10 of the Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in Albany NY & Nearby
With the Albany area's wide selection of local restaurants, it can be daunting to choose a new spot for your family to try for your next lunch or dinner out. And if you're hoping to avoid the usual chain restaurants, it's hard to know which ones your kids will enjoy. The next time you plan a meal out together, check out these local businesses for cuisine everyone will love. Whether you're craving classic comfort food or international flavors, these 10 restaurants have menu options for the whole family.
You Can't Go Wrong With BBQ & Pizza
When it comes to mouthwatering BBQ, Iron Works Grill in Troy is the place to be. Since opening in 2020, they have been serving up all your favorites like brisket, ribs, pulled pork, collard greens, BBQ baked beans, and more. They offer takeout, outdoor seating, and limited indoor seating.
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, also located in Troy, serves burgers, pulled pork, brisket, chicken, and ribs, all flavored with their signature sauces. Their kids menu features a variety of sliders, chicken wings, and chicken, all topped with their BBQ sauce. Also on the children's menu is fried rice, mac & cheese, chicken fingers, and a dozen sides from which kids can choose two.
Druthers (with locations throughout the Capital Region) is a craft brewing company that's also known for great comfort food. Whether you order one of their wood-fired pizzas, gourmet mac & cheese concoctions, or creative burgers, there are plenty of choices that will appeal to everyone in your family. They also offer smaller lunch-sized portions during the week.
Keep It Simple With Kid-Friendly Pub Fare
Although it's known for its selection of craft beer, The Albany Pump Station is also a great place for a family outing. The historic venue serves creative takes on a variety of pub food. Their kids menu is simple and classic, and includes mac & cheese, grilled cheese, chicken tenders and fries, burgers, and more.
You'll Have Good Luck With These Irish Eats
Go out for a lunch or dinner of classic pub fare and Irish cuisine like fish & chips, shepherd's pie, and beans & greens. In addition to traditional entrees, McGeary's Irish Pub in Albany also serves several delicious takes on salads, burgers, and chicken sandwiches, as well as a full selection of appetizers.
Another option for Irish pub food is O'Toole's on Central Avenue in Albany. In addition to classic fare and Irish-inspired dishes, their menu includes items that invoke Mexican, southern, Cajun, and Asian flavors, resulting in a menu full of choices for every taste. They serve a kids menu with all the classics too - burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, chicken tenders, pasta, and mac & cheese. While you're there, check out their various flavors of gourmet popcorn and buy a bag for later.
Looking for one more possibility? Swifty's Restaurant & Pub in Albany has a kids menu that also offers staples like chicken fingers, grilled cheese, pasta, mac & cheese, sliders, and hot dogs, and all the options come with a beverage and dessert. Adults can choose from a variety of salads, sandwiches, wraps, melts, and burgers. If you're craving pizza, Swifty's makes both personal and full-sized ones that you or your entire family can enjoy.
Try Flavorful International Cuisine
Go out for authentic Mexican and Spanish cuisine at El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant on Hamilton Street. In addition to fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, tostadas, chimichangas, and many more traditional Mexican staples, they serve Spanish recipes like tapas and paella. Looking for smaller portions and food that's more kid-friendly? El Mariachi also makes individual soft tacos and quesadillas.
For flavorful Asian Fusion cuisine, there's no better place to visit than TapAsia on Lark in Albany. Open for lunch and dinner, this restaurant specializes in a wide array of dishes, such as Miso Soup, Pad Thai, Fried Rice, Red Curry, Chicken Katsu, and more.
A meal out together with the kids doesn't mean you can't explore all the local and international flavors that Albany's restaurants have to offer!
Don't Forget About Dessert
Of course, we can't forget the most important meal of the day: dessert! (Or is that breakfast?) Either way, stop in to Emack & Bolio's in Albany for out-of-this-world goodies like ice cream, smoothies, cakes, and candies. The store also offers coffee, tea, chai & brew lattes, and espresso for the grown-ups.