Pre-baby, my husband and I were always out enjoying a delicious, long-lasting weekend brunch. Once our bundle of joy arrived, our outings morphed into a quick breakfast. Now that our “baby” is a wild and crazy toddler, our breakfasts are more of a tag-team, relay race kind of an experience.
Let me paint you a picture:
-Get to restaurant and ask for highchair (knowing good and well he won’t sit in it.)
-Order drinks, meal, and the check all in one breath.
-Take turns entertaining toddler while downing coffee and food as fast as humanly possible.
-Leave big tip as an “apology” for bringing toddler in public.
If this sounds like your life right now, may I suggest these fabulous toddler-friendly breakfast spots!
Five Fabulous Toddler-Friendly Breakfast Spots
1. Bread Winners (NorthPark Mall)
Wow! This Breadwinners is fantastic. First of all, this place is brand new and really nice to look at! When we went, we were lucky enough to get a booth by a window overlooking the GORGEOUS courtyard outside. This courtyard can be a lifesaver if your little one is not into sitting still. We love that one parent can take the kiddo to play outside while the other can sip on delicious coffee. The food is legit too. We love their tacos, Benedicts and scrambles.
Hint: Even if you are here for breakfast, get some cake to go. My current pregnancy craving is the Strawberries and Cream cake. You will thank me later.
2. Mecca (Lakewood)
~ A Dallas fixture since 1938, Mecca has relocated to the Lakewood area. When I asked the waitress what she recommended, she said, “We are known for our cinnamon rolls, you HAVE to get one!” Never to turn down a good food recommendation, we ordered one and were quite pleased. (I mean, it was the size of my face and covered with sugar and butter…yum!) We also noshed on eggs, hash browns, migas, and the best bacon I’ve had at a restaurant. The food was great and my son (who never eats anything) enjoyed a bit of everything. Nobody gave us a dirty look as my son stood in the booth, playing cars, forks, and sugar packets. My advice: Don’t try and be healthy here – go nuts!
2021 Update: Sadly, Mecca is no longer in business. This location is now home to a Buzzbrews, which offers great breakfast 24/7 and is family-friendly as well!
Bonus: Feeling guilty about the calories you just consumed? After breakfast, go north on Skillman for some play time at Tietze Park.
3. Whole Foods (Preston/ Forest)
We live here. This place is wonderful because of the wide variety of breakfast foods and even better because they have a toddler play area!! While there is a nice buffet, we usually grab a few breakfast tacos and head over to let the little man play.
Added bonus: I usually grab something for dinner while I’m here!
4. Dream Cafe (Addison)
Our favorite Addison breakfast place has relocated to a different spot in the same shopping center. (It’s next door to The Flying Fish.) The good news is that they still have a nice patio and the toddler play area. This place makes it easier to eat healthy by providing many options that won’t hurt your waistline. My favorite is the “Way to Condition” which comes with steel-cut oatmeal garnished with fruit and nuts, scrambles egg whites, tomatoes and vegetarian sausage. My husband usually goes with the Austin Tacos, stuffed with eggs, potatoes, bacon, cheese and covered in cream sauce. (He has a harder time being healthy.) Be sure to order the popovers with strawberry butter, too!
Side Note: After I had my son, I always suggested Dream Café as a meet-up spot with friends. The casual environment and friendly staff made me feel comfortable bringing in my new crying, pooping, unpredictable little friend. I didn’t realize how often I was there until one of the waiters commented on my haircut.
2021 Update: The Addison location is no longer, but you can still find Dream Cafe Uptown or in Lakewood!
5. Ozona
I give this place the “Best Patio in Dallas” award. I highly suggest this family favorite on a nice, spring day for breakfast. However, go early, many other people think this place is great too. We love sitting outside, eating bacon and eggs while enjoying coffee or a brunch-style cocktail. The kids will love the fresh air and have a lot to look at. If your little one gets unruly, let him/her walk around a bit and order yourself a mojito-you’ve earned it.
Looking for more restaurants you can dine in comfortably with kids? Check out these other Dallas Moms posts:
In North Dallas, I’d add Central Market at Coit/George Bush to the list. We sometimes go for Saturday AM pancakes, but they’ve got lots of other foods too! Our rambunctious preschooler loves the big saltwater fishtank, and outdoor play area. She’s made lots of friends there, too!
Thanks so much! It’s funny you say that because we go there EVERY weekend! We love their migas and our son LOVES the fish too! I’m going to do a post of 5 More Toddler Friendly Restaurants and this will be #1!! I’ll look for you on the playground 😉
I love this! Going out to eat with our little guy is such a chore. I would LOVE to try out some of these places! Thanks for the suggestions!
Yay!! I have some more good ones that I can’t wait to share!
Great list, Sally. Ready for the next set!
Thanks so much! I am having too much fun eating all over this city!
Thanks for the list. We are always looking for great, kid-friendly places with wonderful food. The Dream Café, both the original at The Quadrangle and the newer one in Addison have always been favorites, with and without kids. They are laid back and great.
FYI Mecca has closed! 🙁