I like to think of us as “active parents.” Meaning, we enjoy getting out and about with Runner and often visit area restaurants with toddler in tow. That being said, he’s very active himself, so when he is with us, we’re always looking for a spot that’s both enjoyable to us and has a little space for him to roam and play. This is our list of favorite kid friendly spots in the Austin area. **Disclaimer: a lot of these are in the South/Central part of Austin because that’s where we live, but some have multiple locations and I would love to eventually do a round up by neighborhood.

Toss Pizzeria

2901 S 1st St. & 11905 Bee Cave Rd.

We’ve been visiting this locally owned pizza spot since it opened and even had Runner’s first birthday party there. Both locations have outdoor turf areas with games and plenty of space for the kiddos to run around, along with TVs for sporting events. The thin crust pizza is some of the best we’ve ever had and the wings are are not to be forgotten. Plus, the salads are pretty dang good as well and my husband loves their margaritas!

Hat Creek Burger Company

Multiple locations

It’s hard to find better restaurant playgrounds than those at Hat Creek. The Texas burger chain was designed with families in mind. The burgers are delicious (hello happy sauce & spicy sauerkraut!), the Tiny Hat burgers are perfect for the kids, and there’s beer & wine (check location for days with half price specials).

Home Slice

501 E. 53rd St.

The newer location of perhaps the most popular pizza joint in Austin has one of our most favorite outdoor play areas. It’s a simple turf, tunnel, chalk wall combo that is a hit with kids! The outdoor picnic tables are first come first serve, so you can order your pie at the counter inside, and dine outside while watching the kids and grabbing a cocktail from the (very Instagrammable) colorful bar.

The play area at Home Slice North Austin

Enjoying one of the many delicious cocktails at Home Slice

Fareground
111 Congress

Austin’s first food hall is back after being closed during the pandemic. This is one of our favorite spots to take the kids. There’s a great food selection with 6 different eateries plus two bars. There’s a big shaded outdoor space and a turf hill that Run loves to roll down. Parking downtown can be tough, but it’s definitely worth checking out.

Bouldin Acres

2027 S. Lamar

This is a great outdoor spot right in the heart of South Austin. There’s food, drinks, pickle ball courts and a playground in the back. We love it!

Sour Duck Market

1814 E. MLK Jr Blvd.

This casual spot in East Austin is from the team behind Odd Duck and Barley Swine, so you know it’s serving up some amazing food. Think smoked meats and freshly baked goods. Plus, the setting is hard to beat. The outdoor space is inviting and adorable, making it perfect for families and groups.

Easy Tiger

3508 S. Lamar

The menu features artisan bread (order the pretzel & beer cheese!), cured meats and craft beer. This past year the South Lamar location added a fenced in turf area for kids in the beer garden across the parking lot from the restaurant and it is so great!

Phil’s Ice House

Multiple Locations

Burgers, ice cream, playground. Enough said. But, I’ll add that the mix of sweet potato and regular fries makes me very happy. This is our go to spot for a quick and easy week night meal out.

Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden

121 Pickle Rd.

This is a favorite on a beautiful Austin day when we’re looking for a small bite and a drink, but it’s being outdoors that we want most. While there’s no playscape or turf area, there is open space for kids to roam and a big pond with fish for them to look at, along with chickens in a coop. There are shaded picnic tables and fire pits to use on those occasional cold Austin evenings. The food trucks (Leroy and Lewis, Pueblo Viejo, Tommy Want Wingy) serve some delicious eats and the bar menu includes everything form boozy coffee to beer flights and cocktails on tap.

Enjoying St. Patrick’s Day festivities at Cosmic

Fresa’s

1703 S. 1st St.

When we want delicious and somewhat healthy food along with a good margarita, this is our number one pick. The wood grilled chicken, rice and beans and salsas are all mouthwatering, plus we know we’ll get some good food in Run as well. There’s no playscape, but the patio is huge and there is space for kids to play around a small stage area. In the summer, there are fans with misters and plenty of shaded tables making it bearable to sit outside.

Central Machine Works

4824 East Cesar Chavez

This new East Austin brewery arguably has one of the best patios in Austin. Great open space for kids to run around and there are some giant blocks for them to play with. It’s not fenced in from the parking lot and there’s no playscape, but still plenty of space to be outside. The food is great too and includes a kids menu.

Doc’s Backyard

5207 Brodie Lane

This has been a go to family friendly spot for years, even before we had our own kid. We would meet friends and their kids, or take visitors here to watch a game, get in some corn hole and let the kids play on the playground. The menu is mostly bar type food, but there’s a wide selection of draft beer and margarita specials. If catching a sporting event while keeping the kids entertained are the top priorities, it’s hard to beat this spot.

TLC

1100 South Lamar Blvd

The indoor/outdoor restaurant in Lamar Union serves up some pretty delicious seafood. We love their boils that you can customize however you like and their deviled eggs are delicious. They’ve also got some pretty good beverages and happy hour specials. The outdoor turf patio isn’t huge, but it’s a great spot for kids to be entertained and there’s a mini game room area inside.

Lucy’s Fried Chicken (on Lake Travis)

2900 RR 620

When we’re meeting friends near Lake Travis this is the ideal spot. The food is ridiculous. Fried everything and it’s all good. I ate here two nights before Run was born and ordered fried chicken, fried oysters, fried pickles…Ah happy times. This location is right on the lake with a covered patio and a kids area.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

El Mercado

S. 1st St.

Mexican food, margaritas and a playscape. An old playscape, but still a playscape.

Austin’s Pizza

Bee Cave Rd.

Pizza, BYO and a playground.

Flores

4625 William Cannon Dr.

Small patio outside right next to a little playground.

**So, you want to get fancy?

Mattie’s

811 W. Live Oak St.

Of course there’s the occasional Sunday brunch with grandparents or celebratory dinner. This historic farm house turned restaurant, formerly known as Green Pastures, sits on acres of land. We’ve been to Mattie’s several times with Run and he loves to live out his name around the grassy area and spot the resident peacocks. The tree covered patio is beautiful. Plus, the southern cuisine is simply delicious.

Jacoby’s

3235 E. Cesar Chavez
This is one of our favorite date night spots, but we’ve brought Run here a couple times for brunch or an early dinner. We’ll sit at one of the rustic tables on the beautiful outdoor patio and take turns letting him explore the area that overlooks the Colorado River. The ranch to table menu is hard to beat and don’t forget a (supervised) walk through the mercantile before you leave.

Favorite Kid Friendly Restaurants

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