Kids are expensive, and getting the family together for an affordable meal can be difficult. Luckily, there are many restaurants in the Boston area where kids eat free or cheap, from burger and pizza joints to fine dining establishments. Check out our list of the top spots to grab a bite in Boston with kids in tow each day of the week. Be sure to check with the restaurant first to verify the promotion, and also be mindful of age, time, and menu restrictions. If you’re looking for options beyond the Boston area, see our nationwide list of 50 places where kids eat free.
Skip ahead to check out the restaurants nearest you:
- Beverly (01915) | Hale Street Tavern
- Brighton (02135) | IHOP
- Brookline (02446) | Osaka Japanese Sushi & Steak House
- Cambridge (02138) | IHOP
- Dedham (02026) | The Village Manor
- Essex (01929) | Farm Bar & Grille
- Framingham (01702) | Samba Steak & Sushi
- Jamaica Plain (02130) | The Frogmore
- Malden (02148) | John Brewers Tavern, Dockside
- Nahant (01908) | Tides Restaurant & Pub
- Somerville (02143) | The Kirkland Tap & Trotter
- Stoughton (02072) | Ikea
- Wakefield (01880) | Dockside
- Waltham (02452, 02453) | Friendly’s, John Brewers Tavern
- Watertown (02472) | Friendly’s
- Woburn (01801) | Polcari’s
- Wrenthan (02093) | Ruby Tuesday
IHOP
1850 Soldiers Field RoadBrighton, 02135
16 Eliot St. #18Cambridge, 02138(617) 354-0999
When: Every day 4-8 p.m.Ages: 12 and underDetails: Children can choose from a variety of kids’ menu items including pancakes, grilled cheese, and more. The meal is free with purchase of an adult entree.
THE FROGMORE
365 Centre St.Jamaica Plain, 02130(857) 203-9462
When: Every day 5-6:30 p.m.Ages: Not specifiedDetails: Kids eat free off the kids’ menu from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at The Frogmore. Any other time of day, kids’ menu items are $6. Classic options include a green salad, chicken tenders, glazed carrots, a cheeseburger, or mac and cheese.
SAMBA STEAK & SUSHI
(508) 628-0288
When: Sunday during lunch or dinnerAges: 10 and underDetails: For “Family Sundays,” kids get a free lunch or dinner, as well as free cotton candy. There’s also a house magician from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
THE KIRKLAND TAP & TROTTER
425 Washington St.Somerville, 02143(857) 259-6585
When: Sunday to Thursday 5:30-6:30 p.m.Ages: Not specifiedDetails: Kids eat free from the kids’ menu at The Kirkland when accompanied by an adult. Options include a beef burger, fish and chips, spaghetti, and more. Ask about the special kids’ sundae, too.
DOCKSIDE
229 Centre St.Malden, 02148(781) 321-3000
1099 Main St.Wakefield, 01880(781) 245-0200
When: Sunday to ThursdayAges: 12 and underDetails: Kids eat free at Dockside with purchase of an adult entree. All kids’ meals include a choice of soft drink or 1 percent milk, and an ice cream bar for dessert. Bonus: The Malden location has arcade games, a pool table, and air hockey.
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HALE STREET TAVERN
717 Hale St.Beverly, 01915(978) 922-9232
When: SundayAges: Not specifiedDetails: Corn dogs, pasta, even sushi rolls — all are free from the kids’ menu with purchase of an adult entree (one kids’ meal per entree).
JOHN BREWERS TAVERN, MALDEN
7 Highland Ave.Malden, 02148(781) 324-8800
When: Monday 5-10:30 p.m.Ages: 12 and underDetails: When you order one dinner salad or Tavern Specialties menu item, you get two kids’ meals for free.
JOHN BREWERS TAVERN, WALTHAM
39 Main St.Waltham, 02453(781) 894-9700
When: Monday 5-11 p.m.Ages: 12 and underDetails: When you order one dinner salad or Tavern Specialties menu item, you get two kids’ meals free.
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FARM BAR & GRILLE
233 Western Ave.Essex, 01929(978) 768-0000
When: Monday all dayAges: Not specifiedDetails: Get two free kids’ meals for every one adult entree purchase of $15 or more at Farm Bar & Grille on Mondays. Kids can choose any item, excluding ribs, from the children’s menu. All meals come with choice of fries or veggies.
FRIENDLY’S
560 Arsenal St.Watertown, 02472(617) 924-3068
1111 Lexington St.Waltham, 02452(781) 899-5887
When: Monday to Wednesday 4 p.m. to closeAges: Not specifiedDetails: All kids’ meals are half price with the purchase of any adult entree at Friendly’s. Each kids’ meal comes with an entree, beverage, and ice cream. That’s sure to make the kids happy.
POLCARI’S, WOBURN
309 Montvale Ave.Woburn, 01801(781) 938-1900
When: Tuesday 5-8:30 p.m.Ages: Not specifiedDetails: Although not exactly free, a kids’ meal at Polcari’s is just $1 on Tuesdays. Plus, there’s a live magician for entertainment. Dinner and a show for $1? Sounds like a deal.
IKEA
1 Ikea WayStoughton, 02072(888) 888-4532
When: TuesdayAges: 12 and underDetails: Get two free kids’ meals at Ikea with the purchase of one adult entree. Go with the classic Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes and vegetables for a true Ikea experience.
TIDES RESTAURANT & PUB
2 Wilson RoadNahant, 01908(781) 593-7500
When: Tuesday 4-9 p.m.Ages: 12 and underDetails: Head to the beach and let the kids eat free with purchase of an adult entree at Tides. There’s also a live magician on Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
THE VILLAGE MANOR
427 Sprague St.Dedham, 02026(781) 407-9191
When: TuesdayAges: 12 and underDetails: Get one kids’ meal for each adult entree at The Village Manor. On Thursdays, take the whole family and get half off pizzas until 7 p.m.
RUBY TUESDAY
Wrentham Village Premium Outlets 1 Outlet Blvd #800Wrentham, 02093(508) 384-5213
When: Tuesday 5 p.m. to closeAges: Not specifiedDetails: Get one free kids’ entree per adult entree purchased every Tuesday at Ruby Tuesday. Choose from pizza, pasta, popcorn shrimp, and more.
OSAKA JAPANESE SUSHI & STEAK HOUSE
14 Green St.Brookline, 02446(617) 732-0088
When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 3-5:30 p.m.Ages: 12 and underDetails: At Osaka, kids can receive a children’s size hibachi meal free when accompanied by an adult. The choices are chicken, steak, shrimp, and scallop.
99 RESTAURANT & PUB
Many locations in the Boston area.
When: The day after a Red Sox winAges: 10 and underDetails: When the Red Sox win, kids ages 10 and under can receive a free meal from the kids’ menu with the purchase of adult entree. Child must be present to redeem the offer, and only one free meal is allowed per adult entree. Not valid in New York and Stratford or Danbury, Connecticut.
