With so many Seattle restaurants expanding their outdoor dining, it’s the perfect time to take your crew al fresco at one of these excellent kid-friendly spots. Getting out of the house while supporting a local business: it’s a win-win.
LessPick up your favorite Market food, we’re talking Honest Biscuits, Matt’s in the Market, Shug’s Soda Fountain and more, and enjoy them at pop-up spots throughout the Market. Look for these new-this-year spots on the cobblestones, in the Secret Garden and Post Alley, as well as along First Avenue and Western Avenue. You’ll find all the dine-in or takeout options, plus hours for individual restaurants, online. Sound and city views? It doesn’t get any better than this in the summer!
Café Flora is serving up inspired vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free cuisine. Using local ingredients and a menu that changes by season, they continue to offer fresh takes on favorites like Oaxaca tacos and Portobello Wellington. Your littles will go wild for classic children’s menu items like pita pizzas (if you’re there for brunch, don’t miss the animal-shaped pancakes and fresh fruit). Café Flora has expanded their outdoor patio, which is first come, first served for lunch, dinner and brunch.
The shores of Lake Washington never looked so good as they do with a pint from this Magnuson brewhouse in hand. You’ll love sinking your teeth into this locally-sourced pub fare, featuring burgers, tacos and salads, as much as the kids do. And with plenty of socially-distanced, umbrella-covered tables, this family-friendly spot makes grabbing a bite easy on a sunny day.
Your kids will be thrilled when you tell them you’re going for takeout, but you end up on the outdoor patio at this favorite local pizza joint instead. That patio seating here is self-serve and limited to five people per table. All you have to do is order your favorite pie (we’re partial to the Veggie Bomb, but dig the Bianco too), wait for a text, then pull up a picnic bench and enjoy a slice with your crew.
Perched on West Seattle’s shore with a view of the city skyline, this laid back spot is Hawaiian with Korean influence—tacos are a popular choice, though the fish and chips are stellar. Kids love the Spam musubi, the perfect precursor to the Hawaiian shave ice for dessert. Marination is currently closed for dine-in, but you can grab food to-go and then snag a picnic bench right outside the restaurant, or spread out on one of the grassy knolls along this stretch of Alki.
Eating outdoors can’t get much cooler than this: at Agua Verde, you can nosh on a large outdoor deck that overlooks the kayak rental area. So as you and the kids share a basket of chips and fresh salsa from the serve-yourself bar, you can check out kayakers paddling in and out of the dock. Don’t miss the mangodillas—quesadillas with fresh mango and melty cheese and are a hit with diners of all ages! Psst... bring your kayaks if you've got 'em for an afternoon paddle.
It’s hard to go wrong with a wood fired pizza for dinner with the kids. That’s why we’re stoked Elemental Pizza’s U Village location is offering outdoor seating. Enjoy the people watching while you dig into their creative pizza combos. If you’re looking for less crowded times, try going on a weekday. But if pizza is how you roll on the weekends, you’ll probably get a table quickly if you can avoid peak dining times.
The views of the Everett waterfront are just as impressive as this spot. With tables spaced for social distancing, Anthony's is doing what they can to keep guests safe. If you've got young kids, try going for lunch, when prices are cheaper and menu options are more kid-friendly. Reservations are recommended. Next door, Anthony's Woodfire Grill offers surf and turf with the same views but cheaper prices. This restaurant tends to be a little more relaxed, making it a great choice for families.
Seattle icon Red Mill Burgers has been featured on Oprah and the Food Network. But to Seattle locals, it’s just a great place to grab a delicious burger and some onion rings with the family. Red Mill is known for cooking up a huge stack of bacon for topping burgers, hand-blending fresh milkshakes and offering wonderful outdoor picnic tables for eating in the sun. For the time being, Red Mill is taking orders and payment online only, and has limited menu options available at each location.
Located on Pier 57, The Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar features views of Seattle’s Great Wheel, the Puget Sound and downtown Seattle. In addition to the standard fresh fish dishes, you’ll find a collection of other unique plates including the west coast fish taco, wild citrus halibut taco and shrimp mac 'n' cheese. The patio (and the view) are open for dining, with a limit of four people per table, and reservations are recommended, especially on the weekends.