After a long and inevitably grey winter, Toronto residents are just itching to get outside once the temperature warms up. And that goes for dining too! Particularly since the start of the pandemic, many restaurants have turned to patio dining as a way for patrons to be both comfortable and safe. Families make up a good chunk of the clientele too, with even upscale venues and hotspots catering to the highchair crowd with separate kids menus and family-focussed amenities. (Hot tip: Hit the busy places early around 5-6pm for quick service before the dinner rush starts.) So, cheers! It’s our Guide to Family-Friendly Patios in Toronto…

(Note: There are of course plenty of ubiquitous chains that have kids meals including plastic toys, but these local spots need your help far more in these trying times.)

Breweries & Pubs

Amsterdam Brewhouse/Barrel House
Where: 245 Queens Quay West, Harbourfront; 87 Laird Drive, Leaside
Kids menu items: Pasta, cheeseburger, pizza, fish bites

The Aviary Brew Pub
Where: Front St. East, Corktown
Kids menu items: Hot dog, grilled cheese & tomato soup, burger, PB&J sandwich and more

The Blake House
Where: 449 Jarvis Street, Church-Wellesley Village
Kids menu items: Chicken caesar salad, chicken fingers, baked mac & cheese and more

Hemingway’s Restaurant and Bar
Where: 124 Cumberland Street, Yorkville
Kids menu items: Pasta, pizza, chicken fingers, grilled cheese

The House on Parliament
Where: 454 Parliament Street, Cabbagetown
Kids menu items: Pasta, chicken quesadilla, fish & chips, chicken fingers

Louis Cifer Brew Works
Where: 417 Danforth Avenue, Greektown
Kids menu items: Pizza, chicken strips & fries, fish & chips, cheeseburger and more

Mill Street Brewery
Where: 21 Tank House Lane, Distillery District
Kids menu items: Chicken fingers, burgers, cheese pizza 

Paupers Pub
Where: 539 Bloor St. West, The Annex
Kids menu items: Fish & chips, burgers, chicken fingers and more

Steam Whistle Biergarten
Where: 255 Bremner Blvd., John Street Roundhouse 
Kids menu items: Hot dog and chicken fingers (meat or plant-based), spatzel (German pasta) & cheese

The Stone Lion Pub
Where: 1958 Queen St. East, The Beach
Kids menu items: Burger, mac & cheese, chicken bites and more

Stout Irish Pub
Where: 221 Carlton Street, Cabbagetown
Kids menu items: Chicken strips, fish’n’ chips, grilled cheese and more

Barbecue & Burgers

Barque Smokehouse
Where: 299 Roncesvalles Ave., High Park
Kids menu items: Beef brisket, chopped bbq pork, smoked turkey, baby back ribs and more

Breakwall BBQ
Where: 1910 Queen St. East, The Beach
Kids menu items: Chicken wings, pulled pork sliders, poutine, pasta with garlic bread and more

Slayer Burger
Where: 739 Queen St. East, Riverside
Kids menu items: Burgers, mac n’cheese bites

Toronto Island BBQ & Beer Co.
Where: 120 Centre Island Dock, Toronto Islands
Kids menu items: Mac & cheese, chicken fingers, burger

More Family-Friendly Restaurants

Bodega Henriette
Where: 1801 Gerrard Street East, Upper Beach
Kids menu items: Dinner – Pasta, burger, grilled cheese; Brunch – french toast, eggs

El Catrin Destileria
Where: 18 Tank House Lane, Distillery District, Toronto
Kids menu items: Arroz Con Pollo (braised chicken w/rice), Cheese or Chicken Quesadilla, Pescaditos (fried fish w/guacamole)

Jawny Bakers Restaurant
Where: 804 O’Connor Drive, East York
Kids menu items: Penne pasta, pita pizza, grilled chicken and more

Il Fornello
Where: 576 Danforth Avenue, Greektown
Kids menu items: Pizza and pasta options

The Lakeview Restaurant
Where: 1132 Dundas Street West, Ossington Village
Kids menu items: Chicken fingers, grilled cheese, hamburger, veggie burger

Mira Mira Diner
Where: 1963 Queen St. East, The Beach
Kids menu items: Challah grilled cheese, onion rings, chicken fingers, burger

McSorley’s Wonderful Saloon
Where: 1544 Bayview Avenue, Uptown
Kids menu items: Beef tacos, chicken wrap, hot dog, burger and more

Morgan’s On The Danforth
Where: 1282 Danforth Avenue, East York
Kids menu items: Pasta, fish & chips, panko chicken fingers

Storm Crow Manor
Where: 580 Church Street, Church-Wellesley Village
Kids menu items: Pasta of the day, grilled cheese, burger, chicken tenders

For more Outdoor Summer activities, find our full list here!