Best Restaurants with Play Areas in Northeast Florida
Enjoy Great Food While Your Kids Play
Northeast Florida is famous for its beaches, unique buildings, and rich history. It’s also home to many great restaurants. For those of us with kids, we know how important it is for little ones to have a place to play while you eat. That’s why spots with play areas are so popular! From beachside cafes with sand pits to breweries with fenced turf and yard games, families have plenty of ways to relax and enjoy a meal together.
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Experience Pirate Life and Family Time at Timoti’s Seafood Shak!
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Have you ever wanted to swap screens for real-life play and watch your kids explore a world of pirates, boats, and treasure hunts? At our Nocatee location, kids can play on our well-known wooden shrimp boat and pirate ship, which are set up at the back of the outdoor patio. This gives you a chance to relax and enjoy your meal. Our Fernandina location also features a new playground, designed with safety and clear sight lines so you can feel confident your kids are safe while you eat. Both our locations are family-friendly and have dedicated playgrounds, along with fresh, quality food.
For BBQ Fans
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If you’re in Jacksonville and want classic BBQ in a family-friendly place, check out The Bearded Pig . Both locations have fenced turf areas where kids can play, and the San Marco spot is known for its chalk walk. Enjoy brisket, burnt ends, or jalapeno poppers while your kids have fun outside.
Beachfront Fun in St. Augustine
If you want a laid-back beachfront place to enjoy seafood and coastal dishes with your feet in the sand while your kids play, try Beachcomber. It’s known for its relaxed vibe, ocean views, picnic tables by the dunes, and a sand pit for kids. Even better, there’s a full bar with tropical drinks and live music!
You Can’t Go Wrong With Pizza
If you’re craving Neapolitan-style pizza and like a tiki-themed bar, V Pizza + Flask & Cannon is a great choice. Both the St. Augustine and Mandarin locations have fenced, turf-covered play areas for kids. The Mandarin spot also has swings for kids to enjoy while parents eat.
Enjoy a Hot Drink or Meal
It’s not always easy for busy parents to find a spot with good coffee and a play area. That’s what makes Kinder Cafe in St. Johns special. This friendly coffee shop lets parents enjoy their drink or meal while kids play safely in a gated area nearby. The play space has books, blocks, and toys to keep little ones busy while parents relax with a specialty latte or avocado toast.
Fernandina Beach’s Only Tiki Bar
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If you’re on Amelia Island or in Fernandina Beach and want a casual, beachy place with outdoor seating on the sand, a tiki bar with swings, and a playground for kids, Sliders Seaside Grill is a great pick. This popular oceanfront spot serves fresh seafood, burgers, and cocktails like fish tacos, crab cakes, and peel-and-eat shrimp. It’s right on the beach and often has live music. There’s a playground and sandbox for younger kids, plus an arcade area for older ones.
“Beach Party” Vibe and Kid-Friendly
If you want a real “beach party” atmosphere and a huge whiskey selection with over 1,200 choices, check out the Sandbar on Amelia Island. This popular beachfront restaurant and bar is right on Main Beach and has a covered patio, picnic tables in the sand, and great views of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s very kid-friendly and dog-friendly. While it doesn’t have its own playground, it’s right next to a public park with one, so kids can play while parents watch from nearby tables. The restaurant is also known for its coastal food, like fresh seafood, wood-fired pizza, and the Main Beach Burger. There’s weekly live music and local bands, too.
Tacos on the Go
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If you love Mexican food and want to watch your kids play while you eat, Tacos My Blessing is a great choice. This popular food truck in St. Augustine serves authentic Mexican food in a casual setting and is always parked behind the Bog Brewing Company, so you can enjoy local craft beers with your meal. There’s a small play area for kids, so parents can relax and take a break.
Arcade Fun and Grilled Cheese
If you have slightly older kids, Sarbez! St. Augustine is a fun spot. They serve creative sandwiches and gourmet grilled cheese, and the restaurant has over 35 arcade games, including pinball, skeeball, and retro cabinets, so there’s fun for everyone. It’s also known for its family-friendly atmosphere and live music in different styles.
If You’re Nearby, Stop by Timoti’s.
Image courtesy of Timoti’s