Oakland outdoor eating: 10 places to eat with your kids al fresco

August 6, 2013 By 2 Comments

Where to eat with kids in Oakland

I actually wore mittens on my bicycle this morning — in AUGUST! — but by afternoon the temperature is comfortable enough to consider outdoor dining for dinner.

Thanks those of you following on the 510Families Facebook page, we have curated a list of 10 kid-friendly restaurants with patios in Oakland. (See our list of Berkeley restaurants with the same criteria.) These are listed in no particular order.

  1. Bocanova in Jack London Square for brunch. Offers a view of the water and a nearby play structure for post-dining activity.
  2. Pasta Pomodoro in Rockridge for dinner. Uber casual and full of kid-centric pasta options. Kids eat free on Tuesdays as of this writing.
  3. Cupkate’s truck. Did you eat all your vegetables? Then let’s track this truck down! Wednesday: Snow Park, Oakland, 11:30-2; Thursday: 12th & Broadway, Oakland, 11:30-2
  4. Homeroom. Fun school-themed restaurant with small outside seating section offers delicious comfort food meals. The side dish of peas is my fave. Located on a busy street (40th), sitting outside at Homeroom is not for kids who need to get out of their seats during the meal.
    Homeroom in Oakland
  5. Barney’s Burgers. Both Piedmont and College Avenue location offer outdoor seating that is more pleasant than the patio at the Shattuck location due to quieter garden-style backyards.
  6. Pizziaolo in Temescal. Best known for wood-fired pizza, and loved for date night, Pizzaiolo welcomes kids and has a backyard seating area that is quite lovely. Try it out for morning coffee on a weekday – the place is packed with laptopping folks and strollers.
  7. Crepevine on College. Breakfast for dinner! Or for breakfast. Crepevine’s enclosed patio is perfect for squirmy kids with syrup on their fingers. I was traumatized by an early public breastfeeding experience at this location, but I’ve worked through it.
  8. Restaurante Doña Tomas. Another date night favorite, Dona Tomas has delicious margaritas and a large backyard. Wait, we’re talking about kids. Better for weekend brunch if you’re with the family.
  9. Arizmendi Bakery. Pick up a pizza, eat some of it outside and take the rest home!
  10. All the food trucks. Friday nights you’ll find a festive food truck gathering at the Oakland Museum and another in front of Studio One Art Center on 45th Street.

photos: Homeroom, courtesy Google Maps; Pasta Pomodoro, Whitney Moss

What did we miss?

Related: 99 kid-friendly restaurants in the East Bay

Filed Under: Foodie, Oakland, Outdoors, Restaurants