view of Toronto’s harbour. (Make sure to reserve a window seat for this meal!) Kids will enjoy the sights of airplanes landing at the Toronto Island airport and the boats in the marina.
Pearl Chinese Cuisine offers take out as well, but their food is not your average Chinese take out that you can find anywhere else. They do catering for weddings, so you can expect a more elevated experience from your food. Pearl Cuisine also has plenty options on the menu that are kid-friendly: fried rice dishes, noodles, dim sum (separate menus for lunch and dinner) chicken
Family-friendly attractions nearby: The Jack Layton Ferry Terminal is a 10-minute walk. (Perfect place to grab a bite before heading over to Centre Island!)
- ❌Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order online
- ✅Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ❌Gluten-free options
20. 360 Restaurant
CN Tower
Yes, CN Tower’s 360 Restaurant – while not cheap, and known by most as being a more upper scale setting – is kid friendly!
If you’re in Toronto as a tourist, eating in the 360 Restaurant, while it won’t be cheap, its an experience for the whole family – where else can you eat 1,151 feet in the air (351 metres), with the most amazing view of the city, Lake Ontario, and the surrounding areas?
Kid’s meals at 360 start at $40 and includes an appetizer, main, drink and a dessert. You need to spend a minimum of $75 for an adult’s meal. These meal prices include you being able to visit the observation deck of the CN Tower after dinner.
You do not need to pay for an admission ticket to the CN Tower in order to eat at the 360 Restaurant, however, you need to eat first and explore the tower after.
So, even if you live in Toronto – if you’ve never managed to make it up the CN Tower, this might be a fun way to incorporate it.
- ✅Kids meal
- ✅Highchairs
- ✅Order take-out online
- ✅Reserve a table online
- ✅Eat in
- ✅Vegetarian options
- ✅Vegan options
- ✅Gluten-free options
Places to Stay in Downtown Toronto With Kids
Planning to visit Toronto and looking for a place to stay? These places are centrally located, within walking distance of main attractions or the subway
One of the best areas to stay in downtown Toronto is near Union Station, and there are many hotels there. If you’re looking for budget-friendly options, here are some suggestions:
- Budget: Pembroke Inn. Cozy apartment just 15 minutes from the Dundas square subway station. From Ripley’s Aquarium, you can walk to Union station (10 minutes) and hop on the subway NORTH TO VAUGHAN line. Get off at Dundas or College in order to be able to walk to this clean, comfy and budget-friendly flat.
- Mid-range: Heart of Downtown Condo Be right downtown with a balcony with city views, have access to a kitchen and other amenities.
- Luxury: Radission Blu Downtown Toronto With a rooftop swimming pool with a view of the CN Tower, and minutes walk to several attractions, you’re sure to enjoy your stay here in the heart of Toronto
Conclusion: Family Friendly Restaurants in Downtown Toronto
To the best of my experience and knowledge, the restaurants listed above are the best family-friendly restaurants in downtown Toronto, because of their environment, menu options and their location (ease of getting there, as well as their proximity to family friendly activities and things to do.)
Toronto is a safe city, and I find that kids are welcome almost anywhere. Toronto has a lot to do for famlies both in summer and winter – and despite its size, Toronto is one of the safest cities in North America.
Another city nearby with restaurants geared towards kids is Niagara Falls.
Final Thoughts on Family Friendly Restaurants in Downtown Toronto
If you’re not already in Toronto, you can get into Toronto easily by taking the Express Train from Pearson Airport. This is the most convenient way to get into the city with kids.
Do you own or know of any family friendly restaurants in downtown Toronto that you think I’ve missed? If so, feel free to contact me. I welcome further suggestions to consider for this list.