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
• 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
• Sundancer Grill: outdoor playscape (but no tables by it)
• Lucy’s Fried Chicken: climber & run around area (but not small toddler comfortably close to tables)
• 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 splash pad/ grass area in the galleria!
• Texas Street Grill: outdoor playscape & run around area
• 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
• Table 620: fenced off climber & play yard – KIDS EAT FREE on Thursday’s
• 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!

Westlake Restaurants:

• Hat Creek Burger: outdoor fenced playscape – $1 beer & wine Thursty Thursday’s – Half priced burgers 5pm-close Tuesday’s
• Kerby Lane Cafe: 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
• Galaxy Cafe: outdoor fenced playscape & play yard
• Napa Flats: outdoor fenced playscape – shared with Green Mango
• 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