Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Marin County
Photo: Blue Barn, Novato
Looking for the best kid-friendly restaurants in Marin County? From casual cafés and restaurants with outdoor seating to family-friendly dining spots with play areas and great kids' menus, Marin has plenty of places where the whole family can enjoy a meal. We've rounded up our favorite restaurants for families with kids in Marin County, including popular spots in Novato, San Rafael, Mill Valley, and beyond.
Kid-friendly Restaurants in Southern Marin
The Junction/Pizza Hacker, Mill Valley
Located in the Tam Junction neighborhood of Mill Valley, The Junction is a popular family-friendly beer garden serving up delicious artisan pizzas from PizzaHacker. Enjoy a variety of creative pizzas, salads, craft beers, wine, and other refreshments in a casual, lively atmosphere.
One of the biggest draws for families is the awesome pirate ship play structure, where kids can climb, explore, and play while parents relax nearby. The spacious outdoor beer garden also features picnic tables, heaters, and plenty of room for the kiddos to run around. Add in live music and a welcoming neighborhood vibe, and you've got a fantastic spot for a casual family lunch or dinner.
226 Shoreline Highway, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 11:30 am–9 pm; Friday, 11:30 am–10 pm; Saturday, 11 am–10 pm; Sunday, 10 am–8 pm.
www.thejunc.com
Hook Fish Co., Mill Valley
Located at Proof Lab Beer Garden in Mill Valley's Tam Junction neighborhood, Hook Fish Co. serves up sustainably sourced seafood, including fresh fish tacos, burritos, fish and chips, sandwiches, and salads. They also offer a kids' menu with several tasty options.
Families will love the spacious outdoor beer garden with picnic tables and a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Parents can enjoy a local craft beer or cider while the kiddos dig into their meals. It's a great spot for a laid-back family lunch or dinner.
254 Shoreline Highway, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Hours: Daily, 11 am–9 pm.
www.hookfishco.com
Kid-friendly Restaurants in Central Marin
Fox & Kit, San Rafael
Located in downtown San Rafael, Fox & Kit is a stylish, family-friendly café and indoor playground where parents can enjoy a speciality coffee drink or tea while the kiddos play. In addition to coffee, the menu features fresh pastries, breakfast sandwiches and burritos, quiche, beer, wine and other tasty treats, along with drinks for kids.
The real attraction is the imaginative indoor playground for children ages 9 months to 11 years, featuring a climbing wall, tunnels, a rolling grass hill, and creative play spaces. It's a fantastic spot for a playdate, a rainy-day outing, or a relaxing coffee break while the little ones burn off some energy.
1031 C Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8 am–5 pm; Friday, 8 am–6 pm; weekends, 8 am–noon (extended hours vary depending on private parties).
Playground admission: $14 for ages 9 months–2 years; $16.50 for ages 3–11. Socks required for everyone entering the playground.
www.foxandkit.com
Gott’s Roadside, Greenbrae
Located in the Bon Air Shopping Center in Greenbrae, Gott's Roadside is a popular family-friendly spot serving up classic burgers, sandwiches, tacos, salads, fries, and hand-spun milkshakes. Their kids' menu features favorites like cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, hot dogs, and grilled cheese, all served with a choice of fries or veggies and a drink.
Families will love the spacious outdoor dining area, with shaded and heated seating, views of Mt. Tam, and a nearby play area for little ones. With plenty of room to spread out and a casual atmosphere, it's a great place to grab lunch or dinner with the kiddos.
302 Bon Air Center, Greenbrae, CA 94904
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 11 am–8:30 pm; Friday–Saturday, 11 am–9 pm; Sunday, 11 am–8 pm.
www.gotts.com
El Huarache Loco, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
Located at Marin Country Mart in Larkspur Landing, El Huarache Loco serves up delicious, authentic Mexico City–style cuisine, including handmade huaraches, tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. They also offer a kids' menu featuring cheese quesadillas, chicken tacos, and other kid-friendly favorites.
Families will love the outdoor dining at Marin Country Mart. Grab your food and head to the spacious courtyard, where kids can visit the koi and turtles in the pond and climb and play on unique wooden sculptures crafted from fallen eucalyptus trees by local artist Evan Shively. It's a great spot to relax and enjoy a meal while the kiddos play nearby.
1803 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur, CA 94939
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10 am–8 pm; Friday–Saturday, 9 am–9 pm; Sunday, 9 am–8 pm.
www.huaracheloco.com
Kid-friendly Restaurants in Northern Marin
Blue Barn, Novato
Blue Barn in downtown Novato serves up delicious salads, sandwiches, and burgers, many made with locally sourced and organic ingredients. They also offer an awesome kids' menu that goes beyond the usual favorites, along with cocktails, beer, and wine for the grown-ups.
What makes this spot especially family-friendly is its spacious outdoor dining area, complete with plenty of seating, string lights, olive trees, and a large turf area with a wooden climbing structure where kids can play while families enjoy their meals.
819 Grant Avenue, Novato, CA 94945
Hours: Daily, 11 am–8 pm
www.bluebarngourmet.com
Kitsch + Sync, Novato
New in downtown Novato, Kitsch + Sync (pronounced "kitchen sink") is a family-friendly restaurant and play space designed with both kids and parents in mind. This unique spot offers a variety of food and drink options for the whole family, including crafted flatbreads, panini (some with meats from Marin's Lone Mountain BBQ), salads, soups, charcuterie and other shareable snack plates, build-your-own bento boxes for kids, plus local beer and wine for the grownups.
What makes Kitsch + Sync especially fun is its indoor play areas, where kids can explore, climb, and play while parents relax and enjoy a meal. With fun activities and plenty of opportunities for playdates, it's a great new destination for Marin families.
1757 Grant Avenue, Novato, CA 94945
Hours: Monday and Thursday–Sunday, 9 am–8 pm; Tuesday, 4–8 pm; Wednesday, 2–8 pm.
Play admission: $13 per child for an all-day play pass.
kitschandsync.com
Finnegan’s Marin, Novato
Located in downtown Novato, Finnegan's Marin is a popular local hangout that's part Irish pub and part American bar and grill. This family-friendly spot offers an extensive kids' menu, live music in the evenings, and a spacious heated outdoor patio. It's also a great place to catch a game with the family on weekends. Best of all, kids eat free all day on Sundays!
877 Grant Avenue, Novato, CA 94945
Hours: Open daily at 11 am on weekdays and 10 am on weekends. Kitchen closes at 9:30 pm.
www.finnegansmarin.com
