Looking for kid-friendly restaurants in San Diego Gaslamp Quarter? We’ve put together a list of some of our favorites and encourage you to share yours too.
[UPDATED 4/23/18]
Each summer, my family and I travel to San Diego to attend Comic-Con International — the largest comic book and popular arts convention in the US. It’s held each year at the San Diego Convention Center. Directly across from the convention center is the Gaslamp Quarter, the historic heart of San Diego.
Comic-Con last for four days and after our day ends, we like to head across the street and enjoy dinner in the Gaslamp Quarter. There is lots of restaurants there, but it might be hard for a family to figure out which restaurant might be best to eat at. You might be wondering which one has kids meals or which one might have a high chair. Even if you aren’t attending Comic-Con, these might be questions you have while on vacation in San Diego.
To help you out, we’ve put together a list of kid-friendly restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego.
Before we get to the list, there is a few things to keep in mind:
1. These are not necessarily recommendations, but simply those restaurants that we felt were kid-friendly after visiting, making phone calls, talking to others, and/or doing online research. One thing we learned through all this is that there is lots of great restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter that would love to have your family dine with them.
2. Kid-friendly — and family-friendly — is subjective. What’s kid-friendly to one person, might not be to you. But considering that there are restaurants in the Gaslamp District that are 21 years & older only, we did our best to determine which restaurants welcomed families and kids. While we feel that these restaurants are okay for most ages, we didn’t divide the list by ages of children. Some of the restaurants on this list are considered “fine dining” and you will have to determine if these restaurants is a good fit for your child.
3. The Gaslamp District is a hot spot for adults at night. This means that once the sun goes down (and definitely 9pm or later), it’s quite likely that some restaurants (particularly those with bars) will become louder and wilder — and children may not even be allowed in past a certain time. If any of this concerns you, you want to grab dinner before it gets too late or see if take out is available.
Here’s our list for Kid Friendly Restaurants in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter — have your own suggestion? Leave us a comment!
275 5th Ave San Diego California 92101 [MAP]
Why it’s kid-friendly: Named one of the 10 Best Family Restaurant Chains; kids menu; high chairs; ice cream included with every meal
ComicConFamily Insider Tip: No call-ahead seating during Comic-Con, so expect a wait. Sign up for Factory Insider on Facebook for possible discounts
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Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant
705 6th Avenue San Diego CA 92101 [MAP]
Why it’s kid friendly: Family-style menu; unique decor; high chairs; kid menus
ComicCon Family Insider Tip: You can sign up for the ECLUB and possibly receive free appetizer or specialty bread
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743 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Why it’s kid-friendly: kid menus; high chairs
ComicConFamily Insider Tip: You can sign up for Give me more stripes rewards for additional offers and discounts
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409 F St, San Diego, CA 92101 (MAP)
Why it’s kid friendly: kid friendly prices, kid menus
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Fogo De Chao Brazilian Steakhouse
668 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 (MAP)
Why it’s kid friendly: kid friendly prices, high chairs
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355 6th Ave. San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Why it’s kid friendly: kid menus; high chairs
ComicCon Family Insider Tip: Show your #SDCC badge to get 15% off (or print out the 15% off Broken Yolk coupon); Breakfast and lunch only; sign up for Broken Yolk Rewards Card for updates and specials
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825 Fourth Ave. San Diego, CA 92101(MAP)
Why it’s kid friendly: kid menus
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528 5th Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Why it’s kid friendly: Offers a “Kids Lounge Meal” for 12 years & under with cheeseburger or chicken tenders, fries or salad, and drink
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539 Island Ave San Diego, CA 92101 (MAP)
Why it’s kid friendly: high chairs
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916 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 (MAP)
Why it’s kid friendly: kid friendly menus, high chair
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Spike Africa’s Fresh Fish Grill & Bar
411 BROADWAY AVE, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101 (MAP)
Why it’s kid friendly: kid menus, high chairs
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702 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 9201 [MAP]
Why it’s kid friendly: kid menus
ComicCon Family Insider Tip: kids eat free from 11am to 2pm (with the purchase of adult entree)
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453 5th Avenue. San Diego, CA, 92101 (MAP)
Why it’s kid friendly: kid friendly menu
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901 5th Ave San Diego , CA 92101(MAP)
Why it’s kid friendly: Fondue is fun for kids! High chairs; Kid Menus
ComicCon Family Insider Tip: Sign up for Club Fondue for news and Wine and Food tasting events.
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950 6th Ave., Suite C San Diego, CA 92101 (MAP)
Why it’s kid friendly: high chairs
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Rei do Gabo Brazilian Steakhouse
939 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 (MAP)
Why it’s kid friendly: kid friendly prices, high chairs
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415 Market St. San Diego, CA 92101 (MAP)
Why it’s kid friendly: kid friendly menu
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536 Market St. San Diego, CA 92101 (MAP)
Why it’s kid friendly: high chairs; kid friendly menu choices
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801 4th Ave. San Diego, CA 92101(MAP)
Why it’s kid friendly: high chairs; kid menus
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722 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 (MAP)
Why it’s kid friendly: high chairs; kid menus
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551 J Street San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Why it’s kid friendly: high chairs; kid menus
ComicCon Family Insider Tip: Additional 15% off for locals (92101 residents)
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Brian’s 24 Restaurant Bar & Grill
828 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Why it’s kid friendly: Breakfast for dinner, if you wish! Kid-friendly menu choices
ComicConFamily Insider Tip: All-you-can-eat home fries served with many breakfast entrees and all-you-can-eat-fries with many sandwiches
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Rockin Baja Lobster Coastal Cantina
310 5th Ave. San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Why it’s kid friendly: kid menus; high chairs
ComicCon Family Insider Tip: Sign up with your email at bottom of this page for news updates and specials
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728 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA [MAP]
ComicCon Family Insider Tip: Our friend Ronni spent a week in San Diego and ate at Asti Ristorante. They were very happy with the service and how great they were with her grandson.
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Bandar Persian Prime Restaurant
845 Fourth Ave. San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Why it’s kid friendly: fine dining with suitable kid selections on the menu and high chairs available
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802 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Why it’s kid friendly: high chairs; No kid menus however plenty of kid friendly options and they’re happy serve half orders.
ComicCon Family Insider Tip: Know to bring out activity box with coloring books and crayons. Check out our friends’ blog, Simmworks Family, for a review and photos of this restaurant.
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509 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92101 [MAP]
Why it’s kid friendly: Gelato, chocolate desserts, and crepes that kids will enjoy.Offer bistro-like lunch items such as salads, panini’s, and flatbreads (the pickiest kids might not like these, but parents will)
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Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop
643 5th Ave. San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Why it’s kid friendly: Not actual meals, but still fun for kids. They offer sundaes, shakes, floats, etc. Check menu for “Ghirardelli Kids” section.
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We are sure there’s more family friendly restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter. Have you visited any others? If so we would like to hear about it — leave us a comment below or feel free to email us at [email protected].
Do you know if any of these restaurants offered allergy-friendly menus? I’ve got a kid with multiple food allergies and am struggling to find restaurants in Gaslamp that are familiar with food allergies.
Great article on kid friendly places to eat, David! For more places and information on kids eat free, family fun events & activities, and deals, visit San Diego Family Fun at https://www.sdfamilyfun.com/