9 Baby Friendly Restaurants in the Twin Cities

Although I’ve heard horror stories, I have never had a bad experience eating out with a baby. It’s the older kids who can begin to be a problem. However, we certainly have our go-to restaurants — the ones we are know are going to go above and beyond to make us feel at home with our babies and children. I’ve listed some of my personal favorite baby friendly restaurants and some crowd-sourced suggestions from our readers. This list is far from exhaustive and, unless the restaurant is particularly geared toward adults, I recommend giving your own favorite restaurant a try.

Note, when we mention what we have fed our babies, we are not offering expert feeding advice, simply experience. Follow your doctor’s advice and the guidelines you are comfortable with. When in doubt, most baby friendly restaurants are okay with outside baby food.

Our 9 Favorite Baby-Friendly Restaurants

1) Adelita’s Mexican Restaurant,

2405 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418

I really just love the staff at Adelita’s. They are always welcoming and accommodating to children. The nice thing about Mexican restaurants is that refried beans are almost always available and make a nice baby food.

2) Babanis Kurdish Restaurant

32 East Fillmore Ave Saint Paul, MN 55107.

Our reader, Désirée, says, “It was one of the first places we took our daughter when she was a baby. There was food she could eat as finger food, she liked the soup, and the staff was always friendly with her.”

3) Broadway Pizza

Multiple Twin Cities Locations

The original location on West River Road in Minneapolis wasa family favorite, including baby, who snagged her first piece of pizza off my plate at Broadway. While that location is no longer open, the same great company has multiple Twin Cities locations. The staff is always super friendly. Make sure to sign up baby for the birthday clubs so she can get a free meal on her birthdays until she is 12.

4) The Good Earth

1901 MN-36, Roseville, MN 55113
Galleria, 3460 W 70th St, Edina, MN 55435
I like The Good Earth for eating with a baby who is starting solids because their soups are on the less-salty side. I don’t feel too bad about sharing a bowl. The downside is that they are always crowded and sometimes you have to wait longer for a booth.

5) Groveland Tap

1834 St. Clair Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105

Our reader, Danielle, says, “They have a great homey atmosphere, great kids menu, and great food/drink happy hour. They even give the kiddos a container of goldfish, and crayons. They also provide a scavenger hunt with a prize bucket when you finish it. The waitstaff is AMAZING! We go there once a week, and always see tons of family’s there.” I have not been here myself, glancing over the menu I would probably try Perogies with a baby who is starting solids.

6) Local Roots

817 66th St E, Richfield, MN 55423
Reader Joyce says “Local Roots in Richfield has a large playroom and excellent food!” For babies, perhaps you can share a bowl of yogurt, oatmeal, or soup; or you could buy older babies buttered noodles off the kids menu.

7) Lookout Bar & Grill

8672 Pineview Ln N, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Our reader, Laurie, points out, “The Look Out back patio has a playground,” which will be nice as baby grows. The menu has sides you can inexpensively add to your own entrée that include mashed potatoes and fruit, either of which would make a good meal for a baby starting solids.

8) Pizza Luce

Multiple Twin Cities Locations
Pizza Luce was a clear winner among readers. Jenny loved that the waiters knew what was in their food so she could work around food allergies. Andrea mentioned that, while all locations are great, the Uptown location can be the most crowded.

9) Local Breweries

Two that were specifically mentioned were Surly and St. Paul Brewing (fka Flat Earth). A good way to try new breweries with baby in tow is to attend one of Do Good Diapers’ Babies & Brews events.

More Ideas for for Baby Friendly Restaurants in the Twin Cities

If a restaurant is family friendly, it is most-likely baby friendly. This is why, even though they probably won’t be eating off the kids menu, our Kids Eat Free list is a good source for ideas for going out to eat any time. These restaurants want families to visit.

For a smaller meal, Anne has suggested These Kid-Friendly Twin Cities Coffee Shops/ Cafes.

Reader Recommendations:

Pizzeria Lola, 5557 Xerxes Ave. S., Minneapolis , MN 55410
Convention Grill and Fountain, 3912 Sunnyside Rd, Edina, MN 55424
Blackbird, 3800 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Fika, American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Hot Plate, 5204 Bloomington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Hazel’s Northeast, 2859 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Keg & Case Market, 928 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102

National Chains for Eating Out With Baby

Boston Market. While not exactly a fine dining experience, Boston Market is rarely too full, so a good-sized booth is easy to find. They have several foods on their Sides menu that make decent baby food – mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potato (although its sweetened), creamed spinach.

Noodles and Company. I think they are a little pricey for what you get, but at least you can count on buttered noodles for a baby who is eating solids.

Gianna likes Applebee’s – because its so busy know one will notice a crying baby or fussy child.

Red Robin – would offer the same benefits as Applebees.

Reader Advice for Going Out to Eat with Baby

I want to stress here, again, that going out to eat with baby is usually a non-event. I wouldn’t worry overly much abut it. However, every parent has bad days; the advice below comes from experience. Use the ones that will help you, ignore the ones that don’t.

Consider choosing a louder restaurant. No one will notice a little crying or a toddler meltdown.
On the flip side, a quieter restaurant is less stimulating and may possibly allow baby to sleep through the meal.
Go to dinner early when it is less full or late when your baby has been fed and is sleeping.
When babies are small enough to be in a car seat carrier, I prefer to hold out for a booth and a corner booth is the best.
Go on a family night or kids eat free night. More families means less focus on you.
Be prepared with a well-stocked diaper bag and some type of quiet distraction.
If baby isn’t eating with you, feed her first – either at home or while you wait for your food.
Ask your waiter to bring your bill with your food, so you have the option of paying and leaving early if necessary.

We hope this gives you a jumping off point for finding a place you can get out to eat with baby. But if you would rather stay home, try out locally-created Mostly Made Meals. We reviewed them here: Mostly Made Burrito Bowls. And here: Mostly Made Skillet Pasta. Or, try these Twin Cities Family Meal Deals: Busy Day Take-Out Alternatives to Pizza.