The Dish: Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Rhode Island

Dining out with kids doesn’t have to be stressful with these restaurant tips.

February 22, 2018

Jamie Coelho,

The interior at Wara Wara includes robot sculptures.

Dining out with kids doesn’t have to be stressful. I frequently go out as part of my job here at Rhode Island Monthly, and because I have two children – ages one-and-a-half and four – I am constantly in search of kid-friendly places to eat. It’s cheaper to order kids’ meals than pay for a babysitter. Plus, I want them to grow up eating in restaurants since this is a huge part of my life.

Along the way, I’ve learned some tips and tricks for keeping my kids happy throughout a sit-down meal. I try to choose loud places where you can hear lots of laughter and music, and I always pack crayons, markers and coloring books to keep them busy while we sit. (Sticker packs from the dollar aisle in Target have become my savior a few times). I always bring sippy cups with me in case the restaurant doesn’t have kids’ cups available, and I bring snacks, just in case the food takes a long time to arrive to the table.

If children’s meals are not printed on the menu, I’m not afraid to ask if there’s an off-menu option for little ones. Oftentimes, I’ll find that the restaurant offers something simple for a minimal charge rather than me cobbling something together from the regular menu and hoping for the best. I always use wet wipes to clean up my kiddos’ sticky faces and hands so they don’t get ketchup or barbecue sauce all over the seats and table. (When my kids are teenagers, I’ll still be carrying around wet wipes). Last tips: Be kind to your server and tip a little extra for the cleanup.

Here are some of the kid-friendly places we’ve found in Rhode Island. The criteria are that the restaurant must have kid-friendly options on the menu, most have high chairs available, and they all have a genuinely friendly atmosphere (bonus points if it’s loud).

1. Angelo’s: Angelo’s is a family-friendly Italian spot where kids can’t get bored because there’s a train that travels around the perimeter of the restaurant’s ceiling. Just bring plenty of quarters to keep it running, or else there could be trouble…. You can’t go wrong with a menu stocked with pasta, meatballs and french fries, though try to get the kids to branch out by selling them what I call “pizza chicken,” which is the famous chicken parmigiana. 141 Atwells Ave., Providence, 401-621-8171, angelosri.com

2. Blount Clam Shack: When the Clam Shack in Warren opens in late-spring, it’s always one of our top spots to visit as a family throughout the fall. The casual waterfront atmosphere makes it fun for the kids to play cornhole outdoors and watch the boats bob by while we wait for food. There’s even a wooden lobster cutout they can stick their faces in for photos. The Riverside location is right next to the Looff Carousel for some extra family fun. Blount has Lil Snappers kids meals available that come with a drink and your choice of french fries or fresh cut fruit and a gold fish cookie. 406 Water St., Warren, 401-245-1800; 684 Bullocks Point Ave., Riverside, 401-628-0485, blountretail.com

The atmosphere at Blount Clam Shack in Warren.

3. Flatbread Company: This gourmet pizza spot boasts a large dining room where you can watch the wood-burning oven bake the pizzas that are made with organic ingredients, nitrate-free housemade sausages and free-range meats. They have free crayons for kiddos and menus feature children’s art drawn on the spot and slid into the back of the plastic covers. If kids get antsy, ask for some dough for them to play with or a pizza box to decorate at the table. It’s perfect for large groups and family gatherings. 161 Cushing St., Providence, 401-273-2737, providenceflatbreadcompany.com/providence

Having some fun at Flatbread.

4. Mews Tavern: The Mews keeps everyone happy with a vast menu and a beer list featuring sixty-nine drafts on tap (for the parents). The atmosphere is playful and fun with a graffitied tree sculpture in the middle and ski lodge-like decor. The South County hotspot is known for its burgers, wings and pizzas, and kids clean their plates with the usual suspects of chicken fingers, quesadillas and mac and cheese. 456 Main St., Wakefield, 401-783-9370, mewstavern.com

5. Mission: A place that gives you a plastic toy dinosaur while you wait for your food? This is real life at Mission. Order your best-in-the-business burger at the counter and they’ll track you down when your food’s up. Mom and dad can enjoy some craft beer options while the family sits at a table or at the counter. The ground-in-house burgers are simply delicious and perfectly grilled, and the hot dogs are housemade. Go ahead and bribe the kids with a housemade popsicle…if they eat their meals, that is. 58 Aquidneck Ave #2, Middletown, 401-324-5811, missionnpt.com

You can get a plastic dinosaur at Mission while you wait for your food.

6. Red Stripe: The first part of finding a family-friendly restaurant is making sure the noise level is louder than your kids. You wouldn’t want to go someplace where you can hear a pin drop, and luckily, Red Stripe has a convivial atmosphere full of laughter and groups of friends enjoying a meal. Red Stripe has a kids menu available and, if all else fails, the fries are always a surefire hit. 465 Angell St., Providence, 401-437-6950, redstriperestaurants.com

7. Thirsty Beaver: With a costumed beaver as its mascot, this place is a whole lot of fun. The fluffy creature is known to participate in karaoke and trivia nights and perform on select Friday and Saturday nights. The Thirsty Beaver has onsite games, including Big Buck Hunter and a bubble hockey arcade game, plus a well-thought-out children’s menu with dishes like mini burgers and pulled pork sliders, grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken fingers and more served with a drink and fries. Parents can also sub out the fries for veggies or tater tots for $1. 288 Atwood Ave., Cranston, 401-270-7686;
45 Cedar Swamp Rd., Smithfield, 401-349-4790, thirstybeaverri.com

8. Wara Wara: The robots had my son at hello. Although it’s tough to distract kids who can’t practice “look, but don’t touch,” this Japanese spot is amazing for parents who crave a taste of Asian cuisine in an accessible atmosphere. Go for the bento box option for lunch, which includes your choice of entrees along with white rice, seasonal vegetables and fruit. The noodle dishes and ramen are also popular picks. The kids menu includes everything from mini chicken ramen and chicken yakitori to popcorn chicken and steamed buns. 776 Hope St., Providence, 401-831-9272, warawarari.com