We know how hard it can be to eat out with the family. But while it may seem tempting to head directly to the drive-thru or a fast-casual spot—you don’t have to anymore! There are plenty of restaurants in Denver that now offer specially designed kids’ menus, specials and fun atmospheres that make dining with the kids easier than ever.
To help make your dinner selection a bit easier, we rounded up some of our favorite restaurants in Denver that are 100% kid-approved. Enjoy!
Ace Eat Serve
Photo courtesy of Ace Eat Serve
Ace Eat Serve offers an elevated menu full of Asian-inspired dishes that will please even the pickiest of eaters. Each $9 kids’ meal comes with complimentary shave ice and is served on an old school lunch tray. But it’s the 12 ping pong tables—that you can rent for $10 an hour—that make this space so great. Your little ones will love challenging you to a match, and it will keep them happily entertained until your food arrives, which is a win-win in our opinion!
Acova
Nestled in LoHi, Acova feels like it was made just for kids. We can’t think of a better way to spend a nice day than enjoying a drink on the sunny patio while the kiddos play in the mini play yard, full of swings, colorful tires—and plenty more things to explore and climb on. Even the menu is full of kid-centered whimsy. For example, if your kids say they want “nothing” for dinner, you can order just that. “Nothing” is the name of Acova’s mac and cheese. If they say “I’m not hungry”, they’ll get a hamburger with a side of sweet potato fries. As an added bonus, $2 from every kids’ menu order is donated to a children’s charity.
Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs
Photo courtesy of Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs
Do you have a hotdog aficionado in your family? Then you definitely don’t want to miss Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dog. Located in Denver’s Ballpark neighborhood near Coors Field, Biker Jim’s has been featured on countless food shows and magazines. Here, you can expect to find traditional hot dogs (like some wrapped in bacon) along with some unusual dogs made from elk, veal, buffalo, reindeer, pheasant and even rattlesnake!
Board Game Republic
900 West 1st Avenue #130, Denver
While Board Game Republic, a pub in the Art District on Santa Fe, is most known as a spot for pints and cocktails—it’s also Denver’s first and only café dedicated to board games. They are home to more than 700 games shelved by category along a massive wall that are completely free for you to play. Want to test your surgical skills? Try Operation. Interested in buying Park Avenue? Head straight for Monopoly. You can spend an entire day playing with the kids and enjoying one of the pub’s delicious crepes—we recommend one filled with strawberries and Nutella!
Boondocks Fun and Food
11425 Community Center Drive, Northglenn | 18706 Cottonwood Drive, Parker
Photo courtesy of Boondocks Food & Fun
Boondocks Food & Fun is a family fun center that will allow you to challenge your kids to a multitude of games and activities! Boondocks features attractions such as bowling, a two-story laser tag, bumper boats, miniature golf, Go-Karts, arcade games and more. During your family fun day, you can also keep all of the family members’ energy levels high by ordering food from their full restaurant menu and grill.
Casa Bonita
6715 West Colfax Avenue, Lakewood
What would this list be if we didn’t mention Casa Bonita? This Mexican restaurant is more than just a place to grab a bite to eat—it’s a unique experience. There are cliff divers, exciting stage shows, musicians and arcade games. There’s no doubt this Denver destination will be a hit with the kids!
Downtown Aquarium
Photo courtesy of the Downtown Aquarium
Denver’s Downtown Aquarium is more than just an aquarium—it’s a unique dining destination! After your kids are finished exploring the aquatic exhibits, head to the restaurant, where you can dine beside a 50,000-gallon centerpiece aquarium, which offers floor-to-ceiling views of marine life from every table.
Homegrown Tap and Dough
1001 Gaylord Street, Denver | 5601 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada
When choosing a spot to dine with the family, pizza is always a great choice. And you can’t go wrong with Homegrown Tap and Dough, a casual pizza and pasta joint with locations in Olde Town Arvada and Washington Park. They offer a true Rocky Mountain dining experience with ski lift chairs, wood accent tables, al fresco dining tables and dishes full of homegrown, Colorado ingredients. The kids’ menu is full of your little one’s favorites like pasta, sliders, ice cream sundaes and, of course, pizza! Plus their vintage arcade game room will be a hit with the whole family.
Liks Ice Cream
2039 East 13th Avenue, Denver | 10903 US Highway 285, Conifer
Photo courtesy of Liks Ice Cream
Liks Ice Cream in Capitol Hill has been around for nearly 40 years. It was once known as “Lickety Split“, and while the name has changed, the local neighborhood feeling (along with their great ice cream) has not. The owners, Jay and Leslie, have conjured over 300 flavors that you and the kids can spend an entire afternoon tasting!
Old Spaghetti Factory
9145 Sheridan Boulevard, Westminster
Nearly every item on The Old Spaghetti Factory’s menu is made on-site, from scratch, using fresh ingredients. Unlike most restaurants, when you order your entrées, they serve you a complete meal, which includes bread, soup or salad, and dessert. And with their famous kids’ menu, special treats and fun activities, they encourage every member of the family to feel at home.
Punch Bowl Social
65 Broadway, Denver | 3120 Uinta Street, Denver
Photo courtesy of Punch Bowl Social Denver
While this Denver lounge is considered a hotspot for adults at night, it is certainly a kid-friendly oasis during the day. The kids’ menu features a ton of delicious items like a banana almond butter sandwich, chicken tacos, mac n’ cheese and flatbreads. Before or after you eat, explore all of the activities at Punch Bowl Social, such as table games, bowling, virtual reality, arcade games and private karaoke!
Sam’s No 3
1500 Curtis Street, Denver | 435 South Cherry Street, Glendale | 2580 South Havana Street, Aurora
Sam’s No. 3 is one of the oldest diners Denver, first established in 1927, at 1527 Curtis Street. Today, there are three Sam’s diners in the greater Denver area, each of which features ‘50s old-fashioned décor, with vinyl countertops, brown vinyl booths, black counter stools, retro-style signs, pictures, and light fixtures. Their menu includes all-day breakfast items, and American, Greek, and Mexican food—and the kids’ menu is just as fabulous. It features favorites like burgers, corn dogs and grilled cheese served with tater tots or fruit salad and a drink starting at $4.
Steuben’s Food Service
523 East 17th Avenue, Denver | 7355 Ralston Road, Arvada
Photo courtesy of Steuben’s Food Service
It doesn’t take long to see why families love Steuben’s. From the kids’ meals served on nostalgic lunch trays to the classic menu favorites like lobster rolls, green chili cheeseburgers and Monte Cristo sandwiches—Steuben’s feels like it was created with kids in mind. The children’s menu is full of entrees that they’ll love along with a variety of bite-sized nibbles that will keep their hands and mouths busy while you wait for the main course.
Happy Eating!
Did we miss one of your favorite kid-friendly restaurants in the area? Let us know in the comments!