Diners' Choice: Kid-friendly restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are kid friendly in California Central Coast? 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!

Pizza Heaven

4.9

4.9 (19)

$30 and under

Pizza Bar

Carmel

About the restaurant

Tucked away in the charming coastal town of Carmel-by-the Sea, Pizza Heaven entices both locals and tourists with its welcoming atmosphere and delightful menu.

Our delightful restaurant features a dog-friendly heated patio, where four-legged friends are invited to join their owners in indulging in a variety of culinary delights. From specialty pizzas brimming with distinctive flavors to timeless favorites that never disappoint, Pizza Heaven caters to all tastes.

In addition to pizza, the menu offers an enticing selection of options including pastas, salads, and Mediterranean pies, ensuring there's something for everyone. To elevate the dining experience, carefully chosen local and regional wines are available, adding a touch of sophistication to every meal.

Whether you're in search of a laid-back lunch spot or an intimate dinner setting, Pizza Heaven guarantees a taste of culinary delight amidst the coastal allure of Carmel, California.

Top review

Cynthia

Dined 6 days ago

Great new pizza restaurant in Carmel that is perfect for a pre-event dinner when you’re headed to the Sunset Center. We will definitely be dining here again and look forward to trying more of their delicious pizza options.

the C restaurant + bar

4.6

4.6 (1200)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Monterey

About the restaurant

Our family-friendly Monterey Bay restaurant is close to the Aquarium, situated over sapphire waters and immersed in the natural beauty of the California coast. The C restaurant features only seafood endorsed by Seafood Watch of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The delicious Arctic Char featured on Executive Chef Matt Bolton's menus is similar to salmon in taste, texture and color, but is available year-round, and is rated a "best choice" by Seafood Watch.

Located at the upscale InterContinental The Clement Monterey hotel on Monterey Bay. Every table at the C restaurant has a view of the pristine and scenic Monterey Bay. Marine life sightings abound, including dolphins, whales, harbor seals and sea otters. Enjoy the parade of sea creatures and shore birds as you savor the finest in California regional cuisine.

Top review

Darryl

Dined on Sep 11, 2024

I had made a reservation for 6pm and arrived a little early and was seated immediately. The server, Lia, was very polite and helpful with the menu and order suggestions. My drink and appetizer was brought right away. My entree was prepared after I finished my appetizer, so it was brought to the table it was hot. Sometimes waiters will put in the entree order before the appetizer is served and the entree just sits in the kitchen and gets cold. Not in this case. Lia suggested the Baked Banaska(sp), which was excellent! Lia made it a wonderful dinning experience. I come to Monterey at least three times a year and I will definitely be coming back!

Discover more

Popular dish

Filet Mignon

The 'O' Bar + Kitchen at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

4.6

4.6 (16)

$30 and under

South American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Savor contemporary Central and South American cuisine in a variety of settings - inside at the namesake O-shaped bar, or outside in the intimate Hibiscus Lounge or spacious Ocean Terrace!

Marriott Bonvoy Members can earn points when staying with us. Please enroll here: https://www.joinmarriottbonvoy.com/uscanqr/s/EN/ch/sbarz

For parties with 6 guests or more a 26% service charge fee will be added to your final bill. For all guests there will be an 8.75% California State tax added to the final bill.

Top review

richard

Dined 6 days ago

Latin themed bar/restaurant experience with nice outdoor seating. Service outstanding, small changes to menu item were “no problem”! They started us with homemade chips and salsa that were perfect. Chicken with rice and burger were great. Tortilla soup was delicious and flourless cake ala mode was a clean plate! Very casual with fire pits on the table.

Rosine's Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (530)

$30 and under

American

Monterey

About the restaurant

Rosine's Restaurant turns traditional American comfort food into an art form. This local family-owned and operated casual dining restaurant has been open for 43+ years. The Culcasi family, owners of Rosine's, have received a bit of national fame as it has appeared on Guy Fieri's show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives". Rosine's offers indoor and outdoor (pet friendly) dining serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, beer wine and signature craft cocktails. Breakfast offers include Eggs Benedicts, Omelets and a variety of other breakfast specialities. As for lunch and dinner, there is a mix of American and Italian dishes. Some of the most popular dishes on the menu include their Beef Minestrone soup, Chicken Parmesan and Lasagna. Scrumptious sandwiches, fresh salads and burgers are also elevated. They are known world wide for their award-winning house made desserts. A consistent winner with the locals for Best Comfort Food, Best Family Restaurant, Best Desserts + more.

Top review

Lesvip

Dined 2 days ago

I love this place, I'm there every week. Thanks. :)

Discover more

Popular dish

Hearty Homemade Beef Minestrone Soup

4.5

4.5 (350)

$30 and under

Seafood

Monterey

About the restaurant

Louie Linguini's is the finest Italian and Seafood restaurant on historic Cannery Row. We offer a large variety of food from seafood to pastas and pizzas. Louie Linguini's provides a fun and family friend atmosphere that is located directly on the water and has some of the best ocean views in the Monterey area. Come and enjoy great food and great service while you learn about Louie's wonderful life.

Top review

Stacie

Dined on Aug 23, 2024

We had a private table for 2 outside on the balcony with a stunning view! The food was delicious! I had the fried calamari appetizer. It was so very light and crispy, just perfectly cooked! Husband had a simple mixed green salad which was fresh and tasty. Nuts were a nice added crunch to the salad. The spaghetti and meatballs were divine! Better than my mom's meatballs & that's the standard I always use. I rarely find a meatball that compares to my mother's. These actually surpassed my mom's, sorry mom! Loved the spaghetti sauce. Loved how the pasta was plated in a nice large ball, already tossed with the sauce, not just naked pasta topped with a ladle of sauce. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his sausage arrabiatta too. Service was a bit lacking, didn't check on us, left empty appetizer plates on the table until dinner arrived, didn't refill water etc but the food was so phenomenal and the atmosphere so beautiful that I'll overlook that. Prices were very reasonable too.

The Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

4.4

4.4 (529)

$50 and over

American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Named “Top 100 Best Al Fresco Dining Restaurants in America” by OpenTable, The Bistro offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere to dine and enjoy sweeping views of the coastline. Local produce and sustainable seafood highlight an acclaimed menu of traditional bistro favorites, including brick oven flatbreads, seasonal salads and the signature Santa Barbara burger.

Please note that holiday reservations are only available for in-house guests. Room confirmation number is required to officially confirm your dining reservation during these times.

Marriott Bonvoy Members can earn points when staying with us. Please enroll here: https://www.joinmarriottbonvoy.com/uscanqr/s/EN/ch/sbarz

For parties with 6 guests or more a 26% service charge fee will be added to your final bill. For all guests there will be an 8.75% California State tax added to the final bill.

Top review

Candicevip

Dined 5 days ago

The views are great and the breakfast/brunch buffet was so delicious. Ozzy and Lucy were wonderful! They treated us so well.

F. McLintocks Saloon & Dining House

4.3

4.3 (1493)

$30 and under

Steak

Pismo Beach

About the restaurant

F. McLintocks Saloon & Dining House offers the best authentic ranch style cooking and atmosphere teamed up with high spirited service and genuine western hospitality. Ocean view dining, private banquet hall, and Bruce's private saloon on our ocean view deck! Live music every Friday and Saturday in our saloon with a cozy fire place. A dining experience that will leave life time memories!

Top review

Vincent

Dined on Aug 25, 2024

Good food great sunset view in pismo beach.........

Discover more

Popular dish

Rib Eye Sandwich

Popular dish

Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon

Popular dish

Bone-In Rib Eye

Shearwater Tavern

4.3

4.3 (89)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Carmel

About the restaurant

Located in the idyllic seaside community of Carmel, Shearwater Tavern features breakfast and dinner within the Carmel Mission Inn. Our dinner menu has a selection of smaller plates to share along with some larger individual plates.
We have partnered with a local dairy, coffee roaster, honey purveyor and bakery.
Our Chef Fabian Di Paolo's menu is New American with Influences from his Argentinian, Italian, Floribbean roots. Our cocktail program features beautiful classic and specialty cocktails along with craft beer and California wines. You must try his House made Parker House rolls.

Top review

Anita

Dined on Aug 28, 2024

We were seated immediately and pleasantly by someone who I think was the manager, very nice man. Our server Stephanie, could not have been more professional or knowledgeable about the food offerings as well as being pleasant and fun to talk to. Our dinners and appetizer were delicious and well presented. A gem of a restaurant, relaxing and easily accessible from Hwy. 1.

Moby Dick Restaurant

4.2

4.2 (255)

$30 and under

Seafood

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

At Moby Dick Restaurant, in Santa Barbara, you'll get not only fresh seafood and excellent service, but an amazing view along with your meal. Situated on the pier itself in Santa Barbara, Moby Dick Restaurant is a fantastic place with a fantastic atmosphere to get something to eat.

Whether you're after breakfast, lunch or dinner there�s sure to be something on the menu to please. Fried favorites at Moby Dick Restaurant include clam strips and chips, chicken wings and chips and many others. You can also order burgers, sandwiches and vegetarian fare. Fresh seafood specialties include grilled Cajun swordfish, bacon wrapped shrimp and grilled fresh salmon.

Top review

CraigSvip

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent! We had a beautiful and delicious dinner and drinks I. The next Raw Bar opened this summer! It is a flawless space renovation - light and bright with killer views of the marina and ocean. Jasmine was the very best server - amazing and talented young UCSB senior! The entire staff was truly exceptional. The food? So wonderful! We started with the hot crab and spinach dip - Devine! We had Halibut, linguine with clams, baked oysters, and a truly fabulous 1/2 crab , 1/2 shrimp Louis! Every was perfect - we had the best time - highly recommended! We will be bringing our friend groups back soon! Yahoo!

El Torito - Monterey

3.8

3.8 (1174)

$30 and under

Mexican

Monterey

About the restaurant

The authority in great Mexican food for more than 65 years. Offering a memorable experience to make each guest feel like family.

Top review

Andrew

Dined on Sep 12, 2024

Great service! Especially Eduardo! Very friendly and great for a big group.