Looking to dine somewhere the whole family can enjoy that’s not necessarily designed for kids but does a great job for them? Here are our Des Moines faves with awesome food options for kids (and adults).
Looking for even more Des Moines area family fun? Be sure to check out our Events Calendar and sign up for our Weekend Fun Guide to get inspiration sent straight to your inbox.
Here’s some unexpected kid-friendly restaurants in Des Moines:
Angry Goldfish Pub & Eatery
2301 SW 9th Street • Des Moines, IA 50315 • (515) 288-2358
Angry Goldfish offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere that is welcoming to families. They’ve got a full bar for the grownups and during the warmer months their patio is a great spot to enjoy your meal outdoors. They have a kids’ menu, but also offer several kid-friendly options on their regular menu, like burgers, Bavarian pretzels and cheese, and more dually appealing options for the whole fam.
Early Bird Brunch
9250 University Avenue, Suite 107 • West Des Moines, IA 50266 • (515) 528-2212
This West Des Moines brunch spot is an excellent place to feed the family breakfast “with a twist”. Open 6:30 am to 2:30 pm, Early Bird has a dedicated kids’ menu as well as creative breakfast-y noshes for adults. In the mood for a pancake tasting and mimosas or a breakfast burrito and a Blood Mary? They’ve got (all of) it!
Eatery A
2932 Ingersoll Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50312 • (515) 282-8085
Not just a great date night spot, Eatery A is also family friendly. While they don’t have a dedicated kids’ menu, everyone in the family is sure to find something on their menu that features Mediterranean small plates and pizzas. They have an amazing happy hour from 2:00 to 6:00 pm each day which features half-price wine, draft beer, and pizza! What’s not to love?
The Club Car Restaurant & Lounge
13435 University Avenue #200 • Clive, IA 50325 • (515) 226-1729
A great drink menu, an excellent variety of food, and cozy ambience make The Club Car a great upscale family restaurant. With a soon to be Ankeny location, to boot. Be sure to check out their excellent kids’ menu and if you’re not in the mood to go out, they’ve got some great family friendly carry-out options.
Wasabi Chi
5418 Douglas Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50310 • (515) 528-8246
Eating out is a great way to introduce kids to new flavors and textures, as well as to different cultures. A warm and welcoming sushi spot, Wasabi Chi is a great option for families. Many sushi rolls are visually appealing and can be fun for kids to look at. It’s a good idea to start with simple options and rolls with ingredients your kids already like. And, if they’re not in the adventurous mood, there’s always steamed veggies, plain noodles and rice!
Let us know which Des Moines area restaurants have your favorite family friendly menus in the comments below.
