New parents might be out of the dining game for a while, but as the kids get a little older (and takeout starts to lose its luster), it might be time to start going out to restaurants again.
But what places in Madison are locally-owned, have good food, and are welcome to families with young kids? Here’s some places where both you and the little’uns can have a good meal together.
Tiny Diners at Hilldale
Hilldale has started a new monthly program called “Tiny Diners” which offers a stress-free way for families to enjoy eating out together. Families can order takeout from any of the shopping center’s restaurants, such as Forage Kitchen or Cafe Hollander, and eat together in the outdoor plaza area, where there will be kid-friendly entertainment. Pre-registration is required. The next Tiny Diners night is Aug. 20, featuring a live mariachi band.
Garver Food Truck Fridays
Food trucks in general are a great option for families – not only are you eating outside and don’t have to worry about making noise, but if there’s a bunch of options, everybody can pick their favorite meal. Garver Feed Mill hosts its Food Truck Fridays every week on the outdoor patio featuring lots of food and drink, accompanied by live music.
This west side cafe seems to be designed entirely for kids, with a large play area and a kids’ menu with sandwiches named after Sesame Street characters. And its location kitty-corner from the Henry Vilas Zoo can’t be beat.
Families are always in good hands whenever the restaurant has “diner” in the name (see also: Hubbard Avenue Diner), and this retro spot on Atwood Avenue is a local treasure, with all-day breakfasts and an extensive kids’ menu that ranges from Mickey Mouse pancakes to a tofu scramble.
For kids, there may be no better dining entertainment than the sight of planes taking off and landing. This breakfast and lunch spot in the Wisconsin Aviation building has a front-row seat to the runways at Dane County Regional Airport via floor-to-ceiling windows. The breakfast and lunch menu is kid-friendly, but brunch gets busy, so maybe make a reservation in advance. (It’s also a cash-only spot.)
Not only does La Taguara’s two locations offer terrific Venezuelan dishes like arepas and empanadas, but kids eat free all day on Tuesdays.
Not surprisingly, a restaurant whose stock in trade is birthday celebrations is going to be a big hit with kids. But even if it’s not your special day, this Madison institution offers plenty of tasty tavern food, including mini burgers and mini corn dogs on the kids’ menu.
The owners of the upscale Harvey House, Shaina Robbins Papach and Joe Papach, have three young kids themselves, and wanted to create a restaurant where families felt comfortable. In addition to delicious fried chicken and a full kids’ menu, the Regent Street casual restaurant is full of kid-friendly touches, like a claw machine, photo booth, and TVs playing ‘80s movies like “The Goonies” and “The Princess Bride.”
Do you have a favorite spot to take the fam out to eat? Let us know and we’ll feature it in a follow-up article!
