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Food is a huge reason why we love traveling together! There is something extraordinary about trying new foods, supporting local businesses, and breaking bread with the people you love. And the local food (think BBQ, Tex-Mex, and food trucks) was a huge draw to planning a family trip to Austin, Texas. During our 3-night weekend getaway, we were on a mission to discover some of the best kid-friendly restaurants in downtown Austin together. If you are wondering where to eat in Austin with kids, I hope this article helps you discover some of the city’s best eats and foodie spots. From BBQ and fried chicken to tacos and bánh mì, we definitely ate our way through Austin. And, it was delicious! Keep reading to learn about some of our favorite fun restaurants in downtown Austin for kids – and why we love them.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants for Lunch, Dinner, and Ice Cream in Downtown Austin
If you are searching for some of the best kid-friendly restaurants in Austin for lunch and dinner, this section has you covered! This foodie guide to Austin offers everything from Tex-Mex and BBQ to Asian-French fusion and food trucks. I’ve also made a note about which of these fun places to eat with kids in Austin includes a kids’ menu.
Need to plan more things to do + where to stay in Austin with kids? Read our Exciting 3-Day Weekend Itinerary for Austin with Kids.
The Picnic
If you’re looking for fun places to eat with kids in Austin, put The Picnic at the top of your list! This food truck court is an excellent option if you’re traveling with picky eaters or a big family because everyone can choose what they want from one of the many food trucks. Located off Barton Springs Road (near the entrance to Zilker Park), it features some of Austin’s best foodie experiences, from BBQ to Tex-Mex. Plus, a large, central dining pavilion has picnic tables, air-conditioned restrooms, and excellent (free) parking options.
We chose a couple of gyros from Habibi ATX, and some French fries from The Burger Truck! In addition to what we ordered, we also saw options for pizza, Thai food, sweets, and more. Some trucks had specific kids’ menu items, while others did not. Each truck lists its menu on the side of the truck or via a QR code on the truck. You can eat on-site at one of the many tables or take it to go.
Lucy’s Fried Chicken
To prepare for our trip, I purchased a book for my daughter about Austin for kids. I asked her to circle a few things she wanted to do or eat while visiting. In true young foodie fashion, one of the things she selected was lunch at Lucy’s Fried Chicken! Coincidentally, the same book made her add Barton Creek Farmers Market to our itinerary, too (see more on that below).
As one of the top kid-friendly restaurants in Austin (South Congress neighborhood), the food and ambiance were dynamite! We loved the unique atmosphere and diverse seating options (inside dining room, covered outdoor dining area, and picnic dining outside). We chose the covered outdoor dining area and loved getting the chance to enjoy a meal outside.
And, the food!! Dang, it was so good. There is even a dedicated kids’ menu to help little ones find something yummy too. Or, you can do what we did, and order several options to share with the table. We loved the fried chicken, of course, and the polenta! From the fantastic food to the the top-notch staff, this was one of the best meals we had during our family trip to Austin.
Güero’s Taco Bar
Güero’s Taco Bar is next on my list of fun restaurants in Austin for kids (located in the South Congress neighborhood). The restaurant is huge! It can definitely accommodate large groups. Not only that, but they also have an outdoor area that showcases frequent family-friendly live music shows (Oak Garden). While we didn’t attend a show during this visit to Austin, I did make a mental note of it for next time.
Okay – back to the food. If you’re in the mood for Mexican food with a hint of Tex-Mex and great cocktails, this is undoubtedly the place for you! Plus, they have a great kids’ menu, too. While my daughter munched on a quesadilla, the adults had a round of tacos. They even have unique taco options like brisket and spinach and mushroom. Everything was fantastic!
This is one of two restaurants on this list that I learned about from my foodie and travel friend Hannah (of Where She Wore). You can find her other recommendations for Austin here! Based on her advice, the second restaurant we went to was Elizabeth Street Cafe.
Black’s Barbecue Austin
Before traveling to Austin, one of my requests was to have barbecue. BBQ is one of my favorite cuisines to eat when we are traveling in the south. From burnt ends and pulled pork to cornbread, it is undoubtedly one of my preferred comfort foods.
Enter Black’s Barbecue Austin. Located near UT Austin’s campus in a vibrant neighborhood known as The Drag, this is one of the best barbecue places I’ve been to while traveling! They offer several top-notch meat options (including brisket, chicken, pulled pork, and smoked turkey) and several delicious sides. In fact, I had the best sweet potatoes I’ve ever had in my life here! I also had the brisket, which was fatty, juicy, and savory in all the right ways.
While I still think this is one of the most fun places to eat with kids in Austin (especially if you’re looking for a good BBQ joint), they do not have a specific kids’ menu. After a brief moment over what to order, my daughter devoured her smoked turkey and Fanta. The staff was also super helpful in helping her find what she wanted, offering her samples of the meats until she found one she liked. All in all, we were pretty darn satisfied with the meal.
Finally, there are several places to sit inside and outside, but note that many of the indoor tables operate like community tables. Get cozy and meet someone new!
Elizabeth Street Cafe
For our last dinner, we enjoyed a meal at Elizabeth Street Cafe. I thought this French Vietnamese fusion cafe was a great way to end our weekend in Austin. They have a large outdoor patio area (when the weather is nice), as well as cozy indoor seating. However, Elizabeth Street Cafe gets busy, so I recommend making a reservation. As one of the most kid-friendly restaurants in Austin, they are open for weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner. Next time, I’m headed back for weekend brunch to try one of their famed croissants!
They offer a full dinner menu of delicious items like bánh mì, spring rolls, and steaming bowls of pho. We opted for the grilled marinated pork bánh mì, which was lovely. The bread texture was excellent, and the flavor of the pork and vegetables was sublime.
A dedicated kids’ menu is also available, but still might be a bit tricky for some kids. My daughter selected the peanut butter, Nutella, and banana bánh mì (minus the peanut butter). Even so, I still think this is one of the places to eat in Austin with kids for its caring staff and great food.
Iron Cactus
After arriving at the hotel on our first day, we asked the staff to recommend nearby kid-friendly restaurants in downtown Austin for lunch. They recommended Iron Cactus. Luckily for us, it was also within walking distance of the hotel and our first stop, the Museum of Weird. The restaurant offers a full menu of contemporary Mexican fare. They even provide a lovely kids’ menu. The dining area is spacious and can accommodate large groups. Plus, the service is fantastic!
During our visit, we LOVED the tableside guac and small plates. My daughter is a huge fan of avocado and guacamole, and she devoured this one! We also tried the Smoked Chicken Quesadilla and Ahi Tuna Ceviche – both very good.
In addition to lunch and dinner, they also offer a weekend brunch menu.
Gelato Paradiso
If you have a sweet tooth, add Gelato Paradiso to your foodie itinerary in Austin. Located just down the street from Güero’s Taco Bar (in South Congress), it’s a great spot to indulge in an afternoon pick-me-up or an after-dinner dessert.
We can be kind of picky with our gelato, but Gelato Paradiso definitely impressed us with their flavors. Their gelato is even hand-made in small batches every day right in the shop! If that alone isn’t amazing, they offer over 20 flavor options, including some non-dairy sorbet options. There are a few tables inside to sit and enjoy, or you can head out for a bit of a stroll with your gelato instead.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants for Breakfast in Downtown Austin
Wondering where to eat breakfast in Austin with kids? Here are three of our favorite kid-friendly restaurants in Austin for the occasion. From pastries to great coffee, these breakfast joints will help you fuel up for a great day of exploring Austin together.
Barton Creek Farmers Market (Saturday Morning Only)
Not only is Barton Creek Farmers Market an excellent weekend activity for families, but it is also one of the most unique and fun places to eat with kids in Austin! The original Austin farmer’s market, it is open year-round (which was a welcomed surprise for Minnesotans visiting in January!). We were so impressed by this farmer’s market. It might have been the best one we’ve ever been to – and we have been to A LOT of markets.
During our visit, we planned to have breakfast and coffee at the Barton Creek Farmers Market on Saturday morning. There were several excellent options for both. We started with coffee from Coffee Feliciano – which was lovely. Then, we were off to explore the rest of the market.
Even in January, the market was filled with diverse vendors, from produce and jewelry to candles and great places to eat. Since we were visiting with small suitcases, the market was all about what we could eat!
For breakfast, we munched on pizza from Big Nick’s Bakes Pizzeria, pork dumplings from Goodie Dumplings, and a few other delightful finds. Finally, the live music added to the festive atmosphere and put us all in a good mood for the day. You can find all the food options at Barton Creek Farmers Market by clicking here.
Houndstooth Coffee
We started our final full day of exploring Austin at Houndstooth Coffee. Just a few blocks from our hotel, this downtown cafe offers a full menu of espresso drinks and lovely pastries. I found the espresso a bit bitter, but the environment was modern and pleasant. Finally, there are plenty of tables inside, as well as outside, on a nice patio area when the weather is warm. If you’re looking for a coffee shop with food right downtown, it’s a nice option! Please note, however, that they do not carry any juice for kids here.
JuiceLand
Unfortunately, Houndstooth Coffee didn’t have any juice or drinks for kids. So, I went down the block to JuiceLand for a smoothie for my daughter. She loved it! Regarding kid-friendly restaurants in Austin, this is a better option than Houndstooth Coffee if you only want to make one stop.
Inside the vibrant dining area, there are plenty of places to sit and start a new day of exploring Austin with kids. In addition to a HUGE smoothie menu, they also offer smoothie bowls, juice, lattes, plant-based meals, and more. Plus, kids have their own smoothie menu. While the small smoothie size may be tough for older kids (like my daughter), it is ideal for toddlers and young kids. Undoubtedly, kids of all ages will love the colorful walls and the piano!
Restaurants in Downtown Austin We Saved for Next Time
You can’t fit all of the best Austin, Texas, restaurants for kids into just one weekend getaway! Here are some excellent kid-friendly restaurants in Austin that we saved for next time:
- Gourdough’s Donuts
- Torchy’s Tacos
- La Barbecue
- Mi Madre’s Restaurant
- Veracruz All Natural
- Via 313 Pizza
- Odd Duck
- The Roaring Fork
- Amy’s Ice Creams
- Salty Sow
- Komé: Sushi Kitchen
- Franklin Barbeque (Even in unseasonably cold weather, this place had a 2+ hour line for us – with kids in tow, that’s an almost impossible wait. Look into their pre-order option.)
READ NEXT: Exciting 3-Day Weekend Itinerary for Austin with Kids
Ready to Pack? Here Are Family Travel Items We Love
Keep Eating + Exploring Austin with Kids!
With that, I hope we’ve successfully answered your questions about where to eat in Austin with kids. Indeed, this article features our top picks for the best kid-friendly restaurants in downtown Austin. I hope it is helpful in planning your own foodie adventures with kids. We had so much fun exploring the many exciting things to do and places to eat across Austin, Texas, with kids. The city is such an excellent destination for families! Hopefully, you enjoy your time in Austin just as much as we did. If you’re interested, you can read more about our trip, including tips for visiting this area and our favorite things to do in Austin with kids, by clicking here!
Unless otherwise noted, all images within this article were taken by and belong to the blog’s author, Antonia Grant. A reminder that this post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy for more information.