Best Family Restaurants in Atlanta: Where to Eat With Kids (and Actually Enjoy It)

Atlanta is full of spots where kids are welcome, adults are comfortable, and everyone leaves full. Whether you live here or you’re visiting with the family, you’ll find plenty of kid‑friendly restaurants in Atlanta that balance good food, relaxed vibes, and reasonable prices.

Below is a practical guide to some of the best family restaurants in Atlanta, organized by neighborhood and style, plus tips on what to expect and how to pick the right place for your crew.

What Makes a Great Family Restaurant in Atlanta?

When locals talk about the best family restaurants in Atlanta, they’re usually thinking about places that offer:

• Kid‑friendly menus (or flexible options)
• Casual, not fussy, atmosphere
• Room for strollers or highchairs
• Easy parking or nearby MARTA access
• Noise‑tolerant dining rooms where kids won’t feel out of place
• Outdoor seating when the weather cooperates

Atlanta’s traffic and spread‑out neighborhoods also matter. Many families choose restaurants close to home, near major attractions, or along familiar corridors like Peachtree Street, Ponce de Leon Avenue, Buford Highway, or around the Perimeter.

Quick-Glance Guide: Family-Friendly Areas & Best Bets

Midtown Atlanta: Easy With Kids, Close to Attractions

Midtown is often the go‑to for families visiting Atlanta because it’s central and walkable, and it sits between the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca‑Cola, the High Museum, and Piedmont Park.

What Midtown Offers Families

• Plenty of casual options around Peachtree Street and 10th Street
• Patios and sidewalk seating where noise is less of an issue
• Proximity to MARTA’s Midtown and Arts Center stations
• Many places open for early dinners, which works well with young kids

You’ll commonly find:

• Pizza and pasta spots that do well with picky eaters
• Burger joints with kid‑sized portions
• Coffee shops and bakeries that double as light‑meal stops

If you’re planning a day at Piedmont Park (1320 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306), many families grab a casual brunch or takeout nearby and picnic in the park, especially on Sundays.

Virginia-Highland & Morningside: Neighborhood Comfort Food

The Virginia-Highland (often “VaHi”) and Morningside areas are known for tree‑lined streets, bungalow homes, and a strong family presence. Early evening, you’ll often see strollers and kids’ scooters lined up outside restaurants.

Why Families Like This Area

• Walkable village feel along North Highland Avenue
• Tons of casual brunch and dinner options
• Patios that welcome kids and dogs
• Easy to combine with a visit to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail

Expect to find:

• Brunch places with pancakes, waffles, and eggs that kids recognize
• Taco spots and casual Mexican where you can share plates
• Pizza and pasta with both classic and more adventurous toppings

Because these are neighborhood environments, they tend to be forgiving of noise and spills, which takes the pressure off parents.

Decatur: Town-Square Feel, Big on Families

Downtown Decatur, just east of Atlanta, is one of the most family‑oriented dining areas in the metro. The square is ringed with restaurants and wide sidewalks, with kids often playing in the open spaces while parents finish a meal.

Downtown Decatur centers around:

• Decatur Square (Near 101 E Court Square, Decatur, GA 30030)
  Easily reached via MARTA’s Decatur Station on the Blue Line.

Why It Works for Families

• Cluster of restaurants in a small, walkable area
• Mixture of diners, burger places, pizza, and more upscale options
• Many restaurants offer kids’ menus or are willing to adjust dishes
• Parking decks around the square make stroller loading easier

Families often like to:

• Arrive for early dinner before the evening bar crowd gets heavier
• Choose a spot with outdoor seating around the square
• Let older kids walk across the square for ice cream or dessert after the meal

Buckhead: Family Dining Near Shopping & Hotels

Buckhead is known for its malls and high‑end retail, but it’s also full of comfortable family restaurants, especially around the Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza area and along Peachtree Road.

Key Buckhead Family Zones

• Lenox Square (3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326)
• Phipps Plaza (3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326)

Inside and around these malls, you’ll find:

• National chains with predictable kids’ menus
• Casual sit‑down restaurants where stroller parking is easy
• Food courts where each child can pick their own dish

Buckhead is also home to many hotel restaurants, which can be convenient for visiting families who want to stay close to their room and avoid traffic.

Buford Highway: Best for Adventurous Eaters & Shared Plates

Buford Highway, running through Atlanta, Brookhaven, Doraville, and Chamblee, is one of the metro area’s top destinations for international family dining. It’s not about themed kids’ spaces here, but about flavorful, casual food and big tables.

Popular stretches include:

• Around Buford Hwy NE & Clairmont Rd
• Around Buford Hwy NE & Chamblee-Tucker Rd

Why Families Head to Buford Highway

• Casual, no-frills settings where kids are rarely out of place
• Large tables perfect for extended family
• Shareable dishes (noodles, dumplings, tacos, grilled meats)
• A chance for kids to try new flavors at their own pace

Common family‑friendly cuisines here include:

• Mexican & Latin American: tacos, quesadillas, grilled meats
• Chinese: fried rice, lo mein, dumplings
• Vietnamese: pho (brothy noodle soup), banh mi sandwiches
• Korean BBQ: interactive, cook‑at‑the‑table options for older kids

Parking is typically in strip‑mall lots, so it’s relatively easy to manage car seats and diaper bags. For toddlers, it can be helpful to call ahead and ask if highchairs and boosters are available, since offerings vary.

West Midtown & Westside: Patios, Food Halls, and Flexibility

The West Midtown / Westside area has become a hotspot for trendy but family‑friendly dining, especially on weekends. Families like it because of outdoor seating, food halls, and the ability to pick from multiple vendors in one place.

Key destinations include:

• The area around Howell Mill Rd NW & Marietta St NW
• Food hall developments where you can mix and match meals

Why West Midtown Works for Families

• Food halls give everyone choices (picky eaters included)
• Shared communal seating often feels more relaxed
• Patios and rooftop areas where kids have a bit more room
• Often near other attractions and shopping

This is a good area for families with mixed ages—teens can sample trendier items while younger kids stick to burgers, pizza, or simple tacos.

Atlanta Food Halls: Great for Groups and Picky Eaters

Across the city, food halls are some of the easiest places to take a family, especially if:

• Everyone wants something different
• You’re not sure what your kids will eat
• You’re meeting another family or a larger group

Common advantages for families:

• Variety: burgers, pizza, noodles, salads, and desserts in one place
• Order flexibility: different members can choose separate vendors
• Casual seating: benches and communal tables feel low‑pressure
• Open layouts: easier to maneuver with strollers

Food halls often get busy at peak times, so arriving earlier in the meal window can make it easier to grab enough seats together.

Family Brunch in Atlanta: Where Mornings Are Kid-Friendly

Brunch is a big deal in Atlanta, and many local residents treat it as a weekly ritual. For families, brunch can be easier than dinner—kids are fresher, and loud dining rooms feel more relaxed in daylight.

What to Expect From Family Brunch Spots

• Kid‑accessible staples: pancakes, waffles, eggs, biscuits, fruit
• Bottomless coffee for tired parents
• Patios that are more comfortable with strollers and diaper bags
• Generally shorter waits if you arrive early (often before 10:00 a.m. on weekends)

Popular family brunch zones include:

• Virginia-Highland and Morningside
• Grant Park (often after a morning at Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315)
• Decatur around the square
• Midtown near Piedmont Park

For brunch with toddlers, many families aim for opening time or make a reservation where possible to avoid long waits.

Casual Favorites: Burgers, Pizza, and BBQ

Sometimes you need something simple, fast, and reliable. Atlanta has plenty of classic family favorites that work on school nights and after‑practice evenings.

Burgers

Across the city and suburbs, you’ll find:

• Local burger joints with counter service and quick turnaround
• Sit‑down restaurants with kids’ burger plates and sides
• Some spots that offer veggie or turkey burgers for different diets

Most have highchairs, booster seats, and space for a family of four or more. Parking is generally straightforward in shopping centers or surface lots.

Pizza

Atlanta’s pizza scene ranges from basic slices to wood‑fired pies. Families like:

• By-the-slice spots for quick, affordable meals
• Full‑service pizzerias with build‑your‑own options
• Locations that offer take‑and‑bake or easy carry‑out for park picnics

Many of the most family‑oriented pizza places are in neighborhoods like Decatur, Virginia-Highland, Grant Park, East Atlanta Village, Smyrna, and Brookhaven, where kids are a common sight at early dinner.

Barbecue

Georgia barbecue often appeals to families because:

• Meat + sides are easy to portion and share
• Kids can stick to mac and cheese, cornbread, and pulled pork or chicken
• The atmosphere is usually lively and casual

Barbecue restaurants around Midtown, West Midtown, Decatur, and the suburbs tend to be understanding about sticky fingers, messy tables, and loud laughter.

Dining With Kids Near Major Atlanta Attractions

If you’re visiting Atlanta or planning a day out, certain areas stand out for family‑appropriate restaurants within walking or short‑driving distance of attractions.

Downtown: Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, Centennial Olympic Park

Families visiting:

• Georgia Aquarium (225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
• World of Coca‑Cola (121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
• Centennial Olympic Park (265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)

often look for nearby kid‑friendly food.

In this area you’ll typically find:

• Casual sit‑down American restaurants that handle large families and groups
• Fast‑casual chains offering chicken, burgers, salads, and bowls
• Hotel restaurants that welcome outside diners and often have kids’ menus

Because the area caters to tourists, menus tend to be broad and predictable, which can help with picky eaters.

Grant Park & Zoo Atlanta

If you’re spending the day at Zoo Atlanta (800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315) or Historic Oakland Cemetery (248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312), the Grant Park and Memorial Drive corridors offer:

• Brunch cafes with pancakes, eggs, and biscuits
• Pizza spots and casual American dining
• Coffee shops with pastries and light lunch options

Parking in this area is mostly street and small-lot parking; with young children, it can help to allow extra time to park and walk.

BeltLine Eastside Trail

The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail is very popular with families riding bikes or walking. Along the trail between Old Fourth Ward, Poncey-Highland, and Virginia-Highland, you’ll find:

• Patio-heavy restaurants that welcome casual clothing and kids
• Walk‑up windows for ice cream, snacks, and drinks
• Options for everything from burgers and flatbreads to grain bowls and tacos

Because seating can fill up in good weather, families often eat a bit early or late to avoid the busiest BeltLine rush.

Practical Tips for Eating Out With Kids in Atlanta

To make the most of Atlanta’s family dining scene, a few habits go a long way:

1. Aim for Early Meals

Many Atlanta families try to eat:

• Before 6:00 p.m. on weeknights
• Before or right at 5:30 p.m. on busy weekends

This reduces wait times and puts you in the restaurant before the evening crowd.

2. Call Ahead for Logistics

When in doubt, a quick call to the restaurant can clarify:

• Highchair and booster seat availability
• Space for strollers at the table
• Whether they accept reservations for your group size
• If they offer a kids’ menu or half portions

This is especially useful in smaller intown restaurants where space is tight.

3. Consider Parking and Transit

Atlanta’s layout means you’ll often choose between:

• Street parking (common in intown neighborhoods)
• Parking decks/garages (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur)
• Surface lots (suburbs, Buford Highway, West Midtown)
• MARTA for certain areas like Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, and Downtown

Families with car seats and toddlers often prefer places with dedicated lots to avoid long walks on busy streets.

4. Use Parks and Play Spaces

Pairing a meal with a park visit helps kids burn energy:

• Piedmont Park (1320 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306) – near many Midtown and Virginia-Highland restaurants
• Grant Park (537 Park Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312) – walkable to local cafes and restaurants
• Chastain Park (140 W Wieuca Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30342) – near family‑friendly Buckhead and north Atlanta spots
• Decatur’s playgrounds and square – easy to reach from downtown Decatur dining

Some families order takeout from nearby restaurants and eat in the park for maximum flexibility.

5. Know When to Choose Takeout

Atlanta traffic, especially around rush hour and game days, can make sit‑down meals stressful. Many local families:

• Mobile‑order from favorite spots and pick up on the way home
• Schedule curbside pickup from family restaurants near their neighborhood
• Eat at home but still enjoy local food, especially on busy school nights

This can be a good backup plan if kids are overtired or restaurant waits are long.

How to Choose the Right Family Restaurant in Atlanta

When narrowing down your options, it helps to think about:

• Location: Close to home, hotel, or attraction to limit driving
• Noise level: Casual spots and patios are usually more kid‑friendly
• Menu flexibility: Ability to modify dishes or serve simple sides
• Seating style: Booths for young kids, large tables for big families, or communal seating in food halls
• Budget: Intown neighborhoods can vary widely; suburbs and mall areas often offer more predictable pricing

By focusing on neighborhood, atmosphere, and convenience, you can quickly find some of the best family restaurants in Atlanta for your particular needs—whether that’s an easy Tuesday night dinner, a special birthday brunch, or a relaxed meal after a day at the aquarium or zoo.