Best Family Restaurants in Tampa: Where Kids Are Welcome
Looking for the best family restaurants in Tampa where kids are truly welcome? This comprehensive guide covers kid-friendly restaurants in Tampa with everything from play areas and kids-eat-free nights to patient servers and delicious food for all ages.
What Makes a Great Family Restaurant
The best Tampa family restaurants offer more than just a kids menu. They provide:
- Welcoming atmosphere for children
- Quick service for hungry kids
- High chairs and booster seats
- Crayons and activity menus
- Reasonable prices
- Variety for picky eaters
- Clean facilities with changing tables
Top Family Restaurants in Tampa
Casual Dining Favorites
1. Bern's Steak House (Just Kidding - Here's the Real List!)
1. Ulele
Location: Tampa Heights
Best For: Families wanting upscale casual
Cuisine: Native-inspired Florida cuisine
Price Range: $$-$$$
Why Families Love It:
- Beautiful waterfront setting
- Spacious outdoor seating
- Kids menu with quality options
- Brewery on-site (for parents!)
- Educational about Florida history
Kids Menu Highlights:
- Grilled chicken
- Burgers
- Fish tacos
- Mac and cheese
Pro Tip: Request outdoor seating for more space and river views.
2. Armature Works
Location: Tampa Heights
Best For: Families with varied tastes
Cuisine: Food hall with 10+ vendors
Price Range: $-$$
Why It's Perfect:
- Everyone chooses their own food
- Open, airy space for kids to move
- Outdoor lawn area
- Weekend entertainment
- No pressure to keep kids perfectly still
Vendor Options:
- Pizza, tacos, Asian, seafood, ice cream
- Something for every palate
- Quick service
- Reasonable prices
Bonus: Free parking, waterfront views, often has live music.
3. Ciccio Restaurant Group (Multiple Concepts)
Locations: Throughout Tampa Bay
Concepts: Ciccio Cali, Green Lemon, Forbici, Daily Eats
Price Range: $-$$
Family-Friendly:
- Consistent quality
- Kids eat free nights (varies by location)
- Healthy options
- Accommodating staff
- Multiple locations
Popular Dishes:
- Wood-fired pizzas
- Fresh salads
- Pasta dishes
- Grain bowls
Kids Eat Free Restaurants
4. Beef 'O' Brady's
Locations: Multiple Tampa locations
Kids Eat Free: Wednesdays
Cuisine: American sports bar
Price Range: $-$$
Details:
- One free kids meal per adult entrée
- Kids 12 and under
- Dine-in only
- Sports on TV
Kids Menu:
- Chicken tenders
- Burgers
- Mac and cheese
- Grilled cheese
5. Carrabba's Italian Grill
Locations: Multiple Tampa locations
Kids Eat Free: Wednesdays (select locations)
Cuisine: Italian-American
Price Range: $$
Family Features:
- Warm bread to start
- Shareable portions
- Kids menu
- Accommodating service
Kids Options:
- Pasta with various sauces
- Chicken fingers
- Pizza
6. Tijuana Flats
Locations: Multiple Tampa locations
Kids Eat Free: Tuesdays
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Price Range: $
Why Kids Love It:
- Hot sauce wall (for looking, not tasting!)
- Colorful atmosphere
- Build-your-own options
- Chips and salsa
Kids Menu:
- Tacos
- Quesadillas
- Nachos
- Burrito bowls
Restaurants with Play Areas
7. Chick-fil-A (Select Locations)
Locations: Multiple Tampa locations (some with playgrounds)
Best For: Quick meals with play time
Price Range: $
Playground Locations:
- Check individual locations
- Indoor play structures
- Toddler-friendly
Why Parents Love It:
- Clean facilities
- Healthy kids meal options
- Excellent service
- Reliable quality
8. IKEA Restaurant
Location: Ybor City
Best For: Shopping trip lunch
Cuisine: Swedish-American
Price Range: $
Family Features:
- Småland play area (ages 3-6)
- Very affordable
- Kids meals under $3
- High chairs available
Kids Love:
- Swedish meatballs
- Mac and cheese
- Chicken tenders
- Lingonberry juice
Bonus: Free coffee refills for parents!
Waterfront Dining
9. Hula Bay Club
Location: South Tampa
Best For: Sunset dinners
Cuisine: Tropical American
Price Range: $$
Family-Friendly:
- Outdoor seating with water views
- Spacious layout
- Kids menu
- Relaxed atmosphere
Kids Activities:
- Watch boats
- Feed fish (bring bread)
- Playground nearby
10. Whiskey Joe's
Location: Rocky Point
Best For: Beach atmosphere dining
Cuisine: Seafood, American
Price Range: $$
Why Families Visit:
- Beach access
- Outdoor seating
- Live music
- Sunset views
Kids Love:
- Playing in sand before/after meal
- Watching boats
- Casual atmosphere
Pizza Places
11. Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria
Locations: Multiple Tampa locations
Best For: Pizza-loving families
Cuisine: Italian, pizza
Price Range: $-$$
Family Features:
- Authentic Neapolitan pizza
- Quick service
- Casual atmosphere
- Good value
Kids Options:
- Personal pizzas
- Pasta
- Salads
12. Blaze Pizza
Locations: Multiple Tampa locations
Best For: Picky eaters, custom orders
Cuisine: Build-your-own pizza
Price Range: $
Why Kids Love It:
- Choose their own toppings
- Watch pizza being made
- Fast-fired (ready in 3 minutes)
- Unlimited toppings, one price
Dietary Options:
- Gluten-free crust
- Vegan cheese
- Lots of veggie options
Breakfast & Brunch
15. First Watch
Locations: Multiple Tampa locations
Best For: Healthy breakfast/brunch
Cuisine: American breakfast
Price Range: $-$$
Family-Friendly:
- Fresh, healthy options
- Kids menu
- Quick service
- Clean, bright atmosphere
Kids Love:
- Pancakes
- French toast
- Eggs and bacon
- Fresh fruit
16. The Breakfast Station
Location: South Tampa
Best For: Hearty breakfast
Cuisine: American breakfast
Price Range: $
Why Families Visit:
- Large portions
- Reasonable prices
- Friendly service
- Classic breakfast fare
Kids Menu:
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- Eggs and toast
- Bacon and sausage
International Cuisine
17. Pho Quyen
Location: Multiple locations
Best For: Introducing kids to Vietnamese
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Price Range: $
Family-Friendly:
- Mild options available
- Noodle soups kids enjoy
- Quick service
- Affordable
Kids Try:
- Pho (noodle soup)
- Spring rolls
- Fried rice
- Banh mi sandwiches
18. Taco Bus
Locations: Multiple Tampa locations
Best For: Authentic Mexican, casual
Cuisine: Mexican
Price Range: $
Why Families Love It:
- Authentic flavors
- Very affordable
- Casual atmosphere
- Large portions
Kids Options:
- Quesadillas
- Tacos
- Rice and beans
- Churros for dessert
Sweet Treats & Dessert Spots
19. Kilwins
Location: Hyde Park Village
Best For: After-dinner treats
Offerings: Ice cream, chocolates, fudge
Price Range: $
Family Tradition:
- Hand-dipped ice cream
- Waffle cones made fresh
- Chocolate-covered treats
- Fudge samples
20. Joffrey's Coffee & Tea
Locations: Multiple Tampa locations
Best For: Coffee for parents, treats for kids
Offerings: Coffee, pastries, ice cream
Price Range: $
Kids Love:
- Ice cream
- Cookies
- Hot chocolate
- Smoothies
Dining by Neighborhood
South Tampa
- First Watch
- Bavaro's
- The Breakfast Station
- Hula Bay Club
Tampa Heights/Seminole Heights
- Ulele
- Armature Works
- Rooster & the Till (upscale)
Westshore/Airport Area
- Carrabba's
- Bonefish Grill
- Seasons 52 (upscale but kid-friendly)
Brandon/East Tampa
- Beef 'O' Brady's
- Tijuana Flats
- Chick-fil-A
- Multiple chain options
Ybor City
- Columbia Restaurant (historic, upscale)
- IKEA Restaurant
- Various cafés
Tips for Dining Out with Kids
Timing Your Visit
Best Times:
- Early dinner (5-6 PM) - less crowded
- Late lunch (2-3 PM) - between rushes
- Weekday evenings - quieter than weekends
Avoid:
- Peak dinner (7-8 PM)
- Weekend brunch rush (10 AM-12 PM)
- Holiday weekends
Making It Easier
Before You Go:
- Check menu online
- Make reservations if possible
- Bring small toys or books
- Have snacks for waiting
At the Restaurant:
- Request high chair/booster immediately
- Order kids meals first
- Ask for check with food
- Don't stress about minor messes
Managing Picky Eaters
Strategies:
- Look for build-your-own options
- Choose restaurants with variety
- Don't force new foods in public
- Bring familiar snacks as backup
- Celebrate trying new things
Kids Eat Free Schedule
Monday
- Check local restaurants for specials
Tuesday
- Tijuana Flats
- Select local restaurants
Wednesday
- Beef 'O' Brady's
- Carrabba's (select locations)
- Various local spots
Thursday
- Check local promotions
Friday-Sunday
- Fewer kids-eat-free deals
- Focus on family-friendly atmosphere
Pro Tip: Call ahead to confirm kids-eat-free promotions as they change frequently.
Dietary Accommodations
Gluten-Free Friendly
- Blaze Pizza (GF crust)
- First Watch (GF options)
- Ciccio restaurants (GF menu)
- Most restaurants accommodate
Vegetarian/Vegan
- Armature Works (multiple options)
- Green Lemon (Ciccio concept)
- Taco Bus (bean options)
Allergy-Friendly
- Chick-fil-A (allergen menu)
- First Watch (customizable)
- Most restaurants work with allergies
- Always inform server
Related Resources
Explore more Tampa family content:
Conclusion
Tampa offers incredible family dining options where kids are welcomed and parents can relax. From casual pizza joints to waterfront dining and kids-eat-free specials, you'll find the perfect restaurant for your family's taste and budget.
Ready to dine out? Check our restaurant reviews, verify kids-eat-free schedules, and discover why Tampa families love their local dining scene! Explore more family-friendly dining in our Tampa dining hub.
Pro Tip: Create a family restaurant bucket list and try one new place each month. Keep notes on favorites for easy decision-making!
