7 Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in Tampa

Tampa is a great place for families, especially when it comes to dining out. When you’ve got the whole family in tow, finding a place where everyone has something to enjoy while keeping the kids from getting restless is key. Break away from the typical chains and schedule some quality family time at one of these 7 best family-friendly restaurants in Tampa!

1. Datz

We’ll start with Datz, which has always ranked highly among those with little ones. Why we love it? For starters, you can come for breakfast, brunch (weekends only), lunch, or dinner. And the food is purely fantastic with huge salads, sandwiches, and tacos rounding out the menu. But what makes it perfect for the kids is that it offers a text-ahead feature so you can get in line before you get there, meaning no more of the dreaded “I’m hungry! Why can’t we sit down nowwwww?” Also, the kids’ menu has hilarious names for its tasty selection like ‘I’m Not Hungry’ (chicken strips) and ‘Stop It’ (grilled cheese).

2. Heights Public Market at Armature Works

If you’ve yet to head over to Armature Works, get the kids in the car and go right now! This innovative place will keep your whole clan entertained for hours. With so much to do, we love Heights Public Market, which is basically a fancy food court. Every restaurant in Heights Public Market has offerings for kids too. This is the ideal solution when you ask your kids, “What do you feel like eating?” and everyone chimes in with completely opposite tastes. Plus, there’s a fun front lawn that has giant chess and checkers boards to play on with surrounding chairs where you can dine al fresco.

3. Bartaco

Craving food with a Mexican flair? Bartaco is the place to be! This open-air eatery features a great location nearby fountains and shopping, making it easy to take squirmy kids for a quick walk around. The kids’ menu has plenty of healthy options you’ll love yet are tasty enough to appeal to even the pickiest of children.

4. Sparkman Wharf

Tampa’s newest outdoor waterfront venue, Sparkman Wharf, is a prime place to take the kiddos on the weekend. With lush, green space ideal for running off that seemingly never-ending energy, live music, and kid-friendly eats in the Dining Garden, you’ll have a grand time. With a relaxed outdoor waterfront setting, the Dining Garden is a place where culinary concepts come alive. The kids will most definitely love The Corners for Detroit-style pizza and Flock and Stock for chicken and burgers.

5. Beef ‘O’Brady’s

With numerous locations in the area, Beef ‘O’Brady’s has been a Tampa-area institution since 1984. If you have been in Tampa since your college years, you probably found Beef’s to be a fantastic place for wings and beer. Well, it still is, plus it has a game room for kids and kid-friendly eats. The original location is in Brandon, but you can choose one of their other locations nearest you in Tampa.

6. GameTime

Located in Ybor City, GameTime has something for everyone in the family. Check out sports on over 60 TVs and let the kids play in the Mega Arcade which features over 120 games and simulators. Plus, the new menu of gourmet eats is a win with wings, pizza, sandwiches, wraps, ribs, and more!

7. Splitsville

With a great location in the Channelside Bay Plaza, Splitsville revamps the classic bowling alley with a vibrant, upscale twist. Be sure to make reservations first though, especially if you’d like to go bowling. The food is far more spectacular than typical bowling alley food that you grew up with a southern style that features fried green tomatoes and fried chicken alongside pizza and nachos. Utterly eclectic, you’ll get no complaints from your squad.

So where will you be taking the kids to eat in Tampa today?