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Outdoor playground at BoomBozz in East Nashville
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14 Great Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Nashville

The breweries, bowling alleys, and leveled-up burger places that keep that whole family well-fed and entertained

by Jackie Gutierrez-Jones Updated
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Outdoor playground at BoomBozz in East Nashville
| BoomBozz/Facebook
by Jackie Gutierrez-Jones Updated

Not-so-breaking news: kids can sniff out a fast-food chain with a jungle gym faster than any adult in the near vicinity. But grabbing a meal with little ones doesn’t have to mean mediocre burgers and questionably sanitary ball pits. In fact, finding a standout meal that pleases grown-up palates and caters to the school-age crowd is easier than ever. Nashville restaurants are embracing the whole family experience with inventive dishes featuring high-quality ingredients that keep the adults entertained while the little ones run around in an open patio space or color to their hearts' content.

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Lockeland Table

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The kids’ menu at Lockeland Table features smaller versions of the essential East Nashville restaurant’s popular wood-fired pizza, plus special kids’ sides and desserts that include mac and cheese, roasted veggies, and Oreo balls. Though the attractive space can feel a bit small for maneuvering children, an additional side patio makes a great option for family dining.

1520 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 228-4864
(615) 228-4864

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BoomBozz Craft Pizza & Taphouse - East Nashville

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The East Nashville location of this casual pizza joint has an impressive playground setup that’s a popular option for families looking to let off a bit of steam with a side of create-your-own calzones and green chile chicken pies. Kids have their own menu here featuring eight-inch personal pizzas, buttered noodles, and chicken bites, but for the grown-ups: a beer menu featuring local and domestic options.

1003 Russell St, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 505-3217
(615) 505-3217

Joyland Restaurant

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On its surface, Joyland Restaurant bears all the hallmarks of your typical fast-casual burger joint: counter service, playful primary colors as decor, a simple, takeout-focused menu, and the smell of grilled beef in the air. But because Sean Brock’s at the helm of this East Nashville spot, everything’s a cut above. The burgers benefit from a proprietary blend of beef from Bear Creek Farm, for example, and the biscuits and beer bear one of Brock’s go-to grains: Jimmy Red corn. Don’t miss the house-made soft serve ice cream with sprinkles — the perfect treat to enjoy on the patio outside.

901 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 922-4934
(615) 922-4934
close up of fried chicken biscuit with sauce actively drizzling from above
Joyland’s fried chicken biscuit with hot honey.
Jeff Scott

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Nectar Urban Cantina

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This Donelson favorite has a children’s play area outside that lets adults grab their own kicky beverage from the beer garden before settling in for some casual crowd-pleasers like tacos (stuffed with buttermilk chicken or beer-braised brisket), burritos, nachos, and churros. Be sure to check Nectar’s events calendar for kids' music nights and concerts on the lawn.

206 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 454-2277
(615) 454-2277

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Frothy Monkey

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Frothy Monkey has four boisterous cafes in Nashville and several more throughout Tennessee/Alabama (not to mention its own coffee roaster and bakery operations). They’re especially popular for well-made breakfast and lunch dishes featuring local ingredients, and they all serve a kids’ menu that includes French toast, cheesy eggs and bacon, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

1400 51st Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 600-4756
(615) 600-4756
A spread of dishes on a wooden table including salmon on a bed of greens in the foreground next to a glass with some dark liquid in it and a latte and omelet in the background.
A spread of dishes at Frothy Monkey.
Frothy Monkey

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Nicky's Coal Fired

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This Nations hotspot dispenses some of Nashville’s best pizza from “Enrico,” a four-ton coal-fired oven. Alongside classic margherita, signature pies like the Aces High (with crushed meatballs, mozz, and pecorino), and dippable garlic bread, Nicky’s offers kids their choice of butter or red-sauce noodles to enjoy with a side of vanilla Italian soda. Every Monday starting at 4 p.m. is family night where kids 12 and under eat free and grown-ups can enjoy $5 select drinks.

5026 Centennial Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 678-4289
(615) 678-4289

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Pinewood Social

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Bowling — that’s what’s for dinner at Pinewood Social, nicely situated in Nash’s Historic Trolley Barns. If you can pry your child away from the lanes for a brief moment, they’ll surely find something to love on a special kids’ menu with cheeseburgers, buttered noodles, grilled cheese, and chicken fingers. For adults: crispy tots with paprika aioli, short rib mac-and-cheese, and a banana chocolate sundae — to share or not to share.

33 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 751-8111
(615) 751-8111

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Husk

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It’d be easy to relegate an upscale place like Rutledge Hill’s Husk to date-night territory. But then you’d be missing out on chef Ben Norton’s perfect rendition of a grilled cheese sandwich — a dish that’s available for the kids in the group but definitely warrants a bite for the adults. Beyond that, the Southern veggie platter is the easiest way to get little ones to eat their greens with fun and unique preparations, dips, and sauces to experiment with. Outside, Husk’s garden is a great spot to show little ones the charm of growing local, seasonal produce.

37 Rutledge St, Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 256-6565
(615) 256-6565

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Hugh-Baby's

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Another welcome entry in the category of leveled-up nostalgia trips, this mini fast-food chain by Pat Martin (of Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint) serves filling burgers (including slugburgers), barbecue sandwiches, and hot dogs at three locations. Kids love the patio play area at the Berry Hill and Charlotte Avenue locations and the roster of creamy old-school milkshakes with ice cream.

4816 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 610-3340
(615) 610-3340

Jasper's

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Jasper’s is a casual Midtown hang for when the weather isn’t playing ball. The two indoor game rooms are equipped with board games, an air hockey table, old-school arcade consoles, and a basketball free-throw machine — all free for customers. The portions here are generous, so expect plates and bowls brimming with mounds of chili cheese fries, and cauliflower poppers, along with sizeable flatbread and burgers. Most of the items here can be modified for those with gluten sensitivities, too.

1918 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 327-4410
(615) 327-4410
A father and a daughter playing a game of Jenga on a wood table with someone throwing a basketball in the background. Jasper’s

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Otaku Ramen Gulch

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The Gulch’s popular noodle shop offers kids the one thing that’s taboo at so many other restaurants: the ability to loudly slurp a big, steamy bowl of broth. Grab a seat at one of the wooden tables and order up a chocolate boba for your pint-sized partner before pursuing the children’s menu — the kid-size tonkotsu is a winner.

1104 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 455-0677
(615) 455-0677

Also featured in:

Bartaco

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Mezcal for the adults and refreshing agua frescas for kiddos — a meal at 12 South or East Nashville’s Bartaco is an easy win for everyone in the fam. Settle into a booth or table and get your little one situated with the children’s menu, which includes “not spicy” guac, mini tacos, and a tray with a quesadilla, taco, corn wheels, and a fruit skewer. Come early, though — the crowds get unruly later into the evening.

2526 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 269-8226
(615) 269-8226

Also featured in:

Edley's Bar-B-Que

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Edley’s is easily one of Nashville’s best barbecue joints; at all of its relaxed locations around town, little ones can enjoy a smaller version of the popular barbecue sandwich plus other items from the kids’ menu, including mini corn dogs, grilled cheese, and chicken tenders.

2706 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 953-2951
(615) 953-2951

Also featured in:

Tailgate Brewery

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Tailgate is open to visitors of all ages, has tons of indoor space and outdoor patios at taprooms throughout the city, serves crowd-pleasing pizza, and offers family-oriented events. Its headquarters in West Nashville often shows movies on an expansive lawn and hosts activities in the heated barn — you’ll even find a children’s menu with pizza, waffles fries, chicken nuggets, and sandwiches.

7300 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 861-9842
(615) 861-9842

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Lockeland Table

1520 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206

The kids’ menu at Lockeland Table features smaller versions of the essential East Nashville restaurant’s popular wood-fired pizza, plus special kids’ sides and desserts that include mac and cheese, roasted veggies, and Oreo balls. Though the attractive space can feel a bit small for maneuvering children, an additional side patio makes a great option for family dining.

1520 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 228-4864
(615) 228-4864

BoomBozz Craft Pizza & Taphouse - East Nashville

1003 Russell St, Nashville, TN 37206

The East Nashville location of this casual pizza joint has an impressive playground setup that’s a popular option for families looking to let off a bit of steam with a side of create-your-own calzones and green chile chicken pies. Kids have their own menu here featuring eight-inch personal pizzas, buttered noodles, and chicken bites, but for the grown-ups: a beer menu featuring local and domestic options.

1003 Russell St, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 505-3217
(615) 505-3217

Joyland Restaurant

901 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206

On its surface, Joyland Restaurant bears all the hallmarks of your typical fast-casual burger joint: counter service, playful primary colors as decor, a simple, takeout-focused menu, and the smell of grilled beef in the air. But because Sean Brock’s at the helm of this East Nashville spot, everything’s a cut above. The burgers benefit from a proprietary blend of beef from Bear Creek Farm, for example, and the biscuits and beer bear one of Brock’s go-to grains: Jimmy Red corn. Don’t miss the house-made soft serve ice cream with sprinkles — the perfect treat to enjoy on the patio outside.

901 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 922-4934
(615) 922-4934
close up of fried chicken biscuit with sauce actively drizzling from above
Joyland’s fried chicken biscuit with hot honey.
Jeff Scott

Nectar Urban Cantina

206 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN 37214

This Donelson favorite has a children’s play area outside that lets adults grab their own kicky beverage from the beer garden before settling in for some casual crowd-pleasers like tacos (stuffed with buttermilk chicken or beer-braised brisket), burritos, nachos, and churros. Be sure to check Nectar’s events calendar for kids' music nights and concerts on the lawn.

206 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 454-2277
(615) 454-2277

Frothy Monkey

1400 51st Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209

Frothy Monkey has four boisterous cafes in Nashville and several more throughout Tennessee/Alabama (not to mention its own coffee roaster and bakery operations). They’re especially popular for well-made breakfast and lunch dishes featuring local ingredients, and they all serve a kids’ menu that includes French toast, cheesy eggs and bacon, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

1400 51st Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 600-4756
(615) 600-4756
A spread of dishes on a wooden table including salmon on a bed of greens in the foreground next to a glass with some dark liquid in it and a latte and omelet in the background.
A spread of dishes at Frothy Monkey.
Frothy Monkey

Nicky's Coal Fired

5026 Centennial Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209

This Nations hotspot dispenses some of Nashville’s best pizza from “Enrico,” a four-ton coal-fired oven. Alongside classic margherita, signature pies like the Aces High (with crushed meatballs, mozz, and pecorino), and dippable garlic bread, Nicky’s offers kids their choice of butter or red-sauce noodles to enjoy with a side of vanilla Italian soda. Every Monday starting at 4 p.m. is family night where kids 12 and under eat free and grown-ups can enjoy $5 select drinks.

5026 Centennial Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 678-4289
(615) 678-4289

Pinewood Social

33 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210

Bowling — that’s what’s for dinner at Pinewood Social, nicely situated in Nash’s Historic Trolley Barns. If you can pry your child away from the lanes for a brief moment, they’ll surely find something to love on a special kids’ menu with cheeseburgers, buttered noodles, grilled cheese, and chicken fingers. For adults: crispy tots with paprika aioli, short rib mac-and-cheese, and a banana chocolate sundae — to share or not to share.

33 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 751-8111
(615) 751-8111

Husk

37 Rutledge St, Nashville, TN 37210

It’d be easy to relegate an upscale place like Rutledge Hill’s Husk to date-night territory. But then you’d be missing out on chef Ben Norton’s perfect rendition of a grilled cheese sandwich — a dish that’s available for the kids in the group but definitely warrants a bite for the adults. Beyond that, the Southern veggie platter is the easiest way to get little ones to eat their greens with fun and unique preparations, dips, and sauces to experiment with. Outside, Husk’s garden is a great spot to show little ones the charm of growing local, seasonal produce.

37 Rutledge St, Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 256-6565
(615) 256-6565

Hugh-Baby's

4816 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209

Another welcome entry in the category of leveled-up nostalgia trips, this mini fast-food chain by Pat Martin (of Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint) serves filling burgers (including slugburgers), barbecue sandwiches, and hot dogs at three locations. Kids love the patio play area at the Berry Hill and Charlotte Avenue locations and the roster of creamy old-school milkshakes with ice cream.

4816 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 610-3340
(615) 610-3340

Jasper's

1918 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203

Jasper’s is a casual Midtown hang for when the weather isn’t playing ball. The two indoor game rooms are equipped with board games, an air hockey table, old-school arcade consoles, and a basketball free-throw machine — all free for customers. The portions here are generous, so expect plates and bowls brimming with mounds of chili cheese fries, and cauliflower poppers, along with sizeable flatbread and burgers. Most of the items here can be modified for those with gluten sensitivities, too.

1918 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 327-4410
(615) 327-4410
A father and a daughter playing a game of Jenga on a wood table with someone throwing a basketball in the background. Jasper’s

Otaku Ramen Gulch

1104 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203

The Gulch’s popular noodle shop offers kids the one thing that’s taboo at so many other restaurants: the ability to loudly slurp a big, steamy bowl of broth. Grab a seat at one of the wooden tables and order up a chocolate boba for your pint-sized partner before pursuing the children’s menu — the kid-size tonkotsu is a winner.

1104 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 455-0677
(615) 455-0677

Bartaco

2526 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

Mezcal for the adults and refreshing agua frescas for kiddos — a meal at 12 South or East Nashville’s Bartaco is an easy win for everyone in the fam. Settle into a booth or table and get your little one situated with the children’s menu, which includes “not spicy” guac, mini tacos, and a tray with a quesadilla, taco, corn wheels, and a fruit skewer. Come early, though — the crowds get unruly later into the evening.

2526 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 269-8226
(615) 269-8226

Edley's Bar-B-Que

2706 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

Edley’s is easily one of Nashville’s best barbecue joints; at all of its relaxed locations around town, little ones can enjoy a smaller version of the popular barbecue sandwich plus other items from the kids’ menu, including mini corn dogs, grilled cheese, and chicken tenders.

2706 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 953-2951
(615) 953-2951

Tailgate Brewery

7300 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209

Tailgate is open to visitors of all ages, has tons of indoor space and outdoor patios at taprooms throughout the city, serves crowd-pleasing pizza, and offers family-oriented events. Its headquarters in West Nashville often shows movies on an expansive lawn and hosts activities in the heated barn — you’ll even find a children’s menu with pizza, waffles fries, chicken nuggets, and sandwiches.

7300 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 861-9842
(615) 861-9842

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