When you’ve got kids, they’re always your first priority. That means that you have to consider everything they need whenever you plan activities or dining out. So, of course, when it comes to family-friendly restaurants – nothing fancy (in case they decide to toss their mac n’ cheese in the air) and nothing where the food is too unfamiliar (many groans can come from lack of chicken fingers). Luckily, St. Augustine has plenty of family-friendly restaurants where kids will feel just at home and you can sit back and relax in the knowledge that they’re happy and well-fed. Time to create a family food bucket and hit up all of these family-friendly restaurants in St. Augustine.
Image by Ed Taylor
Mellow Mushroom
410 Anastasia Boulevard
Wild and colorful decor, pizza as far as the eye can see, healthy sides with kid-friendly meals – need we say more about Mellow? Though the whole family would be happy to share any of the unique pizza preparations, kids can also get a taste of cheese bread pizza, mac n’ cheese, pretzels, and meatballs.
www.mellowmushroom.com/location/fl-saint-augustine-410-anastasia-blvd-32080
Sunset Grille
421 A1A Beach Boulevard
Sunset Grille’s casual, beachfront atmosphere is perfect for a mid-beach day lunch or winding down a fun-filled day on the sand with some delicious dinner. And for picky eaters, the kids’ menu is extensive – everything from pasta and burgers to corndogs, shrimp, and grilled cheese.
www.sunsetgrillea1a.com
One Twenty Three Burger House
123 King Street
Kids and burgers are a match made in heaven. This casual spot has a large menu to accommodate the whole family (filled with pizza, wings, sandwiches, and burgers), and its downtown location means that there’s plenty of time for activities after eating. Kids can choose from dishes like hot dogs and burgers, chicken tenders and mac n’ cheese.
www.onetwentythreeburgerhouse.com
Image by Ed Taylor
Beachcomber
2 A Street
With a location right on the beach and play area right by the dunes, this St. Augustine spot is a kids’ paradise. They can join you for some fresh, delectable seafood or they can explore a kids’ menu of tasty burgers, chicken tenders, shrimp, and grilled cheese.
www.beachcomberstaugustine.com
Pizzalley’s
117 St. George Street
At Pizzalley’s, you’ll enjoy classic pizza of all kinds in a comfortable, family-friendly atmosphere. And if everyone gathered is up for sharing, there are plenty of family meal pasta options to choose from – like penne, cheese tortellini, and spaghetti.
www.pizzalleyschiantiroom.com
Aunt Kate’s
612 Euclid Avenue
Cozied right up to the water, you can entertain antsy kids while you wait for your food by boat-watching or letting them dip their toes in the river. And when the orders arrive, you’ll be delighted by fresh seafood, sandwiches, and steak while the little ones can munch on burgers, chicken, and BBQ ribs.
www.aunt-kates.com
Auggie’s Draft Room
3 St George Street
You may not think of a draft room as “family-friendly,” but Auggie’s is the perfect spot to please everyone with build-it-yourself burgers, quesadillas, sandwiches, and brews (for the ‘rents, of course). Auggie’s will corral the kids in the back, switch a TV to Disney Channel, and let parents enjoy a much-needed beverage.
www.facebook.com/auggiesdraftroom
Carmelo’s
146 W King Street
Easy-breezy, super casual, and slinging out delicious pizza. Carmelo’s is a great, family-friendly spot to pop in for pizza night, get a pie to go, or sit out on the porch and people watch on King Street. And if the kids aren’t into sharing pizza, they can get personal pizzas, spaghetti, buttered noodles, or a chicken basket.
www.carmelosmarketplace.com
Burger Buckets
3 Cordova Street
In a casual downtown atmosphere with plenty of tasty dishes for the whole family to love, Burger Buckets will easily become a weeknight, weekend, all-the-time family destination. You can choose from over a dozen burger dishes, plenty of wing sauces, and even some delicious hot dogs, so no family member will go hungry. And located right near the downtown parking garage, it’s the perfect spot to hit for a meal before you spend some time exploring downtown.
www.burgerbuckets.com
Gas Full Service Restaurant
9 Anastasia Boulevard, Suite C
The retro-style diner has mouthwatering options for parents – unique burgers, sandwiches, and entrees – and lots of choices for the little ones. The funky restaurant is relaxed and friendly, so the whole family can kick back and enjoy a meal together.
www.gasrestaurant.com
Salt Life Food Shack
321 A1A Beach Boulevard
When they walk in, the kids will be mesmerized by the colorfully-lit aquarium, and if you get a seat upstairs, they can watch the hustle and bustle of St. Augustine Beach. The First Mates menu has lots of choices for seafood lovers and landlubbers alike.
www.saltlifefoodshack.com/locations/st-augustine
Image by Brian Miller
Panama Hattie’s
361 A1A Beach Boulevard
With everything from classic bar food, burgers, and sandwiches to steak and lobster, Panama Hattie’s can charm any palate. But the real reason to get your kids on board with this family-friendly restaurant is the expansive collection of arcade games. With a room dedicated to the games, you won’t have to worry about keeping the kids still while you wait.
www.panamahattiesrestaurant.com
Mango Mango’s
700 A1A Beach Boulevard
Beachy and laid-back, with a colorful menu of island seafood favorites and burgers, Mango Mango’s is the spot to visit in your flip flops. If the kids aren’t game for a Cuban Burger, yucca fries, jerk tuna tacos, or a Crabby Patty, then they can check out the selection of kids’ burgers, cheesy pasta, popcorn shrimp, and more.
www.mangomangos.com
Creekside Dinery
160 Nix Boat Yard Road
With live music nestled underneath looming magnolia trees, the Gonzales Creek-front restaurant is peaceful, laid-back, and welcoming to all. Their fresh seafood-focused menu has lots of options for all ages, and the kids can dance out some of their energy to the live music.
www.creeksidedinery.com
Image by Steve Parr
Metro Diner
1000 S Ponce De Leon Boulevard
With a diner-style menu that could please the whole family (think breakfast classics, burgers, and sandwiches), you’d be hard-pressed to find a gang that Metro couldn’t cater to. On their own menu, kids can grab chicken n’ waffles, breakfast platters, tenders, pigs in a blanket, and mac n’ cheese.
www.metrodiner.com/locations/florida/st-augustine
Sarbez
115 Anastasia Boulevard
Grilled cheese and arcade games – what’s not to love? Though night heralds the appearance of the bar crowd for craft beer and live music, lunchtime and into the evening is perfectly family-friendly and a great time to enjoy delicious food and drinks while you let the kids loose to play games.
www.sarbezstaugustine.com
Mojo Old City BBQ
5 Cordova Street
Family-friendly and pet-friendly, Mojo Old City BBQ is the place to be if you want to invite the whole family (furry friends included). Their large menu features BBQ platters and sandwiches of all kinds as well as Southern favorites and lots of beer, wine, and cocktails to keep parents happy.
www.mojobbq.com
Want to explore restaurants in St. Augustine? Head over to our local restaurant directory! Featured image by Brian Miller.
