The Resy Guide to Miami’s Kid-Friendly Restaurants

This chef-driven food hall features a thoughtfully curated mix of local food and beverage talent in a setting that is inviting and casual where little ones are free to roam the massive indoor dining room (there’s also a spectacular rooftop terrace with tables and a full bar, should you want to dine al fresco). At The Citadel, standout vendors include fresh pasta from Borti Pasta Bar, top notch pizza from Stanzione, and bowls of ramen from Yuzu.

Best for: casual dining, big groups

A quick breakfast or casual lunch can be had at Zak Stern’s namesake bakery, who still runs the show at this cafe that also doubles as the industrial bakery for his sourdough empire. Come here for the gourmet sandwiches, homemade soups and delectable pastries that have made this place a must-visit for any bread lover.

Best for: Daytime dining; Sunday brunch

Midtown’s charming sidewalk cafe goes well beyond your average kids’ menu, with dishes like avocado toast with fruit and veggie slices formed into a smiley face for added delight. At Ol’Days, adults will find plenty of healthy options like falafel bowls, wraps and smoothies.

Best for: Easy, healthy lunches and smoothies

With a name means “sweetie”, Motek is an all-day Mediterranean restaurant with several outposts throughout the city including South Beach and Brickell. It’s a crowd pleaser with plates of pita and fresh hummus, chicken schnitzel sandwiches, and bright salads.

Best for: Refueling after shopping (both at Aventura mall and Brickell City Centre)

Children will love this colourful, throwback taqueria outfitted in white tiles and yellow-topped card tables. Tacombi has locations in Wynwood, Design District, and South Beach, each with a menu inspired by Mexican street food like Baja-style fish tacos and corn tortillas made in house that get topped with everything from al pastor pork to marinated free-range chicken.

Best for: Quick and wallet-friendly meals; taco lovers

The place locals go for stellar pasta in South Beach, Michael Pirolo’s rustic trattoria (which recently expanded into a bigger, brighter space) goes for big, bold flavors with a seasonal bent — think cavatelli brimming with baby meatballs, short rib lasagna and a simple-but-decadent spaghetti cacio e pepe, all of which are uniformly excellent and pair well with the extensive menu of Italian wines by the glass. Adventurous eaters will have plenty to get excited about here, but if you’re catering to simpler palates you won’t find a more delicious bowl of pasta and red sauce in town.

Best for: Pasta lovers; when parents need wine

The Design District favorite, ever since it opened 15 years ago, features James Beard award winning chef Michael Schwartz’s take on locavore cuisine with dishes of house-made pasta, pan-roasted chicken, and wood oven-roasted fish, plus plenty of options to keep even the pickiest eaters satisfied.

Best for: Relaxed-yet-grown up dining

A swanky new spot from the owners of MILA, this Miami River outpost is best for when parents want a sophisticated atmosphere that’s also comfortable and chic. Spacious rounded banquettes offer cushy seating for the brood, while a menu of Mediterranean dishes like mezzes and grilled lamb and fish ensure there’s plenty for simple taste buds. Get a table by the windows where kids will get a kick out of watching the steamboats chug by on the river while parents will appreciate the extensive cocktail list.

Best for: A fancy dinner with a vibey soundtrack

This Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse is a delight for diners of all ages combining Korean barbeque with a classic American steakhouse and the result is a dinner theater atmosphere where each table is inlaid with state-of-the-art charcoal grills for cuts to be cooked by experienced servers. Little ones may not opt for the Korean condiments but bowls of steamed white rice pair well with the simple grilled meats. Getting a table when you want can be tricky, so we’ve put together a cheat sheet on how to get in.

Best for: Kids who love a side of theater with dinner; meat eaters; special occasions

A true South Florida institution, Joe’s is where families have celebrated birthdays and anniversaries and graduations for a century. Friendly servers and kid-friendly menu options like excellent fried chicken make this an ideal spot to welcome a new generation into the South Florida tradition of cracking stone crab claws.

Best for: Special occasions; when the grandparents are paying