Diners' Choice: Child-friendly restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated 05 March 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are kid friendly in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Harney Sushi Poway

4.9

4.9 (57)

$30 and under

Sushi

Poway / Rancho Bernardo

About the restaurant

Experience the taste of high quality sushi with a trendy Neo-Asian inspired décor. Harney stands as the top sushi bar and dining destination in San Diego. It's as fresh and innovative as you desire. Here, the spirit of experimentation mingles with joyful revelry, where top-notch dining expertise meets vibrant charm and flair. Our establishment features a private VIP area and an array of over 30 specialty rolls crafted and named by devoted fans. It's a symphony for your taste buds, nourishment for your soul. Since 2001, we take pride in presenting our award-winning, sustainable sushi cuisine rooted in Southern California.

Top review

Jasmine

Dined on 15 Feb 2025

The food is Outstanding, by far the best sushi place I’ve been to. Every single one of the items we ordered tasted amazing.

Madi

4.7

4.7 (449)

$30 and under

Breakfast

Kensington

About the restaurant

Bringing all-day brunch and grab-and-go coffee to Normal Heights, Madi is the upcoming daytime counterpart to Madison on Park, the well-established mid-century modern restaurant and bar that opened in University Heights in 2015.

Offering a quick-service coffee counter fueled by Heartwork Coffee out of Mission Hills that’ll feature the full range of espresso drinks, specialty beverages, and tea as well as fresh pastries, Madi will also be an anytime option for sit-down breakfasts, mimosa-powered brunches, and casual lunches.

Its breakfast menu ranges from waffle churro sticks and breakfast burritos to skirt steak eggs Benedict and a variety of pancakes based on a 60-year-old recipe from Madison co-owner Matthew, whose family runs a century-old breakfast spot in the midwest.

Lunch will hinge on build-your-own grain and salad bowls along with lettuce wraps, ceviche, a burger, and a classic Tuna Melt!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

Love the ambience, menu. Food was delicious. Tried their brown butter coffee. One word: yum!

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Blackberry + Goat Cheese Pancakes

Guadalajara Mexican Grill

4.6

4.6 (47)

$30 and under

Mexican

Temecula

About the restaurant

OUR STORY:
Founded in 1986 the Solano family opened Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant in Lake Elsinore, California. Eleven years later in 1997, we opened our second location Guadalajara Mexican Grill and Cantina in Temecula, California. At Guadalajara’s, we take real pride in providing the freshest ingredients to ensure high-quality Mexican food. We pride ourselves in having generous portions, a festive environment, and the best margaritas in town!

Top review

Michael T

Dined on 20 Jan 2025

Overall, quite nice! My "team" enjoyed the excellent food & good service. An idea for your consideration: because "older" people have the moneyto spend as well as the time and a cadre of friends, a "seniors" discount OR other offering might help boost attendance...

Farmer's Table - Chula Vista

4.4

4.4 (379)

$30 and under

American

Chula Vista / Bonita

About the restaurant

Excited to announce that we officially have four locations open in San Diego including Bay Park, Little Italy, La Mesa, and Chula Vista. As a family run operation we believe every good neighborhood deserves an eatery where locals and visitors can enjoy “honest food done right”. Here at Farmers Table, we specialize in farm-to-fork cuisine that focuses on bringing locally sourced organic ingredients together to be savored in an inviting family-friendly atmosphere, where adults and children can enjoy many different food options that are just right for them. If you are looking for a magical brunch this week, come stop by for an unforgettable night.

Top review

Janet

Dined on 26 Jan 2025

I finished every crumb of my chili relleno omelette. The house potatoes were a tasty complement to the omelette. The coffee was rich and smooth. I definitely want to return to try their carnitas omelette which my friend had for her brunch plate. The prices were reasonable which makes this a place I would gladly visit often. I like their mission of serving organic, farm-to-table foods. There is ample free parking behind the restaurant in a multi-storied parking structure.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Chula Vista

4.3

4.3 (51)

$30 and under

American

Chula Vista / Bonita

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

Manny

Dined on 14 Feb 2025

It was an enjoyable experience for me and my girlfriend on valentines day would definitely come again

Joe's Crab Shack - Rowing Club

4.1

4.1 (25)

$30 and under

Seafood

Barrio Logan

About the restaurant

Joe’s Crab Shack offers a variety of favorites from all parts of the sea and shore. From its extensive menu, guests can choose from buckets of seasonal seafood, fried shrimp platters and fish dishes, as well as options from the “mainland” that include steak, sandwiches, and chicken. Guests can indulge in over-sized and creative cocktails, such as the Shark Bite which is playfully garnished with a shark toy. Since its inception, Joe’s popularity has stemmed not only from its menu, but also its retail store. With various pieces of merchandise for purchase, including the ever-popular tie-dye T-shirt with the phrase “Peace, Love and Crabs,” Joe’s has become synonymous with the word “fun.”

Top review

Elna

Dined 3 days ago

We enjoyed eating @ joes crab we celebrate my son bday every year at this place in Harbor Dr SD

Grand Social at Fairmont Grand Del Mar

4.0

4 (86)

$30 and under

American

Carmel Valley

About the restaurant

The fine unwinds into the fun across three distinct levels (25,000 square feet) at Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s outdoor lounge, Grand Social. Relax over a late afternoon apéritif and spirited games of bocce on our new courts situated on the second level. As evening unfolds, venture to our newly installed ground-level lawn to savor irresistible wood-fired dishes and skillfully crafted cocktails.

Secure your two-hour reservation by selecting one of the Cabana Package options or a regular reservation for a fire pit table*.

*Fire pit tables and cabanas have a rental fee. Walk-in’s welcome upon availability.
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Top review

Natalya

Dined on 24 Dec 2024

Please provide public parking or include parking in your ticket price. We didn't try the food. A glass of wine was $28, there isn't any value in anything that was offered. We won't be back. Ambience was pleasant.

Joe's Crab Shack - Oceanside

3.8

3.8 (38)

$30 and under

Seafood

Oceanside

About the restaurant

Top review

SimonVIP

Dined on 2 Jan 2025

Very informal atmosphere and comfortable. Katie our server very good. Food quality also very good. LIMITED wine/beer list, but overall very good experience. NOT inexpensive.

Benihana - Carlsbad, CA

3.6

3.6 (3866)

$30 and under

Japanese

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.

Top review

Ethan

Dined 2 days ago

The food was excellent. The presentation puts a smile on every one’s face. Our chef, Jorge, kept it entertaining. Our server, Carrie, was lovely and attentive. We look forward to our next meal at Benihana!

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Experience

$39 TASTE OF BENIHANA

Experience

WAGYU OF THE WORLD MENU

Dave & Buster's - San Diego

3.5

3.5 (102)

$30 and under

American

Mission Valley

About the restaurant

Each Dave & Buster’s has more state-of-the-art games than ever, more mouth-watering menu items and the most innovative drinks anywhere. From wings to steaks, we’ve got whatever suits your appetite and our premium bar assures we’re stocked to satisfy! Plus, you can watch your game on one of our massive HDTVs with epic stadium sound.

Top review

JenniferL

Dined 4 days ago

I made a reservation completely last minute cancelling my daughters bday party at one location due to not a lot of people rsvping so D&B was perfect for a bunch of kids and parents. It was pretty busy I’m so glad I made our reservation. Xavier was our server and he went above and beyond to make sure we were all taken take of we had 19 people in our party I also communicated with him a couple will be coming in late and he had no problem with that we got everything ordered in a timely manner. Food came out at different times but that was not our servers fault whatsoever he even apologized if anything I could recommend is that all food be brought out at the same time but again it was a super busy night the kids wanted to play more than eat which was great overall. I would definitely love to come back and have Xavier be our server again he is the best and definitely would love to come back to D&B we don’t come here often now we will definitely make it a priority even our guests want to come back great job ☺️

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Experience

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