Don’t be afraid to take the kids out to dinner! We get it, and we’ve totally been there–some restaurants just aren’t the best place for restless kids and toddlers, which is why we put together this list of the best kid-friendly restaurants in Tampa Bay.

We’ve actually tried each of these kid-friendly Tampa Bay restaurants, so we can guarantee the whole family will have a great time. While most of these restaurants provide kiddos with crayons, we also like to stash a few extra items in our bags for the kids, like MagnaTiles, Play-Doh, and yes…even tablets. We're not going to judge!

The BEST Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Tampa Bay:

Ananda Farm Restaurant Swings - Image by Laura Byrne — *Ananda Farm Restaurant Swings – Image by Laura Byrne*

Ananda Farm in Terra Ceia

579 Ken Hubbard Rd, Terra Ceia | (888) 508-2414

There are few places, if any, in Tampa Bay, where families can go and enjoy Michelin-caliber, locally sourced dining while their kids experience the magic of outdoor play. This is what makes Ananda Farm, a 40-acre property in Terra Ceia Island, so unique and special. (Also pictured at the top of the blog post.)

It’s a place where kids can explore a giant treehouse nestled in the oak trees and roam Sunshine Gardens where vegetables grow and flowers are in full bloom – and it’s all only a 25-minute drive from the hustle of downtown St. Pete, just off the Sunshine Skyway. Ananda Farm is open on select days, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Armature Works in Tampa

1910 N Ola Avenue, Tampa | (813) 250-3725

This is one of our new favorite kid-friendly places to take the kids in Tampa Bay! The Heights Public Market at Armature Works, just north of downtown Tampa, features several local kid-friendly restaurants, so there is truly something for everyone in your party. The Market does not have table service–you go up and order from one of several restaurants and bring your goods to a table inside or outside!

Sparkman Wharf in Tampa

615 Channelside Drive, Tampa | (813) 618-5844

This is an outdoor collection of restaurants with a variety of places to choose from, like craft hot dogs from JoDog Craft Hot Dogs, healthy picks from Fit Bowl Co., or ice-cream from Jeni’s Splendid Ice-Creams. And it’s outdoors, so it’s absolutely kid-friendly (and dog-friendly, too). We also really like Jotoro because of its plentiful outdoor seating and kids' menu. Splitsville is another kid-friendly family-favorite since you can add in some bowling fun with dinner!

St. Pete Pier in St. Pete

600 2nd Avenue NE, St. Pete | (727) 822-7437

The St. Pete Pier is the perfect outing with the family! Not only are there several different eateries (all of which are totally kid-friendly) to choose from to fit everyone’s appetite, but there are plenty of things to do to get moving, like the playground, splash pad, and beach. It’s even bike-friendly, too, if you want to tour the St. Pete Pier on two wheels as a family!

Spa Beach photo credit Zoe Joiner — Spa Beach Bistro on the St. Pete Pier, photo credit Zoe Joiner

Ulele Restaurant and Brewery in Tampa

1810 North Highland Avenue, Tampa | (813) 999-4952

We love snagging a table outside at kid-friendly restaurant Ulele in Tampa after playing at the nearby Water Works Park! Situated along Tampa’s Riverwalk, Ulele’s children’s menu won us over with the price and selection…at $8 for kids 12 and younger. We also adore the storybook statues on site from the old Fairyland in Tampa. Spot Humpty Dumpty on the roof and the Three Little Pigs on the lawn. There are 11 vignettes in all from the former Fairyland site, which have been completely restored, and it’s totally magical.

The Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center

801 Water Street, Tampa | (813) 229-5511

We LOVE stopping by here after a visit to the Tampa Bay History Center or even as a stop during a stroll along the Riverwalk. Snag a table outside and enjoy the fresh breeze and beautiful view as you and the kids munch on Tampa Bay favorites like the Cuban sandwich or 1905 Salad. There is often live music outside on select nights, too!

'83 Game Room

2616 South MacDill Ave., Tampa

Housed in the old Datz Tampa location, '83 Game Room is a brand-new retro arcade-themed restaurant that is bringing back the gaming fun from our childhoods into theirs! Dough is the name of the game room, and it has golf simulators and modern and retro-arcade games. Their menu is deliciously sophisticated and includes adult beverages!

'83 Game Room arcade games in Tampa — *'83 Game Room arcade games — Image by Zoë Joiner*

Mad Dogs and Englishmen in South Tampa

4914 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33611 | (813) 832-3037

If you haven't checked out Mad Dogs' beautiful new location here's your cue. With tons of different seating options for however your family is feeling for the day, choose from a living room fireplace setting perfect for a casual hang (with kids who won't sit still), to outdoor patio seating or the more intimate Garden Room. The kid's menu is solid as well, and includes all the favorites like pasta, grilled cheese sandwiches, plus fish and chips. We love going for Happy Hour in the bar/patio areas, which includes their delicious Mad Dogs pizza and smoked Fish Dip.

Happy Hour is Monday – Friday 3-6 p.m. We also love their Mushroom Leek Pie!

Mad Dogs and Englishmen pizza — Mad Dogs Pizza, photo by Zoe Joiner

The Getaway in St. Pete

13090 Gandy Blvd N., St. Petersburg | (727) 317-5751

Located just off the Gandy Bridge in St. Pete, The Getaway is ideal for an early summer dinner. Take the kids in their swimsuits and take the bag of beach toys. At the Getaway, kids can play in the sand and get in the water. Plenty of tables are waterside, making it possible (and safe) to watch the kids while the adults sip and taste. Everyone will be entertained by paddleboarders, boaters, Jenga, and plenty of people watching. Pups make appearances, too.

A live DJ mixes tunes several times a week, so there’s an opportunity to burn off some of that fried seafood basket before heading home. The casual outdoor setting is perfect year-round. Open air makes kids’ natural tendency for loudness much more tolerable. The cocktail menu, especially the jalapeño tequila, help as well. Expect minimal interaction with servers, as the location has shifted to the TabUp app. Orders and bill payment occur through the app, which can be downloaded before visiting.

Starkey Farms and Market in New Port Richey

3460 Starkey Blvd, New Port Richey | (727) 375-7606

There’s no reason why hay bales and wheelbarrows can’t be romantic! Enter Starkey Farms and Market. Food, drink, dirt, and plenty of gorgeous sky. For kids, or even parents, who want to test their agility, Starkey also has a cool log setup. With several live music offerings each week, Starkey’s is a welcome change of pace from chain restaurants. Most parents will enjoy sipping on a cold one while sitting on one of Starkey’s front porch rockers, with kids actually enjoying the outdoors to boot.

While Starkey does not offer a full menu, the market does have light fare and snacks that are enjoyable on the beautiful grounds. Imagine a good ol’ fashioned picnic. There’s also ice cream, so kids can get their own while parents share some scoops…two spoons, please! Simple, traditional environments are oh-so-sweet—especially when white lights and a windmill help set the scene. The website offers a detailed events section and, during certain times of year, various u-picks are available. Starkey checks all the boxes for a kid and adult-friendly date destination.

Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill in Clearwater Beach

7 Rockaway Street, Clearwater Beach | (727) 446-4844

This beachfront restaurant is a long-time family-friendly and kid-friendly favorite in Tampa Bay! In fact, WE went here as kids too, so it's kinda cool to return with our own kids. Sink your toes in the sand while the kids build sandcastles before you head in for lunch or dinner–the grouper is always delicious! Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is a great place to enjoy a sunset with the family!

RumFish Grill in St. Pete Beach

6000 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete | (727) 329-1428

RumFish Grill® has made a big splash on St. Pete Beach with its one-of-a-kind restaurant, bar, and shop located in the TradeWinds Beach Resorts. But did you know that it’s also a place where you can learn about Tampa Bay’s tropical environment?

Simply dining at RumFish Grill will open your family’s eyes to the wonders of the underwater world. A 33,500-gallon tank spans an entire wall of the dining room. There’s a touch tank outside the dining room and so much more! Learn more here.

kid-friendly restaurants in tampa bay RumFish Grill St Pete Beach — RumFish Grille in St. Pete.

Game Time in Ybor City, Tampa

1600 E. 8th Avenue, Tampa | (813) 241-9675

If you have hyper kids and need a way for them to burn some energy in Tampa Bay, Game Time offers a variety of games like Skee-Ball, Air Hockey, and Dance Dance Revolution. While the family waits for their entrees, the kids can go nuts at this kid-friendly restaurant and game place!

Let them enjoy playing games and winning tickets, which beats them having to wait restlessly for the food to arrive. Game Time offers a complete menu of family meals to share, along with adult entrees and kids' meal classics.

@TheFunFoodieMama’s Favorite Kid-Friendly Places to Eat in Tampa Bay

Since we’re always looking for more restaurants in Tampa Bay to try with the kids, we reached out to Kiva Williams of @thefunfoodiemama to share her top picks! Be sure to give her a follow on Instagram since she’s always sharing amazing places around town!

Eggs Up Grill

3920 US-301 N
Riverview, FL 33578
Eggs Up Grill serves breakfast and lunch food, which most kids enjoy any time of the day. I love that I can come here and know that my oldest can order a burger from their lunch menu and my two younger kids can order pancakes or waffles, and all three will be happy!

Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria

945 Central Ave.
St Pete, FL 33705
(Additional locations Tampa & Sarasota )
This restaurant is a family favorite! Their authentic Italian flavors of sauces and cheese shine through with each bite. I love that they have a pizza that fits everyone’s taste buds, even my vegetarian husband.

Chick Fil-A

28295 State Road 54
Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
(Located Nationwide)
A family favorite! Something about their tasty chicken sandwiches, nuggets and waffle fries keep us coming back for more! The friendly staff and impeccable customer service don’t hurt either.

New York New York Pizza

1512 E Seventh Ave.
Tampa, FL 33605
(Additional locations: Temple Terrace, Riverview, Carrollwood & Wesley Chapel)
Authentic New York pizza resides here! We haven’t had the chance to take our kids to New York yet so this as close as we can get. They enjoy the pizza and wings here so much!

Samurai Blue Ybor

1600 E Eighth Ave.
Unit C208
Tampa, FL 33605
(Additional location: Carrollwood )
Are your kids foodies? My oldest is! He loves to try anything and everything. His favorite food is sushi. When we want to treat him out for special celebrations and accomplishments we always come here! Some of the best and fresh sushi in Tampa.

Mama’s Southern Soul Food Restaurant

3701 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33610
(Located in Brandon as well)
Come here to get a taste of homemade food just like at Grandma’s. Most kids enjoy their Grandma’s cooking so I’m sure the fried chicken and macaroni and cheese will be a family favorite just like it is to my kids.

You can also follow Kiva at: thefunfoodiemama.com

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The BEST Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Tampa Bay!