Top 20 Kid Friendly Restaurants in Chattanooga, TN

food truck chattanooga

Are you looking for the best places to eat in Chattanooga with kids? Chattanooga, Tennessee is a super family friendly city that offers lots of fun activities and kid friendly restaurants.

My husband and I love dining with our kids at multiple locations throughout the city, especially those that offer diverse kids’ menus and a fun atmosphere. Whether you are looking for dining options near downtown, restaurants with a view, or places with outdoor seating, Chattanooga provides plenty of choices.

In this post, I will detail my family’s top picks for the best kid friendly restaurants in Chattanooga. I’ll also note those Chattanooga restaurants that sit within walking distance to nearby ice cream and dessert spots!

Kid Friendly Restaurants with a View

Chattanooga, Tennessee is fondly referred to as the Scenic City because it offers incredible views of Lookout Mountain and the Tennessee River. If you are looking for the best places to eat in Chattanooga with a view, these are my top picks.

bridge in chattanooga
Walnut Street Bridge in Chattanooga
  • Cafe 7 – You will find many dining options located near Lookout Mountain, but Cafe 7 boasts the BEST view. Cafe 7 is located inside the popular tourist site, Rock City Gardens. So, you will need to purchase admission to visit this family friendly restaurant. Cafe 7 offers outdoor dining right on top of Lookout Mountain. Here, you can overlook the view of seven states as you dine. Not only is this restaurant perfect for families with kids, but it is also dog friendly! It is important to note that the hours for Cafe 7 change with the seasons. So, make sure you check out their hours of operation before you visit.
  • Boathouse – The Boathouse in Chattanooga is located right on the Tennessee River. It provides seafood and other great options. Since the Boathouse sits on the Riverwalk, you can stroll along the pathway by the river after you dine. The Boathouse Rotisserie and Raw Bar offers both indoor seating and outdoor seating on its covered patio.
  • Lakeshore Grille – If you are looking for a casual restaurant in Chattanooga, Lakeshore Grille is a great option! Since it sits right on Lakeshore Marina, you will notice lots of diners visit directly after parking their boats for the day. Lakeshore Grille offers amazing views of Chickamauga Lake from both inside the restaurant and outside on the covered patio.
  • Brewhaus – Another casual restaurant for families in Chattanooga is Brewhaus Bar. Located just across the river from downtown Chattanooga and near Coolidge Park, Brewhaus offers beautiful views of the Walnut Street Bridge. This dining option serves German-American food. Brewhaus provides both indoor and outdoor seating. (If you are visiting with babies or toddlers, note that the tables and chairs on the outdoor patio are bar height.) Mom Tip: Head over to Clumpies Ice Cream after dinner to enjoy some delicious sweet treats!
  • Totto – Totto Sushi and Grill sits near Brewhaus Bar and also overlooks Coolidge Park and the walking bridge. Serving authentic Japanese food and sushi, Totto provides delicious cuisine along with its amazing views. Totto offers outdoor seating in addition to dining inside the restaurant; although, space is limited on the patio. Note that the outdoor dining space is not covered, and it can get quite hot in the summertime. Mom Tip: Clumpies Ice Cream sits just a short walk away from Totto!

Family Friendly Places to Eat Downtown

If you are planning a family vacation to the Chattanooga area, you will undoubtedly want to spend time downtown at the Tennessee Aquarium and other nearby attractions. Below are my top picks for best kid friendly restaurants in downtown Chattanooga: 

  • Tony’s – If you are looking for an Italian restaurant in Chattanooga, Tony’s Pasta Shop and Trattoria is the perfect place to dine with kids. Located in Chattanooga’s Bluff View Art District, Tony’s provides both indoor and outdoor seating in a super cute, trendy area of downtown. Mom Tip: After enjoying a meal at Tony’s, stroll over to Rembrandt’s Coffee House for some delicious dessert options!
outdoor courtyard at restaurant
Tony’s
  • STIRSTIR is located right on the property of the Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel. It offers both indoor and outdoor dining for guests. If you are looking for a restaurant for brunch in Chattanooga, STIR is a really popular choice as it offers delicious breakfast food options. Mom Tip: After you enjoy a meal at STIR, walk across the street to Hot Chocolatier for some yummy chocolate treats that kids love!
Chattanooga Choo Choo sign
  • Urban Stack – If you are searching for the best burger in Chattanooga, you have to check out Urban Stack. Located near the Chattanooga Choo Choo, Urban Stack provides both indoor and outdoor seating.
  • Public HousePublic House is located in downtown Chattanooga and is a super cute, trendy place to eat with your family. Offering both indoor and outdoor dining, Public House provides an awesome kids’ menu complete with a treat! On our last visit, they even cut up the grapes they serve to kids, which helps make dining with a toddler much easier!
  • State of ConfusionState of Confusion is located in the Southside District near downtown Chattanooga. This unique restaurant features indoor dining along with tons of tables and chairs on its massive patio. State of Confusion offers an eclectic menu at brunch, lunch, and dinner.
  • Feed Co. Table and TavernFeed is also situated in the Southside Historic District and features a great kids menu. You can dine indoors or outside on the patio. This is a great spot for visitors dining with a large party as the inside of the restaurant is huge.
  • Southside SocialSouthside Social sits near Finley Stadium and the First Horizon Pavilion, which houses the Chattanooga Market. This restaurant offers a diverse menu with lots of great options for kids. The outside seating area features corn hole and a grassy area. The inside part of the restaurant offers bowling and other fun activities.
  • Oddstory Brewing Company – Oddstory Brewing Company is a really great place to eat with kids in Chattanooga. It’s super laid back, and it offers lots of great options for kids. The outdoor dining area is super cute with bench swings, grassy areas, corn hole boards, yard games, and more. Our only issue with Oddstory is that parking can be an issue. The lot is really small, so it’s tough to find a spot at this popular spot if you are going during a peak time. However, if you are using a ride share service or you can score a parking spot, Oddstory is totally worth it!
Oddstory Restaurant with green space and outdoor seating
Oddstory Brewing Co.

Places to Eat with Kids in the NorthShore

Downtown Chattanooga offers lots of great restaurants for kids, but if you cross the river into the NorthShore area you will find even more places to eat.

  • Il PrimoIl Primo is a restaurant in the NorthShore that serves Italian food. It’s a really cute, trendy place to eat with both indoor and outdoor seating. However, it is important to note that the patio has limited seating. Mom Tip- Walk over to Riverview Park after your meal to let the kids burn off some energy on the fun playground!
Riverview Park in Chattanooga
Riverview Park
  • Food Works – Food Works is located in Chattanooga’s NorthShore near Whole Foods Market. Providing both indoor and outdoor seating, Food Works offers delicious food options for lunch and dinner, but brunch is an especially great time to dine. Mom Tip- After dinner, walk across the street to the cardboard hill where kids love sledding down the massive hill on boxes.
  • Taco Mamacita – Taco Mamacita is one of my family’s favorite places to eat in Chattanooga. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, Taco Mamacita serves Mexican food that could be considered more Tex-Mex than authentic. The really unique taco and entree options help make Taco Mamacita a really popular restaurant, so they often have a wait during prime dining times. Mom Tip- After your meal, stroll over to Milk and Honey for some gelato and coffee. You won’t be disappointed!
  • The Daily RationThe Daily Ration is a locally owned farm to table restaurant in Chattanooga’s NorthShore. Although they have limited hours, Daily Ration offers delicious food options at dinner and brunch. You will find seating available indoors and outdoors on the massive fenced in patio. My kids love to run and play in the open space outside after eating.
Daily Ration in Chattanooga
Open Space for Kids at Daily Ration
  • Edley’s – Located near Whole Foods Market, Edley’s provides really tasty BBQ selections that kids and adults love. This super casual restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Edley’s is also known for offering a really great brunch!

Healthy Restaurants with Vegan Options

My husband has dietary restrictions and prefers to eat plant based foods. The following restaurants are his go-to places to eat in Chattanooga for gluten free and vegan meals. My kids also enjoy these healthy spots.

  • Sluggo’s CafeSluggo’s Cafe is located in Chattanooga’s NorthShore and serves lots of vegetarian and vegan options for diners. This casual restaurant is a great choice for those families looking for a plant based meal.
  • CashewCashew is located within easy access of Coolidge Park in Chattanooga’s NorthShore. Serving vegetarian and vegan options, Cashew is one of my family’s top picks for dining in Chattanooga. Insider Tip- Try the Jackfruit Nachos as an appetizer. You won’t be disappointed!

Final Thoughts on Kid Friendly Restaurants in Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a great city for families, and it features plenty of kid-friendly restaurants to choose from. Whether you’re looking for healthy restaurants or kid friendly places to eat downtown with a view, the dining options in our list provide something for all palates!

We hope you and your little ones enjoy them on your family vacation to Chattanooga! You may also like our post on the Best Coffee Shops in Chattanooga where you can find some great breakfast options!

What are your favorite family restaurants in Chattanooga?

Comment below to share with us!

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2 Comments

    1. Hi Kelli,

      I’m so happy to hear you’ve enjoyed my Chattanooga posts. Thanks for the heads up about Good Dog closing their store. What a bummer! We loved that place! It looks like they now offer mobile catering and events, so we’ll have to try that out!

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