25 kid-friendly Tampa Bay restaurants that are actually good

The Getaway

13090 Gandy Blvd N, St. Petersburg, 727-317-5751
With waterside dining, large patio seating, The Getaway is a great spot to bring the kiddos. Not to mention they have an actual mini-beach for the kids to play in and tire themselves out.

Photo via The Getaway/Facebook

Ulele

1810 N, Highland Ave, Tampa 813-999-4952
Waterfront view, splash pad across the street and a huge open yard, Ulele is sure to get those kiddos to look up from their phones and enjoy playing outside before scarfing down delicious Native American dishes. Then, you can walk off that food baby on Tampa’s Riverwalk which is right next door.

Photo via Ulele/Facebook

Goody Goody Burger

1601 W, Swann Ave, Tampa, 813-308-1925
Featuring all-day breakfast, award-winning burgers and a friendly atmosphere, Goody Goody is actually a solid place to bring your yungins’, with a kid-friendly menu, complimentary kids trinkets and menu they can color, you won’t have to relinquish your phone while you eat.

Photo via Goody Goody Burger/Facebook

Salt Shack on the Bay

5415 W, Tyson Ave, Tampa 813-444-4569
Accessible by land and sea, the newly opened Salt Shack on the Bay is a nice place to chow down on either some fresh fish tacos or a steamy jerk burger. Accompanied by picnic tables and a great view of the Gandy Bridge, Salt Shack makes you appreciate not being in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Photo via Salt Shack on the Bay/Facebook

Mekenita Cantina

6707 N, Florida Ave, Tampa 813-232-8226
It won’t take much to convince the kids that Mekenita is the place to be for dinner tonight. While you're enjoying quality Mexican cuisine, the kiddos can go nuts over their dinosaur-shaped plate.

Photo via Mekenita Cantina/Facebook

El Cap

3500 4th St. N, St. Petersburg 727-521-1314
Whether it’s smacking down some burgers with the little ones or crackin’ a cold one with the boys El Cap is the place to be. This spot is meant to get rowdy, while cheering on your favorite team and the kids are making mess.

Photo via Ray Roa

Nebraska Mini Mart

4815 N, Nebraska Ave, Tampa 813-231-9522
Sitting indoors and eating is too mainstream. Head over to Nebraska Mini-Mart where you can enjoy great food, like they’re fried garlic wings, and beers, while getting your ass handed to you in shuffleboard.

Photo via Nebraska Mini Mart/Facebook

Armature Works

1901 N, Ola Ave, Tampa 813-250-3725
There’s not much you can say about Armature Works without including the giant variety of cuisine. From Mexican, BBQ, Acai bowls, Italian and plenty more, fighting with the kids over what spot to eat at has never been easier. Lets not forget the giant outdoor seating area, as well.

Photo via Armature Works/Facebook

Bodega

5901 N, Florida Ave, Tampa 813-533-3333
Hot Cuban in one hand, shuffleboard in the other, not much can go wrong here. Equipped with a lively outdoor dining area, Bodega is a quality Latin restaurant to bring the kids.

Photo via Bodega/Facebook

Columbia

2117 E, 7th Ave, Tampa 813-248-4961
Arguably the oldest restaurant in Florida, Columbia is surprisingly a decent spot to take the kiddos. From the cuban sandwiches to their signature paella, Columbia also offers a great kid’s menu and complimentary crayons and coloring activities.

Photo via Columbia/Facebook

Sparkman Wharf

615 Channelside Dr, Tampa 813-345-5881
With plenty of room for your kids to roam, dining around shipping containers is actually a good choice at Sparkman Wharf. The space a ton of food options, booze, artificial turf, a nearby indoor bowling alley, and is also footsteps from the Florida Aquarium.

Photo via Sparkman Wharf/Facebook

Metro Diner

4011 West Kennedy Blvd Tampa 813-364-0076
Are you and the kids tired of the same fast food? Bring them over to Metro Diner where they’ll be too busy enjoying the food to interrupt you from those signature chicken and waffles. Plus, it’s one of the few good Florida-based chains.

Photo via Metro Diner/Facebook

Baum Ave Market

1113 Baum Ave, Downtown St. Petersburg, 727-485-8755
The Baum Ave Market features different vendors at all times, so there’s usually something there for even the pickiest eaters. Also, feel free to walk around and see all the people with their cute (or not so cute) dogs.

Photo via Baum Ave Market/Facebook

2nd & Second

201 2nd Ave N, Downtown St. Petersburg, 727-440-4700
This downtown diner has extended happy hour for the grownups, and crayons with a simple diner kid’s menu for them. They’re also open 24 hours.

Photo via 2nd & Second/Facebook

Lee’s Grocery

2210 N. Central Avenue, Downtown Tampa, 813-374-0179
Lee’s comes with all the trimmings of a kid-friendly spot that’s also good for adults, with craft beer, pizza, wings and a shaded patio for the well-behaved kiddos to hang. You can even take a 6-pack home with you.

Photo via Lee’s Grocery/Facebook

Big Ray’s Fish Camp

6116 Interbay Blvd, South Tampa, 813-605-3615
This new Big Ray’s Fish Camp location serves several seafood options, and is located right near the riverwalk to keep the kiddies occupied. They have some interesting choices, including a shrimp corn dog and fried Oreos.

Photo via The Sail/Facebook

Shuffle

2612 N Tampa St, Downtown Tampa, 813-450-3797
Keep those little buggers off the shuffleboard courts and let em’ go crazy in the backyard while you chow down on some concession-style food. Shuffle features four indoor courts and a bar.

Photo via Shuffle/https://shuffletampa.com/

Mel’s Hot Dogs

4136 E Busch Blvd, North Tampa, 813-985-8000
With hot dogs and fries served at the last standing building from Tampa’s airbase in WWII, Mel’s Hot Dogs is located right next to Busch Gardens and Adventure Island. Could also be a good place to go if the kids are already exhausted after hitting up the theme park.

Photo via Mel’s Hot Dogs/Facebook

Better Byrd

4447 4th St N #1, St. Petersburg, 727-325-2973
A chicken place that can help drown out the noise of your rowdy kids with live music on the weekends, Better Byrd specializes in chicken sandwiches and salads. They also have foosball tables outside.

Photo via Better Byrd/Facebook

Ricks on the River

2305 N Willow Ave, Downtown Tampa, 813-251-0369
Relaxing place to sit on the river, Rick’s water-adjacent locale lets the kids look for dolphins in the river and chow on some classic seafood fare. Rick’s also has live music.

Photo via Ricks on the River/Facebook