Eating out with kids in Vancouver: family-friendly places and practical tips

Vancouver is a family city, and most of its casual restaurants are happy to see kids. The trick is choosing the right kind of place at the right time of day. A dim sum hall at 11 a.m. or a food court on a Saturday is easy with a toddler; a small tasting-menu room at 8 p.m. is not.

Here is how to make eating out with children work.

What kinds of Vancouver restaurants are good for kids?

Look for places that are noisy, fast and flexible:

• Dim sum restaurants, where food arrives quickly in small portions and everyone shares. Kids love the dumplings and buns.
• Food courts, such as those in Richmond and Burnaby malls, where everyone can choose something different.
• Japanese restaurants, where sushi rolls, udon and karaage chicken are easy wins.
• Pizza, burgers and noodle shops, for the simplest option.
• Pho and Vietnamese restaurants, where a bowl of noodle soup suits most ages.
• Markets, such as Granville Island or Lonsdale Quay, where you can graze and keep moving.

When is the best time to eat out with kids?

Early. Eating at 5 p.m. rather than 7 p.m. means a quieter room, faster service and a calmer child. Weekend brunch can be hard with small children if it means a long wait outside, so go before the rush or choose a place that takes bookings. Lunch is often easier than dinner, and dim sum lunch is a Vancouver classic for families.

Can kids go into pubs in BC?

Often, yes, with conditions. In BC, many pubs and bars that serve food allow minors when accompanied by a parent or guardian during certain hours, typically until the evening. Rules depend on the venue's liquor licence, so some places are adults-only all the time. Look for signs at the door, or call ahead. Brewery tasting rooms vary too; some welcome families in the afternoon, and others are 19 and over only.

How do you eat out with a toddler in Vancouver?

1. Book or arrive early, so you are not waiting with a hungry toddler.
2. Ask for a high chair when you book or arrive. Most casual places have one.
3. Pick a table near the edge, not in the middle of a walkway.
4. Order the kids' food first, or ask for some bread or rice to come out right away.
5. Bring something to do, such as crayons or a small toy.
6. Leave a generous tip if the table needs a big clean-up. Servers notice.

Where can families eat outside in Vancouver?

In good weather, eating outdoors is the easiest option of all. Popular choices:

Place	Why it works
Kits Beach and Spanish Banks	Picnics, sand and space to run
Stanley Park	Concession stands, picnic spots, the seawall
Granville Island	Market food, buskers, boats to watch
Trout Lake	Summer farmers market and a big park
Lonsdale Quay and the Shipyards	Market food, waterfront, summer night market
Steveston, in Richmond	Fish and chips by the harbour

Where can you combine a meal with a kids' outing?

The easiest family food days in Vancouver pair a meal with something to do:

• Granville Island, where the Public Market has plenty of quick food and the Kids Market is full of toy shops and play space. Small ferries cross False Creek to the island, which children usually love.
• Science World and the Olympic Village, with casual restaurants and cafés by the water a few minutes' walk from the science centre.
• Stanley Park, where a picnic beside the beaches or the playgrounds beats any restaurant on a sunny day.
• Steveston, in Richmond, with fish and chips by the harbour and boats to watch.
• Richmond's summer night market, for older kids who like grazing on snacks after dark.

Picnics are the cheapest and most relaxed option of all. Pick up food on the way and let the kids run between bites.

What should you know about kids' menus in Vancouver?

Many casual restaurants offer a kids' menu, usually simple dishes in smaller portions, and some include a drink or dessert. Others will happily make a smaller plate or plain pasta if you ask. At sharing-style restaurants, you rarely need a kids' menu: order a few extra simple dishes for the table. If your child has an allergy, say so clearly at the start; allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, eggs, milk, fish and shellfish are among Canada's priority allergens, and staff should take the question seriously.

How much does eating out with kids cost in Vancouver?

Food courts, pho, dim sum and casual noodle shops are the most affordable options for a family. Remember that BC menu prices do not include tax: food carries 5 percent GST. Tip 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax amount at table service, and a bit more if the kids made a mess.

How do you find family-friendly restaurants?

Other parents are the best source. On Mosey, you can see where people actually ate and what they ordered, follow friends with kids the same age as yours, and keep a list of the places that worked for your family, with notes about high chairs, space for a stroller and the dish your child actually ate.

More guides to read next:

• Holiday dining in Vancouver: the Christmas Market, festive menus and booking tips
• Farmers markets in Vancouver: where they are and what to buy each season
• Food trails in Vancouver: how to eat your way through a route

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.