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 veggies and a small drink. While the kiddos slurp ice cream shakes and root beer floats, adults can sip craft beer, wine by the glass, or Gott’s Frosé — a frozen blend of rosé, strawberries, and citrus. Think of it as a Slurpee for grownups!
Don’t miss: Mini Corn Dogs, Fries, and Soft Serve
Located in downtown San Rafael, Pixels Arcade & Taproom turns a family meal into a full-on outing, combining casual eats with retro arcade fun for kids and grown-ups alike.
The colorful arcade is packed with more than 40 classic and modern arcade games and pinball machines, plus a multiplayer console gaming lounge. And there’s no need to keep a pocketful of quarters handy: most games are set to free play once you purchase an hourly or day pass. Kids can bounce from game to game while parents join the action or kick back nearby.
When it’s time to refuel, the menu — courtesy of neighboring Red Rooster Brick Oven — features brick-oven pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, salads, wings, garlic fries, and classic movie-theater snacks. Its Fourth Street location also makes Pixels an easy stop before or after catching a movie across the street at the Smith Rafael Film Center.
Pro Tip: Make a night of it on Wednesday Family Night, when the arcade stays open to all ages until 10pm.
Although Finnegan’s is technically a neighborhood pub, it’s also one of the more family-friendly spots in town.
While grownups gravitate toward the burgers, salads, and Guinness Pot Roast, there’s plenty to keep younger diners happy, too. The Kids Menu covers all the classics, including chicken tenders, cheeseburgers, pizza, grilled cheese, mac & cheese, pasta marinara, and fish & chips.
Even better, on Sundays after 5pm, kids 12 and under eat free from the Kids Menu with a dining adult, including their choice of milk, soda, or juice. (Limit one free kids’ meal per dining adult.) And if your “home team” likes a little friendly competition, don’t miss Finnegan’s Family Bingo Night, held the first Wednesday of every month.
Don’t miss: Sunday Kids Eat Free + Family Bingo Night
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 offers swings, slides, and a dedicated play area for younger kids — making it an easy stop before or after dinner.
Perry’s also has a dedicated kids’ menu featuring mac & 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.
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 at the far end where kids can climb and burn off some energy while parents relax 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 perfect for sharing, while high chairs make the space especially convenient for families with little ones. And with its location right in Tam Junction, it’s an easy stop after a day at the beach, a hike, bike ride, or Mt. Tam adventure.
Bar Bocce is especially fun for kids because the restaurant experience doesn’t end at the table. Just beyond the waterfront patio is a small sandy beach where little ones can dig, explore, and watch boats cruise across Richardson Bay before or after their meal. The casual outdoor setup, picnic-style tables, and plenty of open space make it an easy choice for parents with kids who don’t want to sit still for long.
The menu is kid-friendly, too, with simple favorites like cheese pizza and plain house-made pasta, plus sourdough pizzas that are perfect for sharing. Best of all, lunch or dinner here can easily turn into a mini Sausalito adventure rather than just another restaurant stop.
Don’t miss: Kids Cheese Pizza followed by playtime on the beach.
Despite the name, Fairfax Brewing Co. was designed with families in mind. A game room and arcade give restless kids somewhere to burn off some energy, while the spacious dining room, outdoor parklet, and laid-back neighborhood vibe make lingering over a meal a little easier on parents.
The kids’ bento box is especially clever: choose from chicken nuggets, a slider, hot dog, penne with red sauce, grilled chicken, or a cheeseburger, with fries, carrots, sliced apples, and a cookie on the side. For an extra treat, there’s even popping boba lemonade.
Don’t miss: Kids Bento Box and Popping Boba Lemonade.
Tam Tavern is quickly becoming one of Mill Valley’s favorite family hangouts, with plenty to keep both kids and grown-ups happy.
Adults can kick back with a pint of East Brother Beer or one of the Tavern’s craft cocktails while the kids make a beeline for the game room, complete with shuffleboard, pool, and foosball. When hunger strikes, family-friendly favorites like pizza, fish & chips, burgers, and fries make ordering for the whole crew easy.
Sports fans have another reason to visit: big-screen TVs throughout the Tavern make it a fun spot for parents and kids to catch the Giants, 49ers, and other big games together.
With a laid-back atmosphere, plenty of room to spread out, games for the kids, and good food and drinks for everyone, Tam Tavern makes family dinner feel a lot more like a night out.
