Each year, there are more kid-friendly restaurants opening in metro Detroit for families to enjoy together and 2023 was no different.
Check out these great restaurants that your whole family is sure to love! Most have kids menus with options they’re sure to love and coloring sheets to keep the kids busy while they wait for their food.
Bandit Tavern & Hideaway
- Address: 419 S. Main St., Royal Oak
In November 2023, Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant and Taphouse in Royal Oak switched over to Bandit Tavern & Hideaway. It brought southern eats to the area with menu options like shrimp & grits, fried chicken, brisket, grilled hanger steak and more. The kids menu features mac & cheese, fried chicken, pasta and cheese pizza. Try the powdered sugar mini beignets for dessert.
California Burgerz
- Address: 28508 Dequindre Road, Warren
This burger spot was inspired by California’s famous In-N-Out Burger. It is known for the burgers, slides and Gorilla fries, which are curvy fries loaded with CB sauce, cheese and caramelized onions. Try the shakes, which come in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, cappuccino and banana. For the kids, it has a chicken tender meal and a cheeseburger sliders meal, which both come with fries and a drink. There is another location in Hamtramck.
Chicken Guy!
- Address: 30130 Plymouth Road, Livonia
Guy Fieri opened his Livonia location in April 2023. Try one of the “Big Bite Sandwiches” along with the signature fry seasoning fries, American slaw, mac ‘n’ cheese or fried pickle chips. For the kids, it has a grilled cheese meal and a chicken tender meal, which are served with a beverage and choice of fries, apple sauce or a fruit cup. Also, be sure to try the Flavortown Shakes, which come in flavors like Apple Cinnamon Cereal, Oreo and Triple Double Mint.
Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ
- Address: 5800 Sheldon Road, Canton
This national chain restaurant opened its Canton location in February 2023. The menu features hot dogs, wings, sandwiches, salads, nachos and more. For kids 10 and under, the meal options are slider, hot dog, mac n’ cheese, cheese sticks and chicken tenders. All kids meals are served with either fries or tots and a juice box.
Ford’s Garage Novi
- Address: 44175 W. 12 Mile Road, f139, Novi
This national chain opened its second Michigan location inside Novi’s Fountain Walk in March 2023. It features burgers, salads, sandwiches and comfort food dishes like meatloaf, hand-battered chicken tenders and beer-battered fish n’ chips. The other metro Detroit location is in Dearborn.
HopCat Livonia
- Address: 17800 Haggerty Road, Livonia
This family-friendly restaurant opened its Livonia location in July 2023. The Cosmik Fries, Pretzel Nuggz and burgers are all must-tries. The “HopKittens” meal options are Jr. cheeseburger, kids boneless wings, mac & cheese and cheese quesadilla. Other HopCat metro Detroit locations include Ann Arbor, Detroit and Royal Oak.
HopCat Royal Oak
- Address: 430 S. Main St., Royal Oak
This family-friendly restaurant closed its other Royal Oak location in May 2020. It opened back up in a new location in downtown Royal Oak in February 2023. The Cosmik Fries, Pretzel Nuggz and burgers are all must-tries. The “HopKittens” meal options are Jr. cheeseburger, kids boneless wings, mac & cheese and cheese quesadilla. Other HopCat metro Detroit locations include Ann Arbor, Detroit and Livonia.
Knapp’s City Garage
- Address: 36370 Main St., New Baltimore
This family-friendly spot was once an auto repair shop. It opened its doors in January 2023 and is a great spot to get burgers, pizza, sandwiches, salads and more. It also has a kids menu for ages 12 and under.
The Hudson Café
This breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant opened in Detroit in 2011 and is named after the iconic Hudson’s department store. The menu features hearty breakfast options like sweet and savory crepes, French toast, pancakes, omelets, fried chicken and waffles and more along with sandwiches, salads and burgers for lunch. For the “little friends” ages 12 and under, it has eggs and toast, Mickey Mouse pancakes, French toast, grilled cheese and waffles fries and chicken fingers and waffle fries. The Northville location opened in April 2023. The Detroit location re-opened in May after a remodel. It is opening a Troy location in January 2024.
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