Diners' Choice: Kid-friendly restaurants in Durham

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are kid friendly in Durham? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Napoli Pizzeria & Gelateria

4.9

4.9 (136)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Carrboro

About the restaurant

Offering small plates, True wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, housemade gelato, local beer on draft, wine & cocktails in downtown Carrboro!

Top review

BobVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Food was very good (as always) in a very nice space.

Carolina Brewery - Pittsboro

4.8

4.8 (122)

$30 and under

Southern

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Carolina Brewery is a brewpub located in Pittsboro, North Carolina that specializes in serving craft beers and American pub fare. The restaurant features a lively atmosphere with a full bar, patio and numerous televisions broadcasting sporting events. Carolina Brewery in Pittsboro serves lunch and dinner daily and offers a variety of menu items made using fresh, in season fruits and vegetables and locally raised beef. The restaurant offers an extensive menu of starters, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, typical pub fare and desserts. Featured entrées at Carolina Brewery in Pittsboro include chicken mac and cheese, down East BBQ plate, crab cakes, shrimp and grits and fish and chips.

Top review

DebbieVIP

Dined on Apr 29, 2025

Great food and service. Friendly server. My family loves the specials menu. Today we had the chicken soup and burger.

It's A Southern Thing Ellis Crossings

4.8

4.8 (65)

$30 and under

Southern

Durham

About the restaurant

It's A Southern Thing is our owner's personal love letter to The South. We've proudly served Downtown Durham since 2017 and are thrilled to expand and open up our second location here at Ellis Crossing. Known for our unique take on traditional Southern fair, we welcome you with a laid back atmosphere, Southern hospitality, delicious craft cocktails and thoughtfully created, scratch made dishes. From our best-selling Shrimp and Grits to Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops, Fried Green Tomatoes, Collard Greens, Chicken and Waffle Skewers and everything in between, you will find familiar flavors presented in an original way. Offering brunch and dinner seven days a week, with extended bar hours and a private dining area for small functions, we invite you to come in, stay a while and let us show you why so many customers love being part of our It's A Southern Thing family.

Top review

Kevin

Dined on May 24, 2025

There were not a lot of servers there, even though it was a weekend. This unfortunately and slowed down food and drink delivery. The food was very good as well as drinks, but the dining experience took a lot longer than we would have liked. I definitely will continue to go there though but getting automatic 15% tip added with just the 2 of us was not appealing when they said only parties of 8 or more had that added on posted on the table.

Jujube

4.7

4.7 (1485)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Asian

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Jujube offers a unique culinary experience to the Triangle that brings Asian cuisine infused with the finest Western influenced flavors. We feature an extensive collection of craft beer, a wide variety of wines that elegantly complement our menu, as well as a refreshing assortment of signature cocktails. Escape the ordinary. Come enjoy our social and harmonious environment where Asian themed decor and soft lantern lighting awaits you. In the warmer months, enjoy dining al fresco on our screened patio. At Jujube we aim to bring you an eclectic myriad of tastes in an ambiance that brings together both the beauty of Asian tradition paired with a whimsical modern twist. Curbside Pickup and Dine in daily. Reservations or call ahead strongly encouraged.

Top review

RebeccaVIP

Dined on Jun 5, 2025

As always, amazing food and great service. This is a go to date night spot.

Emmy Squared - Durham

4.7

4.7 (108)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Durham

About the restaurant

Founded on an unconditional love of well-made food, we use only the highest quality ingredients for our famous Detroit-style pizzas. As Emmy Squared has grown, we’ve continued to make fans and receive accolades along the way, including winning Nashville’s Battle of the Burger, being recognized as one of "The Best New Burgers in NYC" (Gothamist) and one of the "20 Best Burgers in NYC" (Infatuation). Besides award-winning pizzas and burgers, you’ll find delectable appetizers, sandwiches, and salads on our extensive menu. We look forward to welcoming you to Emmy Squared Durham and sharing our unique take on American “comfort food.”

Top review

Glen

Dined on May 31, 2025

Excellent food, selection, service and overall experience. Highly recommend.

Maggiano's - Durham

4.4

4.4 (4453)

$30 and under

Italian

Durham

About the restaurant

Join us for lunch or dinner at Maggiano's Durham and savor the rich flavors of Italian-American dishes inspired by Nonna’s traditional recipes. We are centrally located for UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University, NC State and NC Central, making us a great destination for visiting parents and students. The 17 theater cinema located at the Streets at Southpoint makes our location the perfect place for dinner and a movie. Visit us at 8030 Renaissance Pkwy or book your reservation today!

Top review

DebVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The food was excellent. The surface was excellent. Paige did a great job! We also tried the new Italian donuts and they were outstanding.

Terrace Kitchen

4.3

4.3 (11)

$30 and under

American

Durham

About the restaurant

Welcome to Terrace Kitchen, your go-to spot for a delicious American breakfast & brunch experience in the heart of Duke! At Terrace Kitchen, we are passionate about bringing people together over hearty meals, comforting flavors, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re starting your day with a classic breakfast or winding down with brunch , we offer a wide selection of American favorites, prepared with fresh, local ingredients.

Top review

Mark

Dined on Apr 28, 2025

Great food. The scallops were perfect as was everything else. Server was great!

Kanki Durham

4.2

4.2 (468)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Durham

About the restaurant

Since 1972, Kanki has been the Triangle’s favorite Japanese steakhouse and sushi house.
Located in West Durham on Mount Moriah Road, Kanki Durham serves up delicious hibachi lunches and dinners, sushi and much more.

Our Durham, NC Japanese restaurant is the only Kanki location with a To-Go number, and we make picking up take out orders fast and simple with designated parking spaces and an easily accessible “Take Out” door.

Kanki will only seat complete parties. Please have all your guests accounted for prior to seating. Incomplete parties must wait to be seated until all has arrived.

An 18% gratuity will be added to parties of 6 or more.

Top review

TeAnna

Dined on May 20, 2025

My daughter had a really nice birthday dinner along with our family. The service was great and the food was delicious!! 10 out of 10. Will be going back

Flying Bull Restaurant and Brewery

4.1

4.1 (74)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Durham

About the restaurant

Flying Bull Restaurant and Brewery is a veteran and woman owned business located in the heart of Durham’s Innovation District. Using only the best seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, ou scratch kitchen serves your favorite American Classics as well as regional favorites. This is not just your average pub menu! The Flying Bull proves that craft beer and elevated cuisine are a perfect pairing. We also offer an extensive wine list and full service cocktail bar. Looking to host a special event for business or family occasion? Our large beer hall is the perfect solution. Prix fixe full menu or catered hors d’oeuvres available.

Whether you’re looking for a meal with family or friends before the theatre, business or date night, or even a little Latin music with your beverage, our friendly and courteous staff will make sure your visit is a wonderful experience.

Top review

Rebecca

Dined on Jun 4, 2025

This was the perfect spot for a business gathering. The food was great and have already told more people about it!

Carolina Brewery - Chapel Hill

3.9

3.9 (228)

$30 and under

Southern

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Since 1995, we have been proudly serving the locals, students and visitors to Chapel Hill. A lot has changed in both our town and the craft beer industry since we opened our doors as the culmination of a business school plan I wrote my senior year at UNC. Today, we celebrate our North Carolina roots with a made-from-scratch menu focused on Carolina foods in a newly renovated building. I hope you enjoy a true Carolina experience here at Carolina Brewery and will look for our award winning beers on your travels throughout the Carolinas.
Cheers,
Robert Poitras
Owner/Founder

Top review

DaveVIP

Dined on May 13, 2025

We were literally passing through Chapel Hill on the way to Charlotte. Carolina Brewery had availability, so we headed in. So glad that we did. Very comfortable and casual. Despite being crowded we were sat immediately in a comfortable booth. Our serve was great, very attentive and our dinner was delicious. This is a great spot.

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