According to the Moms on Call Toddler Book toddlers only “have a 10-15 minute mealtime tolerance window” for sitting at a restaurant.  If your child has reached this stage, you already know what starts as this…

can quickly escalate to this…

…whether you like it or not. Your once sit back and relax- someone else is cooking and cleaning for you- is now far out the window.  And if you are trying to catch up with friends, you probably feel like that ship has sailed. The the question begins, how on earth are we supposed to enjoy eating out, what feels like, ever again!?

Tips and tricks on eating out with a toddler is whole nother blog, but today we will talk about one of the tips… go to a restaurant that has a playground or a safe play area.

Here is the compiled list of best restaurants to eat at with small children by region:

Lake Travis/ Lakeway/ Bee Cave area Restaurants:

• Chic-Fil-A : indoor playscape
• Proof & Cooper: fenced in play yard & events
• Hat Creek Burger: outdoor fenced playscape – $1 beer & wine Thursty Thursday’s – Half priced burgers 5pm-close Tuesday’s
• Angel’s Icehouse: outdoor playscape & extra run around room
• The League Kitchen & Tavern- Bee Cave: patio is connected to hill country galleria open play grass area
• Sundancer Grill: outdoor playscape (but no tables by it)
• Toss Pizzeria & Pub: fenced in play yard
• Verde’s Mexican Parrilla: outdoor fenced playscape & play yard
• Flores Mexican Restaurant: outdoor playscape (although I was personally a little uncomfortable with my small toddler playing on it, especially while older children were around, because of the design)
• All Star Burger: they deliver your food to the grass area in the galleria!
• Louisiana Crab Shack: fenced in playscape
• Mangieri’s Pizza Café: outdoor fenced playscape
• Mandola’s Italian: outdoor fenced playscape – free gelato for kids!
• Craig O’s Pizza & Pastaria: outdoor fenced playscape & play yard
• McDonald’s: Indoor Playscape
• Pizzeria Sorellina: outdoor playscape & running room – Buy 1 Adult pizza, get a free kids cheese pizza on Wednesday’s
• P Terry’s: outdoor turf with sand box
• The Lighthouse Restaurant & Lounge: small outdoor play area and overlooks Lake Travis – outdoor seating and play area is shaded by trees and usually breezy!
• High Five Entertainment:  once kids can pick up a 5 lb bowling ball, this one is great entertainment for the family with a full menu to at and drink from. I have seen a 2.5 year old be able to bowl with their cheaters, although, I would personally only bring 3.5 year olds and up

Dripping Springs (North) Restaurants:

• Route 12 Filling Station: splash pad, play scape & loosely fended in for the non escape artist
• Alice’s Restaurant at Treaty Oak Distilling: lots of open play area. Play scape is better for kids 3.5+ that are great climbers

Westlake Restaurants:

• Hat Creek Burger: outdoor fenced playscape – $1 beer & wine Thursty Thursday’s – Half priced burgers 5pm-close Tuesday’s
• Kerby Lane Cafe: fenced playscape
• Lost Creek Country Club: outdoor fenced playscape
• Austin’s Pizza: fenced playscape & play yard
• Chic-Fil-A: Indoor playscape
• Waterloo Ice House: outdoor fenced playscape & running room

Four Points/ Steiner Ranch Restaurants:

• Flores Mexican Restaurant: outdoor playscape – shared with Oasthouse
• Oz. Tap House: fenced playscape
• Chic-Fil-A: Indoor playscape
• Oasthouse Kitchen + Bar: outdoor playscape – shared with Flores
• Rudy’s BBQ: outdoor partially fenced playscape
• Green Mango (by Thai Spice): outdoor fenced playscape

Out of all of these toddler friendly restaurants, I for sure have my favorites to take this little one to, but as everyone has their own pallets and price range I wanted to keep this more as a comprehensive list versus a review. Let me know if there are any places you LOVE that I missed. XO