Family-friendly :: Restaurants and Dining
Restaurants and eateries to please every palate
Food Trucks
These ubiquitous carts consistently treat loyal regulars and discerning visitors to some of the tastiest snacks in town.
Eating in Philadelphia doesn’t have to break the bank, especially when there are street vendors on nearly every corner offering some of the city’s best quick-dining meal deals. Hotdogs, cheesesteaks, hoagies and pretzels are standard Philly items and they’re definitely worth experiencing; however, many lunch trucks sell international cuisine that is similar to the food found in the open-air markets of Morocco or India.
Adventurous diners will delight in the exotic offerings found all over the city. At 23rd and Chestnut Streets, George Papadopoulos serves sublime chicken gyros from his food cart. Anna and Raffi Barassatian offer “chicken Italiano” and smiles at 18th and Chestnut Streets, while 2nd and Spring Garden is home to the Kind Café Chuckwagon, serving vegan Asian, African and Indian entrees. On 34th and 36th Streets, two Magic Carpet trucks serve up excellent falafel and vegetarian Sloppy Joe sandwiches.
Also on Penn’s campus are Yue Kee’s ever popular Singapore Noodles, located underneath the 38th Street Bridge. And, for a quick, healthy snack, there are dozens of fruit stands throughout the city serving up colorful, healthy salads in large portions that are perfect for the entire family.
Kid-friendly Restaurants
Children are welcomed with leis, bubbles, stickers and fake tattoos at Cavanaugh’s River Deck. Outdoor dining features plenty of river activity, including boats, birds, ducks and even a fish pond. Open May through October. City Tavern is a Colonial tavern featuring an award-winning children’s menu, high chairs and booster seats, as well as costumed servers.
The Collegeville Inn offers a children’s buffet station, high chairs, booster seats and toys. Kids under age three eat for free. In addition to state-of-the-art video games and many other interactive experiences, Dave & Busters is home to a restaurant offering kid’s menus, high chairs and booster seats. A Bucks County landmark since 1955, Goodnoe Family Restaurant features homemade-quality food in a neighborhood-style eatery.
Cool rock and roll memorabilia and music are the hallmarks of a dining experience at the Hard Rock Café. Children’s menu, activities and high chairs available. Tasty Philadelphia cheesesteaks are served at Jim’s Steaks, a popular indoor eatery on South Street. Jimmy John’s Pipin’ Hot Restaurant is a local landmark famous for the old-fashioned hot dogs and electric train displays. Fresh produce and prepared foods ranging from cheesesteaks to cannolis are the offerings at the historic Reading Terminal Market.