Book a table at one of the best family restaurants in Austin and make memories while sampling a variety of foods from Chinese and Italian to classic American comfort food. Eating out with family is an ideal way to connect, unwind, and strengthen relationships over a great meal.
Order up family-style Italian dishes in the North Central neighborhood. Enjoy Mexican dishes from a James Beard semifinalist in East Austin. Play ping pong and bean bag toss while enjoying fried chicken and ribs at a kid-friendly spot in the Northwest area.
Gather up the fam and reserve a table on OpenTable today.
Read more to discover 10 of the best family restaurants in Austin.
For sophisticated American cuisine in a lakeside spot — reserve a table at Arlo Grey by Kristen Kish (Downtown)
Arlo Grey by Kristen Kish is where you head for refined American cuisine in a chic venue overlooking Lady Bird Lake. Located in the LINE hotel, “Top Chef” winner and host Kristen Kish’s namesake space is filled with natural light offset by marble tabletops and gold accents. The elegant menu includes kid-friend dishes like lasagna, chicken schnitzel, and fried steamed buns.
For seasonal contemporary American fare in the North Loop neighborhood — check out Foreign & Domestic (Central Austin)
Foreign & Domestic is a can’t-miss family restaurant in Austin known for its farm-to-table ethos. Enjoy views of the open kitchen from the stylish dining room with its brick and wooden accents. Dig into kid-friendly contemporary American dishes like Gruyere and black pepper popovers, a farm burger with fries, and duck cassoulet. Don’t miss the popular Sunday brunch with a dedicated kids’ menu of dishes like grilled cheese, pancakes, and French toast.
For handmade Italian pasta in a bustling atmosphere — book a table at L’Oca d’Oro (North Central)
Gather the whole family for a warm and welcoming meal at L’Oca d’Oro, where farm-to-table Italian cuisine is served with a side of friendly hospitality. The inviting dining room, with its open kitchen, sets the stage for a relaxed family dinner. Kids will love the handmade pastas, while parents can dig into lasagna alla vodka for two.
For one of the best family restaurants in Austin for a Chinese feast — snag a table at Old Thousand (East Austin)
Step into Old Thousand and settle in amongst the red lanterns and long red leather banquettes, where creative takes on traditional Chinese dishes await you. This neighborhood charmer is where you order up made-for-sharing plates of classics like honey pecan shrimp and General Tso’s chicken with Tianjin chili. Go all out and treat the family to coconut panna cotta for dessert.
For stellar Mexican food from an acclaimed chef — grab a table at Suerte (East Austin)
Suerte is a neighborhood favorite and one of the best family restaurants in Austin for Mexican dishes from James Beard semifinalist Fermín Núñez. The fresh interior is decked out with light woods, art, and textiles. Choose from kid–approved tacos, quesadillas, and tostadas or grilled chicken thighs as you catch up with your family. Make sure to save room for the tres leches cake for dessert.
For American comfort food in a casual hotspot — make a reservation at Culinary Dropout (Northwest)
Culinary Dropout is a casual American spot with a laid-back atmosphere. The kid-friendly, outdoor patio area, with its high-top chairs, bean bag toss, and ping pong tables, adds to the fun vibe. Start off with the signature soft pretzels with provolone fondue, then share standout dishes like Mongolian short rib. Cinnamon apple monkey bread awaits the crew for dessert.
For the best family restaurants in Austin for East Coast-style pizza and refined American comfort food — book a table at Hank’s (Central Austin)
Hank’s is where you go with the family for a quick coffee and pastry, or a relaxed lunch or dinner. The minimalistic, plant-filled space boasts oversized windows, a wraparound bar, and a shaded patio with cozy seating. Explore a stellar American-forward menu that includes PEI mussels and kid-friendly dishes like cheeseburgers, fried chicken, and East Coast-style pizzas. Hank’s key lime pie makes for a grand finale.
For a family-friendly pizza place — visit Love Supreme Pizza Bar (East Austin)
Check out Love Supreme Pizza Bar to kick back and enjoy family favorites in a relaxed place. Spacious booths and giant wooden tables give you space to spread out and dig into crowd-pleasing dishes like hot wings and Neapolitan-inspired pizzas. Adults can pair their meal with a local draft beer. Bonus points for the expansive outdoor patio.
For a French Vietnamese-style cafe any time of the day — head to Elizabeth St Cafe (Bouldin Creek)
Head to Elizabeth St Cafe, where flavorful Vietnamese-French mashups rule in sunny dining rooms and a shady garden patio. You’re here for the best Asian-inspired dishes, like the bánh mì sandwiches served on house-baked baguettes, red curry dan dan noodles, and pork belly steamed buns. Choose from kids’ dishes like a playful bánh mì filled with peanut butter, Nutella, and banana. Save room for the Vietnamese rum cake with coconut sorbet.
For everyday brunch at one of the best family restaurants in Austin — book a table at Café No Sé (Downtown)
Café No Sé is the place to go for fresh American-Californian cuisine with breakfast options in a contemporary cafe-style spot. Chef Sarah Mar-Chun’s everyday brunch includes dishes kids will love, like seasonal tartines, breakfast sandwiches, and buttermilk hotcakes. Come for dinner to try the pan-roasted salmon or steak frites. Creative cocktails like the spiced pear bourbon smash are an added bonus for the adults.
Family meals are a great way to create a new tradition, celebrate special occasions, or simply spend some quality time together. From Neapolitan-style pizza in a family-friendly spot to a sunny all-day cafe with Vietnamese-French dishes, Austin’s family restaurants offer a variety of options.
