It’s a Friday night and you are ready to relax after a long week of activities. Everyone is home and the inevitable question is floating around in the air, “What’s for dinner?” Stomachs are growling and the last thing you want to do right now is cook – or clean the unavoidable after-dinner mess. You want to go out to eat, but aren’t sure where to go. The kids are cranky and you are questioning whether or not they can sit through an entire meal. Regardless, you aren’t cooking – so you better come up with some place to go. Fast!
Does this sound like a familiar scenario? If so, you aren’t alone. We have created this list of family friendly restaurants in the Carmel area to help you and your family the next time you find yourself in an out-to-eat pinch.
15 Must Visit Family Friendly Restaurants in Carmel:Â
Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza
If you are in a hurry and are afraid melt-down city is just around the corner, then this is the place for you. At Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza they are serving exceptional food and they are serving it fast. They offer signature pizzas, build your own pizzas, salads and desserts. You choose your toppings and they fire up the pizza. 180 seconds later – your food is hot, fresh and ready to enjoy. Bon appetite!
Location: 12697 North Pennsylvania Street, Phone: 317-993-3535
BoomBozz Craft Pizza & Taphouse
BoomBozz kids’ menu includes: an 8 inch cheese pizza, buttered noodles and noodles ‘n sauce. But that’s not all. Their adult menu has plenty of things that will leave your little ones (and you) wanting more – like soft pretzels with cheese and award-winning wings.
Location: 2430 East 146th Street, Phone:Â 317-843-2666
Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream
Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream is a Carmel family-dining hotspot. Located on the Monon Trail and home of the “Big Ugly” one-pound burger (eat every last bite of this giant American classic and get your picture on the wall.) The Little Bub’s menu includes a drink, a side and a Busy Bag all for just $6.25 – and if your little one is a burger fan then the “Mini Bub” is sure to leave them smiling from ear to ear.
Location: 210 West Main Street, Phone: 317-706-BUBS (2827)
City Barbecue
City Barbecue is a rustic, fun establishment serving up award-winning barbecue and mouth-watering sides that are made from scratch daily. Their meats are hand-rubbed with spices and smoked for up to 18 hours. This is comfort food at it’s finest. Do you like family-style dining? For $24.99, you can order the family pack including one pound of pulled pork, buns, two pint sides and cornbread for two adults and two kids. They also offer a kids’ plate for $4.99 that includes the choice of one kid’s sandwich, mac & cheese or chicken tenders plus one kid’s-sized side and drink. Join their City Rewards program and earn one point for every dollar spent. Every 100 points equals $5.
Location: 1356 South Rangeline Road, Phone: 317-660-8369
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Charleston’s Restaurant
Charleston’s is a warm, inviting establishment offering a wide-variety of delicious American classics. Gluten free? They have an entire gluten-free menu for guests who are not able to have gluten. They also offer a fantastic kids’ menu and each child gets their own pack of Wikki Stix to keep them entertained until the food arrives.
Location: 14636 Greyhound Plaza, Phone: 317-846-5965
Chili’s Grill & Bar
Chili’s is a fun, noisy environment where families of little ones can blend right in. Their kids’ menu comes on a fun book that the kid’s can color and they have a wide variety of yummy food for the kids to choose from. At the table is a game console that can be used for extra entertainment if need be – it does cost to play, so if you don’t want your child to use it you may want to push it out of his or her reach. Feeling hungry and not wanting to wait? Order some chips and salsa or try one of their three different queso dips while you wait for your food to arrive. Kids eat FREE on Tuesdays.
Location: 14735 Thatcher Lane, Phone: 317-574-1556
Flix Brewhouse
Flix Brewhouse is not just your average restaurant. At Flix, you can enjoy dinner and a movie on the big screen simultaneously. It may not work well for families with very young children, but if your children are a bit older then this a really fun spot to enjoy dinner and a movie together. Check out their schedule of events to see when classics like Ghostbusters, The Wizard of Oz and The NeverEnding Story are playing. Keep your eyes open for Flix Jr. showings that are special screenings for families with little ones.
Location: 2206 East 116th Street, Phone: 317-824-9111
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers recently opened a location in Carmel and quickly has become a favorite for many families. Serving American classics in a diner-like environment, everyone in your family is sure to leave happy and full. The food is served quickly and definitely satisfies. This is a must-try for families.
Location: 2740 East 146th Street, Phone: 317-218-3304
Kona Grill
Kona Grill offers delicious food for both adults and children in an inviting, comfortable environment. Sick of serving your children chicken nuggets whenever you are out to eat? At Kona Grill, their kids’ meals are served on fun trays and include items to expand your youngster’s tastebuds such as: shrimp tempura, chicken satay, California roll, sushi combo, chicken tenders, grilled cheese, cheeseburger, turkey club and grilled salmon. Â Each meal comes with the choice of two sides and a drink. All of this for just $6.50.
Location: 14395 Clay Terrace Boulevard, Phone: 317-566-1400
 Menu and Kids’ Menu
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Mackenzie River Pizza, Grill and PubÂ
Mackenzie River Pizza, Grill & Pub offers an exceptional menu with a wide array of options including a first-rate kids’ menu. With nine different items for kids to choose from, it is obvious their kids’ menu offers more than the standard chicken tenders. Each kids’ meal comes with a drink and choice of one side item. The choices include: fresh green salad (with pears and choice of dressing), celery and carrot sticks (with ranch or hummus) or a fresh fruit cup of honey dew, cantaloupe, grapes and pineapple. Yum! Yum! On Tuesdays, kids eat FREE.
Location: 11596 Westfield Blvd, Phone: 317-564-4211
Piada Italian Street Food
At Piada, fresh, quality ingredients are what matters and when you look at the kids’ menu that shows. The kids’ menu includes items such as: the grass-fed kid’s meatball made from 100% grass-fed beef (never any antibiotics or hormones used) served with angel hair pasta, pomodoro sauce and freshly grated parmesan, chicken tenders or a kid’s pasta dish. Each meal comes with the choice of Horizon organic chocolate milk, plain milk or apple juice.
Location: 1380 South Rangeline Road, Phone: 317-564-4877
Scotty’s Brewhouse
Since 2009, Scotty’s Brewhouse has been serving up great food and great times in Indianapolis. Their kids’ menu offers: tacos, soup and salad, pizza, homemade mac and cheese and more. Let’s not forget the amazing selection of 12 different side dishes offered to little ones including items such as: chips and salsa, brussels sprouts with bacon, fresh fruit salad and cajun black beans and dirty rice – to name a few. Sign up to be a VIP member at scottysbrewhouse.com/vip and receive VIP benefits including kids eat FREE every Sunday and Tuesday.
Location: 110 West Main Street, Phone: 317-644-3456
Menu and Kids’ Menu
Table by Market District
Market District is not just a grocery store. This expansive space offers guests many treats, including Table by Market District where a good meal is always waiting to be served. Their expansive menu includes a Future Foodies section that states, “We believe it is never too early to help kids learn about good food! In fact, we take educating young people on the many joys of food very seriously. For this reason, in addition to our kids’ menu, we are happy to offer a smaller portion of our regular menu items for future foodies — just ask your server.”
Location: 11505 North Illinois Street, Phone: 317-689-6330
The Urban Chalkboard
The Urban Chalkboard doesn’t really work with the Friday night scenario, but is the perfect place to take young children for lunch, snack-time or if they just want to play and you want a latte. Their menu is exceptionally kid-friendly – offering snacks like Pirate’s Booty and cheese sticks and a Cafe Baby menu that includes: a lactation cookie, baby biter biscuit, baby biscotti, apple poof and mini muffins. For the grown-ups, they offer: breakfast items, small plates, coffee, teas, sweets and other assorted beverages. The Play Cafe is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am-5:00 pm and on Saturday from 9:00 am-2:00 pm. While you are there, your children can enjoy the plethora of items they offer that encourage little imaginations to run wild. Check out their schedule for a list of classes offered at their Learning Studios.
Location: 452 East Carmel Drive, Phone: 317-815-5711
Woody’s Library Restaurant
Woody’s Library Restaurant is located inside what was once the Carmel Library. This charming, historic bi-level building was constructed in 1913 and opened in 1914. Now, instead of housing books – it is a place where families and friends gather to enjoy a delicious meal. They serve both lunch and dinner in their establishment that offers main level dining, upstairs dining, a downstairs neighborhood pub and outdoor patio seating.
Location: 40 East Main Street, Phone: 317-573-4444
We would love to hear where you and your family like to eat in the Carmel area. We are always looking for family-friendly options to share with our readers. Please comment below or email [email protected] with your suggestions. While you are out to eat, #indyschild on your post and let us know where you and your family like to dine-out.
