It can be hard to eat out with a family—trust us, we know. And while it may seem tempting to head directly to the drive-thru or a fast-casual spot, you don't have to anymore! There are plenty of restaurants in Cleveland that now offer specially designed kids' menus, specials and fun atmospheres that make dining with the kids easier than ever.
To help make your dinner selection a bit easier, we rounded up some of our favorite restaurants in the Cleveland area that are 100% kid-approved. Happy eating!
20920 Brookpark Road, Cleveland
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This unique dining destination is located right across from the runways of the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Your kids will be entertained—and well-fed—as they watch the planes take off and land at the airport. Plus, the adults should be pretty happy too! The food at 100th Bomb Group is just as good as the view, from decadent brunch staples like French toast to upscale dinner options like filet mignon.
When looking for a family-friendly spot to feed your little rascals, you can't go wrong with Bearden's. They offer juicy steakburgers (including one with peanut butter on it!) along with grilled cheese, fried clams, sandwiches and much more in their retro diner. So head over to Rocky River and get a blast from the past, or you can find their food truck roaming the streets of Cleveland with plenty of burger goodness in stock.
Visit Corner Alley downtown for a family outing you won't soon forget. Before you eat, you can entertain the kids with a round of bowling in the posh alley. With its delicious menu options, craft beer on tap and invigorating cocktails, the Corner Alley is anything but your typical bowling experience—it even made the Food Network's list of 15 Great Bars for Fun and Games.
2258 Professor Avenue, Cleveland | 3000 St. Clair Avenue NE, Cleveland
Not only does Crust have some of the best pizza in town, but they also happen to be a fantastic place to dine with the family. Their pizza dough is made every morning in-house, resulting in a perfect thick crust that your entire entourage will love. Plus the sheer magnitude of pizza toppings that they offer—from pepperoni to fried eggs—will please even the pickiest of eaters.
5801 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland
Photo courtesy of Happy Dog
Do you have a hotdog aficionado in your family? Then you definitely don't want to miss Happy Dog. This neighborhood corner bar is the epitome of the Cleveland experience, offering a hip and friendly atmosphere, live music, beer on tap and hot dogs (of course). Pick your dog, and then smother it with any combination of 50 topping choices—including some quirky ones like Froot Loops, Cheetos and chunky peanut butter.
Five Locations Around Cleveland
We couldn't create a list of kid-approved restaurants in Cleveland without including at least one fabulous ice cream spot! Honey Hut Ice Cream is a Cleveland staple, offering delicious ice cream in a multitude of flavors at their five different locations around the city. While you definitely can't go wrong with any choice at Honey Hut, we recommend their signature Honey Pecan flavor which will ruin all other butter pecan ice creams for you forever.
14600 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood
Photo courtesy of Forage Public House
While many restaurants dumb down the kids' menu, at Forage Public House, you won't find a chicken finger in sight. Instead, kids can order from a selection of Amish chicken wings, Great Lakes Grilled Cheese, New Creations Sirloin Steak and Roasted Scottish Salmon. The adult menu is even more exceptional, boasting options like poutine and mushroom fettuccine with seasonally foraged mushrooms.
Just because you're eating with the kids, that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your sense of culinary adventure! This colorful Ohio City dining spot offers food that spans the globe, with a menu of wholesome and healthy food. They serve everything from Caribbean fried plantains, fried rice and Bangkok barbequed chicken to vegan and gluten-free options like nachos or fried tofu.
12301 Mayfield Road, Cleveland
Mamma Santa's has been cooking up delicious and authentic Sicilian dishes since 1961. Still settled in their original location, in a building that is over 100 years old, Mamma Santa's offers a variety of tantalizing options from pizza to handmade pastas. Because the restaurant is still family-owned, they have a family focus and work hard to ensure that every guest, regardless of age, is happy.
Located on the waterfront in Cleveland's Flats, Merwin Wharf is a casual eatery featuring some of the best views of the Cuyahoga River around. Your little ones will love to sit outside and take in the views of the boats and natural beauty that surrounds the restaurant. The large menu is almost as impressive as the view, offering homestyle eats like fish tacos and an enormous pretzel—perfect for sharing.
1086 West 11th Street, Cleveland
While this Flats lounge is considered a hotspot for adults at night, it is certainly a kid-friendly oasis during the day. The kids' menu features a plethora of delicious items like a banana almond butter sandwich, chicken tacos, mac n' cheese and flatbreads. Before or after you eat, explore all of the activities at Punch Bowl Social, such as putt-putt golf, bowling, arcade games and private karaoke!
1201 University Road, Cleveland
Cleveland's oldest family-owned restaurant was established in 1923, and since has drawn in a wide array of big names, including celebrities, presidents and musicians. Sokolowski's specializes in Polish and Eastern European cuisine, including Salisbury steak, chicken paprikash and pierogis. Here, you'll find hipsters and suburban families sitting side by side with tourists and steelworkers, all lured in by comforting dishes—just like you will be.
14510 Cedar Road, University Heights and seven other locations
Photo courtesy of Swenson's Drive-In
Swensons is actually known as basketball star LeBron James' favorite burger joint in town, and we're not surprised in the least. The old-school drive-in eatery serves a simple menu of burgers, fried dishes, sides and shakes, and although the venue doesn't take itself too seriously, the food is nothing to scoff at! So treat yourself and the family to an old-school dining experience and make sure to grab the Galley Boy, which is an award-winning and mouthwatering double cheeseburger topped with two special sauces.
1909 West 25th Street, Cleveland
Townhall believes that healthy does not mean perfect but that balance is the key to a happy and healthy life. They are committed to being completely GMO-free and serving mostly organic food to their customers. Their kids' menu is one of the best in town—tasty and fun enough to impress your little ones and healthy enough to make you feel good too! Choices include grilled chicken strips, Kobe burgers and cheese flatbread all served with a choice of fresh fruit or fries.
Tell us all about your favorite family-friendly dining spots in the comments!
We can't believe it—summer is almost over. The Fourth of July has come and gone and your family will be shopping for back-to-school bargains before you know it.
But don't pack up your pool floaties and sunscreen yet! We still have a few weeks before the season is officially finished, which gives us plenty of time to squeeze in a little more summer fun. From splashing around at local water parks to meandering through local museums, here are some of our must-do end-of-summer activities for you and your kids in the Akron and Canton area!
We live in one of the best regions of the United States for fresh produce and locally produced meats—and you can find an unbeatable selection at your local farmers' market! Bring the kiddos with you and let them pick a few ingredients to use in your meals for the week and buy a few treats to enjoy on the way home! Many local markets also have live music, games and face painting to entertain the whole family. Here are the best farmers' markets near Akron and Canton.
The Akron Canton Jellystone Park is a family-oriented camp and theme park that features a water park, miniature golf and gem mining! Join Yogi Bear as you swim in the 500,000-gallon pool or eat homemade ice cream from the Pick-a-Nic Basket food stand. Plus, you can make it a weekend affair by staying in one of their adorable cabins or by setting up a tent and enjoying the great outdoors!
Do you have an aspiring pilot in your family? This internationally known museum focused on aviation will teach you and your kiddos all about the history of flight. Their interesting displays, interactive exhibits and historical archives will keep you entertained for hours. You're welcome to explore the museum on your own or you can take one of the free guided tours!
While trains might not be the most convenient way to travel anymore, they are certainly one of the most fun! Kids will love taking a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which winds through Cuyahoga Valley National Park and features spectacular views of Ohio's landscape. While each of their routes comes with its fair share of adventure, the CVSR hosts kid-centered events throughout the year. You can find their full event schedule here.
Photo courtesy of the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
Located in one of our favorite Akron neighborhoods, Merriman Valley, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is a fantastic place to spend a summer afternoon! Take a day and explore their stunning gardens along with the magnificent castle-like residence that once served as the home for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company's founder, Frank A. Seiberling. They also host a variety of fun kid-centered events and workshops throughout the summer, so make sure to check out their calendar before you go.
Say goodbye to summer with the help of some furry (and some not-so-furry) friends at the Akron Zoo! With 25 acres of exhibits and guest amenities, your kids will have a hard time running out of things to do. See animals from all over the world up close, ride the train, spin around on the carousel, and marvel at the Wild World Animal Show. Admission is just $12 for adults, $9 for kids ages 2 to 14, and free for kids 2 and under. And don't forget to stop by the Komodo Kingdom Café to fuel up during your adventure!
While we love to enjoy ice cream year-round, for some reason, it just tastes better in the summer. Good thing the Akron and Canton area is bursting with delicious ice cream spots where you can say a sweet goodbye to the season—some of which have been around since the 1930s or earlier! Here are some of our favorites in the area.
Located in Akron, Laser Quest is the perfect spot to escape the heat for a few hours. Bring the whole family and navigate the expertly designed course, ducking behind obstacles to hide from the other team, but make sure to watch your back. We're sure your kids will love this heart-pounding adventure—and the chance to tag you out!
The Akron Art Museum is a work of art itself. With gorgeous architecture and dramatic steel and glass walls, you can peruse incredible art while looking out over the warm, summer day. They display stunning pieces of modern art, photographs and sculptures, which will take you all day to explore. Plus, this season, they are hosting several fun children-centered events that will help your child unleash a bit of their creative side; check out the museum's calendar for a full list!
Sky Zone Trampoline Park is a dream come true for little adventurers, filled with trampolines that span from wall to wall. Enjoy freestyle jumping on the massive trampolines, engage in a game of dodgeball on a bouncy court, or dive headfirst into the foam zone! People of all ages are guaranteed to have fun here.
Photo courtesy of the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum
Before summer ends, take time to visit the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum—where kids can enjoy the hands-on activities at Discover World and take a step back in time in the Street of Shops. Pay your respects to former President William McKinley, and enjoy the incredible view of Canton, by hiking up the 108 steps to the top of the Monument, where the president and his wife, Ida, are buried.
What fun activities will you do to say goodbye to the season? Let us know in the comments below!
Photo courtesy of Avra Photography via the Akron Children's Museum
This interactive museum for kids offers hands-on exhibits on science, technology, health and culture. Your child will love playing and exploring the museum all while boosting their problem-solving skills. Plus, the bright interior will spur your entire family's imagination!Photo courtesy of Escape Room Downtown
Puzzle rooms invite groups to work together, solve puzzles and hopefully escape within 60 minutes! The rooms at Escape Room Downtown are fun (and never scary), so they're perfect for families. Try your luck at the Missing Detective's Office, the Moonlight Gallery and the Bootlegger's Lair.