Finding kid-friendly restaurants in the city of Pittsburgh is a treat! Many places are ready to welcome in children of all ages with wide arms and tasty food. But, in case you’re worried about which spots will have the right accommodations for your child, we have a list ready to help you plan your family night out.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Pittsburgh
Gaucho
Cultural District
This Argentinian restaurant specializes in small plates and shareable eats. The selections make it a great place to introduce your kids to new foods without taking the chance of ordering them a whole meal they might be skeptical about. For instance, a small plate of empanadas fits perfectly in tiny hands, and they’ll get a choice of beef, chori-pollo, or vegetables.
Coop De Ville
Strip District
Don’t worry about your children having some extra energy at dinner: Coop De Ville is packed with arcade games to keep them entertained while you wait for your food. Not only is the atmosphere kid-friendly, but their menu of delicious eats includes a section for kids. This section has a grilled cheese, grilled chicken sandwich, and chicken tenders platter for those picky eaters.
Pamela’s Diner
Strip District, Mt. Lebanon, Shadyside
A diner may be one of the most family-friendly genres around and Pamela’s is a perfect diner. This Pittsburgh staple has locations all over the city and carries all your favorite diner classics (with, of course, a large breakfast menu). Their Crepe-Style Hotcakes are a hit with the young-ins, especially when stuffed with chocolate chips and bananas.
Federal Gallery
North Side
If you have a big family where it’s hard for everyone to agree on one place to get dinner, Federal Gallery has something for everyone. Check out this food hall featuring four different restaurants and a communal seating area. This way, everyone gets to choose from kitchens specializing in chicken, pizza, tacos, or burgers and still eat together at the table.
Emporio: A Meatball Joint
Downtown
This American-Italian fusion restaurant is for kiddos obsessed with spaghetti and meatballs. At Emporio you can try various types of meatballs. Let your family explore the beef meatballs with marinara sauce, vegetarian meatballs with tzatziki sauce, or chicken meatballs with garlic herb cream sauce. It will be fun sharing and comparing!
DiAnoia’s Eatery
Strip District
Deli and cafe by day and full-service ristorante by night, DiAnoia’s Eatery specializes in authentic Italian dishes for the whole family. Stop in during breakfast for a Stuffed Cornetti (croissant) with either chocolate or Lebanon sweet bologna and fontina. Or, wait till later in the day for a variety of sandwich and pasta selections during lunch and dinner.
EYV Restaurant
North Side
Just because you’re going out to eat doesn’t mean it has to be unhealthy. EYV uses fresh, locally-grown ingredients to create healthy dishes that small mouths can enjoy too. Their young diners menu includes a Mixed Greens Salad with Herbed Balsamic, Mac and Cheese, and Sauteed Pierogies.
Square Cafe
East Liberty
You can enjoy breakfast or lunch with the little ones at Square Cafe. Their relaxed atmosphere and elevated food makes the perfect combination for kids and parents alike. They even have a kids menu with pancakes, breakfast combos, chicken fingers, grilled cheese, and more. There are also al a carte items in case your kiddo just wants a bagel.
Driftwood Oven
Lawrenceville
Pizza is the best family meal but it doesn’t have to be the same old pizza you get anywhere else. At Driftwood Oven they use a sourdough base to make a fluffy and flavorful crust. You can choose between a 16-inch New York style with a thin crust or a 12 cut with a thicker, Roman style crust. And of course you can load these up with plenty of topping to make your pizzaiolo dreams come true.
The Porch at Schenley
Oakland
We count anytime you can enjoy a Scottish Salmon or Duck Confit while your child dines on their favorite foods too as a win. At The Porch at Schenley, bask in the huge windows that give you a perfect view of the Cathedral of Learning as you bite into superb comfort food. Their kids menu ranges from pizza to burgers to pasta so that there’s a little something for even the pickiest of easters.
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo courtesy of Federal Gallery
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