You don’t have to go to the nearest fast food place every time you lack the energy to whip up a miracle meal. Plus, eating out is fun, even with kids! Nashville has plenty of kid-friendly restaurants, from pizza places with epic playgrounds to date-night spots that appease kids and parents. Here are nine of my favorites.
Best Restaurant Playground: BoomBozz
Nabbing the outdoor tables at East Nashville’s BoomBozz right by the playground is every parent’s dream. Plus, kids love the pizza and buttered noodles.
Best in Downtown Nashville: Assembly Food Hall
When my out-of-town family visits and wants to explore downtown with their kids, I recommend eating at Assembly Food Hall. With more than a dozen restaurants, the hall has plenty of options for picky eaters, regardless of age.
Best Dessert Spot: Wanna Spoon Cereal Bar
Every dessert spot is gonna be a win with kids, but Wanna Spoon Cereal Bar is extra special. Add your favorite cereal to ice cream or milkshakes, then head outside to play in their outdoor area. It’s also a great place to host birthday parties.
Best Children’s Special: Nicky’s Coal Fired
On Mondays, kids eat free with an adult purchase at Nicky’s Coal Fired. It’s one of my favorite pizza places in Nashville, with delicious pizza, lots of drink specials, and a kid-friendly atmosphere.
Best Date-Night With Kids: The Henry
This new fancy restaurant offers a $10 children’s menu with all the classic kid fare, including mac and cheese, grilled cheese, and hamburgers. The Henry’s adult menu will please parents, too!
Best Free Table Activities: Bartaco
The folks at Bartaco give kids an entire coloring book to keep them entertained while waiting for their meal. Plus, their kid’s menu is really inexpensive!
Relax while your kids play on the playground at East Nashville Beer Works. (Whitney Pastorek / City Cast Nashville)
Best Kid-Friendly Bar: East Nashville Beer Works
East Nashville Beer Works welcomes parents by keeping kids entertained while their adults relax with a cold beer or cocktail. Both the East Nashville and Wilson County locations have a playground and large outdoor area.
Best Fast & Easy Option: Hugh-Baby’s
When I need to grab food with minimal hassle, I head to Hugh-Baby’s, a fast burger-and-fries spot with a small playground. There are three locations across Nashville.
Best Patio: M.L. Rose
M.L. Rose has six Nashville locations. Four have heated covered patios, but I especially like the Sylvan Park location, which includes yard games and a golf garden. All kid’s meals are $7.
