Diners' Choice: Kid-friendly restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are kid friendly in California Central Coast? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Japanese Restaurant Goshi

4.9

4.9 (540)

$30 and under

Japanese

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of San Luis Obispo downtown, serving authentic Japanese food starting from Sushi and traditional tei-shoku. Don't forget to enjoy soothing sake and Japanese beer!

Top review

IrinaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

As always the fish was fresh and we enjoyed every morsel of the rice.

Mama's Meatball

4.8

4.8 (1128)

$30 and under

Italian

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

There are many Italian Restaurants in San Luis Obispo, but if you're looking for a truly authentic Italian dining experience, then you should consider Mama's Meatball Restaurant. Rated among the best San Luis Obispo restaurants, Mama's Meatball uses the freshest, quality ingredients grown locally to create some of the most outstanding dishes you could find in San Luis Obispo eateries. For your convenience, Mama's Meatball offers dine-in, takeout and delivery service. Mama's Meatball is one of the few restaurants near Mission San Luis Obispo, and a block away from hotels in downtown San Luis Obispo to offer private dining options and banquet accommodations for corporate parties and family celebrations. Click here to request a quote for your next private event. Check Out Charity Water! https://www.charitywater.org/mamas-meatball

Top review

DonVIP

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

Always one of my favorites. Staff and food are great!!

Treehouse Cafe

4.7

4.7 (266)

$31 to $50

Global, International

Carmel

About the restaurant

Treehouse Cafe offers global fare in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Top review

Jessie

Dined on Nov 25, 2024

Some amazing flavors and a unique menu. Enjoyed by all!

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Popular dish

Russian Lamb Stroganoff

Sur at The Barnyard

4.6

4.6 (503)

$31 to $50

American

Carmel Valley

About the restaurant

Voted "Best Restaurant in Carmel Valley 2023"!

Located in the picturesque Barnyard Shopping Village just off of HWY 1 between Rio Rd and Carmel Valley Rd. Sur at the Barnyard is where foodies, beer lovers and families escape the stresses of their day-to-day lives to enjoy a great meal!

If you don't see a reservation available give us a call anytime and we will be happy to assist!

Need a reservation for 7 or more? Give us a call at 831-250-7188 or email us any requests at reservations@suratthebarnyard.com

Top review

LouiseVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent meal! Great options and well prepared and displayed. Austin was energetic, attentive and downright entertaining! Finished the meal with the Arctic Bomb. Not to be missed!

Rosine's Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (573)

$30 and under

American

Monterey

About the restaurant

Rosine's Restaurant turns traditional American comfort food into an art form. This local family-owned and operated casual dining restaurant has been open for 43+ years. The Culcasi family, owners of Rosine's, have received a bit of national fame as it has appeared on Guy Fieri's show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives". Rosine's offers indoor and outdoor (pet friendly) dining serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, beer wine and signature craft cocktails. Breakfast offers include Eggs Benedicts, Omelets and a variety of other breakfast specialities. As for lunch and dinner, there is a mix of American and Italian dishes. Some of the most popular dishes on the menu include their Beef Minestrone soup, Chicken Parmesan and Lasagna. Scrumptious sandwiches, fresh salads and burgers are also elevated. They are known world wide for their award-winning house made desserts. A consistent winner with the locals for Best Comfort Food, Best Family Restaurant, Best Desserts + more.

Top review

CarolynVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Decorated beautifully for Christmas. Service was attentive and polite. Food portions were generous and delicious. Ordered veggie burger (loved the mushrooms and avocado on it), lamb shanks (2 shanks with mashed potatoes and veggies - yum), lasagna (perfection) with minestrone soup - yum), and blacked chicken (dry). Black Forest cake (delicious, not too sweet just right).

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Popular dish

Hearty Homemade Beef Minestrone Soup

Baja Cantina - Carmel

4.5

4.5 (601)

$30 and under

Mexican / Southwestern

Carmel Valley

About the restaurant

Baja Cantina is a fun and energetic place that is known for its exceptional automotive memorabilia collection and excellent food. We have a large outdoor patio that is perfect to sit and relax on a sunny afternoon with one of our award winning margaritas. We have special events all year round, including our famous classic car gatherings, holiday parties, tequila tastings, and sporting events. ****We only accept online reservations during off-peak times. If you can’t find a time you want online, please give us a call.***

Top review

josephineVIP

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

Food was not as hot as it should have been. Flavor was good.

Olio Pizzeria

4.5

4.5 (1485)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Olio Pizzeria is an upscale-casual pizzeria with salumi bar/wine bar/full bar which was inspired by the myriad neighborhood pizzerie and enoteche found around the corner from just about every piazza in Italy. This idea began to take shape before Alberto and Elaine Morello even opened Olio e Limone Ristorante, their fine dining Italian restaurant next door. Wine bars serving boutique salumi and formaggi are ubiquitous in Italy, as is a regionalism which the Morellos are excited to share with you. Sicily is an emerging powerhouse, and touches of Sicilian food and wine delight their guests. You’ll also find exciting tastes from Campania and other emerging regions on their menus, wine and beer lists. Takeout available. Buon appetito!

Top review

Paul

Dined 7 days ago

Slow service but delicious food we had great conversation while waiting. Server never came to get payment so we carried to front. Maybe that’s the system.

Sea Root - Hyatt Regency Monterey

4.4

4.4 (22)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Monterey

About the restaurant

Where the aromatic flavors and spices of the Mediterranean mingle with Pacific Coast ingredients—welcome to Sea Root, our upscale restaurant. Let us plate and pour you something delicious, including pan seared pacific halibut, seared scallop sofrito, and feta fig toast—all paired with Monterey County wines.

Top review

Marge

Dined on Nov 28, 2024

We enjoyed the Thanksgiving buffet at Sea Root. Last year we tried the buffet at a different hotel and were so disappointed. This experience was the complete opposite. Service was warm and friendly, the options were quality, and we were treated as valued customers. I would definitely splurge on the Thanksgiving buffet at Sea Root again and hope to enjoy regular dining there as well.

The Oak Grill

4.3

4.3 (377)

$31 to $50

Bistro

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

The Oak Grill Features new Californian cuisine showcasing the freshest ingredients from the Central Coast, celebrating each season with its unique offering and flavor profiles.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined on Dec 5, 2024

Pleasantly surprised. We stayed at the Hotel Cerro and ate here expecting a hotel restaurant experience but actually the food was very high tier and delicious. The Branzino was a piece of whole fish super meaty and well roasted. Service was great as well. Very well cooked food and we will be back sometime again. The restaurant is a tad bit noisy even with only a few people cause of the brick walls and high ceilings. It's slightly odd that they don't allow same day OpenTable reservations since it was pretty empty when we went. The one negative I'll mention is that they kept the temp really cold for some reason like it almost felt unheated. Not sure why. Turn up the temp guys! Anyway, good food and that's what matters and the rest of the stuff can get worked on.

Rockfish Harbor Grill

4.2

4.2 (157)

$30 and under

Seafood

Monterey

About the restaurant

We are excited to transform Monterey Bay's best location into the newest, freshest, seafood restaurant. Enjoy an all-new ambiance, waterfront tables, and exciting menu items!

For more than one hundred years, fishing has been a vital part of Monterey’s economy. Monterey’s historic Fisherman’s Wharf with its colorful shops, seafood markets, and flavorful restaurants, is a reflection of that history. Rockfish celebrates Monterey’s fishing tradition and enjoys the Wharf’s most expansive, panoramic views of the working harbor.

Stop by and enjoy a cocktail and our stunning views at the restaurant’s bar and lounge. Our ambiance is casual California and it’s suitable for visitors of all ages. Come see for yourself. You’ll be glad you did!

Top review

LesVIP

Dined on Dec 9, 2024

The location, view, food, and staff are all great. You will like it. :)

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