While being a parent can provide you indescribable joy, the demands of proper parenting can make it difficult to step out and enjoy Buffalo’s ever-expanding, locally-owned dining options.
To be fair, many places in Buffalo are very kid-friendly, welcoming guests of all ages. However, in a few of them, you may feel a bit out of place toting a little bundle of joy into a small dining room or leading a toddler through a maze of craft cocktail-sipping twentysomethings.
As a public service to parents who want to enjoy Buffalo’s local culinary delights and take their kids with them, we’ve put together a list of places where you should feel very comfortable bringing along your little one(s).
Keep in mind: we’re not telling you where you can and can’t take your kids; We’re just recommending a few local spots with the best odds of feeling comfortable and having a good dining experience with food and drinks for grown-ups.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Place
229 Lexington Ave, Buffalo
A Buffalo institution, The Place has a long history of feeding Buffalo families, and the new owners appear more than happy to carry on that tradition. The big booths at The Place mean you can keep your toddler in check while not revealing the amount of food she or he has strew in a 6-foot radius. The Place also has modern contemporary fare as well as updates on Mad Men-era throwbacks like liver and onions (Mmm…)
Oh yeah, they also have Tom & Jerrys in the winter.
Kids Menu? Yes
High chairs/ booster seats? Yes/ yes
Lloyd Taco Factory
1503 Hertel Ave, Buffalo
Another restaurant that essentially got its start feeding the late-night drunken hordes, Lloyd Taco Factory is the ideal way to get your local fresh taco fix with the kiddos in tow. Located on Hertel Avenue, you’re sure to run into at least a few other parents with their kids, allowing you to give the couple across the dining room a knowing look of support as they attempt to wrangle their littles.
Kids Menu? No
High chairs/ booster seats? Yes/no
Pizza Plant
125 Main St, Buffalo and 7770 Transit Road, Williamsville
What can you say about our beloved Pizza Plant that hasn’t already been said? If you’re a new parent, like me, you may have forgotten that the iconic local restaurants are very kid-friendly, but you probably didn’t forget about their wide range of gut-busting pizza pods and focus on craft beers – the latter being a major key if you still want to keep abreast of the latest beer trends.
Kids Menu? Yes
High chairs/ booster seats? Yes/ yes
ADVERTISEMENT
Say Cheese! Pizza Co.
1771 Love Rd # 2, Grand Island
If your kids are into comic books or comic book movies, there isn’t a better place to take them out to eat than Say Cheese! on Grand Island.
From the game room to the life-sized statues of superheros to the comics mini-store in the back, your toddlers and tweens will be whirling dervishes in the throes of childhood ecstasy. The menu is mostly kid-centric foods, like pizza and chicken fingers, but there are some unique burgers and a good selection of local beer on tap.
Kids Menu? Yes
High chairs/ booster seats? Yes/ yes
42 North Brewery
25 Pine St, East Aurora
For some parents, a brewery might not be the first place that comes to mind when trying to think of kid-friendly places to eat. However, the 42 North Brewery is very kid-friendly, with lots of room and tons of toys and games. Just make sure you have designated a driver because drinking a few of those potent 42 North brews means mommy or daddy will most likely be taking a little nap on the ride home.
Kids Menu? “Kid-friendly options” available
High chairs/ booster seats? Yes/ yes
Gene McCarthy’s
73 Hamburg St, Buffalo
Neighborhood restaurants have years of experience welcoming families and Gene McCarthy’s is no exception. Families who live in the Old First Ward can often be seen grabbing burgers at Genie’s. While the brewpub might be a bit cramped for kids in the winter months, its patio during warm weather is a roomy enough to comfortably host small families.
Kids Menu? Yes
High chairs/ booster seats? Yes/ yes
ADVERTISEMENT
Parkside Meadow
2 Russell St, Buffalo
Located between North Buffalo and the Elmwood Village right by Delaware Park, the Parkside Meadow is a perfect central location for multiple families looking to meet up for lunch or dinner. It’s also a great place to stop after a trip to the zoo.
Owner Nancy Abramo is often there to welcome her guests and hold court at the bar – giving the place a cozy, close-knit neighborhood vibe. FYI the shaved lamb melt is one of the best sandwiches in the city.
Kids Menu? Yes
High chairs/ booster seats? Yes/ yes
Honorable Mentions: The Griffon Gastropub (Niagara Falls, Transit, & East Aurora), Ru’s Pierogi (Buffalo), Dinosaur BBQ (Buffalo), Sophia’s (Buffalo), Lake Effect Dinner (Buffalo).
Know of a restaurant that you think is super kid-friendly and should be added to this list? Let us know at editorial@stepoutbuffalo.com!
