If you’re doing a weekend getaway to Boston with the kids, this article has got you covered. If you’re lucky enough to call Massachusetts home–and think you know all of the best spots to eat with kids–keep reading, this list might surprise you with a few new gems to try!
Boston getaway with the kids
Boston is a blast with the kids. Whether you spend your day visiting the aquarium, learning to sail on the Charles, checking out the museums, or walking the Freedom Trail, be sure to check this list when you’ve worked up your appetite. You’ll be sure to find not only a kids’ menu at these spots but an enjoyable family-friendly dining experience as well. Cheers!
Accommodations
When planning a weekend in Boston with the kids, do yourself a favor and book your stay at Four Seasons Boston. Whether dining at the lobby restaurant Coterie, ordering in for room service, or enjoying a poolside meal, the kids will be sure to find something they love. All of the usual kid favorites like pizza, chicken fingers, and macaroni are there and can be paired with fun treats like banana berry smoothies, Shirley Temples, and ice cream sundaes. If your little one has dietary restrictions, or your toddler is craving something out of left field (green peas and gluten-free noodles? with a side of blueberries? No problem!) — the crew at Four Seasons goes above and beyond and can almost always make it happen.
To sweeten the deal, your kids will delight in stopping by “The Vault.” Located on each floor, kids can use the room key to unlock this fortress of complimentary snacks and beverages. Here they’ll find jelly bean dispensers, full-size candy bars, a fountain of flavored sparkling water, and bags of chips and snacks.
Looking for a delicious family dinner without having to venture out to a restaurant? Sit outdoors in a beautiful, secret garden-esque patio setting reserved for guests only called The Sanctuary. The kids will love placing their dinner orders from a vintage telephone booth! From here you can stroll back to your room for a cozy evening of snacks, and board games available from the front desk.
There is truly no better spot for family accommodations with kid-friendly dining in Boston.
At the city’s other Four Seasons location, One Dalton, you can spend a special afternoon with your littles having high tea. With exceptional attention to detail, they create a whimsical scene complete with teeny tiny PB+J sandwiches, bite-size brownies, and fun-colored confetti macarons. While the grownups enjoy a glass of champagne or one of the luxurious J’enway Tea Co loose-leaf blends, the kids can ‘cheers’ with their own bubbly (sparkling cider) or hot chocolate.
Breakfast
Friendly Toast
For breakfast, head on over to the delightfully eclectic and funky Friendly Toast. The Tiny Toast section on the menu offers smaller portions of the classics or the kids can pick a fun breakfast treat like the popular Cookie Monster Pancakes- cookie-infused pancakes topped with Oreo cookie butter. The Pride Pancakes always catch the eye of little ones too and are bursting with color and flavor. These rainbow pancakes are made fancy with purple glitter maple syrup, whipped cream, and rainbow candies. The kids will have an absolute blast eating here.
Lunch
Traveling with little ones in the infant-toddler age? You absolutely have to check out the Tot Cafe at Little Cocoa Bean! There’s kid-friendly dining and then there’s Tot Cafe where the kids can freely play and run their energy out in between bites of lunch. This spot is designed with a safe area for little ones to explore and learn, a reading nook to share stories, and a fully stocked changing area with diapers, wipes, and other necessities.
Parents can sit back and enjoy a hot coffee and lunch while the little ones play. The Tot Cafe has a menu that changes seasonally and offers nutritious fresh items like cauliflower crust pizza, vegan tri-color potato burrito, and fun smoothies like the Green Gecko (kale, broccoli, spinach, kiwi, pineapple). If you’re inspired by the menu options at Tot Cafe or have found a way for your child to eat all of their broccoli feel free to ask for recipes and meal prep guidance from the helpful crew at Little Cocoa Bean- this spot is truly a gem for parents with young ones
Be sure to check out their calendar as they often have free events for the littles like Shake Your Sillies Out and Thursday Story Time.
Located just a short drive away from downtown Boston, this Somerville flatbread spot is worth the jaunt. Here the kids will love watching their pizza being tossed, topped with their favorite ingredients, and baked to perfection in the wood-fired clay oven. Not only does this spot have delicious pizza, but it’s also housed in this year’s Best of Boston Bowling Alley. If you’re heading over without a reservation they have a few lanes and tables reserved for walk-ins for parties of 8 or less. The kids will be talking about this pizza bowling night for weeks to come.
Fun perk- American Flatbread is big on using sustainably-sourced local ingredients and supporting their communities. Head over on a Tuesday night for their Benefit Bakes where portions of proceeds go to local non-profits.
During your weekend stay, be sure to check out Trident Bookstore. Here the kids can pick out a new book or two to take home and it’s a great spot to stop for lunch. They have cozy classics like shepherd’s pie, macaroni and cheese, and tacos. Their breakfast is also served all day long and includes customizable options like ‘Choose Your Own Eggventure’ or ‘Tri Your Own Smoothie’. For dietary needs, there are plenty of options like dairy-free frappes, vegan cashew chili, gluten/soy/dairy-free pasta options, and more.
The grownups in the group will love the boozy latte options and their beer/cider selection to enjoy over lunch.
Dinner
You want to go someplace for dinner and a good cocktail but know that the kids will not want to sit still at a dinner table–what are your options? Rather than pull out the iPad in a fancy sit-down restaurant and hope for the best, head to a place where they can eat and stretch their legs in a fun, play-encouraged atmosphere. Lead the gang to Boston’s Seaport District and check out Spin Cafe where the family can play ping pong while having dinner. The BBQ Chicken Pizza is a hit with the kids and the steamed Birria Bao Buns are unique enough for adults to enjoy while still being an accessible taste for the pickier eaters in the group.
While the kids play the parents can choose from the impressive cocktail and craft beer list. Tip for smoky, citrusy goodness try their Marty Reisman. This lava salt-rimmed mezcal-based beverage pulls in flavors of pineapple, lime, and cosa notra shrub, and is deliciously complex.
Dessert
For something on the sweeter side, Brown Sugar Cafe takes confection to a whole new level. Kids love ice cream–take it to another level and let them order ice cream that’s fried! You’ll be fielding quite a few ‘how is this possible?’ questions as they bite through the hot crispy outside to the cold sweet middle. They’ll also get to try some other unique tasty items not commonly found on your typical dessert menu such as sweet sticky rice and chilled lychees.
New to flavors like curry and lemongrass? A Boston getaway with the kids is a learning opportunity. Introduce new flavors to kids with something on the sweeter side like the Brown Sugar Mango Curry dish. Or let the littles pick out fun shapes on the menu like the triangle veggie spring rolls or the pillowy shumai to dip into different sauces. This is a great spot to explore new tastes!
