18x the best child-friendly restaurants in the Netherlands

Tip: due to the corona measures, a reservation is required. Also, certain facilities may still be closed and children’s activities adjusted. Always check the website before departure.

1. The IJ canteen – Amsterdam

The IJ-kantine is a cheerfully decorated restaurant-café with a cool view. From morning you can come here for breakfast, a little later for a nice lunch or a family-friendly dinner. There is a children’s menu, a children’s corner with tables, chairs, toys and children’s books. On the terrace is a huge sandbox with (again) mountains of toys where your child can play to their heart’s content. Also nice: craft afternoons are organized every Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

2. Villa Augustus – Dordrecht

A market and a restaurant in the middle of a large vegetable garden: nice to walk through with your child. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most products are organic by the way – a nice extra.

3. Neighborhoods in the factory – Utrecht

In the old soy factory, this is an ideal restaurant with children. Why? The children’s corner, the children’s menu and a bookcase full of children’s books for all reading enthusiasts. You can safely change your baby in the toilets. When the weather is nice, you can sit on the large terrace, where there is also plenty of room to play.

4. The Boscafé – Oisterwijk

Here you can enjoy a snack and drink while your child is playing in the huge playground adjacent to Het Boscafé. If your child is not in the mood for a winter stew, there is also a children’s menu.

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5. De Eetalage – Lelystad

De Eetalage is a cozy lunch and dinner spot. The terrace is wonderful when the sun is shining, but in winter children can have fun in the play corner in the cozy ‘living room’.

6. Tea garden me & my mother – Enschede

Not a real restaurant, but a place we don’t want to withhold from you. Inside or in the cozy conservatory with beautiful tables you can enjoy a delicious (children’s) high tea. Afterwards, take a nice walk through the park together and then go to the tea garden (with tree house) to enjoy another cup of tea.

7. Tiramisu by George-Hilversum

Tasty fresh Italian food and a games room with a playstation, television, coloring pages and a ball pit. The children’s menu consists of a pasta, pizza (which the children can sometimes make themselves!) with a delicious ice cream for children and a nice surprise.

8. La Famiglia – Harderwijk

Beautiful restaurant, delicious food and a nice children’s and outdoor play area. Nice extra: the table is set especially for your child with colorful cutlery.

9. The Stamp – Babberich

Pancakes, burgers, a tasty snack and farm-fresh ice cream: what more could you want? You will also find a playroom, a playground and an animal enclosure here.

10. The Foolish Shepherd – Maastricht

In summer and winter a playground (indoor and outdoor), petting zoo, bouncy castle park and delicious food. And, also nice, open seven days a week.

11. The Spindle Groesbeek – Groesbeek

This restaurant does not have a special children’s corner, but it does have a cozy seating area with a sofa, lots of pillows and warm blankets that you can take outside. By the way: it is located on a stream where many ducks swim – also a nice view.

12. Silk bindweed – Bemmel

The location of this restaurant could hardly be more beautiful: on the dike, with a view over the Waal bridge, orchards and the water. There is a large terrace where it is wonderful to have a bite in good weather (especially the steak tartare), and for the children there is a beautiful playground plus a special children’s menu.

13. The Verkade Factory – Den Bosch

The former building of the well-known biscuit manufacturer now houses theatres, a cinema and a fine catering area. On Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, youth films are shown in the Kinderkunstfabriek.

14. Forest Pavilion – Bakkeveen

This restaurant is a delight for heit and mem (you can barbecue unlimited), but also for your offspring. There is a maze park, playground, balance beam, swing rope and walkway. Tip: bring a set of clean clothes for the children.

15. De Beren – throughout the Netherlands

In and around Rotterdam you will find this restaurant chain on almost every street corner, but you can also find it in the rest of the Netherlands. The children’s menu does not only consist of fries with applesauce, so there is undoubtedly something delicious for your toddler. And you get a big plate full for a good price. Most locations have a play corner and children always get a bear ice cream cup to take home afterwards.

16. De Wildebras family restaurant – Zwolle

The name says it all: a perfect restaurant with children. With 170 square meters, the restaurant has the largest play loft in the Netherlands with a cinema and game café. There is also an indoor playground and children can enjoy themselves outside on all kinds of equipment. Not played yet? Then you can have fun in the Klimbos van Garderen, which is located directly opposite the restaurant.

17. Restaurant Jozef – Utrecht

The menu at this restaurant changes four times a year, so it’s ideal to be surprised again and again. Beautiful, fresh dishes are served and there is a separate section on the menu for children. Extra fun: this restaurant has an open kitchen, so your child can take a look at how it is all made. Unless he can’t be dragged out of the playroom all night.

18. Cathay – Rotterdam

Here you have a play paradise, complete with ball pit and bouncy castle. For children up to 12 years there is a reduced children’s buffet – they can easily access the snacks. Need a high chair? If you let us know in advance, it will be ready for you.

Eating out with children: this is how you do it

Very nice of course, a bite to eat together. But to avoid stress and hassle, it is useful to make some agreements with your children in advance. For example: that there is no screaming in the restaurant. Timing is everything: preferably book a little early in the evening, so that your children are not too tired (read: very annoying) yet. Is there a special play area? Great, ask for a table close to this kids room. Many restaurants have coloring pages and markers especially for children, but you can also bring your own just to be sure. And: don’t forget the iPad (plus headphones). Perhaps not the most pedagogical solution, but being able to eat your chateau briand in peace is also worth something.

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