KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS
The Backyard Grill:
A tree dominates the dining room in this restaurant that puts families first. Backyard Grill regularly offers entertainment such as clowns, costumed heroes and arts and crafts. 9453 Jones, 281-897-9200; thebackyardgrill.com. NW
Cafe Express:
At its 11 locations, Cafe Express offers the best grilled cheese sandwich and macaroni-and-cheese dishes on its kids’ menu. Parents may want to sample, but leave some for Junior. 1101 Uptown Park; 713-963-0777. Uptown and other locations.
Downtown Aquarium:
An upscale restaurant and bar, a mini-amusement park and an aquarium with resident white tigers keep this place hopping with families. Don’t miss the train ride through the shark tunnel. 410 Bagby, 713-223-3474; aquariumrestaurants.com. Inner Loop
The Lake House:
Located on Kinder Lake in the middle of downtown’s Discovery Green park, this casual counterservice spot offers burgers, hot dogs and other kid-friendly fare, as well as beer and wine. 1600 McKinney, 713-3377320; thelakehousehouston.com. Inner Loop
Natachee’s Supper ’n Punch:
Midtown home-style cafe on the light rail line serves its children’s meals in lunch boxes. Too cute. 3622 Main, 713-524-7203; natachees. com. Inner Loop
Niko Niko’s at Market Square:
On pretty days, this kiosk in a downtown park setting offering Greek gyros, salads and dips is the perfect spot for lunch or dinner. There are even misters to keep kids cool. 301 Milam, 713-224-4976; nikonikos.com. Inner Loop
Pinewood Cafe:
Salads, grilled cheese sandwiches and craft beer are on the menu at this terrace cafe overlooking McGovern Lake in Hermann Park. 6104 Hermann Park Drive, 713-429-5238; hermannpark.org. Inner Loop
Rainforest Cafe:
A faux-jungle setting, animatronic animals galore, gift shop and sparkler-topped lava cake dessert are all part of the fun at the Landry’sowned staple in the Galleria and Katy Mills malls. 5015 Westheimer, 713-840-1088, and 5000 Katy Mills Circle, Katy, 281-644-6200; rainforestcafe.com. Uptown/Katy
The Shack Burger Resort:
The draws here are burgers and big patios that include playgrounds. 16602 Cypress Rosehill, 281-256-1575; 12710 Telge, 281-256-8914. NW