7 Family friendly Restaurants Near Ripley’s Aquarium

Looking for family-friendly restaurants near Ripley’s Aquarium, CN Tower or the Roger’s Centre? Look no further. The area near the CN Tower, Roger’s Centre and Ripley’s Aquarium is very walkable and touristy, and has lots of hotels nearby too.

There are a hand full of family-friendly restaurants right in that area, just across the street from Ripley’s Aquarium, or around the corner. All of our recommendations are within reasonable walking distance with kids. You’ll have no problem finding a place to eat with the family .

This is the list of the 7 best family-friendly restaurants near Ripley’s Aquarium, CN Tower, and the Rogers Centre. Click here if you’re looking for kid-friendly restaurants all over the downtown core.

So let’s jump in!

7 Family-Friendly Restaurants near Ripley’s Aquarium

Here are the 10 restaurants nearby that are within walking distance of the CN Tower, Roger’s Centre, and even the Metro Toronto Convention Centre

1. Steamwhistle Biergarten

255 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON

Located in a historic building in the Toronto Roundhouse Park across from the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium, Steam Whistle Biergarden is a large complex with two different entrances.

One of the entrances is more catered to being a brewery, and also a venue for weddings. However, if you walk along the front of the Toronto Roadhouse Park, you’ll find the entrance to the small Steamwhistle Biergarten Restaurant. They have a separate menu for kids that you can request. 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 being a smaller restaurant, its a nice, low key environment.

Walking distance from Ripley’s Aquarium and CN Tower: 2 minutes (right across the street!)

• ✅Kids meal
• ✅Highchairs 
• ❌Order online 
• ✅Reserve a table online 
• ✅Eat in 
• ✅Vegetarian options
• ✅Vegan options
• ✅ Gluten-free options

2. The Rec Room

255 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto, ON

The Rec Room is also located right across the street from the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium. Its also attraction in itself for both, kids and adults. 

There are arcades, virtual reality, a bowling alley, pool, ping pong and other games. The Rec Room is a chain, but the Toronto location is one of the coolest looking locations because of the high ceilings and rustic looking decor. 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.

Walking distance from Ripley’s Aquarium and CN Tower: 2 minutes (across the street)

• ❌Kids meal
• ✅Highchairs 
• ❌Order online 
• ✅Reserve a table online 
• ✅Eat in 
• ✅Vegetarian options
• ✅Vegan options
• ✅Gluten-free options

3. Sportsnet Grill

1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto, ON

Sportsnet Grill is open for breakfast, lunches and dinners and Sunday brunches. Located right inside an upscale hotel, it has windows that look 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 CDN 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.

Walking distance from Ripley’s Aquarium and CN Tower: 4 minutes (located inside the Rogers Centre)

• ✅Kids meal
• ✅Highchairs 
• ✅Order online 
• ✅Reserve a table online 
• ✅Eat in 
• ✅Vegetarian options
• ✅Vegan options
• ✅Gluten-free options

4. Boston Pizza

250 Front st, Unit 1, Toronto, ON

Boston Pizza, a popular Canadian Chain, is located just minutes from Ripley’s Aquarium. Its windows present a view of the CN Tower and Roger’s Centre. Aside from pizzas, they also have pastas, salads, pasta bakes and a really yummy spinach and artichoke dip.

There are options for a variety of dietary needs. The restaurant caters to kids by giving them a colouring page and crayons.

Walking distance from Ripley’s Aquarium and CN Tower: 5 minutes

• ✅Kids meal
• ✅Highchairs 
• ✅Order online 
• ✅Reserve a table online 
• ✅Eat in 
• ✅Vegetarian options
• ✅Vegan options
• ✅Gluten-free options

5. The Pint Public House

277 Front Street West, Toronto, ON

The Pint Public House isn’t just for adults, despite the name – there’s a variety of meal options, including kids meals!

Walking distance from Ripley’s Aquarium and CN Tower: 4 minutes

• ✅Kids meal
• ✅Highchairs 
• ✅Order online 
• ✅Reserve a table online 
• ✅Eat in 
• ✅Vegetarian options
• ✅Vegan options
• ✅Gluten-free options

6. Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar

200 Front St W Unit #G001, Toronto, ON‘

Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar on Front street is a family favourite with good service and an extensive menu. Its especially a great option for picky eaters or dietary restrictions.

One feature I really 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!

Walking distance from Ripley’s Aquarium and CN Tower: 7 minutes

• ✅Kids meal
• ✅Highchairs 
• ✅Order take-out online 
• ✅Reserve a table online 
• ✅Eat in 
• ✅Vegetarian options
• ✅Vegan options
• ❌Gluten-free options

7. 360 at the CN Tower

Top of the CN Tower, 290 Bremner Blvd , Toronto, ON

Eating in the 360 Restaurant isn’t cheap, but its an experience for the whole family. You’re eating 1151 feet in the air (351 metres), with the most amazing view of the city, Lake Ontario, and the surrounding areas.

Kid’s meals 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.

• ✅Kids meal
• ✅Highchairs 
• ❌Order take-out online 
• ✅Reserve a table online 
• ✅Eat in 
• ✅Vegetarian options
• ✅Vegan options
• ✅Gluten-free options

Hotels Near Ripley’s Aquarium

Spending the night in the area? Here are some good kid-friendly hotels within walking distance of Ripley’s Aquarium

• 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

Final Thoughts: Family-Friendly Restaurants Near Ripley’s Aquarium

This downtown core area of Toronto is really special, with lots to do with kids of all ages. While you’re visiting Ripley’s Aquarium, be sure to walk across the street to check out the Toronto Roundhouse. It shows you the old train tracks, and several of the old trains. You can climb into some of them and get some cute photos.

With Ripley’s, CN Tower, Rogers Centre, the Toronto Roundhouse and the Rec Room all in the same area, you could easily keep a whole family busy for a day in this neighbourhood. The rest of Toronto is a kid-friendly city too. One great thing about staying near the Ripley’s Aquarium is that with Union station nearby, you can easily get anywhere you need to in the city. You’ll have no issues navigating this area with kids. The biggest challenge, if anything, will be choosing out of the places above, because there are some great options.

Don’t forget to check out Niagara Falls while you’re in Toronto!