Best Family-Friendly Places to Dine Outside in Cincinnati

Summertime means long days at the pool, darting through a backyard sprinkler or hiking at the Cincinnati Nature Center. And after hours of play, your family can really work up an appetite. There are countless great restaurants in Cincinnati, but we sniffed out the best family-friendly restaurants to enjoy dining outside during warm summer evenings. Just make sure you come hungry!

Here’s our Guide to the Best Family-Friendly Places to Dine Outside in Cincinnati:

 

Arthur’s Café in Hyde Park  (pictured)

3516 Edwards Road, Cincinnati 

A true Cincinnati establishment with a quaint neighborhood feel, Arthur’s in Hyde Park is a great place to bring the family. Serving up comfort food ($8-$13) like chili cheese fries, buffalo chicken sandwiches and a long list of mouth-watering burgers, Arthur’s offers a little something for everyone. There’s a kid’s menu to please the little ones, too ($5-$6). While Arthur’s offers plenty of indoor seating, it’s worth the wait for a table on the back patio, a great space with a secret-garden vibe and a veranda lined with lights that twinkle when that summer sun finally goes down. 

Eli’s BBQ 

3313 Riverside Drive, Cincinnati 

Eli’s BBQ upgraded from food truck to brick and mortar restaurant back in 2012 and quickly became a Cincinnati foodie destination. Serving up southern-style favorites like mac and cheese ($2.25), mashed potatoes ($2.25) and ribs ($6-$30), Eli’s is always crowded and always delicious. Seating is mostly outside at picnic tables and there’s a large, grassy area for kids to run and play in. Bring your own lawn toys from home and kick back while the kids entertain themselves in this park-like setting.

Pizzelii and 50 West Production Works 

Pizzelli: 7639 Wooster Pike, 50 West Production Works: 7605 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati 

Pizzelii is a restaurant that serves up delicious brick oven Neapolitan pizza (~$10) and 50 West Production Works is the beer-brewing annex of 50 West and a great place for adults and kids to play. For the perfect family-friendly evening, grab a beer and an outdoor table at 50 West and then order pizza next door at Pizzelii – they’ll even deliver it to your table. What makes 50 West so great for family fun is the outdoor sand volleyball courts. When games aren’t in session, kids are free to dig in the sand or play around on the courts.   

Ruth’s Parkside Café  

1550 Blue Rock Street, Cincinnati 

Perfect for celebrating a nicer occasion like a birthday or graduation, Ruth’s is upscale enough to feel like a treat but laid-back enough to bring the family without worrying you’ll disturb the tables around you. The American-style menu at Ruth’s has everything from spicy meatballs ($7.50) to Creole catfish ($15.50) and the kids menu carries both traditional fare like grilled cheese ($4.24) and slightly offbeat offerings like grilled peanut butter ($6.50). The outdoor patio opens up into a large, grassy field where kids can stretch their legs before or after their meal.   

Little Miami Brewing Company 

208 Mill Street, Milford 

A family-friendly brewpub overlooking the Little Miami River in Old Milford, Little Miami Brewing Company serves brick oven pizza (~$15), salads and appetizers that will please the whole family. The outdoor patio has communal picnic tables and a whole cart of board games to keep the kids entertained, as well as a lineup of live music. A trip to Little Miami Brewing Company is best paired with a family bike ride down the Loveland Bike Trail, which passes just across the street from Little Miami Brewing, making it a great place to stop and rest after your ride.    

Urban Grill on Main 

6623 Main Street, Cincinnati   

Located in quaint Newtown and featuring belly busting favorites like handcrafted burgers ($10-$12), grilled mac and cheese ($9) and buffalo chicken salad ($10), Urban Grill on Main has a family-friendly environment and great food. The kid’s menu is small but features all the favorites (mac and cheese, grilled cheese or a mini burger) and kids items come with a drink. Grab a table on the covered patio and settle in for a great meal.  

One of the perks of summertime is being able to enjoy a great meal outdoors, so next time your crew heads out to eat, do it al fresco at one of these family-friendly spots! 

Feature image credit: Facebook/Arthur’s Cafe

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