Top 10 Kid-friendly Restaurants for the Graduate

As the schoolyear comes to an end, many of us parents want to reward our kids for a job well done. To mark that special celebration – graduation, we’re giving you food options that you probably didn’t realize were kid-friendly to begin with. After all, just because a restaurant doesn’t have a children’s menu doesn’t mean the place can’t be fun for your little tyke. Last year, we suggested these 10 restaurants. Here’s our current top 10: 

1. Aristocrat (Roxas Boulevard, Jupiter St., SM North EDSA)

Fun Factor: Their well-loved recipes go back decades and families would make it a habit to visit for Sunday lunch or a leisurely dinner. Aristocrat has always been a traditional favorite. Whether it’s puto (P35) and bibingka or a cheeseburger (P149) and banana split (P245), they’re sure to have scrumptious, flexible fare. The flying saucer sandwiches, available in corned beef (P80) and adobo (P85) are cool must-try items for the precocious child.

Food Options: Their barbequed chicken (P195) and pork barbecue (P159) have been consistent staples for generations of diners of all ages – it’s hard to go wrong with a classic. Also try the Cliffhouse sandwich (P158 - 287) and their tasty Kapampangan-style pansit palabok (P172)

 

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2. Bizu (Greenhills, Greenbelt)

Fun Factor: Cakes, cakes and more cakes – that’s what Bizu is all about. Of course, their set meals are simply heavenly but you can also have merienda in style by ordering an Afternoon Tea Set (P575) and giving your little sweetheart a glimpse of European culture and a taste of the good life.

Food Options: Of course, you can always go with their kid’s menu and choose spaghetti and meatballs (P375) or their fried chicken tenders (P345). However, if you are willing to push past your child’s comfort zone just a bit, the wild mushroom carbonara (P365 - 725) and mixed ravioli (P265 - 525) are worth trying. They also have all-day breakfasts of pancakes and French toast.

3. Burgoo (Greenhills, Power Plant Mall, Gateway Mall, SM The Block)

Fun Factor: When you go to a place that has Manila paper for tablecloth and crayons to doodle with, you know your child can have a great time there.  Aside from hearty good-to-share portions and child-friendly appetizers, they also have popular sidings such as cheddar cheese fries (P105), corn on the cob (P49) and macaroni and cheese (P49). The do-it-yourselfer kid can create her own stone baked pizza (P275-345) or ultimate fajitas (P525).

Food Options: Your kid can also opt for a juicy charbroiled chicken/beef/pork hamburgoo (P325). Chicken tender fingers (P295-495) are a must-munch-on item, but for variety, share a Supreme Sampler (P395 - 595) to try out their buffalo wings, Sta. Fe spring rolls, chimichanga and onion rings. Their cheesecakes are also quite a treat.

 

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4. Cyma (Greenbelt, Robinson’s Place, Greenhills, Eastwood Mall, Trinoma)

Fun Factor: How cool is it to have a flaming plate of saganaki (P200) brought before you? This hot plate of immolated white cheese is served to you with a resounding “Opa!” – just make sure your little one keeps his fingers away until the cheese cools, which won’t take too long.

Food Options: Chicken (P160), lamb (P220) and mixed meat (P200) gyros are fantastic if your child has a taste for shawarma. Beef tenderloin (P430) and pork tenderloin (P345) souvlaki are also a hit. After all, what child doesn’t find meat on a stick appealing? Do give the regular or meatless moussaka (P250) a chance – they look and taste like creamy, mouthwatering lasagna, only without the noodles.

 

5. Healthy Shabu-Shabu (Podium, EDSA Shangrila, Alabang Town Center, Mall of Asia)

Fun Factor: If you and your child are up for a cool activity, then Healthy Shabu-Shabu is definitely for you both. You cook your own food via hot pot and the portions are good to share. It’s relatively safe – just make sure your child doesn’t touch the pot or the heating plate with her bare hands. A waiter is always on hand to assist you and your little one with putting together the dipping sauce and controlling the temperature settings.

Food Options: Whether it’s porkloin with fish fillet (P415), lamb with seafood (P535) or a myriad number of meat, seafood, chicken or pork combinations, you will also get taro, corn, fish and beef balls, glass noodles, udon noodles and lots of leafy green veggies with the set. It’s a well-balanced meal and it’ll be a blast to prepare.  

 

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6. Lugang Café (Connecticut st. in Greenhills, SM Mall of Asia)

Fun Factor: Normally, a sit-down meal with family in a swanky restaurant doesn’t sit well with little tykes but Lugang is one restaurant that’s a lot more patient with kids running around the place. Lugang’s noodles and dumplings are a hit with children of all ages. As if this wasn’t enough of a draw, they also have bubble milk tea drinks, jelly puddings (called Sweet Soups in the menu) and shaved ice desserts that put regular halo-halo and sherbets to shame.

Food Options: For starters, the steamed pork xiao long bao (soup and meat dumpling – P188) or steamed vegetable and pork dumplings (P188) can’t be beat. Because it’s family-friendly, you should order “to share” – an example would be Kung Pao cashew chicken (P280), black pepper beef on an iron plate (P360) and Taiwanese stir-fried rice noodles with pork (P245). For a funky, eye-opening dessert, try the peanut smoothy (P160).

7. Momo Café (Ayala Triangle, Eastwood Mall)

Fun Factor: The Fun Family Starters are good as full meals already. Pick a Popping Poppers Popcorn Shrimp or a Pancake Battered Chicken and Bacon Balls on a Stick (P295 for either) and you’re good to go! If you’re having a hard time teaching your child to like fish, the Old Fashioned Beer Battered Fish and Chips (P395) is worth trying. Don’t worry, it won’t give your child a buzz, and you can tell your little boy he’s actually eating beer!

Food Options: The Meat, Meat and more Meat 12-inch pizza (P425) is luscious and paper-thin, and the Grandma's Country Herb and Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf (P425) is heartwarming pleasure in comfort food form. To cap the meal, your little one is sure to go gaga with the cupcakes, available in bubble gum, choco chip mint and banana butterfinger.

 

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8. Uncle Cheffy (Eastwood Mall)

Fun Factor: Now here’s a recipe for fun – order a Brick Oven Panizza, take the alfalfa sprouts and tomato salsa garnish that they give you and put them on your pizza, roll it and enjoy, rinse and repeat ‘til satisfied. It doesn’t get any better than that. Whether it’s All Meat Barbequed (P450), Cheese, Cheese and Cheese (P475) or Uncle Cheffy Favorites (P395), these wafer-thin pizza rollups are guaranteed to be a big hit for your kids! 

Food Options: Pizza isn’t the only thing that’s great at Uncle Cheffy’s – they’re really a steak house more than anything. Grab an Uncle Cheffy Steak (P1950) or Surf and Turf (P1750) if you’re a group of 4-5. When you’re done rubbing your bellies, try the Chocolate Roulade (P135), their signature dessert.

 

9. Yakimix (Trinoma, Tomas Morato, Greenbelt)

Fun Factor: Anyone for an eat-all-you-can buffet? Yakimix offers a plethora of Japanese, Korean and Chinese staples such as sushi, sashimi and hot pot items (P499-599 per head). Best of all, it has a cake bar and an ice cream bar complete with toppings like chocolate chips, jelly beans and puffed rice so your little one can make her own ice cream sundae. Juice and sodas are set up fountain-style here so you can go back for seconds and thirds.

Food Options: Your child will enjoy the tempura, salt and pepper spare ribs, crispy chicken and beef tenderloin if she finds the idea of sushi too exotic. Each table also comes equipped with a hot pot if you wish to grill items yourself.

 

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10. Yaku (Podium)

Fun Factor: Though strange at first, yakitori is actually quite delightful – once again, there’s that meat-on-a-stick appeal. These dainty little skewers come in various flavors (kids will like the ones wrapped in bacon) and shapes and are in small portions. Yaku also does gyoza and teppanyaki very well, two dishes that are easy for children to like.

Food Options:  Kids love ebi tempura and rice toppings such as katsudon (P181.44), gyudon (P181.44) and chicken teriyaki (P195). Zuteki (P252) beef tenderloin is also a popular choice among children. For more daring kids, wasabi ice cream (P60.48) and coffee jelly (P65.52) are worth trying. 

Photos: Aristocrat, Bizu, Burgoo, Cyma, Healthy Shabu-Shabu, Lugang Cafe, Momo Café, Uncle Cheffy, Yakimix, Yaku

 

Main photo by Gideon Tsang via flickr creative commons