Room to Roam: The Kid-Friendly Restaurants Marin Parents Love Too

Eating out with kids in Marin is easy, we do it all the time! The best spots have a patio, a patch of grass or a play structure within sight of the table, and a menu that keeps everyone happy. These are the places we keep going back to, from Tam Junction to Stinson, organized by part of the county so you can find one close to home.

Southern Marin

PizzaHacker at The Junction | Mill Valley

The sunny beer garden at Tam Junction is where a good part of Southern Marin ends up on a Saturday afternoon. PizzaHacker turns out sourdough pies with a crust that's crisp and chewy at once, and the easy indoor-outdoor setup means you can claim a picnic table while the kids head straight for the pirate ship play structure out back. On weekend mornings there are house-made sourdough bagels, which are worth the early start. Follow along on Instagram at @pizzahacker.

For the kids: a cheese or Hawaiian pizza and the meatballs.
For you: a seasonal pie and something local on tap from The Junction (beer and wine are ordered separately from the pizza).

Hook Fish Co. at Proof Lab | Mill Valley

A short walk from PizzaHacker, Hook Fish's Marin outpost sits in a garden patio planted with natives, with heated covered tables for cooler evenings. You order at the counter, find a seat outside and watch the skaters at Proof Lab next door. The seafood is sustainably sourced and simply prepared, which is exactly what you want after a morning on the mountain. Follow along on Instagram at @hookfishco.

For the kids: fish and chips or something from the kids' menu.
For you: fish tacos, a fish burrito, poke or ceviche.

Piazza D'Angelo | Mill Valley

Downtown Mill Valley's longtime Italian standby works just as well for a Tuesday dinner with little ones in tow as it does for date night. The room is warm and lively enough that nobody minds a little noise, and the classics are reliably good. After dinner, walk over to the gravity car downtown, a nod to the old Mt. Tam railway, and let the kids burn off the last of their energy. Follow along on Instagram at @piazzadangelo.

For the kids: pasta bolognese or a pizza to share.
For you: a fresh pasta and a glass of Italian red.

Bar Bocce | Sausalito

Right on the water off Bridgeway, Bar Bocce has a tiny sandy beach a few feet from the tables, so kids can dig and wander while you wait for the food. The patio has cushioned benches around fire pits and views across Richardson Bay toward Belvedere. The bocce court is for the grown-ups, which feels only fair. Follow along on Instagram at @barbocce.

For the kids: a mini pizza or plain pasta from the kids' menu.
For you: a sourdough pizza, the garlic bread and a glass of sangria.

Fish. | Sausalito

On a sunny day, this is our favorite table in Marin. Picnic tables line the dock at the edge of the harbor, and the boats coming and going are entertainment enough for most kids. It's casual, unfussy and right on the water, with seafood that's as fresh as it gets. Follow along on Instagram at @fishrestaurantsausalito.

For the kids: fish and chips.
For you: the linguine con vongole or the Saigon Salmon sandwich.

Sam's Anchor Cafe | Tiburon

Sam's big deck over the water is a Tiburon institution, with sailboats, ferries and the city skyline all in view. Kids love the boat traffic, and the deck is roomy enough that a restless toddler isn't a problem. Keep an eye on the fries, since the seagulls have their own plans. Follow along on Instagram at @sams_cafe.

For the kids: fish and chips or a burger.
For you: oysters, a crab sandwich and a Bloody Mary at brunch.

Central Marin

Hog Island Oyster Co. | Larkspur

Hog Island's Marin Country Mart location has an airy, beautifully designed oyster bar inside and plenty of outdoor seating with views of Mt. Tam. The real draw for parents is the open space around the picnic tables, where kids can run around and ride bikes while you work through a dozen Sweetwaters grown in Tomales Bay. Follow along on Instagram at @hogislandoysterco.

For the kids: fish and chips, a burger, pasta or the grilled cheese.
For you: a dozen oysters, the clam chowder and a glass of white.

El Huarache Loco | Larkspur

Also at Marin Country Mart, El Huarache Loco serves Mexico City street food that's bright, generous and made with care. Grab a table outside and the kids can play around the pond and on the grass while you eat. It's one of the easiest weeknight dinners in Central Marin. Follow along on Instagram at @elhuaracheloco.

For the kids: a cheese quesadilla or tacos.
For you: a huarache, of course, with an agua fresca.

Gott's Roadside | Greenbrae

Gott's is the classic roadside burger stand done well, with a playground out front that makes it a natural stop after school or practice. Order at the counter, grab a table outside and let the kids play while the food comes up. Follow along on Instagram at @gottsroadside.

For the kids: a burger, fries and a shake.
For you: the ahi tuna burger and garlic fries.

Fox + Kit | San Rafael

Fox + Kit was opened by a pair of interior designers who wanted a café that worked for both parents and kids, and it shows. The front is a light-filled coffee house with modern, Scandinavian-inspired design, and the back is a custom indoor playground with a climbing wall, a reading nook, a costume room and a rolling grass hill. It's a morning spot, with pastries, breakfast burritos and a few lunch options. Follow along on Instagram at @foxandkitcafe.

For the kids: a grilled cheese and a turn in the play space (there's a play fee, a time limit and socks are required).
For you: a latte and a quiche, enjoyed in peace.

Northern Marin

Blue Barn | Novato

Blue Barn's downtown Novato location has a spacious outdoor area with string lights, olive trees and a large turf lawn with a wooden climbing structure, all within view of the tables. The menu is organic and fresh, built around big salads and sandwiches, and the kids' options go beyond the usual. Follow along on Instagram at @bluebarnnovato.

For the kids: grilled chicken, salmon or a hot dog.
For you: one of the signature salads or a hot sandwich.

Kitsch + Sync | Novato

The newest spot on our list, Kitsch + Sync (pronounced "kitchen sink") opened on Grant Avenue in downtown Novato as a restaurant and play space designed for kids and parents equally. There are indoor and outdoor play areas, and a menu that's a real step up from typical play-café fare. Follow along on Instagram at @kitschandsync.

For the kids: a build-your-own bento box and an all-day play pass.
For you: a flatbread or panini, a charcuterie plate and a glass of local wine.

Finnegan's Marin | Novato

This Irish pub in Old Town Novato has been a local gathering spot for years, with dark wood, a long bar and a genuinely good burger. The kids' menu is extensive and easy on the wallet, and they've long run a kids-eat-free deal on Sundays (worth confirming before you go). Follow along on Instagram at @finnegansmarin.

For the kids: kid-size fish and chips.
For you: a burger and a pint of Guinness.

The Coast

Parkside | Stinson Beach

Parkside's snack bar has been feeding beachgoers since 1949, and it's steps from the sand. Grab lunch at the window after a morning at the beach, or settle into the restaurant for brunch. Stop by the bakery and market on your way out for bread and pesto to take home. Follow along on Instagram at @parksidecafestinsonbeach.

For the kids: a burger, fries and a half-and-half soft serve cone.
For you: fish tacos at the snack bar or brunch in the restaurant, plus a pastry from the bakery.

Before You Go

Hours, kids' menus and specials change, especially seasonally, so it's worth a quick check before you head out. And if there's a spot you love that we missed, tell us. We're always adding to the list.

For more on where to eat, play and settle in around the county, explore our Marin Guides.