The Best Family Friendly Restaurants in Los Angeles

If there is ever a reason to eat donuts and fried chicken, it’s because the kids want to go. Just go with it - it’s the best excuse to indulge! Tag along to Astro's, located near Pershing Square in Downtown L.A., and enjoy a most tantalizing food mash-up. If you’ve got the full nuclear family in tow, go for the Picnic Basket with eight pieces of chicken, four cheddar biscuits, one large cole slaw and assorted donuts. Choose from flavors that include crème brûlée, PB&J, maple bacon, and chocolate banana daiquiri. Perhaps add some tater tots while you’re at it. And if someone isn’t keen on chicken pieces, pick up an order of chicken fingers.

Chef-owner Zach Pollack’s Neapolitan pizza joint in Echo Park is casual and kid-friendly. While there isn't a specific kids menu, there’s plenty that will appeal—bubbly edged pizzas, smoky mozzarella sticks, meatballs, vegetable fritto misto, and more—plus the sandwich that everyone loves, the Chicken Parm made famous at his Silver Lake destination restaurant, Alimento. The cookies and cream semifreddo pie are irresistible.

There is no better place to introduce culture and cuisine to kids than this century-old market in Downtown L.A. Start in the actual market itself and peruse the fruit and vegetable aisles. Then explore the food vendors within the 30,000 square-foot space. Find childhood favorites, global cuisine, and modern eats with made to order specialties that include ice cream, PB&J, pizza, eggs, tacos, chocolate, Asian cuisine, bbq, deli, falafel and more. This is one place where you will never hear, “There’s nothing to eat!”

From the recipe that united a community in Tennessee 60 years ago, comes this spicy, hormone-free fried chicken that’s considered one of the best in the world. Burbank and Arlington Heights are now among the 22 franchise locations that use the same original recipe. Children ages 12 and under have meals just for them in case the chicken is too spicy. Choose from PB&J, grilled cheese, tenders, wings, or legs with a side of fries or mac n’ cheese, and a drink. Families can order multi-piece combos along with a slew of sides, including the can't-miss fried pickles, greens, and chess pie. Wash it all down with sweet tea.

From the husband and wife team of Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan, this bakery/café in Santa Monica is perfect for a quick bite or picking up food to go. Everything is made in-house using organic, local ingredients. The all-day kids menu will please any picky palate, and even if your kid doesn’t eat everything, chances are you’ll pick up the slack. Kids under 12 can choose scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast; Mary’s organic chicken fingers; PB&J on brioche; or grilled cheese on country bread. Odds are you’ll be swooping up some luscious baked goods too. Note: The lines do get long, so best to visit on an off-hour.

This Echo Park gastropub with indoor/outdoor seating features a menu that appeals to all ages and preferences, including vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores. Children under 12 can order a Marley Meal that includes a choice of small cheese pizza, grilled chicken breast, or battered/grilled snapper and is accompanied with salad, fruit and fries. Having a kid with you might make it all the easier to indulge in a dessert like the Happy Camper S’Mores or Cast Iron Cookie — a la mode, of course.

Pizza and kids. Enough said and easy enough. The couple behind Sprinkles, Candace and Charles Nelson, opened Pizzana in April 2017 with actor Chris O’Donnell and his wife, Christine. Their Brentwood pizzeria gets raves for its Neapolitan pizza due to the very light dough created by Italian master pizza chef, Daniele Uditi. Families will enjoy sharing pizza, salad, and antipasti (the meatballs are a kids fave!). Everyone should remember to save room for dessert because the meal wouldn’t be complete without Candace’s special neapolitan ice cream terrine or salted caramel panna cotta. Remember, this is the woman who created Sprinkles, so it’s gotta be good.

This industrial-style gastropub serving American comfort food will have kids feeling like mini-adults at all four locations in Downtown L.A., Fairfax, Sawtelle and Santa Monica. Kids can choose mini versions of the PCB Burger with or without cheese and bacon, smokey fried chicken, grilled cheese, and mac n’ cheese. The sliders on the main menu are also kid-friendly. Of course, the entire family will want to indulge in the cruller donut - cooked to order and covered with cream and fruit.

This Brentwood establishment from prolific, award-winning restaurateurs Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne is among the most stylish and progressive restaurants in Los Angeles, with three distinct areas under one roof: The Larder, bar area, and a dining room reminiscent of an airy, modern greenhouse. The Larder is the perfect order-at-the-counter spot to stop for a quick, casual bite with choices that include baked goods, breakfast items, salads, and sandwiches. The sit-down areas in the bar and dining room have a dedicated menu for kids age 12 and under that includes a half-sized version of the Tavern Burger, Jules' Fish and Chips, pasta with butter and parmesan, grilled cheese with apples, and grilled chicken with carrots. Veggie options are crudité and steamed broccoli. Dessert will please all ages with an abundance of choices made fresh daily by The Larder baking team. Bring on the best in kid sophistication with a Shirley Temple or Roy Rogers from the bar.