Road tripping through Florida with kids can be a blast, but finding places where everyone can eat happily? That’s the real challenge! I’ve driven up and down the Sunshine State with my little food critics in tow, sampling everything from beachside burgers to theme park treats. Here’s my personally tested guide to restaurants where your kids will be entertained, well-fed, and might even try something new – leaving you to actually enjoy your meal too!
1. Cici’s Pizza (Multiple Locations Throughout Florida)
Cici’s Pizza is a popular family-friendly buffet chain found in many Florida cities, perfect for road trips with kids who love variety. Known for its endless pizza offerings, the restaurant also serves pasta, salads, and desserts, catering to picky eaters and adventurous palettes alike.
The self-serve format means kids can customize their plates and go back for seconds without pressure. Prices are affordable, making it a budget-friendly option for families. Cici’s locations are often conveniently located near highways and shopping centers, making stops quick and easy.
While not gourmet, the casual environment, friendly staff, and consistent food quality make it a reliable choice when you want a no-fuss meal that satisfies the whole family during your Florida travels.
2. Gator’s Dockside for Sports-Loving Kids
Gator’s Dockside is a Florida-based chain of sports-themed restaurants known for its casual, family-friendly atmosphere. Originally launched in Jacksonville in 1991, it now has multiple locations throughout Central and North Florida, often just off major highways.
The menu features wings, burgers, sandwiches, and salads, with a kids’ menu offering standard favorites like mac and cheese, grilled cheese, and chicken tenders. Some locations include arcade games or small play areas, though this varies.
Televisions showing live sports keep older kids and adults entertained, and the lively but relaxed vibe makes it a stress-free stop with children. While it doesn’t have over-the-top entertainment like themed restaurants, Gator’s is a reliable place for families to refuel without breaking the budget.
3. Bob Marley’s Restaurant at Universal CityWalk
Reggae music, Jamaican food, and the most laid-back vibe you’ll find at a theme park – Bob Marley’s became our unexpected family favorite during our Universal Studios adventure. Unlike many tourist spots, they welcome kids with genuine warmth rather than just tolerance.
My daughter still mimics our server who taught her to say “ya mon” while delivering colorful mocktails that made her feel grown-up. The kids’ menu offers milder versions of Jamaican classics alongside safer options for less adventurous palates. When my son worried his jerk chicken might be too spicy, the chef personally came out to assure him they’d make it “pickiest-eater friendly.”
Between the reggae music, Caribbean decor, and staff who actually engage with children instead of looking annoyed, the whole experience feels like a mini-vacation within your vacation. The outdoor patio provides extra space for wiggly kids who’ve been standing in theme park lines all day.
4. Columbia Restaurant in St. Augustine
History lessons usually make my kids’ eyes glaze over faster than old donuts, but dining at Florida’s oldest restaurant somehow captivated them completely. Founded in 1905, the Columbia’s St. Augustine location blends Spanish architecture, flamenco performances, and a menu that’s remained largely unchanged for generations.
Their famous tableside salad preparation became dinner theater for my children, who watched wide-eyed as our server tossed and mixed the Columbia’s Original “1905” Salad with dramatic flair. The Spanish-style architecture with fountains and tiles provided a scavenger hunt opportunity – we challenged the kids to count different tile patterns while waiting for our food.
Though definitely on the fancier side, the staff treats children like valued guests rather than inconveniences. Their Cuban bread arrives warm and crusty, perfect for keeping hungry kids occupied. The paella portions are enormous – one easily feeds a hungry adult and curious child wanting to sample without committing.
5. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Whoever thought of combining drive-in movies, burgers, and air conditioning deserves a medal! At Sci-Fi Dine-In, you’re seated in actual car-shaped booths facing a giant movie screen playing old sci-fi clips and cartoons. My son was absolutely mesmerized the entire meal, which meant I actually got to eat my food while it was still warm.
The dimly lit restaurant mimics a starry night at the drive-in, creating an atmosphere that’s both entertaining and surprisingly peaceful. Kids’ meals arrive in cute cardboard classic cars they can take home, which saved us from a souvenir shop meltdown later.
Despite being inside a theme park, the prices aren’t astronomical compared to other Disney dining. Their milkshakes are thick enough to stand a spoon in – the perfect bribe to keep little ones seated through lunch.
6. The Bubble Room on Captiva Island
The Bubble Room on Captiva Island is unlike any restaurant you’ve seen before. Opened in 1979, it’s known for its year-round Christmas decorations, vintage toys, and colorful memorabilia from the 1930s–1950s.
Trains run along ceiling tracks, and each dining room has its own quirky theme. The servers – called “Bubble Scouts” – add to the playful vibe. While not exclusively for kids, the vibrant setting and massive desserts, like the famous Orange Crunch Cake, make it a family favorite.
Portions are large, and many menu items lean toward comfort food classics. While prices are on the higher side, families often find it worth the experience. It’s not cheap or fast, but it’s a unique and memorable stop for any Florida road trip with kids.
7. Rainforest Cafe at Disney Springs
“When is the storm coming again?” My son asked this question approximately 47 times during our meal at Rainforest Cafe, where simulated thunderstorms complete with rumbling sounds and flashing lights happen every 30 minutes. While admittedly touristy, this jungle-themed restaurant chain’s Disney Springs location offers an immersive experience that mesmerizes kids from the moment they enter.
Massive aquariums, animatronic animals that periodically come to life, and lush foliage hanging from every surface create an environment where even waiting for a table becomes an adventure. The menu offers safe choices for picky eaters alongside more adventurous options for parents – their Volcanic Cobb Salad arrives with an actual smoking “volcano” of blue cheese dressing.
Though prices reflect the tourist location, portions are generous enough to share. Pro tip: join their Safari Club before your visit for priority seating – a sanity-saver when traveling with hungry, impatient little explorers who can’t wait to see the next animatronic gorilla movement.
8. The Wreck Bar’s Mermaid Show in Fort Lauderdale
“Real mermaids, Mom!” My daughter’s face pressed against the glass as swimmers with shimmering tails performed underwater acrobatics visible through porthole windows at our table. The Wreck Bar inside the B Ocean Resort offers a truly unique dining experience – a restaurant designed like a sunken Spanish galleon with aquarium windows where professional mermaids perform during certain meals.
While evening shows cater to adults, their weekend “MeRmaiD BrUnCh” performances are specifically designed for families. The underwater performers interact with children through the glass, blowing bubbles and waving, creating magical moments that had my normally restaurant-restless kids sitting still in awe.
The food is standard American fare with seafood options (though ordering seafood felt slightly awkward with our new mermaid friends swimming nearby). Prices reflect the entertainment factor, but considering you’re getting both a meal and a show, it’s comparable to other family attractions. Reservations are absolutely essential for mermaid show seatings.
9. Friendly’s Ice Cream & Restaurant (Several Florida Locations)
Friendly’s is a classic American family dining chain with several Florida locations, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere for families on the go. Beyond their famous ice cream sundaes and shakes, the menu includes kid-friendly breakfast items, burgers, chicken tenders, and grilled cheese sandwiches.
The colorful, casual dining rooms often feature booths perfect for families, and the staff is known for being accommodating to children’s needs. Located near many highway corridors and shopping areas, Friendly’s is an easy and accessible stop on any Florida road trip.
Portions are generous, prices reasonable, and the nostalgic charm makes it a comforting choice for parents and kids alike looking for simple, tasty meals.
10. IHOP (International House of Pancakes) – Multiple Locations
IHOP, found throughout Florida near highways and urban centers, is a go-to for families traveling with kids. Known for its extensive breakfast menu served all day, IHOP offers pancakes, waffles, omelets, and kid-sized meals that appeal to young eaters.
The casual, diner-style atmosphere features friendly servers who often bring kids’ menus with crayons and puzzles to keep little ones entertained. Many IHOP locations have booths and high chairs, making it easy for families to settle in comfortably.
Prices are moderate, and the consistent quality and familiar flavors provide reassurance when traveling. Whether it’s an early morning pit stop or a late-night craving, IHOP delivers a reliable and kid-friendly dining experience on the road.
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