San Francisco Restaurants/Child Friendly
 

My husband & I will be in San Francisco this summer with our two children. Can anyone suggest some NICE restaurants that are child friendly? They are 8 and 3 and (usually) well behaved. I wouldn't take them to Michael Mina, but would like some suggestions above a California Pizza Kitchen. We love neighborhood gems. We are staying near Union Square. Thanks!

This may not be above a Cal. Pizza Kitchen, but our daughter loved Lori's Diner. It had her favorite meal: grilled cheese sandwich!!

MY

I moved from SF in 2000, but I remember that restaurant dining with my then toddler was a big issue. It's really not very child-friendly. I had some luck at Scala's near Union Square. Perry's, which isn't that great, had a high chair available but no kids menu. They'd make plain noodles or whatever, but charge you the full price, same as the pasta with seafood or whatever on the menu. We ate at Izzy's off Chestnut. That's a steak place that was noisy enough to handle a kid. Mostly, we ate dim sum or at home. I'll be interested in the responses.

I'll second Scala's - the dining area was noisy enough to block out my one year old daughter.

Another suggestion is Colibri on Geary for upscale Mexican. They serve many of their dishes tapas style. I loved the guacamole made tableside and the filet with blue cheese.

I may be wrong, but IMO the best way to know if the restaurant is child-friendly is to call them and ask if they have the high children's chairs. This will give you the feeling if the place is friendly or not.

We have the Rainforest cafe in the Fishermen's area - I'm sure you'll go there with children to see the sea lions and to take a carousel ride on Pier 39, maybe to visit aquarium.

Are they boys or girls? For girls a tea party on Sat @1 pm at the Palace hotel, Garden Court restaurant.

Hi lizpz, if you want to eat in North Beach a child friendly restaurant is the Mona Lisa. It is located at 353 Columbus, just a few doors south from the cross street which is Vallejo St.
They do take reservations. Their phone # is 415-989-4917. The owner Maurizio is from AC in Italy. All the waiters are young people from Italy, they are darling with delightful Italian accents. People that have gone their with their children have often returned. Prices are reasonable.

Besides Scala's at Union Sq. another restaurant that I have seen children at is Kuletos which is on Powell St., just one half block down from Geary (south side of Union Sq). It is attached to the Villa Florence Hotel.

For lunches here are some thoughts. In Union Sq at the east end (Stockton St side) there is a wonderful Italian style cafe. They have inside and outdoor seating. Since you will be there in summer your family would know doubt enjoy sitting outside. You could go inside, decide what you want, one of you take the children and get an outside table while the other one orders. Lots of good food, wine, beer and soda from Italy. My grandson has always loved their rootbeer.

On Geary, just a few doors west from Powell St., is Lefty O'Douls. They have a HofBrau. That is a good casual and quick place for lunch. Very old SF institution.

If you take the children to Buena Vista Park (which is a good place to get away when you have children with you) the Sony Metreon has various food places that would work for lunchtime. If you go to the park be sure to let the children enjoy the statue of "The Shaking Man".

If you have warmish weather one evening you might consider going to Belden Place (off of Bush). There are several restaurants there..lots of outdoor tables. Plouf's has fabulous mussels, your little one could enjoy the frenchfries. You could order a steak to share if the children enjoy meat.

Another place to take the children is to the Ferry Bldg at the end of Market St. They would enjoy the plaza behind the Ferry Building, watching the various boats on SF Bay and the ferries coming in and departing. There are cafes there and outside tables so that would be another fun place for lunch that you would all enjoy.

Also check with your hotel, they should be able to recommend some child friendly restaurants. And Faina's suggestion about calling a restaurant you are interested in to see if they have highchairs of bolster seats will certainly let you know it the restaurant is child friendly.

Have a wonderful time in San Francisco.

I've also taken young kids to Le Central, for early suppers or weekend lunches. It's on Bush, near the gate to Chinatown and not far from Union Square. Kids like the chicken frites and I liked the wine. A lot of times you'll see the former mayor, Willie Brown, with other assorted SF figures. I just wouldn't go for a Friday lunch, and I wouldn't expect a high chair.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far...
My daughter (3) won't sit in a high chair or a booster so that is not an issue. Both daughter and son (8) are easy to order for without a specific child's menu. We have taken them to quite a few nice restauants while traveling (Paris, The Big Island, London). If that gives you more info. for further suggestions.

I would actually suggest that you NOT do lunch at the Ferry Building. The few restaurants there were a bit high priced for what they were, and although not child unfriendly weren't child friendly either. The Ferry Building is nice to visit, though, but take the old fashioned trolley down to Pier 39 for lunch.

Try most Chinese restaurants--the Far East café, on Grant, would be one I'd suggest. It still has the old-fashioned booths with curtains.

Underhill, good suggetion, and children always seem to enjoy Chinatown.

The "old fashion trolley" to the Ferry Bldg and down The Embarcadero is the F Line. Several street cars from various cities around the world have been brought to SF and renovated and brought into service including one from Milan.

On the plaza behind the Ferry Bldg., the outside tables IMO is a wonderful spot to have lunch with children. They are not confined and you will see many families enjoying lunch or cold drinks there and again children will enjoy the scenery.

And yes of course there is always Pier 39. The F Line will take you there also.

The reason another poster suggested calling a restaurant to see if it has high chairs or a children's menu is to see if they are open to having children of any age. You will be able to tell by their response whether your children will be welcome. It doesn't matter that your children don't actually need a high chair or children's menu. That isn't the point. The point is find out the restaurant's attitude about children. You will get responses of: "yes, we have a high chair/children's menu" (translate: bring the kids), "no"- and hangs up on you (translate: not child friendly- get a sitter), or something in between "uh, no, but we can seat you early and the chef can prepare some pasta..." (translate: take the kids but tell them they need to be on their best behavior).

Oh, I didn't suggest TO USE a booster, I only suggested to call ahead to ask if they have those, and if yeas, this would mean the restaurant is child-friendly.

Yes, I understand the reasoning behind asking about high chairs and boosters. I mentioned that they wouldn't be used because I don't limit myself only to restauarants that have them. It is a good suggestion to get a feel for how the children will be received.