99 Kid-friendly Restaurants in the East Bay

Thanks to Public Market Emeryville for sponsoring today’s guide to family-friendly dining. Now open for carryout, outdoor dining, and indoor dining with so many choices, there are lots of reasons to bring the kids out to dinner in Emeryville. Don’t forget the excellent playground, too!

Best restaurants for kids & families in the East Bay

Changing tables? Kid-friendly menu? Noise-tolerant? If you’re a parent in Berkeley, Oakland, or some other part of the East Bay, odds are pretty good that you’ve been to at least five of the following restaurants with your kids– over and over and over!

510Families.com has profiled many of these spots within our archives, but consider this your community-generated cheat sheet to a diverse variety of kid-centric eats. We invite you to branch out and try a new place, and be sure to let us know about it!

Mexican Restaurants & More

The smallest of new eaters can usually manage some mashed-up avocado or soft black beans. Even picky toddlers will go for quesadillas. Our family-favorite taquerías around the Oakland area:

1. Cactus (N. Berkeley + Rockridge) | Call ahead for takeout or order out in person. Limited indoor and outdoor seating is also available, as well as online ordering for pickup or delivery. Cactus is my go-to. Those tiny burritos and the great prices bring me back over and over again. It is the place I turn to when I don’t want to cook. – Whitney  Website.
2. Cancun (Berkeley) | Committed to fresh ingredients; lots of salsa choices. Open for dine-in and pick-up & delivery via their website. Website.
3. Cholita Linda (N. Oakland + Alameda) | Offers, take-out, delivery, and dine-in. Farmers’ Market stand turned brick-and-mortar. Website.
4. La Penca Azul (Alameda) | Take-out, delivery, pickup, and dine-in are all available for this local favorite. Also have a taco truck in Oakland. My daughters love the chips. – Rebecca. Website.
5. Picante (Berkeley) | Drive-through carry-out and outdoor dining. Order online or by calling ahead. I am a big fan of online ordering and easy pickup. – Heather Website.
6. Tacubaya (Berkeley) | Order online for pick-up and delivery. Enjoy the outdoor dining or indoor dining. This Fourth Street taqueria is a delicious respite from shopping and errands. Outdoor seating lets sound escape and don’t forget the trainspotting. – Heather Website.

Tasty Asian restaurants kids dig

You guys had way more go-to sushi joints than I was expecting with a strong emphasis on the boats (AKA bune). The Bay Area has a huge variety of Asian food, but here are some of our kid-favorite joints:

1. Anchalee (Berkeley) | Thai take-out, also open for dine-in. The food is very good, staff is friendly and my daughter inhales their fried rice. We pack sticker books and markers to keep her happy during boring grown-up conversations. – Janet O. Website.
2. Bowl’d (Albany + Alameda + Oakland) | Korean pick-up, delivery, & dine-in. I love that they give little smoothies and kid chopsticks and bowls. – Anne C. Website.
3. Café Raj (Albany) | Great N. Indian + Pakistani. Call ahead for take-out or dine indoors. My daughter will eat Chana Masala and my son will eat Chicken Tikka Masala, hold the raisins. – Whitney. Website.
4. House of Curries (Albany + Berkeley) | Cheap Indian take-out food, but some of the best naan around. Also available for delivery. Website.
5. Mint Leaf (W. Berkeley + Alameda) | Vietnamese restaurant serving take-out, delivery, and dine-in with outdoor seating at the Berkeley location. Try the Cha Gio rolls. Website.
6. Ohgane Korean (Oakland + Alameda + Concord) | Korean BBQ for take-out and dine-in. Website.
7. Oori Rice Triangles (Albany + Berkeley + Oakland) | Popular rice triangle chain open for takeout and outdoor dining at some locations. My family and so many friends LOVE the takeout from Oori Rice triangles – Carol B. Website.
8. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro (Emeryville) | Asian Fusion Chain with carryout and dine-in. Order online or with their app and take advantage of Bay Street’s 15-minute free parking for food carryout, or make a reservation online. Website.
9. Renee’s Place (Albany) | Delicious Chinese food open for dine-in as well as take-out. Wonderful neighborhood restaurant where Renee herself enjoys greeting the regulars of all ages and knows how to accommodate multi-generational parties very well. – Holly L. Website.
10. Shen Hua (Elmwood) | N. Chinese take out, delivery, and dine-in. Outdoor seating is also available. Tasty and noisy Chinese where your child’s voice blends into the background. – Heather. Website.
11. Shiba Ramen (Emeryville) | Slurp up noodles as plain or adorned as your kid wants. Open for indoor and outdoor dining. Website.
12. Toss Noodle Bar (Berkeley) | Dine-in or order carry-out or delivery of mixed Asian flavors. Dress your noodles however you like. {See Whitney’s review of Toss} Website.
13. Vik’s Chaat House (Berkeley) | Indian take-out or delivery, or enjoy your food inside their cafeteria-style seating or at their outdoor patio. With over 2000 Yelp reviews, this place has got to be good. Website.

5 restaurants kids love at Public Market Emeryville

With more than 18 artisan eateries in the food hall, everyone in the family will find a meal they will love at Public Market Emeryville. You can enjoy your meal in the food hall or the spacious outdoor patios, and many of the eateries also offer takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery. Support local eateries and enjoy delicious meals, without the dishes! You can also send the kids to play at their sweet playground while the grown-ups eat soft serve.

1. Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement | Kids and grownups alike can’t get enough of the rosemary fried chicken, mac ‘n cheese, and Kool-aid from Minnie Bell’s. Website >
2. Super Duper Burgers | There’s everything a kid would love: from a mini burger to kid-sized shakes and soft-serve cones made with organic Straus Family Creamery soft serve, plus fries, house-made pickles, and more! Website >
3. Shiba Ramen | Kids love to slurp big bowls of ramen noodles at Shiba Ramen. The bowls full of flavorful broth are large and include enough noodles to share. Website >
4. Jayna Gyro | Offering exciting Mediterranean eats, Jayna Gyro has a delicious assortment of gyros in bowls or wraps, including a tasty chicken gyro pita and Greek fries (with or without feta). Website >
5. Pizzeria Mercato | New at Public Market, Pizzeria Mercato serves up authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked in a traditional brick oven, plus fresh pasta dishes, salads, and a full bar for the grown-ups. Website >

Pizza & Italian places that welcome families

Can’t go wrong with cheese pizza, am I right? Well not for my kid but for 79.5% of East Bay kids, it is the easy choice. Parents and kids like these places for getting tomato sauce on their faces:

1. Arizmendi Bakery (Oakland + Emeryville) | Worker-owned cooperative serves pizza by the slice in a daily flavor for takeout or dine-in. Menu changes daily, so call ahead.
2. Benchmark Pizza (Kensington) | Open for dine-in, or order online or by phone. Delivery through Caviar. Menu aimed at kids and adults. The entire menu is available for take-out. Website.
3. Bobby G’s (Downtown Berkeley) | Order online for takeout or delivery, or dine-in indoors or outdoors. Large menu, half-baked pies, and even vegan cheese options. Website.
4. California Pizza Kitchen Mix it up with a BBQ Chicken Pizza. Dine-in and take-out are available (Emeryville + Walnut Creek). Website.
5. Cheeseboard (N. Berkeley) | Walk-up take-out only. The refined tastes might be too much for some little ones but the noisy grab-and-go ambiance can’t be beaten. You can often ask for toppings to be left off, but not the core cheese or sauce. Check the pizza flavor before you go. Often busy! Website.
6. Drake’s Dealership (Oakland) | Pick up and delivery, as well as indoor dining and outdoor patio dining available. Wood-fired pizzas, excellent beer, and a huge outdoor seating area. Website.
7. Forge (Jack London Square) | Dine-in indoors or outdoors at this pizzeria with fire pits, plus a pretty view of the docks. The kid’s pizza is huge. Soft serve sundaes to top it off. Website.
8. Gioia Pizzeria (N. Berkeley) | Take-out New York-style pizza by the slice.  Squash for the adults. My family lives on this stuff! – Whitney. Order online for take-out or delivery. Website.
9. iSlice (Albany + Concord) | Pick up a slice or a whole pie. Reasonably priced, fast, and delicious. Delivery through Doordash. Website.
10. Jupiter (Berkeley) | Open for take-out and delivery, and indoor and outdoor dining as well. Terrific patio for casual summer evenings with wood-fired pizza and lots of beer on tap. Website.
11. Little Star Pizza (Albany) | Take out, delivery, indoor dining, and outdoor patio dining. The deep dish is the star here, but don’t overlook the solid thin crust. Definitely my kids’ first pick. – Holly L. Website.
12. Lucia’s (Berkeley) | Open for indoor and outdoor dining in addition to take-out. Tasty pizzas, salads, and veggies in the cutest little shop. Website.
13. Mission Pizza + Pub (Fremont) | Take-out and indoor & outdoor dining. With a huge selection of craft beers, arcade games, and live music every Thursday, Friday, & Saturday night, you’ll all have fun. Plus gluten-free pizza and beer. Website.
14. Pizzaiolo (Temescal) | Take out, delivery, and beautiful patio dining. Bocce ball, a fountain, and chickens, oh my. – Tiffanie. Website.
15. Pollara Pizzeria (Berkeley) | Open for to-go orders only that you finish cooking at home! Thick crust Roman-style pizza is infinitely customizable. We love the Family Dinners for a quick and easy weeknight meal – Carol. Website.
16. Sliver Pizzeria (Berkeley + Oakland) | Open for takeout, delivery, and indoor & outdoor dining. Follows a weekly pizza menu where different pizzas are served each day, check the website to find where your favorite is being served. Website.
17. Tomatina (Alameda) | Take out, delivery, and indoor & outdoor dining available. Pizzas, pasta, brussels sprouts, AND kids eat FREE on Thursdays after 4 pm. Website.
18. Zachary’s (Berkeley + Oakland) | Open for pick-up, delivery, and indoor & outdoor dining. My family’s favorite deep-dish place offers half-baked pizzas to cut short the waiting game. – Heather. Website.

Find lots more pizza places East Bay families love “sliced” by kind of crust >>

Diners & Cafes that kids love (more than just a coffee shop!)

1. Beauty’s Bagel Shop (Oakland) | Order for pick-up, delivery, and dine-in. Partnering with Wise Sons for an expanded menu. My child loves their plain bagels or anything with avocado or hummus – Heather. Website.
2. Berkeley Bagels on Gilman (Berkeley) | Take out and patio. Our go-to breakfast on the weekends. – Whitney (and she’s a bagel snob!). Check out their reviews on Yelp.
3. Black Bear Diner (Emeryville + Hayward + more) | Family meal take-out and dine-in. American comfort food with big portions and a mascot bear in uniform. Don’t miss the ice cream concierge. – Lisa T. Website.
4. Boichik Bagels | Popular bagel spot open for take-out in-store only. Give a bialy a try. Website.
5. Cafe Leila (Berkeley) | Order pick-up or dine-in on the patio. High quality, fresh food and offers a large patio with enough room for dogs and strollers. Service can be slow. Dinner only on Thurs-Sunday evenings. Try brunch. – Whitney. Website.
6. Commonwealth Cafe & Pub (Oakland) | Take-out and indoor & outdoor dining. Commonwealth is our family dinner favorite: great food with a lot of toddler-friendly options, great local beers for the grown-ups, and an ever-changing assortment of board books! – Art. Website.
7. Fatapples (Berkeley + El Cerrito) | Take-out only. Known for breakfast, burgers, and baked goods, this old-fashioned diner has lots of choices for food and even more for dessert (consider yourself warned). The El Cerrito location has much more dining space and parking. Website.
8. Homemade Cafe (Berkeley) | Take-out and indoor & outdoor dining available. Breakfast is served all day! A friendly place for eggs and baked goods with bottomless coffee. Small inside so there’s often a line on weekends. – Heather. Website.
9. Lama Beans (Berkeley) | Open for pick-up, delivery, and dine-in. Magically delicious pancakes and plenty of other items on the menu. A big stack of shared coloring books to entertain the kiddos.Website.
10. Oceanview Diner (Berkeley) | Formerly known as Bette’s Oceanview Diner, this Fourth Street favorite is under new ownership after reopening and serving breakfast & sandwiches all day for takeout and indoor & outdoor seating. Website.
11. Rick and Ann’s (Elmwood) | Online ordering, curbside pick-up, and dine-in. Beloved by locals. Always a line. Website.

Burgers & Hot Dogs

My own kids love the local burger joints. Many of our sit-down dinners are to these places:

1. Al’s Big Burger (Albany) | Delivery, take-out, and dine-in for classic, old-school burgers. I love this place for its old-school feel. My kids love the juicy burgers, fries, and creamy milkshakes. – Anna On yelp.
2. Barney’s Burgers (Berkeley + Oakland + Piedmont) | Take-out, delivery, patio dining, and indoor dining available. Burgers are made with high-grade beef; other options include chicken, turkey burgers, and portobello. The kids menu also includes a decent hot dog. Website.
3. Boss Burger (Albany) | Take out and delivery. Burgers, chili, fries deep-fried in 100% grass-fed beef tallow oil AND a Pac-Man arcade game. Soft serve for dessert. Website.
4. Cato’s Ale House (Oakland) |Pick up, delivery, and indoor & outdoor dining. This pub on Piedmont Ave has just the right blend of kid-friendly for those family dinners & cool for a date night. {Our review of Cato’s} Website.
5. Gott’s (Walnut Creek) | Pick-up, delivery, and dine-in. Burgers, salads, sandwiches, seafood, and shakes. Yum. Website.
6. In-N-Out Burger (Alameda + Oakland + San Leandro + Pinole + more) | Burger chain with drive-thru, takeout, and indoor & outdoor seating available. My hands-down favorite fast food burger place; I have a location-finding app on my phone so I know when we’re nearby. – Heather. Website.
7. Rosamunde Sausage Grill (Downtown Oakland) | Family meal take-out and indoor & outdoor dining available. Fancier hot dogs for parents, kids will like the beef and the beans. Website.
8. Super Duper Burger (Berkeley + Emeryville + Concord) | Take out, delivery, and indoor & outdoor dining. Another SF favorite has made its way to the East Bay. It’s got a following, soon to include you. Website.
9. The Habit Burger Grill (Albany + Oakland + Alameda + Fremont + Castro Valley + San Leandro + Pinole + more) | Pick up, delivery, and indoor & outdoor patio dining available. Fast burgers, outside seating, and a kids menu that features all the favorites. Website.
10. True Burger (Oakland) | Delivery, pick-up, take-out, and dine-in. Good burgers, better milkshakes. Website.

More favorite restaurants for families (A to Z)

So many of our favorite restaurants defy categorization so I lumped them all together and alphabetized them. Bon appetit!

1. Angeline’s Louisiana Kitchen (Berkeley) | Open for patio dining, indoor dining, and take-out. Jambalaya for you, mac & cheese for your little one, sweet beignets drenched in powder sugar for all. Website.
2. Asmara (Oakland) | Takeout and indoor & outdoor dining. Asmara at 51st has a very friendly family atmosphere; it’s our go-to for great Ethiopian/Eritrean food. – @UUBerkeley. Website.
3. Cafe Colucci (Oakland) | Ethiopian for pick up, delivery, or dine-in. Cafe Colucci has always been great for us. – Dave Website.
4. Cafe Platano (Berkeley + Oakland) | Salvadoran for carry-out and dine-in. Website.
5. Cafe Romanat (Oakland) | Ethiopian for pick up, delivery, or dine-in. Cafe Romanat is our favorite Ethiopian with kids. – Erika Website.
6. Chop Bar (Oakland) | Indoor & patio dining, take out, or delivery. For a less hectic vibe, come before 5:30. Website.
7. Crepevine (Berkeley + Rockridge) | Take-out, delivery, and indoor & beautiful outdoor seating. Many flavors to pick from as well as the basics. The N. Berkeley location passes out Wikki Stix instead of crayons to mix it up further. Website.
8. Fentons Creamery (Oakland) | Indoor & outdoor dining and carry-out. Kids love it here– they know their meal will end with a huge sundae! Pretty standard diner food. Website.
9. Homeroom (Oakland) | Open for indoor and outdoor dining in addition to takeout and delivery — mac & cheese but fancy! Website.
10. Poulet (Berkeley) | Known for their chicken, Poulet offers dine-in and take-out. Carry out chicken and tasty side dishes. Poulet is where I get fancy salads or frozen oven meals for me and my husband, and the kids will have plain pasta that night. – Whitney. Website.
11. Saul’s Deli (N. Berkeley) | Some outdoor dining, pickup, or delivery. Large Jewish deli with many tasty options; favorites include matzo ball soup and potato latkes with applesauce. Website.
12. Telegraph Oakland Beeryland (Oakland) | Dine-in at their patio. Family- and dog-friendly beer garden where the ‘rents can grab a coffee OR beer (and food) on the patio and my daughter sweet-talks the cooks into fancy-shaped pancakes. – Ruby. Website.

Have you tried any new places based on our suggestions? Did we miss your kid’s favorite meal? Please share in the comments!

It takes a village. This list of restaurants was generated by Heather, Whitney, Julie, Helena, Anna, and our reader community. We didn’t skip your favorite place on purpose.

[Photo credits indicated; all rights reserved]

Thanks to Public Market Emeryville for sponsoring today’s guide to family-friendly dining. We love all the choices and lovely outdoor dining options. We love playing at their sweet playground and enjoying the events & live music together.

xxx