Going out to eat with the entire clan is always fun—but somehow it tastes even better when the kids are free! Every day of the week, family-friendly NJ restaurants offer meal deals for children 12 and under. Here’s your guide for when and where to go!
What to know before you go:
- “Kids eat free” generally means you get a free meal from the kids’ menu with the purchase of one (or two) adult meals.
- Many restaurants offer the deal for the entire day—but some only offer during specific hours and for kids under a certain age.
- Deals change all the time, so call ahead to confirm that your location offers kids’ meals free.
*Be sure to call ahead to confirm kids eat free restaurant policies.
ATLANTIC COUNTY
Denny’s
335 Tilton Rd., Northfield
609-677-9400, dennys.com
Kids Eat Free: Tuesday
Dig into Denny’s new crepes, or their classic breakfast favorites like the Grand Slamwich, T-Bone steak and eggs or country fried steak and eggs.
BERGEN COUNTY
Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern
1 East Franklin Tpke., Ho-Ho-Kus
201-445-4115; hohokusinn.com
Kids Eat Free: Monday
More Reasons to Go: Pint-sized diners choose between the usual kids’ menu suspects and more grown-up dishes like salmon, roasted chicken breast and hanger steak, which all come with a side of fresh veggies. If Mom and Dad like seafood, go for the yellowfin tuna burgers, grilled marinated octopus or fresh oysters.
Jalapeños Mexican Grille
930 Prospect St., Glen Rock
201-445-5566; jalapenosmexgrill.com
Kids Eat Free: Sunday
More Reasons to Go: The atmosphere here is fun and festive, and they’ve got great grown-up drinks (order margaritas by the pitcher). You’ll love the “Jalapeños Special” (a chicken, shrimp and skirt steak fajita trio), which be custom-ordered for two. Kids can choose from the classics like cheese quesadillas, nachos or tacos, and get free ice cream for dessert.
Que Pasta Italian Restaurant
326 Market St., Saddle Brook
201-712-1900; qpitalian.com
Kids Eat Free: Friday
More Reasons to Go: Kids feast on spaghetti and meatballs, mozzarella sticks and mini-raviolis, which all come with a drink and an ice cream. Insider tip: Allow a few extra minutes to find a parking spot or go early—it can get crowded!
BURLINGTON COUNTY
Chik-Fil-A
58 Centerton Rd., Mt. Laurel
856-439-2696; chick-fil-a.com
Kids Eat Free: Tuesdays
More Reasons To Go: Chik-Fil-A has a new barbecue sandwich with smokey sizzle, kids meals with toys and, of course, waffle fries. (There are also new vegetarian options!)
Miller’s Ale House
554 Fellowship Rd., Mt. Laurel
856-722-5690; millersalehouse.com
Kids Eat Free: Tuesdays
More Reasons To Go: Juicy sirloin steak $5.99 lunch specials and all-day-everyday specials too, plus craft beer and cocktails.
CAMDEN COUNTY
Racks Pub and Grill
286 White Horse Pike, Atco
856-719-1500; rackspubandgrill.com
Kids Eat Free: Tuesdays
More reasons to go: Think more than 25 televisions for sports, live bands and billiards. While the kids dig in, line up your shot.
CAPE MAY COUNTY
Quincy’s Lobster Rolls
709 Beach Ave., Cape May
609-600-3571; quincysoriginal.com
Kids Eat Free: Wednesday
More Reasons to Go: The friendly, relaxing atmosphere is the perfect place for kids to dig into hot dogs and corn dogs, chicken tenders and grilled cheese. Plus, parents can indulge in lobster rolls and happy hour from 3-5 pm.
ESSEX COUNTY
Calandra’s Mediterranean Grill
118 Rte. 46 E., Fairfield
973-575-6500; calandrasmedgrill.com
Kids Eat Free: Sunday
More Reasons to Go: Spend a lazy Sunday supper with the folks who invented it. Two kids (under 13) eat for free and watch a magician perform tableside while parents indulge in half-price wine and classic dishes like pappardelle vodka and pork chop Milanese.
MoonShine
55 Main St., Millburn
973-218-6042; moonshinesupperclub.com
Kids Eat Free: Sunday-Tuesday, closed Monday
More Reasons to Go: For a restaurant that doesn’t feel like it’s a kid-friendly place (but is), check out MoonShine, where the menu is sophisticated and inspired by supper clubs of the past. Let the kids eat kids stuff (like a cheese omelet or BLT), while you dine on roasted branzino, house-made ricotta gnocchi and braised beef short ribs.
The Verona Inn
624 Bloomfield Ave., Verona
973-239-0544; veronainn.com
Kids Eat Free: Monday
More Reasons to Go: Kids can tag along for Monday night football or everyone can sit outside on the patio at this tavern downtown. It’s famous for great live music, amazing happy hour specials and to-die-for snacks like “goat fries,” which are topped with rich goat cheese and raspberry sauce. Plus, some days their legendary spuds are free before 5 pm, so make sure to call before you go!
Toro Loco
23 Valley St., South Orange
973-761-1515; toroloco.net
Kids Eat Free: Sunday and Monday
More Reasons to Go: Authentic Mexican food in kid-friendly surroundings with some of the best guac around. After dinner, take the family to Carvel down the street for a super sweet ending.
GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Uno’s Pizzeria and Grill
1162 Hurffville Rd., Deptford
856-853-7003; restaurants.unos.com
Kids Eat Free: Tuesday
More Reasons To Go: Known for its doughy, deep dish pizza, Uno’s menu also includes seafood, sandwiches and other specials, plus wine and beer from craft breweries too.
HUDSON COUNTY
Arthur’s
237 Washington St., Hoboken
201-565-5009; arthursofhoboken.com
Kids Eat Free: Wednesday
More Reasons to Go: Humongous steaks and tons of craft beers are what to order here. The 12-and-under part of the clan will love the A+ children’s menu.
HUNTERDON COUNTY
Lovin’ Oven
62 Trenton Ave., Frenchtown
908-996-7714; lovinovenfrenchtown.com
Kids Eat Free: Thursday
More Reasons to Go: Little (and very hangry) pasta lovers go home with plenty of leftovers thanks to bottomless (just-for-kids) specials here on Italian night. Parents start with a soup or salad, pick from dishes like lamb stew or braised meatballs and finish it off with a cannoli.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
77 Tices Ln., East Brunswick
732-479-1950; dickeys.com
Kids Eat Free: Sunday
More Reasons to Go: If your brood loves slow-cooked, stick-to-your-ribs food, this joint is sure to make their mouths water. Order half-pound portions of Southern favorites like pork ribs, barbecue honey ham, beef brisket or pulled pork, all of which are smoked in-house in hickory wood-burning pits.
Miller’s Ale House
350 Rte. 9, Woodbridge Twp.
732-855-6590; millersalehouse.com
Kids Eat Free: Tuesday
More Reasons to Go: You can bet the game will be on one of the big-screen TVs at this gigantic sports bar, which has enough room to seat his entire soccer team. The children’s menu includes things like hot dogs, chicken fingers and a fried shrimp platter, all of which come with a side and a kiddie drink.
MONMOUTH COUNTY
Nino’s Coal Fired Pizza
2105 Rte. 35, Oakhurst
732-359-8800; ninoscoalfiredpizza.com
Kids Eat Free: Sunday
More Reasons to Go: At this pizza joint kids can chow down on a personal pie with any topping imaginable (or if yours are like ours, no toppings at all). If pizza isn’t their first choice, play it safe with grilled chicken breast, spaghetti and meatballs or chicken fingers and fries.
The Windmill
22 Bridge St., Red Bank
732-747-5958; windmillhotdogs.com
Kids Eat Free: Tuesday
More Reasons to Go: There’s nothing better than a hot dog or burger down the shore in the summer, right? Now your kid can get his fix with fries and a drink for free. This local indoor-outdoor spot puts its spin on classic American food with the “Wild West End Burger,” served on a hard roll. Don’t miss their great selection of thick milkshakes too.
MORRIS COUNTY
The Famished Frog
973-540-9601; famishedfrog.com
18 Washington St., Morristown
Kids Eat Free: Monday
More Reasons to Go: This downtown family favorite is a delicious culinary hodgepodge of burgers, Falafel, Pad Thai and everything in between. The kids’ menu includes chicken fingers breaded with Ritz cracker crumbs. There’s also a huge selection of fresh fruit smoothies for a sweet (healthy) treat.
The Montville Inn
167 Rte. 202, Montville
973-541-1234; themontvilleinn.com
Kids Eat Free: Tuesday
More Reasons to Go: Kids choose from house-made dishes here, including farm-to-table pasta with fresh tomato basil sauce, thin crust pizza or homestyle mac and cheese. Adults can pick from things like pan-seared scallops and tuna tartar, salmon burgers or traditional Italian fare like homemade gnocchi and margherita pizza.
SOMERSET COUNTY
Stage House Tavern
1719 Amwell Rd., Somerset
732-873-3990; stagehousetavern.com
Kids Eat Free: Wednesday
More Reasons to Go: Kids get a slew of options they’ll love, like personal pizzas, pastas and sandwiches, and grown-ups try the house-made raviolis—goat cheese, seafood or spinach and mushroom (meatball or classic cheese for the kids).
Willie McBride’s
1270 Easton Tpke., Branchburg
908-722-1113; williemcbrides.com
Kids Eat Free: Sunday
More Reasons to Go: Dine outside on the patio or next to a stone fireplace in this huge Irish restaurant. Your mini-me can take her pick of American classics—like a junior cheeseburger or mac and cheese, while adults enjoy authentic, homemade favorites like the corned beef platter or the traditional Irish breakfast (eggs, Irish bacon, sausage, black-and-white pudding and beans).
UNION COUNTY
Molly Maguire’s
1085 Central Ave., Clark
732-388-6511; mollymaguires.com
Kids Eat Free: Sunday
More Reasons to Go: This casual tavern packages entertainment and a delicious meal into one. The younger set can nibble on their favorites like mac and cheese or mozzarella sticks while listening to live music (acoustic night is on Thursday). Plus there are tons of beers on tap and a gigantic adult menu for Mom and Dad.
The Station Bar & Grill
99 Center St., Garwood
908-233-4455; thestationbarandgrill.com
Kids Eat Free: Saturday
More Reasons to Go: Finally a kids-eat-free deal on your favorite night to go out with them! Your brood gets a choice of grilled cheese, chicken fingers and pasta at this restaurant that literally has everything, and they can sleep late the next day!
Tiff’s Burger & Alehouse
1637 Vauxhall Rd., Union
908-688-6666; tiffsunion.com
Kids Eat Free: Monday
More reasons to go: Your child can choose from kid favorites like chicken fingers, grilled cheese or burgers. For paadultsrents, there are more than 24 beer options on tap and scrumptious ribs.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
Locations in Mountainside, Parlin
908-518-9733; partyonthegrill.com
Kids Eat Free: Monday and Tuesday
More Reasons to Go: Huge portions and built-in entertainment make Hibachi a no-brainer for a family night out. Plus, the chefs love to involve kids in the show—catch the flying broccoli!
Buffalo Wild Wings
Various locations
Kids Eat Free: Mondays
More Reasons to Go: Perennial kid favorites like chicken tenders and mac and cheese are on the menu here, but the wings are even better—boneless or traditional with 21 sauce choices to pour on top. Each location has 30-plus TV screens, so if the game’s on, you won’t miss it.
Chevy’s Fresh Mex
Various locations
Kids Eat Free: Monday
More Reasons to Go: Yummy fresh-Mex favorites like fajitas, fish tacos and homemade guacamole are all great —or try their enchiladas (the farmer’s market and mesquite-grilled carne asada ones are to die for). Make sure to save room for dessert—who can say no to fried ice cream?
Denny’s
Various locations
Kids Eat Free: Tuesday
More Reasons to Go: The kids’ menu includes a build-your-own “Junior Grand Slam,” where mini-diners can pick three breakfast-for-dinner items, or a small garden salad and even smoothies. Check out the “Fit Fare” menu for lower-calorie versions of your cheat day faves (pancakes, omelets and skillets).
Firehouse Subs
Locations in Totowa and Wayne
Kids Eat Free: Sunday
More Reasons to Go: Fire-truck-obsessed cuties pick from no-argument classics like meatball subs and grilled cheese. Even better: Kids’ meals come with their very own fire helmet (for safer French fry eating). Parents will love the subs and salads, many of which ring in under 500 calories.
IHOP
Kids Eat Free: Various nights; contact your local IHOP
More Reasons to Go: What’s better than breakfast all day long? Kids pick from fun options like “Create-A-Face” and “Funny Face” pancakes—which clocks in at 600 calories, healthier than some of the other menu options. While you’re there, bask in the nostalgia of all those late nights (or early mornings) you spent hanging in these booths.
Ruby Tuesday
Multiple locations
Kids Eat Free: Tuesday
More Reasons to Go: Cocktails are all day every day (sweet!) and kids can enjoy foodie favorites such as pizza and mac n’ cheese.