Dining out in Scottsdale with the family doesn't mean you're relegated to fast food restaurants with ball pits. Quite the opposite, in fact. You'll find a healthy serving of kid-friendly restaurants in Scottsdale that cater to even the pickiest eaters. The best part is, they also serve up thoughtful cuisine for adults. Here are some of our favorite family restaurants in Scottsdale. After you grab some food, don't forget to check out all the different family-friendly activities!
Sugar Bowl
Bubble-gum pink booths set the stage for a family ice cream night straight out of the 1960s. Order a simple cone with classic scoops – like chocolate, mint chocolate chip, or strawberry — or lean into creamy, fizzy soda floats. Hot fudge or caramel crowns almost everything, if you choose. There are several tempting banana splits, including the “Do-it-Yourself Banana Split Royale where you choose your ice cream flavors, sauces and toppings. Families can split towering sundaes, including the Buster Brownie – a house-baked brownie piled with vanilla, marshmallow, and whipped cream, and a cherry. Though portions invite sharing, prices stay modest. If the kids are craving more than ice cream, check out the diner food (like burgers, grilled cheese and PB&J) and mini arcade.
Daily Dose Old Town
In Old Town, Daily Dose prepares comfort food, including a breakfast served until close, that goes big. Young diners will enjoy PB&J waffles, S’mores pancakes and maple-almond French toast. The menu strikes a balance between healthy and decadent, allowing the more health-conscious members of the family to make nutritious choices like steel-cut oats turkey bacon, and vegetable omelets. On the other side, choose from indulgent favorites like breakfast nachos – warm corn tortilla chips topped with two cheese sauces, chorizo scrambled eggs, and pico de gallo with a side of sausage gravy. Friendly service and an inviting indoor-outdoor patio create a fun, stress-free environment for families to dine in Scottsdale.
Brat Haüs
Brat Haus feels like a German backyard smack in the middle of Old Town Scottsdale – think long tables, shade trees, and fun lawn games. For the kiddos, options include favorites like hot dogs, burgers and crispy chicken strips. More adventurous kids may even want to venture onto the adult menu for a handmade artisan sausage (many highly creative) or soft, giant pretzels. This isn’t just a family-friendly restaurant – there’s also a pork-and-chicken house brat for any dogs in your party. The cookout vibes are easy and enjoyable. Cornhole bags sail while the Jenga blocks collapse. Orders arrive on metal trays, helping keep messes contained.
Isabella's Kitchen at Grayhawk Golf Club
This casual, Italian-inspired restaurant in North Scottsdale overlooks Grayhawk Golf Club’s lush fairways, giving kids an ample green lawn to roam while food cooks. The patio offers fire pits, shade, and mountain views (and a quiet place to escape the music and hubbub at the bar). Kids can snack on cheese pizza, buttered noodles or chicken tenders, all delivered relatively quickly. If the whole family is in the mood for pizza, opt for a stone-baked pie or two, ideal for sharing. The service at Isabella’s is always friendly. Reservations are recommended.
Old Town Tortilla Factory
The smells of grill smoke and freshly griddled tortillas perfume this lively complex trimmed in wood and copper. Tortillas slide off the press, steaming hot, in regular corn, blue corn, and other creative flavors. Kids can watch the tortilla magic, then sit and order mini chimichangas, beef taquitos or the famous Arizona cheese crisp. To drink, little ones can enjoy cherry limeade or a smoothie. For the adults, indulgent Southwestern favorites include molten Chorizo Fundido, Southwest Filet Mignon and Achiote Ribs. Patio lights and fountains create a fun atmosphere on the spacious patio, and inside is just as fun at this restaurant located in an old adobe home. For dessert, enjoy vanilla ice cream in a cinnamon shell with fresh strawberries and raspberry sauce.
Volanti
Perched above Scottsdale airport, this aviation-themed eatery lets kids watch in awe as planes lift from the runway into the sky. It has huge windows and a wraparound deck, giving stellar views of each takeoff and landing. Grilled cheese, chicken fingers and mac-and-cheese are kid-friendly menu staples. The kitchen sticks to straightforward burgers, salads and flatbreads, but isn’t afraid to plate ribeye or prawn pasta. If you’re looking for a family-friendly restaurant that also offers an immersive experience, this spot satisfies. A popular brunch runs from Tuesday to Sunday.
The Thumb
At first glance, The Thumb looks like a gas station. Look again! It’s a gas station AND a smokehouse, bakery and counter-service eatery anchored by an impressive fishtank that hooks kids on entry. Visit during pit hours to watch the outdoor smoker puff away. A robust lineup of children’s favorites hits high notes like pulled-pork sliders, brisket mac-and-cheese, chicken tenders, and buttery cornbread. Families can split one or more barbecue trays decked out with ribs, smoked sausage, and classic BBQ sides. House doughnuts and cinnamon rolls finish meals sweetly.
North Italia
North Italia treats kids’ food as seriously as adult food. The kids’ menu — one of the very best in town — offers wood-fired cheese pizza, spaghetti, juicy roasted chicken, and a creamy mac-and-cheese. Kids’ meals arrive with salad or fries, and gelato options make for great desserts. The kitchen tends to work fast, getting kids their food quickly. And as soon as you sit down, crayons appear. For parents, don’t miss the bottle-and-board special, bringing a wine bottle and pizza or chef’s charcuterie board for just $44.
