Restaurants in SF with Kids
 

I will be in SF with my 10 and 11 year olds. Any recommendations for fun places to eat? They are not fussy so it is more about the experience. Thanks!

Just off the top of my head:

The Beach Chalet http://www.beachchalet.com/

It's just across from the beach at the end of Golden Gate Park. You can visit the Windmill & tulip garden on the same trip. There is a nice lawn area to relax when it's warm, and often music. Best of all are the murals, so it's of educational value to the kids.

Mel's Drive In http://www.melsdrive-in.com/index.html

There are a few locations, and they seem to be open long hours, so it's an easy choice. Food is typical diner, though.

The coffee bar in the upstairs Museum of Modern Art http://www.sfmoma.org/visit/coffee_bar
has desserts that mimic the art, so I find that enchanting.

The Café at the California Academy of Sciences is good (of course if you are going there anyway). http://www.calacademy.org/visit/shopping_and_dining/ I see the chef is from the Slanted Door.

You can get garlic fries, hot dogs and beer (for you) at the outfield gate at the Giant's baseball stadium, even without buying a ticket (and you can stand at the gate and watch the game, too). The area is nice for strolling especially with baseball fans.

The Ferry Building is great for eating at a variety of appealing places, or snacking on samples. http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/

Some of the places in North Beach would be fun, where you eat Italian family style, and/or a café with opera singing and music. http://www.caffetrieste.com/pages/music.html

Places in Chinatown and Japantown are fun. Lots of times with my son we are exploring and just stop in places or get taiyaki (fish shaped waffles with sweet bean paste) at May's Coffee Shop.

kailani, I have entered AT&T at every gate over the years, and I can't think of where you can get food and beer without a ticket (?). (You can, however, watch the game for an inning or two - the park was purposely designed that way)

agree w/ Sf7307 - can't get to the food booths without a ticket

I second the vote for Japantown - the Japan center has lots of restos, some more formal than others and a couple of cool Japanese bakeries.

I thought there was a booth with garlic fries at the place you can watch for free, so sorry I'm wrong. Maybe it started out that way?

Tonga Room - I think the rainstorm starts at 8 pm - if you want to avoid the cover charge, make a reservation for 7.30.

Would the kids be interested in the Rainforest cafe?

Our daughter, at that age, enjoyed Lori's Diner and Rainforest Cafe. As long as there was grilled cheese or pasta, she was happy. She also liked calamari, so any of the places at the wharf were fun for her.

We ate at Lou's Fish Shack on Fisherman's Wharf. Live music at night. It was pretty good. http://www.yelp.com/biz/lous-fish-shack-san-francisco

My kids liked R&G Lounge in Chinatown. http://www.yelp.com/biz/r-and-g-lounge-san-francisco

My cousin, who lived in the Bay area for years, recommended La Taqueria in the Mission neighborhood. http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-taqueria-san-francisco-2

Also, not sure if you're from California. We're not, so our kids loved In-N-Out Burger.

Lou's Fish Shack is not a place I'd take kids. It's pricey and caters more to an adult crowd.
If you want tacos, walking down 24th st anywhere int he mission will take you past many taquerias. La Taqueria is good, as are EL Farolito and Taqueria San Jose.

I disagree on Lou's. Our kids loved it, and there were lots of families there. Maybe it depends on what time you go.