Hip and Kid Friendly Charlottesville Restaurants
Picky eaters? High-pitched screechers? It's not a problem at these Charlottesville restaurants, where the menu and kid-friendly vibes combine to create the perfect ambiance for a family meal. You'll find burgers, mac and cheese, simple tacos, nachos, and fun activities that are guaranteed to suit your entire family. Bon appetit!
1. The Brewing Tree
Located outside Charlottesville in Afton, The Brewing Tree is a unique destination for a family outing. They brew their own beer and root beer, allowing kids to join in on the fun! The scratch kitchen offers a selection of appetizers, including onion rings, dill fries, and fried green tomatoes. For the main course, you can enjoy options like cheeseburgers, crab cake salad, and nachos.
After grabbing food and drinks walk down the path to the playfield filled with family-friendly activities, a sandpit with digging toys, hammocks, live music, and a river to explore. Leashed dogs are also welcome at the Brewing Tree, drinking bowls and treats are available.
2. Patch Brewery
The brewery in Gordonsville offers a mix of traditional and innovative beers, local ciders, and wine by the glass. Foodtrucks are on-site serving a variety of food options. Dogs are welcome both outside and inside the taproom.
For the kiddos, there is a Kids Zone equipped with board games and arcade games, a sandbox, a baseball field, and trails!
3. Roots Natural Kitchen
Kids eat free with an adult entre purchase at Roots! They specialize in nutritious and tasty grain bowls that can be customized to suit each family member's preferences. Roots is a welcoming option with a bright and fun atmosphere, and friendly staff, and is conveniently located in Downtown Charlottesville.
4. Brazos Tacos
If your family loves Mexican cuisine, Brazos Tacos should be on your list! Located near the IX Art Park, this eatery features tacos, quesadillas, and other Mexican favorites. The environment is casual with indoor and outdoor seating. Kids will love the flavorful yet mild options, and the menu features more adventurous options for parents!
5. Three Notch'd Brewery
Three Notch'd Brewery is a popular spot among locals and tourists. Known for its craft beers and laid-back vibe, it’s also incredibly family-friendly.
The brewery offers a kid's menu with favorites like chicken tenders and mac 'n' cheese. The outdoor patio is a great place for families to enjoy a meal together, with plenty of space for kids to move around. Trivia and live music are also staples at Three Notch'd!
6. Wood Ridge Farm Brewery
Located just outside Charlottesville in Lovingston, VA, Wood Ridge Farm Brewery is a unique dining experience combined with a driving range. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon with a pint while the kids explore and play around the farm setting. Don't miss out on the delicious woodfire pizzas!
7. Firefly Restaurant + Game Room
Firefly is an eclectic spot located in the Belmont neighborhood. Kids will love the playful atmosphere, complete with arcade games and a relaxed dining area. This restaurant has a diverse menu and is great for vegetarian and gluten-free options.
8. Dairy Market
The Dairy Market is a historic building that has been transformed into a food hall featuring various vendors. They also often have live music and events going on!
Vendors:
- Citizen Burger
- Basta Pasta
- Krissy Cakes
- Milk Man's
- Starr Hill Brewery
- South and Central Latin Grill
- Quattro Tizi
- Moo Thru
- Take It Away
- Mashu Festival
- Maizal Latin American Street Food
9. Pro Re Nata
Pro Re Nata is another great brewery for family outings, with a large outdoor area with picnic tables. Food options include rotating food trucks, Dino's Pizza, and a recently opened Moo Thru location!
10. Kardinal Hall
Kardinal Hall's large open floor plan inside and large outdoor area is a great gathering space for large families! The menu is locally sourced and Alpine-influenced twists on classic bar fare. Activities include board games and crushed oyster shell bocce courts. They are also known as a home for international football viewing.
Brazos Tacos
The allure of Brazos Tacos for parents isn't just the tacos (which are amazing, no doubt). It's the setting adjacent to the Ix Art Park. It's no secret that babies and toddlers may not be able maintain proper restaurant decorum for long stretches, so having an outdoor escape where they can run and scream to their heart's content makes Brazos a no-brainer.
Dairy Market
Designed as a modern take on the classic food court, the new Dairy Market off Preston Avenue near downtown Charlottesville is a family dining dream. Choose from nearly a dozen dining options including the soul food of Angelic's Kitchen (pictured), Thai cuisine from Chimm, burgers from Citizen Burger Bar. Wrap the meal up with ice cream from Moo Thru. C'mon. Does anything sound better?
