Something for every appetite in Central Oregon

Parents, we see you in the front seat of the family car, sweaty and disheveled from a day of hiking, skiing, kayaking, or all of the above in Bend. Clutching your phone, you ask it the age-old question: Where can I eat with my kids in Bend?

Relax, gentle parental warrior. We’ve got you with countless kid-friendly dining picks, whether you’re seeking a family restaurant, cafe, brewery, or food truck with delicious options for kids and grownups.

Dining in Bend with kids feels simpler than you might think in this kid-friendly adventure town. We’ve got tons of terrific restaurants offering nutritious dining for kids with all kinds of dietary needs. Best of all, you won’t get dirty looks if the kids get squirrely over sandwiches. 

Breakfast with the kiddos

Start your day right when you treat the tots to Sparrow Bakery’s famous Ocean Rolls. Parents will appreciate the tasty array of breakfast sandwiches and fresh coffee at their NW Crossing location, and most meals pack up nicely for on-the-go eating. Don’t forget to grab a few extra treats to-go for extra fuel as you head out for the day’s activities.

Speaking of handheld eats, the breakfast burritos at Los Jalapeños make a hearty, hefty meal you can grip in a fist. Offerings range from vegetarian to machaca burritos brimming with melt-in-your-mouth shredded beef, bell pepper, eggs, hashbrowns, and cheese. It’s a tasty way to fill your belly for the day’s adventures. 

For a traditional sit-down breakfast with picks like waffles, pancakes, bacon, eggs, and other kid-approved fare, you can’t beat the Original Pancake House. Bonus: It’s close to both the starting point for floating the river and the road to Mt. Bachelor so you can start your day’s adventure with a belly full of yum. Families with specialized dietary needs (or maybe just a craving for fresh, locally-sourced dining) will appreciate the variety at Chow. They’ve got gobs of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian entrees for breakfast and lunch, plus plenty of picks for those seeking tasty biscuits and gravy or a unique spin on eggs benedict.

Lunch and dinner

Time for lunch with the kids in Bend? Try Hardy’s Hot Wings, Burgers, and Ice Cream for exactly what the name suggests, plus handy indoor/outdoor dining and a crowd-free space stressed parents can appreciate. Their milkshakes are some of the best in town, and their shrimp basket or halibut fish and chips provide options for folks who don’t eat animals with four legs. Dandy’s Drive-In makes another unique burger stop, with servers zipping to your car on roller skates to ring up and deliver your order right to your vehicle.

Craving a burger with a social conscience? At Mountain Burger, their climate pledge initiative and a host of environmentally-friendly practices will let you chow down without guilt. Choose from grass-fed beef patties, chick burgers, lamb, salmon, and more, plus fare for those who eschew meat. A crunchy cauliflower burger or a veggie patty made with walnuts, oats, sage, caramelized onions, roasted mushrooms, sage mayo, and swiss on texas toast? Uh…YUM! Wash it down with a tasty shake—vegan milkshake or the dairy variety?—and order a side of kale salad or sweet potato fries with sage mayo.

Bend’s food cart scene makes another great option for kid-friendly dining. Popular food truck pods include River’s Place, On Tap, Podski, MidTown Yacht Club, The Lot, and plenty of others. Each food cart pod boasts a handful of specialty dining carts ranging from burgers to Mexican to vegan to sushi to Thai and tons of other choices. Let each family member pick their favorite fare, then stake your claim on an outdoor table or one tucked in a heated, covered dining space. There’s plenty of room for kids to stretch their legs, and everyone leaves satisfied. Winning!

Want the comfort of a familiar, family-friendly dining franchise? Red Robin has a monstrous kids’ menu featuring kid-friendly items like grilled cheese, corn dogs, burgers, mac and cheese, and chicken fingers. The cherry on top? It’s Red Robin’s scenic riverfront location in the Old Mill District.

Still on the hunt for vegan, vegetarian, or healthy kid-friendly fare? Active Culture offers bowls, wraps, smoothies, and even nachos with a health-conscious spin. Go fully raw at Salud Live Kitchen with wraps and smoothies that are vegan and nutrient-rich, plus tons of tasty plant-based desserts. Laughing Planet is another stop with great gluten-free family dining and an abundance of bowls, salads, and burritos. At NW Raw, they’ll fill the fam’s bellies with delicious organic juices, salads, avocado toast, smoothies, and even cocktails.

Craving a good ol’ fashioned hot dog? The Cobra Dogs food cart located outside the Murf eBikes showroom on Galveston Avenue boasts some Bend’s best, along with the chance to demo state-of-the-art electric bikes. If the fam can’t agree on what sort of food to order, don’t panic! Just get thee to The Grove, an indoor/outdoor market hall with dining spots offering seafood, pub fare, Thai, Italian, and Israeli cuisine, along with smoothies and ice cream. Let everyone get what they want and convene the central space for family togetherness. 

Grab-and-go meals are a family favorite when you’re on vacation, so check out Parilla Grill. Their mouthwatering wraps are easy to pack for picnics and car rides, and their kids’ menu has options for even the pickiest eater. Grab kombucha for all, or maybe a margarita if you’re sticking around to dine. Don’t forget a batch of their legendary fish tacos!

Speaking of kombucha, Bend’s home to a number of fabulous kombucha breweries. Hit the tasting room for Humm Kombucha and let everyone choose a special lineup for their own tasting tray. Bring a growler if you’d like to take some back to your Bend hotel or vacation rental, or pick up a six-pack to bring home.

There’s no shame in picking up fast food when you’re on a budget and traveling with family. But if you still need a splash of healthy, hit Life and Time for their nutritious spin on free-range fast food. Their all-natural beef is non-GMO and sourced locally with no antibiotics and growth hormones. From wraps to bowls to healthy salad to french fries, shakes, and even breakfast, they’re your one-stop shop for kid-friendly food with a healthy spin.

Time for taco night? Herd the kids to El Sancho and watch their eyes go wide at the staggering selection of choices. Add a batch of their candied yams and some fried plantains, with fresh limeade to go around. Spork makes another great stop for tacos, plus salads, sandos, noodle dishes, and desserts to make you swoon. 

If you had your heart set on hitting the Bend Ale Trail, don’t give up the dream just because you’ve got kiddos along. Crux Fermentation Project serves up some of the best beers in town with a huge grassy lawn where kids can frolic. Bend Brewing Company has a fabulous kids’ menu and a beer sampler tray to please all palates. Bond with other parents on the sunny patio at Worthy Brewing Company as you watch the sunset and toast the success of another fun-filled family vacation.

Sweet treats

If good behavior has earned you—er, your kids—a sweet treat, visit Goody’s old fashioned soda fountain at one of several Bend locations. Choose from hand-dipped chocolates, ice cream sundaes, or even safe-to-eat dough cones filled with real cookie dough. Bend’s also home to several fro-yo shops where kiddos can relish choosing their own toppings for frozen yogurt. If you are strolling downtown, stop at Bonta for locally made gelato in a wide range of tasty flavors. Craving cupcakes? Head to Ida’s Cupcakes to dazzle the kids with dozens of flavor combos and different sized gourmet treats for all types of sweet tooth.