Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Atlanta: Where to Eat With Kids and Actually Enjoy It

Finding kid-friendly restaurants in Atlanta isn’t just about chicken fingers and crayons. Parents in the metro area look for spots with easy parking, relaxed vibes, high chairs, decent noise levels, and food that both kids and adults will actually want to eat.

Below is a practical guide to some of the best kid-friendly places to eat in Atlanta, organized by neighborhood and type of experience, plus tips on what to know before you go.

What Makes a Restaurant Kid-Friendly in Atlanta?

When Atlanta families talk about “kid-friendly,” they usually mean:

• Plenty of space (strollers, bags, and wiggly kids)
• High chairs and booster seats
• Changing tables in at least one restroom
• Simple kids’ options (or flexible menus)
• Casual noise level (no one glares if your toddler drops a fork…again)
• Fast service or food that comes out in stages
• Nearby entertainment (greenspace, games, or something to look at)

Most of the places below fit several of these points, but always double-check hours, menus, and amenities before heading out, as details can change.

Kid-Friendly Favorites by Area

Downtown & Centennial Park District

1. CNN Center / Centennial Olympic Park Area

This area is popular for families visiting the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Good kid-friendly picks nearby typically include:

• Casual national chains inside or near CNN Center
  These are convenient if you need something predictable, quick, and stroller‑friendly. Seating is usually open and noisy enough that kids blend right in.

• Fast-casual options along Marietta St NW and around Centennial Olympic Park
  Many offer counter service, simple kids’ meals (pizza, burgers, tacos, or bowls), and outdoor seating when the weather’s good.

Why it works for families:

• Easy walk from major attractions
• Lots of grab-and-go and order-at-the-counter setups
• Restrooms accessible in larger buildings and attractions

Tip: 🕒 If your kids are already hungry when you leave the aquarium, aim for earlier mealtimes (11:00–11:30 a.m. or 5:00–5:30 p.m.) to avoid long lines and meltdowns.

Midtown & Piedmont Park

Midtown is a sweet spot for families who want good food, walkability, and green space.

2. Around Piedmont Park & the BeltLine (Monroe Dr NE / 10th St NE)

The streets near Piedmont Park and the Eastside BeltLine Trail are packed with casual, kid-friendly options.

Common features include:

• Outdoor patios where kids have a bit more wiggle room
• Shared plates and flexible menus (flatbreads, burgers, salads, tacos)
• Families stopping in after the playground or a bike ride

Nearby, you’ll find:

• Casual eateries on Monroe Dr NE (just off the park)
• Fast‑casual options and sit‑down spots on or near 10th St NE and along the BeltLine

Why families like it:

• You can combine a meal with playground time at Piedmont Park
• Patios are usually more forgiving of messes and noise
• Many places are stroller-accessible

Virginia-Highland, Inman Park & BeltLine Eastside

These neighborhoods are go‑tos for Atlanta families who want walkable streets and spots where kids are a normal part of the scene.

3. Virginia-Highland (N. Highland Ave NE Area)

Virginia-Highland’s main strip along North Highland Ave NE has several casual, laid-back restaurants with:

• Sidewalk or patio seating
• Welcoming staff used to neighborhood families
• Menus that usually have pizza, pasta, burgers, or tacos kids will eat

Parents appreciate:

• The ability to stroll the neighborhood before or after dinner
• Cafés and dessert spots close by for a treat after eating
• A generally relaxed, village-like feel

4. Inman Park & Krog Street Market

Inman Park, right off the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, is another favorite.

At or near Krog Street Market:

• Food hall setup with many different counters = everyone can choose what they want
• A mix of kid-friendly options: tacos, sandwiches, bowls, pizza-style options, and more
• Community-style tables where kids fit right in

Why Krog / Inman Park works well:

• Quick service: order at the counter, food comes out fast
• Lots to watch: people, BeltLine traffic, sometimes live music or buskers outside
• Short walks to public art, the Krog Street Tunnel, and Inman Park’s historic streets

Grant Park & Zoo Atlanta Area

If you’re visiting Zoo Atlanta or hanging out around Grant Park, there are several family-friendly eating options nearby.

5. Around Memorial Dr SE & Cherokee Ave SE

On the streets around the park:

• A mix of casual cafes, pizza spots, and neighborhood restaurants
• Many places have kids’ menus or at least simple sides your child will recognize
• Sidewalk seating where you can park a stroller

Parents like this area for:

• Easy to pair with a zoo visit
• A calmer scene than Downtown or Midtown
• Plenty of street parking and residential feel

Tip: 🐼 Consider a late lunch after the zoo; crowds thin out and kids are often calmer after walking around.

Buckhead & North Atlanta

Buckhead is known for its shopping and business districts, but it also has several family‑oriented places to eat.

6. Lenox Square & Phipps Plaza Area

Around Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, you’ll find:

• Food courts with lots of fast-casual options
• Sit‑down chain restaurants used to families with kids
• Easy access to restrooms and changing tables

Why it’s convenient:

• Good for rainy days or hot summer afternoons
• Kids can walk around the mall to burn off a bit of energy
• Predictable menus if you’ve got picky eaters

7. Buckhead Village & Surrounding Streets

Around Peachtree Rd NE, Roswell Rd NE, and Buckhead Village, expect:

• Brunch spots and bistros that welcome families, especially during the day
• Patios and terraces where kids are more comfortable
• Menus with flatbreads, burgers, fries, and brunch staples

Tip: 🕊 Buckhead can feel more formal at night. If you’re dining with little kids, brunch and lunch windows are usually the most relaxed.

Fun, Interactive & “Experience” Restaurants for Kids

Sometimes you’re looking for more than just a quick bite—you want the meal to be part of the outing.

Hands-On or Visual Fun

Food halls and markets are especially good for this:

• Krog Street Market (Inman Park)
  Kids can see open kitchens, grab snacks from different stalls, and share dishes.

• Ponce City Market (Old Fourth Ward)
  The central food hall offers many types of cuisine, including kid‑friendly options. There’s indoor seating, BeltLine access, and stores upstairs that kids may find interesting.
  Families also like to walk the Eastside BeltLine afterward to help little ones settle down.

Great Patios & Outdoor Seating

Atlanta’s weather lets you eat outside much of the year. Patios often feel more kid‑friendly simply because:

• No one minds a bit of extra noise
• Spills are easier to handle
• You can move around a bit without blocking indoor servers

You’ll find excellent patios in:

• Midtown & Piedmont Park area
• Virginia-Highland
• Inman Park / BeltLine
• Some parts of West Midtown and Upper Westside (Marietta St NW / Howell Mill Rd area) where newer developments often include large, open-air seating.

Quick-Reference: Types of Kid-Friendly Spots in Atlanta

Below is a simple summary of where different types of kid-friendly experiences are easiest to find.

Practical Tips for Eating Out With Kids in Atlanta

1. Time Your Meals Strategically

• Go early: Aim for slightly off‑peak times (11:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m.).
• Less wait = fewer meltdowns and more patient staff and diners.

2. Ask About Kid Accommodations

When you arrive or call ahead, it can help to ask:

• Do you have high chairs or booster seats?
• Is there a kids’ menu or kid-sized portions?
• Do you have space for a stroller at the table?

Most Atlanta restaurants are honest about how comfortable they are with small children, and it’s better to know upfront.

3. Consider Parking and Transit

• In busy areas like Midtown, Ponce City Market, and Inman Park, parking garages or paid lots are common.
• If you’re taking MARTA, stations like Midtown, Arts Center, Five Points, and Buckhead put you within walking distance of many kid-friendly spots.

4. Pair Restaurants With Nearby Activities

To make the outing smoother:

• Combine Piedmont Park playground time with a meal nearby in Midtown or Virginia-Highland.
• Link Zoo Atlanta with lunch or dinner in Grant Park.
• Couple a visit to the Georgia Aquarium with a bite around Centennial Olympic Park.
• Match a BeltLine walk or bike ride with food stops at Krog Street Market or Ponce City Market.

5. Call Ahead for Larger Groups

If you’re going out with multiple families:

• Calling ahead helps restaurants rearrange tables
• You can confirm they’re comfortable seating several kids together
• Some locations may suggest quieter times that work better for groups

Useful Local Contacts & Info

While most individual restaurants change details over time, some official and stable local points of reference can help you plan family outings:

• Zoo Atlanta
  800 Cherokee Ave SE
  Atlanta, GA 30315
  Phone: (404) 624-5600

• Georgia Aquarium
  225 Baker St NW
  Atlanta, GA 30313
  Phone: (404) 581-4000

• Piedmont Park Conservancy (park info, events)
  1071 Piedmont Ave NE
  Atlanta, GA 30309
  Phone: (404) 875-7275

Planning time at these attractions along with nearby restaurants usually gives you built-in kid entertainment plus flexible food options within walking or short driving distance.

Overall, the best kid-friendly restaurants in Atlanta tend to cluster near parks, attractions, and the BeltLine. If you focus on areas like Piedmont Park, Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Grant Park, Downtown attractions, Ponce City Market, and Buckhead malls, you’ll usually find plenty of spots where kids are expected, noise is okay, and both children and adults can enjoy a good meal.