By local contributor
JoAnne Zeterberg
Dining out in Scottsdale with the family doesn't mean you're relegated to fast food restaurants with ball pits. Quite the opposite, in fact. You'll find a healthy serving of kid-friendly restaurants in Scottsdale that cater to even the pickiest eaters. The best part is, they also serve up thoughtful cuisine for adults. Here are some of our favorite family restaurants in Scottsdale.
An Old Town family favorite for more than 60 years, this bubblegum-pink diner and ice cream parlor is a step back in time. Here you’ll find pink-and-white booths, swivel stools and an old-fashioned ice cream counter serving up classic American eats and some of Scottsdale’s finest floats, parfaits, shakes, cones, sundaes and more! Be sure to check out the mini-arcade and original artwork by cartoonist Bil Keane (of Family Circus fame).
This locally owned Old Town hotspot serves breakfast and lunch on the daily, with menu options that offer just the right mix of healthy and decadent goods. While they’re best known for made-from-scratch, kid-friendly favorites like S’mores Cakes, PB&J Waffles and Maple Almond Crunch French Toast, you’ll also find a great selection of protein bowls, lean omelets and hearty steel-cut oats. And there’s a great selection of specialty coffee drinks (including spiked options!) for the adults.
Looking for fast, casual and sustainable family fare? Old Town's Farm & Craft is your go-to. While adults enjoy build-your-own protein bowls, veggie-forward flatbreads and hearty sandwiches, kid can fill up on vanilla pancakes, cheese pizza, chicken and veggies, or gluten-free pasta. Be sure to stop by the "Love Is . . ." board and let each member of the family add their thoughts!
There’s lots to love about this Old Town gem, from “haüs”-made artisan sausages to giant Bavarian pretzels served with beer cheese fondue. Post up on the lush patio, which offers giant Jenga, corn hole and shuffleboard under leafy shade trees. Kids can grab a hot dog or some crispy chicken strips, and if you’ve brought the family pup, order the dog-friendly pork-n-chicken brat and the proceeds will go to Lucky Dog Rescue.
While a golf course restaurant may not be the first option that comes to mind for families, we would be remiss not to include Isabella’s Kitchen at Grayhawk Golf Club. Overlooking the scenic Talon Golf Course, Isabella’s is outdoor dining at its best. Here you’ll find a cozy patio with fire pits, bistro lights and live music. And because it is adjacent to the golf course, there is plenty of room for the kiddos to run, making this your ideal family-friendly restaurant for all to enjoy.
Wildflower Bread Company is a fast-casual spot serving up sandwiches on fresh-baked breads, artisan salads and homemade soups. While the large kids’ menu (with multiple choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner) doesn’t disappoint, the real allure of this restaurant is the location across from the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. This 30-acre park boasts a one-mile train track loop, a vintage carousel, playground and more! Pick up your meal at Wildflower before heading to the park with the family!
This family-owned and -operated pizza joint is the perfect spot for the whole gang. Adults will enjoy fun drinks like the oh-so-popular Gibbilini Bellini, and the larger-than-life pizzas and salads (the Pablo Picasso is a fan favorite!) make it easy to share dishes. Kids can nosh on pasta, individual slices of pizza or mac 'n' cheese. Be sure to ask for raw pizza dough to help keep the little ones entertained while you wait for your food to arrive!