Where to get a nice meal with an infant in tow?
Where in the East Bay is a restaurant where my husband and I can have a nice meal with our 4 month old where other patrons won't be surprised or upset to be sitting next to a baby? I want to sit down at a table and be served a delicious meal that I didn't have to cook myself. Preferably where other babies/kids are going to be present. Where do you feel comfortable taking your baby out to dinner?
Feb 27, 2024
Parent Replies
We've been taking my very energetic nephew to Good to Eat in Emeryville since he was about 1 (now 2.5) and it's always a great experience + really delicious food. The staff is INCREDIBLE and we often see other babies and kids there. They also have really lovely outdoor seating if the weather is nice.
I’d recommend MAMA in Oakland!
Hello! I just thought I’d share with you, as an adult who has a 14 year old and finally gets to go out with other adults, if I go to a restaurant before 7:30 I expect there to be families present with small kids, obviously you are welcome to eat anywhere at any time, just my personal expectation. A few favs: Bomberra, Pizziolo, Juanita & Maude, Good to Eat Dumplings, Almond & Oak. Bon Appetite Mama!
Marzano's and Sushi Park in Glenview are very family friendly. Nido's Backyard and Forge in Jack London are too. Especially if you are eating on the earlier side, I think you can get away with taking your babe most places actually. We took the kiddos to Noka Ramen (JLS) and there were virtually no other diners at 5:30p so it wasn't a big deal they were being kids.
I think this depends a lot on what you define as "nice" and what time you're going. I've been comfortable taking our baby to Fatapples in El Cerrito - they bring the food to you, although ordering is at the counter these days, which isn't as nice. We've also gone to Gangnam Tofu in El Cerrito with the baby on weeknights when it isn't quite so packed. Both places had high chairs available. Remembering that Fatapples had high chairs was what made me feel comfortable taking our baby to eat there for our first restaurant experience with a baby. Weeknight dinners or weekend lunches might be less crowded and help you feel a bit more comfortable trying it out. Good luck and bon appéit!
We absolutely love Saul’s in North Berkeley and have been heading there most Sunday mornings since my almost 3 year old was just a few months old. We like sitting outside where our little one tends to be more regulated and we get some fresh air. We’ve only done dinner there once and while I think their brunch is superior, would recommend for dinner as well.
Pizzaiolo is another kid friendly option.
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It depends on what you consider “nice,” but our family (spouse and two children ages 2 and 4) have been going to Doña on Piedmont Ave for restaurant meals. You order at the front and they take the food to you. There is lots of indoor and outdoor space. Plenty of high chairs and boosters. I see lots of children there. I would say we try to go to places with lots of space because it allows our toddler to walk around and explore. Try calling places and see if they have high chairs and boosters. We are not in a place to do “fancy” meals but we love exposing our children to different foods and social experiences. Good luck!
If you’re open to breakfast or brunch for the meal, I’d recommend going to Sam’s Log Cabin on a nice day. It gets crowded, so you should go early or plan to wait for a table, but it’s very family friendly and has great food.
We’ve also eaten out with our babies at Gather a few times for dinner, and that was a great experience and good food as well.
Hi, We love Dona in Oakland, Mexican restaurant with very yummy food, a bit more upscale mexican food and good drinks. Very family friendly.
We have had a lot of success with restaurants on Solano Ave in Berkeley. Many are very family friendly. Some even have the slings to put the infant car seat in (I think this was Little Star). There's also 310 Eatery around the corner on San Pablo. They are usually not crowded on a weeknight. A cute couple runs the place. They are super nice and I get the feeling they are the type of people that would offer to hold your baby for a few minutes. They also have a little kids corner.
I also second the point about time of day. When we go around 5 or 5:30 with our 1 & 4 yr old, we really only see other families. And no one pays attention to what is going on at other tables. So don't sweat it.