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Kid Friendly Restaurants In And Near Green Lake

March 6, 2017 5:57am

Every Wednesday night our family eats out. The midweek break from cooking is something we look forward to. We try to stay close to home, mostly because our toddler has a very set-in-stone hunger meter that normally hits as soon as we get off work. Here’s a list of some great Green Lake restaurant spots that we love that are close to home.

Green Lake Bar and Grill 

You know its kid friendly when you are seated with a toddler and they arrive with a plastic cup with lid and straw! The restaurant features an expansive kid’s menu and entrees that are large enough to share with your kiddo too. The dining room has some great Green Lake art – old and new. And in the summer on a sunny day the outdoor seating area will make you have one of those “ah, this is why we live in Green Lake” moments.

Tip: Happy hour (3-6pm and 9pm-Close daily). And even better deals via their email newsletter. This is one of the few restaurant newsletters I would recommend subscribing to for the many promos.

7200 East Green Lake Dr N
(206) 729-6179

Rosita’s Mexican Grill

Does it get more family friendly than Rosita’s? This Green Lake landmark has been feeding kiddos for decades. On a recent trip the maître d’ walked us to our table and told us she used to come in when she was my toddler’s age. The kid-packed dining room is usually entertainment enough for our little lady allowing me and my husband to split the fajitas and get some margaritas and actually carry on a conversation. Our two-year-old can devour the rice and beans plate in a few minutes. Everyone is happy.

Tip: Handmade tortillas are free and available near the far section of the restaurant. They are tasty and a great distraction for kids as the food is being prepared. Families can sit near the bar on the far side of the restaurant and still get happy hour without actually sitting in the bar. Be sure to ask for the happy hour menu when you arrive. Happy Hour 4-6pm & 9pm-close.

7210 Woodlawn Ave. NE
206-523-3031

PCC Aurora and Green Lake Village

Not only do kid’s get free fruit, which will help to buy you some time when you are shopping, but you can also get takeout and bring it to the park or dine in at either of the PCC locations. The Green Lake Village location has a large salad bar, deli case, hot bar and pizza by the slice or full pies to go. Green Lake Aurora, although much smaller still has a hot bar with rotating soups.

Tip: The Aurora PCC has seating upstairs.

PCC Green Lake Aurora
7504 Aurora Ave. N.
206-525-3586

PCC Green Lake Village
450 N.E. 71st St.
206-729-5075

Mykonos Greek Grill

I still think this is the best gyro in Seattle, and I have tried many! This Greek restaurant is situated in-between the Green Lake Village PCC and the park. We often go straight for the gyros (and 50 napkins!) but there is a large menu. The food comes quickly and the prices are very reasonable.

Tip: Great for takeout too. It is often done in under 10 minutes.

310 NE 72nd St
206-523-8929

Via Tribunali (formerly Cornuto)
What opened a few years back as Cornuto, recently changed names to Via Tribunali. (Quick backstory: it’s always been owned by the Via Tribunali folks, but in January switched names to match the other pizzerias of the area. Don’t worry, the same great staff is there. But the happy hour is much improved. Read on!)

This Greenwood restaurant is kid friendly but also feels like a date night out. Great pizzas and salads. While there aren’t kid menus, it’s pizza (and really good at that) so you should be set. The large dining room is great for families but you may not know that there is a large back deck that is perfect on warm days.

Tip: Happy hour is a steal. $6 pizzas, deals on 1/2 carafes of wine as well as other drink and food specials. Just get there before 6 and you are set!

7404 Greenwood Ave N
(206) 812-0416

Green Lake Ale House
This is where my husband takes our kiddo whenever I am not home at dinner time. It’s easily walkable for us. A great place to drop in after a day at the wading pool and serves brunch on the weekends. Great kid menu.
Tip: They take reservations! Happy hour is good, but only in the bar – sorry kiddos.

7900 East Green Lake Dr N
(206) 294-5753

India Bistro 

It’s easy to miss India Bistro as you drive on Roosevelt Way, but with free parking and great food, you’ll be glad you stopped by. Young kids may enjoy watching the chefs cook (often with large flames) in their open kitchen easily visible from the dining room.

Tip: A buffet is offered for your hungry eaters many days throughout the week. Lunch buffet is offered everyday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – $8.95 and dinner buffet 5 – 9 p.m. on Sunday and Monday Only – $12.95

6417 Roosevelt Way NE #106 (206) 517-4444

Duke’s Chowder House
Duke’s is a year round favorite – in the summer we love the front patio and in the winter we try to get a table by the fire.
Fish and chips, check. Chowder, check. While we reserve Duke’s for a nicer night out because the food is a bit pricier it is always worth it.
Tip: If you sign up for their birthday club you can get a choice of a free dinner, 1/2 price wine or free dessert for your entire table. Parking can be tricky. If you can walk there, do!

7850 Green Lake Dr N
206-522-4908

Parents, what do you think? Did we miss any of your favorites?

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