When you’re looking for fun and unique family restaurants in Canada, sometimes you need to look beyond the regular neighbourhood chain places. Here at YummyMummyClub we understand not wanting to cook every night, so we compiled a list of kid-friendly, one-of-a-kind restaurants in Canada, province-by-province.
These restaurants go beyond a cup of broken crayons and colouring sheets, and they aren’t just places to take in on holiday—be sure to check them out if you live in the neighbourhood and looking for a change from the regular chain restaurants. You may find a new favourite!
Old Spaghetti Factory: Winnipeg, Toronto, several locations in Alberta and BC
Okay, so we broke our “no chains” rule right out of the gate, but it was worth it for this one addition. The Old Spaghetti Factory has been a tried and true Canadian favourite for almost 50 years, and for good reason. Wait staff are incredibly patient and understanding (no crying over spilt milk here!), and the food is affordable and delicious. Kids and grown-ups alike will appreciate the bustling atmosphere. While no hushed conversations are going on, a whole lot of fun is!
Boogie’s Burgers: Calgary
Boogie’s is a long-time favourite of Calgary locals—so much so that the restaurant was featured in the “Fans Request” episode of You’ve Gotta Eat Here Canada. Kids will be amazed at Boogie’s huge and unique burgers. Some menu selections, like Doug’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper” Burger, arrive at table complete with four beef patties, four hot dogs, a fried egg, and pogo stick topper, and are big enough to feed the whole family. And be sure to enjoy a “fat Elvis” bacon milkshake while introducing the kids to the games of your youth on one of Boogie’s vintage video games.
The Old Country Market: Coombs
Enjoy a meal alongside grazing goats at The Old Country Market—except these goats aren’t in a field next door, they’re on the roof! The cafe and restaurant has an environmentally-friendly building, complete with “green roof.”
“Our environmentally friendly method of building provides insulation (retains warmth in colder weather) and promotes evaporation (has a cooling effect in the summer). But most importantly, for us at least, it creates a wonderful habitat for our goats.” And lucky for market customers, it’s a lot of fun to watch!
ChooChoo’s: Langley
We asked our readers about unique places they like to eat with their family, and ChooChoo’s came up time and time again. Train-lovers and conductor wannabes alike will love the train-themed restaurant, complete with model train running along the entire ceiling area of the eatery.
The Fairmont Empress: Victoria
High tea may not be the first thing you think of when compiling a list of restaurants touted as kid-friendly, but the Fairmont Empress in Victoria welcomes children with open arms. Whether you’re on vacation or simply looking for something unique to do with your family in Victoria, why not have a “real life” tea party? Put on your best dress (or tie), brush the sand from Victoria’s beautiful beaches out of your hair, and head to the Empress for traditional English tea, including cucumber finger sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, and delicious sweets. The Fairmont Empress serves a special, custom blended house tea, so remember, pinkies up!
The Original Pancake House: Winnipeg
Who doesn’t love pancakes? Manitoba’s Original Pancake House has all the breakfast favourites, and kids are delighted when their pancakes arrive at the table with fruit faces and whipped cream smiles. The restaurant makes the dining experience fun for kids, and encourages participation in fun events, like kids pancake decorating contests. Everything is made from scratch at the eatery, so if the Winnipeg hospitality didn’t already make you feel welcome and looked after, you will now.
Frank's Finer Diner: Fredericton
Show your kids some retro fun with a meal at Frank’s Finer Diner, where the setting is over half a century behind in history, but ahead of times in fun. The 50s-style restaurant is furnished with shiny booths and Formica tables, and kids will have fun dropping money in the juke box. Frank’s hosts a special Family Night on Tuesdays from 5-7 pm, when a magician is in attendance to entertain while you enjoy thick “old-fashioned” milkshakes and burgers. Frank’s is also a go-to spot for traditional diner-style breakfast.
McSweeney Theatre Company: Moncton
People who’ve been to McSweeney Theatre talk about the great experience the visit was, including how the staff make kids feel special. It’s hard to navigate “grown-up” things like the theatre when you’re a child, so knowing that they’re embraced makes the evening enjoyable for the whole family. Check the website for shows—some are especially well-suited for kids—and get ready to have a wonderful inaugural dinner theatre experience with your family.
Great Viking Feast: St. Anthony
Eat like a Viking, but without all the pesky worry about battle or pestilence! The Great Viking Feast offers patrons a buffet dinner served in a Viking sod-house replica of the 1000-year-old home of Leif Erickson. It’s almost impossible to see from the outside, because the way it blends into the landscape makes it almost indistinguishable. Kids will be amazed at the structure built from the landscape, while parents will love the magnificent NFLD Oceanside view. Relax in a real sod house while dining on simple—but delicious—Viking fare, including Moose Stew, Cod Casserole, Jiggs Dinner, Cod Tongues, Roast Capelin, and baked salmon.
Murphy’s the Cable Wharf: Halifax
What’s better than a great dinner you didn’t have to cook or clean up yourself? How about a dinner you didn’t have to cook yourself, served on a boat! Murphy’s offers a dinner cruise around the Halifax waterfront, and the whole family is welcome. Restaurant dining is raised to a new level when the entire restaurant moves. Kids will love boat-watching, and seeing the scenery change will keep little tummies occupied until dinner arrives. Watching the sun go down over one of our most beautiful provinces will make a night to remember for the whole family.
Island Sunset Resort: Belle Cote
Round out your beach holiday (or enjoy some down-time, if you’re a local) at an authentic lobster and seafood boil on the beach in Belle Cote, Nova Scotia. If the kids get too tired to move after playing in the sand and stuffing themselves with buttery lobster, spend the night and do it again tomorrow! The resort is just off the famous Cabot Trail, so if you’re travelling the area, make it a scheduled stop. Beachside meals are available seasonally, but lobster indoors is always on the menu.
The Wildcat Cafe: Yellowknife
The Wildcat Cafe is unique for a few reasons. It’s the oldest restaurant in Yellowknife and it’s still running under the roof of the original log cabin. The restaurant has become a treasured landmark in Yellowknife, with the building itself being saved from demolition several times over the last century. The cabin was fully restored in the early 70s and taken over by the local heritage foundation, who now allow the space to be used to run The Wildcat. If you’re headed to Yellowknife (or already in the area), you’ll want to show your kids this traditional gold-miners home and enjoy a seasonal meal here.
Medieval Times: Toronto
Medieval Times has enjoyed a long tenure in Toronto, and the successful show isn’t going anywhere. Although it’s a common stop for tourists in the Toronto area, it never feels too busy to provide excellent service. You and your family can enjoy walking around the large foyer before dinner begins to experience a knighting ceremony while enjoying a glass of wine or aptly named medieval-style cocktails. There’s a “torture chamber” for those not weak of heart and the show horses can be viewed in their clean bright stalls, or have your picture taken with the “Royal” family. All of this, and the show hasn’t even started yet! Meals are served at “Court” with King in attendance, and because it’s the eleventh century, eating at medieval court means no hands! Kids can enjoy their dragon’s blood (soda) or drink swill (water) and a full dinner including dessert is served ringside as you enjoy the falconry display followed by jousting and equestrian delights. Even a surly teenager can’t resist cracking a smile at Medieval Times.
Flying Saucer Restaurant: Niagara Falls ON
While we can’t comment definitively that staff is out-of-this-world, the service and surroundings are! Kids (and grown-ups!) will have an adventure dining inside an alien spaceship at the Flying Saucer Restaurant, a remarkable and can’t-miss spot on Niagara Falls’ famous Lundy Lane.
Webers: Orillia
Ontario cottagers are likely familiar with Webers—a traditional pit stop for hungry cottagers headed north. The Orillia landmark became so popular for its delicious burgers, fries, and shakes that it had to install a bridge to prevent foot traffic from crossing the highway! Enjoy your meal picnic-style in sunny weather on Webers' large lot or eat inside “The Caboose” if clouds are threatening. Either way—eat here!
Waterfront Ice Cream: Amherstburg
Who says ice cream can’t be a meal? No one who’s ever been to Waterfront in Amherstburg, that’s who! This local ice cream shop has been family-run since 1979, and they offer more than 50—yes, 50—flavours of ice cream, and countless toppings, from fresh fruit to candy sprinkles to fudge sauce and beyond. The DeLuca family has owned and operated the historic waterfront building for almost 40 years and always offer a great selection of frozen goodies to friends old and new. There are a multitude of places to sit at Waterfront, including some river-front gazebos, so why not be a Holiday Hero and suggest an ice cream supper this summer?
Troy’s Diner: Milton
This downtown diner has a great small town feel, and if you’re a local, you can’t visit without seeing someone you know. Troy’s is part diner, part unofficial Coca Cola museum, with everything from vintage Coke bottles to rare Coke collectibles on display. You’re welcome to wander around and have a look at all the famous faces who’ve graced the diner, and pictures on the wall include many Canadian greats—both local and far-flung. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner is available, but whichever you choose, don’t miss out on the house special—the Smartie milkshake.
Mongolian Grill: London, Waterloo, Whitby
Three Ontario locations make it easy to visit the Genghis Khan Mongolian Grill. The food is delicious, for sure, but what kids will love is the “pick and choose” option of building their own stir-fry. Fill a generous bowl with all the layers—meat, veggies, flavouring sauces, and side starch—then watch as your food is cooked on a giant grill and made to order. Even the pickiest eaters are happy here, because if all they want is a bowl of rice and broccoli, that’s perfectly fine!
La Casa Mexicana: Sudbury
La Casa Mexicana doesn’t have a dedicated website, but that’s probably because they’re too busy creating delicious authentic Mexican cuisine. Travel to Mexico on a budget by heading north instead and eating here! Kids love tacos, and these fresh “real” tacos will keep them seated and quiet, because their mouths will be full. If there’s room after dinner, stay for homemade churros and ice cream.
Roma at Trois Rivieres: Montague
PEI boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in Canada, and it’s easy to imagine how enamoured the first settlers were when they landed. Why not take your family to Roma to experience it firsthand? Here your family can dine on dinner, lunch, or a special Sunday brunch in the gorgeous PEI setting of a 1732 French settlement. The village houses everything you’d find in a pre-confederation village, so you get all the sights and sounds—and tastes! Sample hot bread fresh from the brick oven and traditional fish cakes and baked beans on the brunch menu. You can eat alongside the early settlers, as costumed staff wears historically accurate costumes. Finish your meal with some good strong tea and spend the rest of the morning exploring the village’s buildings and artifacts.
Tubes and JuJubes: Gatineau
Kids want to eat. Then they want to play. Then they want to eat again. Sometimes a parent is up more than down when they have dinner out, which is why Tubes and JuJubes is a treat for the whole family, because you do both. Kids enjoy the indoor playground while parents enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the activity centre bistro.
La Banquise: Montreal
Poutine is enjoying resurgence in popularity, but it’s never lost its appeal here in Canada. Said to be invented in Quebec (and we believe it!), poutine is a local and national favourite. La Banquise takes on the classic and gives it a spin, offering countless varieties of the conventional gravy and curds dish. The whole family is looked after at La Banquise, where you can try poutine varieties, including pulled pork and coleslaw, or ground beef with pepperoni and bacon, or—perennial kid’s favourite—hot-dogs and cheese atop hand-cut fries. The menu also includes vegan options. Everyone loves poutine, and why not enjoy it in its native homeland? Vive la poutine!
Orange Julep: Montreal
Orange Julep is known locally as The Big Orange, and if you visit the restaurant, it’s quickly apparent why. It’s big, and boy, is it orange! The restaurant is open 24 hours, which makes it a great pit stop for travellers or night owls, and if you’re lucky enough to visit after nightfall, you’re in for a real treat—the entire globe lights up! Try to visit during the summer on Wednesday evenings, when the restaurant hosts local car and motorcycle enthusiasts. The parking lot fills with classic cars and street rods, so stick around for a stroll after enjoying your meal.
Teppanyaki Japanese Steak House: Regina
So, authentic Japanese cuisine may not have been your first thought for the prairie province, but this one can’t be missed. Teppanyaki is a great way to show kids that it’s okay to “play” with your food, because the highly-skilled chefs at Teppanyaki Japanese Steak House create a fun, delicious meal in the most entertaining way right at your table. Kids will love how onions are turned into miniature flaming volcanoes and eggs spin in the air without breaking at the hands of the skilled staff. Maybe now your kids will eat their vegetables!
Side note: Please check the links before visiting establishments to ensure hours and details remain current.
If you have a favourite unique or interesting place to eat with kids in Canada worth sharing, let us know! It can be a tiny, three table cafe or a dining hall with clowns on roller skates—if it’s a fun and friendly restaurant, we want to know about it!
Calling all parents! Here's a handy list of restaurants that will let your kids eat for free!
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