The 10 Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Broward & Palm Beach County

Finding a restaurant that works for the whole family in South Florida is more than just locating a kids' menu. The best family-friendly spots have the right combination: food that adults genuinely want to eat, an atmosphere that can absorb some noise and energy, something for the kids to look at or do while waiting, and staff who actually seem happy to see children walk through the door.

Broward and Palm Beach County have no shortage of options — but the ones that rise to the top tend to share a few things in common: great waterfront views (few things keep kids occupied like watching boats), outdoor space to move around, and menus that span from simple favorites to plates that remind parents why they love dining out in the first place.

Here are the 10 best, covering both counties and a range of budgets, vibes, and ages.

1. Shooters Waterfront — Fort Lauderdale

3033 NE 32nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale

If there's one restaurant in Broward County that consistently lands at the top of family-friendly lists, it's Shooters Waterfront. Perched right on the Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal with live entertainment and an endlessly entertaining parade of boats passing by, this is the kind of place where kids stay engaged from the moment you sit down. The dedicated kids' menu covers all the classics — fried or grilled chicken fingers, grilled cheese, sliders, mac and cheese, flatbreads — while parents can dig into fresh seafood, fish tacos, shrimp, and a full bar program. The laid-back waterfront atmosphere means a little extra noise goes completely unnoticed. Accessible by the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi (Stop F10), making it an adventure in its own right. Open daily, with weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Why families love it: Boat watching keeps kids entertained for hours. Live music, waterfront setting, and a kids' menu that covers every picky eater.

2. 15th Street Fisheries — Fort Lauderdale

1900 SE 15th St., Fort Lauderdale

One of Fort Lauderdale's most beloved waterfront institutions doubles as one of its best family experiences — and the secret is the tarpon feeding. Kids can purchase shrimp from the marina's dock store and hand-feed the giant tarpon that gather at the docks, a genuinely thrilling experience that turns dinner into an event. The dockside outdoor seating, marina atmosphere, and live music create a sense of occasion that doesn't require anything formal. The seafood menu is fresh and well-executed, with plenty of options for adults and simpler choices for younger palates. Accessible by Water Taxi (Stop F3).

Why families love it: Feeding tarpon from the dock is an experience kids talk about for years. Waterfront setting, relaxed dress code, and great fresh seafood for the adults.

3. The Wharf Fort Lauderdale — Fort Lauderdale

20 W. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

This sprawling open-air waterfront complex on the New River blends food hall convenience with a genuine outdoor South Florida atmosphere — and for families with kids of different ages and wildly different food preferences, it's a godsend. Multiple food and drink vendors operate under one massive outdoor canopy, covering everything from tacos and burgers to sushi and craft cocktails. There's always something happening: live music, waterfront views, space to move around. The open layout means kids can't really disturb a quiet atmosphere because there isn't one. Come early, grab a picnic table near the water, and let everyone order what they actually want.

Why families love it: No single menu means everyone gets what they want. The relaxed, open-air setting is completely noise-tolerant and endlessly entertaining.

4. Quarterdeck Restaurants — Multiple Broward County Locations

Multiple locations: Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach, and others

A Broward County institution with multiple locations, Quarterdeck is the reliable family favorite that delivers every time. The menu covers American classics — juicy burgers, tender ribs, sushi, and plenty of fresh seafood — in a relaxed atmosphere that never makes parents feel stressed about dining with kids. Known for genuinely kid-accommodating service and a full kids' menu, Quarterdeck has been a go-to for Broward families for decades. The format is consistent across locations: casual, welcoming, and big enough that a little family chaos doesn't register.

Why families love it: Consistent, reliable, and genuinely welcoming. Multiple locations across Broward make it convenient from almost anywhere in the county.

5. PopStroke — Delray Beach

14466 S. Military Trail, Ste. 3, Delray Beach

PopStroke isn't just a restaurant — it's an entire family entertainment destination, and one of the most popular family outings in Palm Beach County right now. The concept combines two 18-hole mini-golf courses featuring synthetic fairways, tricky bunkers, and rough patches with a full-service restaurant serving award-winning Charburgers grilled over an open flame, wraps, tacos, and fresh salads. Beyond golf, there's a secured play area with cornhole, Connect 4, ping pong, and foosball, while the on-site ice cream parlor serves custom milkshakes for a sweet finish. Parents can relax at the sports bar watching the game while kids burn off energy. A nearly $20-million West Palm Beach flagship location is also now open, bringing the PopStroke experience to the northern end of the county.

Why families love it: Mini-golf plus great food plus an ice cream parlor equals a complete family outing. Kids of all ages have something to do from arrival to departure.

6. Delray Beach Market — Delray Beach

33 SE 3rd Ave., Delray Beach

When one kid wants pasta, one wants tacos, and a third has declared they will only eat pizza today, Delray Beach Market is your answer. Florida's largest food hall — a candy-colored, funky-art-filled 150,000-square-foot space spread across four levels — houses more than 25 vendors covering every cuisine and craving imaginable. Beyond the food, the market hosts its own version of Family Feud, painting classes, craft food tours, and live music, turning dinner into an event. The vibrant, Instagram-worthy interior keeps everyone entertained while waiting for food, and the sheer variety means the most opinionated eater in your family will find something they're excited about.

Why families love it: 25+ vendors means zero arguments about where to eat. The entertainment programming and vibrant atmosphere make it a destination, not just a meal stop.

7. Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar — Multiple Palm Beach & Broward Locations

Locations in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens

With locations across both counties, Rocco's Tacos has become the go-to Mexican destination for families throughout South Florida. The tableside guacamole preparation is a hit with kids every single time — watching (and helping) the server mash avocado tableside never gets old. The menu spans authentic Mexican favorites from tacos and enchiladas to quesadillas and burritos, with portions that leave everyone satisfied. The lively, colorful atmosphere is naturally energetic, which means kids fit right in. Taco Tuesday deals and happy hour make it a budget-friendly option for families who eat out regularly.

Why families love it: Tableside guacamole is interactive entertainment. Lively atmosphere absorbs kid energy, and multiple locations mean there's always one nearby.

8. E.R. Bradley's Saloon — West Palm Beach

104 S. Clematis St., West Palm Beach

A West Palm Beach landmark since 1977, E.R. Bradley's sits right on the downtown waterfront on Clematis Street and offers one of the most genuinely fun family dining environments in Palm Beach County. The outdoor area features a lawn with games, swings, fish ponds, and an arcade — effectively a playground attached to a restaurant. Live music plays nightly, and the classic American menu covers burgers, fish tacos, Caribbean favorites, coconut shrimp, and a Sunday brunch at $21 for adults and $11 for kids under 10. The waterfront location puts the Intracoastal right in front of you, and the energy level is high enough that the kids won't make it any louder.

Why families love it: Outdoor lawn games, fish ponds, an arcade, and live music make this feel like an event. Sunday brunch is a bargain for families.

9. Sundy House — Delray Beach

106 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach

For families who want something a little more special without sacrificing kid-friendliness, Sundy House is unlike anywhere else in South Florida. Built in 1902 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the oldest house in Delray Beach, the boutique inn and restaurant is set within a magical one-acre tropical garden where kids can wander through living ponds, discover sculptures, and find hidden gazebos and benches tucked throughout the lush vegetation. Weekend brunch in the garden is a genuinely memorable experience — think fairy-tale setting with real food that adults will rave about. Kids who love nature, adventure, and exploring will be completely captivated.

Why families love it: The one-acre tropical garden is a genuine adventure for kids. A beautiful, unique setting that feels special without being stuffy or formal.

10. Kapow Noodle Bar at Mizner Park — Boca Raton

329 Plaza Real, Boca Raton

Boca Raton's Mizner Park is already one of the most family-friendly outdoor dining destinations in Palm Beach County — wide sidewalks, covered outdoor seating, green lawn space, and a calendar of events and programming that brings the plaza to life year-round. Within it, Kapow Noodle Bar stands out as the top pick for families seeking something beyond the standard American menu. The Asian comfort food and street food concept features playful décor, bold flavors, and a format of small plates and shared dishes that kids actually find fun to try. The surrounding Mizner Park layout means that before or after dinner, families can let kids run on the lawn while parents enjoy a post-meal drink at a nearby café.

Why families love it: Asian comfort food in a fun, playful setting. The Mizner Park surroundings add a green space and outdoor entertainment environment that extends the outing naturally.

Honorable Mentions

A few more spots consistently beloved by South Florida families that deserve a mention:

Louie Bossi's Ristorante, Bar & Pizzeria (Boca Raton & Fort Lauderdale) — Handmade pastas, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, and a high-energy Italian atmosphere that kids love. Everything made from scratch.

Laspada's Original Hoagies (Fort Lauderdale) — Quick, towering hoagies assembled right in front of you. Kids are mesmerized watching them built, and picky eaters will find something they like.

Sloan's Ice Cream (Boca Raton & Palm Beach locations) — Technically dessert, but the whimsical, extravagant décor and extraordinary ice cream make it a must-add to any family dining outing in Palm Beach County.

The Girls Strawberry Patch (Delray Beach) — A garden setting with farm animals, exotic birds, homemade ice cream, New York-style pizza, and homemade baked goods. A unique and memorable family outing unlike anywhere else in the county.

A Note for Parents

The best family dining experiences in South Florida tend to be the ones where the physical setting does some of the work — waterfront views, outdoor space, entertainment, or a unique activity attached to the meal. When kids have something to look at, explore, or do, everyone relaxes and the meal becomes an actual experience rather than a time-management exercise. The spots on this list all understand that truth, and they've built their atmosphere accordingly.

For parents new to Broward or Palm Beach County — or residents looking for somewhere new to take out-of-town family — this list covers the full range from quick and casual to genuinely memorable. Every one of these restaurants is open and operating in 2026, and every one of them has earned its place on the list from real South Florida families who return again and again.

Thinking about making South Florida home? Explore the best family neighborhoods in Parkland or discover what makes Coral Springs a top choice for families.

Sources: Visit Lauderdale family dining guide (March 2026), The Palm Beaches family restaurant guide (February 2026), Treasure Coast Mom Palm Beach County family restaurants, Yelp 2026 kid-friendly restaurant rankings for Broward and Palm Beach County, OpenTable Diners' Choice kid-friendly Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, FamilyVacationist Palm Beach family dining guide. Article prepared by The Friendly Scoop, powered by Homes by Cusi · Keller Williams Realty.

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