Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Long Beach

Within Long Beach’s dynamic and diverse restaurant scene, there are several great options for families with small children. These spots make it possible for everyone to dine out together in an environment that’s comfortable and welcoming. Read on for suggestions of Long Beach restaurants that are set up well to host little kids or that are arranged specifically to ensure these small guests enjoy their dining experience.

SHOPPING CENTERS

Shopping centers are a great dining option for families with kids, offering a variety of restaurant choices and open areas where little ones can safely stretch their legs. 2ND & PCH (6400 Pacific Coast Hwy) is particularly kid-friendly, often hosting special events and performances just for kids on their outdoor stage. One of the center’s restaurants–Noble Rotisserie (6460 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste 125)–offers a small play area with toys. Other family friendly shopping centers with restaurants include Shoreline Village (401-435 Shoreline Village Dr), which also has an arcade and carousel, and The Pike Outlets (95 S Pine Ave) which has its own carousel as well as a Ferris wheel.

BREWERIES

Breweries often make a good option for families looking for an outing, thanks to the casual atmosphere and open dining areas, and Long Beach is home to several award-winning brewers. Downtown, ISM Brewing (210 E 3rd St) offers great beers on tap and is located on the car-free Promenade if the little ones need to get up and move around. In central Long Beach, try Trademark Brewing (233 E Anaheim St), which hosts a rotating lineup of food trucks and welcomes outside food, and Ten Mile Brewing in Signal Hill, which has great housemade pizza plus Battambong BBQ pop-up on Fridays. In the Belmont Shore area, Belmont Brewing Company (25 39th St) serves a kids menu and is located on a plaza next to the pier for some open space. Ballast Point Brewing (110 N Marina Dr) overlooks Alamitos Bay and offers a kids menu with coloring and puzzles built in. In Bixby Knolls, head to Beachwood Brewing & Distilling (3630 Atlantic Ave) for beers, cocktails, and bites; older kids will enjoy the arcade games. Long Beach Beer Lab (518 W Willow St) is part craft brewery, part pizzeria and bakery, and part pinball arcade—perfect for families. Their Wrigley location is certified Kosher, and both locations offer vegan menus.

FOOD & ARCADES

Dave & Buster’s (7515 Carson Blvd) is an obvious choice for a family outing, with menus that appeal to both kids and adults and has an extensive arcade and play area. It's located at Long Beach Towne Center shopping mall, which has a movie theater, book store, and plenty of shopping. Locals also recommend District 4 Pizza (2123 N Bellflower Blvd), which serves pizza, Italian dishes and a kids menu. Their arcade off the main dining area offers the perfect escape for kids.

FOOD HALLS

Many families choose food halls as an outing that can accommodate both hungry adults and wiggly little ones. The grown-ups can try the trendy new gourmet dumpling place while kids can order chicken tenders and fries from another, and everyone can relax in the communal dining space. The Hangar at Long Beach Exchange (4150 McGowen St) fits the family-friendly bill while also hosting outdoor markets on weekends. SteelCraft Long Beach (3768 Long Beach Blvd) in Bixby Knolls is both family- and pet-friendly, with choices including a brewery, coffee stand, burgers, pizza, tacos, and steamed bao buns.

BEACH CAFES

The perfect family outing? A restaurant at the beach, where families can eat together and kids have the freedom to run around and play nearby. Saltwater Deck (2630 E Ocean Blvd) serves a full breakfast and lunch menu–including kid-friendly Beach Bites–and kids can play on the large playground behind the restaurant. Louisiana Charlie’s (5715 Appian Way) serves breakfast and lunch along with Cajun classics and mini corn dogs at Mother’s Beach, which offers a no-waves swimming area, plus a large playground. Gaucho Beach (780 E Shoreline Dr) serves Argentinian food and has a kids menu. Adults can relax with a cocktail on the patio while kids enjoy the adjacent mini playground. Grill ‘Em All (5411 E Ocean Blvd) is a heavy metal-inspired burger joint with a “Little Rippers” menu at Bayshore Beach. There’s a play area behind the restaurant and a no-waves beach out front.

About the Author

Claire Atkinson

Claire Atkinson is a Southern California native who has lived in Long Beach for over 20 years. She spends her free time visiting local parks, farmers markets, and museums, and loves learning about Long Beach history and culture.