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Seven places to feed the whole family
Edmonton's restaurant and food scene is vast and varied. Luckily, plenty of top-notch restaurants around the city are family-friendly (at least until a certain time of day). There are options for all tastes and ages. Here are seven ideas for your next family outing.
The Sugarbowl
This has been a local favourite for decades. The Sugarbowl is famous for its fresh-baked cinnamon buns (go early if you want to snag one). But you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Brunch is a mix of kid-friendly sweet and savoury classics like Belgian waffles, French toast and eggs done many ways. Lunch and dinner serve up chicken and waffles, burgers and sandwiches, mac n' cheese, salads and bison chili.
Little Brick
This cozy café is rooted in Edmonton's history. The house was built in 1903 and was the home of J.B Little, a brickyard owner. See where the name comes from? Little Brick serves as a café, general store and event space. It also has an inviting year-round patio. Parents can fill up on delicious coffee while the kids can enjoy muffins and cookies. There's also more hearty fare like apple cinnamon porridge, breakfast sandwiches, burritos and cheese melts.
CAFÉ bicyclette
Did you know Edmonton has a French Quarter? It's where you'll find La Cité Francophone, a farmers' market on Sundays, and events all year. It's also home to CAFÉ bicyclette, a welcoming spot that whips up comforting French fare. The café also has one of the top patios in town, and it gets especially cozy in the winter. The menu features classic poutine, croque-madame and croque-monsieur, a variety of sandwiches and burgers, mini coq au vin and salads. There isn't a kids menu, but many of the dishes can be served in smaller portions or adapted to suit younger tastes.
Tiramisu Bistro
The 124 Street neighbourhood is spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants, and Tiramisu Bistro has been a popular spot since opening a decade ago. One-half bistro and one-half market, Tiramisu is a family-friendly "home away from home" inspired by cafés and markets in Italy. Everything on the menu, which spans brunch (even on weekdays), lunch and dinner, is crafted with care using seasonal ingredients. Think homemade pastas, pizzas and paninis. The bistro also has a sunny patio and geodomes in the winter.
Sweet Pea Café & Playhouse
Sweet and savoury combine at this plant-based café in Laurier Heights. One-part café and one-part playhouse, this is a fun outing for parents and kids. The café side of Sweet Pea serves a selection of colourful dishes like garden bowls, salads, wraps, scrambles and flatbreads. There are also homemade baked goods and specialty coffees that will satisfy the grown-ups. For kids, there are vegan meatballs, veggie spring rolls, quesadillas and "chiggin" nuggets. Kids might like the fun six-pack option with six chosen items served in a muffin tray. And, for dessert, don't miss out on the fresh-baked cupcakes.
The playhouse is situated in a separate area, and it's best to book a spot in advance.
Half adorable play area for kids and half café, complete with the tastiest salads/wraps/treats. You really can't go wrong with or without kids in tow!
These popular spots just off Whyte Avenue are two separate businesses, but they're owned by the same team and are conveniently located next door to one another. The Next Act Pub welcomes minors until 4 p.m., and it's an inviting place for comfort food while spending time on Whyte. Their burgers are particularly good, along with their weekend brunch.
Next door, MEAT serves up tasty southern barbecue. Kids are welcome any time, and while there isn't a specific menu for them, there are plenty of options to keep them satisfied. Individual barbecue items and sides make it easy to mix and match and build a meal, or your family can order an assortment together and try a little bit of everything. There are also sweet treats to cap it all off, like ice cream floats.
Flavourful vegan and vegetarian dishes are the name of the game at Padmanadi. The family-owned restaurant has been a popular destination for more than 16 years. The plant-based takes on Chinese, Thai, Indonesian and Indian dishes, so there's plenty of variety. Make sure to order the ginger beef, which could fool even the most discerning carnivores for the real deal.