Despite the name, this downtown Fairfax brewpub was designed with families in mind. A game room and arcade give restless kids somewhere to direct their energy, while the spacious dining room, outdoor parklet, and laid-back neighborhood atmosphere make lingering over a meal a little easier on parents.
The kids’ bento box is especially clever: choose chicken nuggets, a slider hot dog, penne with red sauce, grilled chicken, or a cheeseburger, then get fries, carrots, sliced apples, and a cookie alongside it. For an extra treat, there’s popping boba lemonade.
Don’t miss: Kids Bento Box and Popping Boba Lemonade.
Gott’s brings the old-school roadside burger stop to Greenbrae’s Bon Air Center, but the real win for families is just outside. Alongside the spacious patio and picnic tables is a small play area where little ones can climb and burn off some energy while waiting for their food. Add counter service, high chairs, plenty of free parking, and views of Mt. Tam from the rear patio, and it’s easy to see why this location is such a popular family stop.
The dedicated kids’ menu covers just about every picky-eater base: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, grilled cheese, hot dogs, and mini corn dogs. Each comes with a choice of fries or fresh vegetables and a small drink. Save room for the soft serve, or one of Gott’s hand-spun shakes.
Don’t miss: Mini Corn Dogs, Fries, and Soft Serve.
Sam’s earns its spot farther down the list not because it lacks kid appeal, but because families often come as much for the Tiburon experience as the meal itself. Nab a spot on the sprawling waterfront deck, and there’s built-in entertainment as sailboats and ferries cross the Bay and Angel Island rises just offshore. After eating, Main Street and the Tiburon waterfront are right outside for a walk.
Importantly, Sam’s does have a real kids’ menu. Younger diners can choose a burger, fish and chips, mac and cheese, chicken tenders, or a fish taco, making the famous waterfront restaurant much easier with picky eaters than its seafood-heavy reputation might suggest.
Don’t miss: Kids Fish & Chips followed by a walk along the waterfront.
Set beneath towering redwoods at the edge of downtown Larkspur, Perry’s gives family dinner a little more room to breathe. The spacious outdoor patio is strung with twinkling lights, while nearby Dolliver Park has a playground with swings, slides, and a dedicated play area for younger kids, which is an easy stop before or after dinner.
Perry’s also has a dedicated kids’ menu with mac and cheese, chicken tenders and fries, mini cheeseburger sliders, and buttered noodles with Parmesan. Parents can stick with Perry’s classics, from its signature burger and crispy onion strings to spaghetti and meatballs and old-fashioned pot roast.
Don’t miss: Kids Slyders, Mac & Cheese, and a pre- or post-dinner playground stop at Dolliver Park.
The Junction may be one of Marin’s easiest places to eat with energetic kids. Its sprawling Tam Valley beer garden feels more like a backyard than a restaurant, with picnic tables, fire pits, plenty of room to spread out, and a play structure tucked at the far end where kids can climb and burn off energy while families hang out nearby. Live music on the outdoor stage adds to the lively, anything-goes atmosphere.
Pizza Hacker handles the food, turning out naturally leavened sourdough pizzas that are easy to share, while highchairs make the space especially convenient for families with younger kids. The Junction sits right in Tam Junction, making it an easy post-beach, hike, bike ride, or Mt. Tam adventure stop.
Don’t miss: Pizza Hacker pizza and some playtime in the backyard.
