Looking for a restaurant where kids won’t feel left out? Especially if you are a new parent, you may realize that eating out isn’t the same experience that you were once accustomed to. Finding good restaurants where the kids will be entertained and you can enjoy a somewhat sophisticated meal can be challenging. If you have small children and live in Philadelphia, here are some kid-friendly dining options that will satisfy everyone’s taste.
Photo by: Tabooz on flickr
World Café Live
3025 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Located In the neighborhood of University City, World Cafe Live creates a fun and interactive live music experience for kids and parents. This is a place you’ll want to take the kids for lunch as the doors generally open at 11 a.m. with the show starting at 11:30 a.m. The Dodge Caravan Peanut Butter & Jams series is a popular Saturday morning show followed by a family friendly lunch buffet (not included in ticket price). World Café Live was voted “Best Kids Concert Series” by Philadelphia Magazine.
Hibachi Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar
Pier 19
325 North Columbus Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Kids will enjoy the fire shows from the chef’s open grill. Best of all, young gourmets can enjoy an entree of fried rice and grilled veggies with teriyaki chicken, shrimp, scallops, salmon, red snapper or steak for less than $10. Specials include early bird specials for the whole family and a wide selection of appetizers. Get ready for the show as soon as the chef arrives at the hibachi table. Your kids will get a kick out of the squirting mustard bottles prank, flaming onion volcanoes and food tossing to guests. Adults will enjoy a beautiful view of the water from Penn’s Landing.
Nifty Fifty’s
2491 Grant Avenue at Roosevelt Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19114
If you are looking for a fun, themed restaurant, check out Nifty Fifty’s, built and decorated like a classic 1950′s diner. Complete with retro music and bright neon lights, kids will enjoy the constant action of this 50’s themed diner. The food is not too shabby either. The rich milkshakes are the restaurant’s signature item, as well as the custom soda flavors. Order any flavor of soda, including banana, bubble gum or cotton candy, and a Nifty Fifty’s server can create it for you. They have more than just burgers. For more sophisticated palates, try the Maryland Crab Cake Sandwich.
Hard Rock Café
1113-31 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
If you happen to be in the Market East neighborhood with your kids visiting Independence Hall, check out the Hard Rock Café located in the historic Reading Terminal train station. It’s fitting that this rock ‘n’ roll themed restaurant is just blocks away from the birthplace of America. Hamburgers are just one of the menu items that can be enjoyed by the kids. The adults will appreciate the wide variety of drinks available at the bar while music and videos play in the rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia-decorated restaurant.
Friendly’s
9165 Ridge Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19128
Any restaurant with a tagline like Friendly’s, “where ice cream makes the meal”, is going to please kids. Friendly’s has a kids menu that includes a kid-pleasing variety of drinks, meals and desserts. Adults can tap into their inner child while ordering healthy options such as soups and salads, sandwich wraps and even steaks and seafood. For a fun treat at any age, order the Fribble with Butterfinger and Reeses and get the straw that changes colors when it gets cold.
April writes for Apartment Guide in Philadelphia. If you are looking for a cool place to live in Center City, check out the wide variety of apartments in Philadelphia.
