Best Kid Friendly Restaurants in Carmel Valley, San Diego

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

East CountyNorth San DiegoSan Diego

Neighborhoods

Barrio LoganBay ParkCarlsbadChula Vista / BonitaCoronadoDel Mar

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

73 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. 20|TWENTY

4.1

Excellent(1275)

$$$$

• Californian • Carlsbad

Booked 13 times today

20|TWENTY – Coastal CuisineLocated in Carlsbad, 20|TWENTY offers globally inspired California cuisine, crafted from ingredients sourced within a 40-mile radius.Ideal for families, 20|TWENTY features a large-format dinner designed to serve four, perfect for sharing and creating memorable moments around the table.Recognized with the Diners’ Choice Award and praised for its innovative menu, the restaurant is just minutes from LEGOLAND, the Flower Fields, and Carlsbad Premium Outlets.Guests enjoy a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere, with a cozy ocean-view terrace and intimate indoor spaces ideal for private events.Complimentary valet parking available.

2. Sbicca - Del Mar

4.6

Exceptional(2562)

$$$$

• Contemporary American • Del Mar

Booked 24 times today

We look forward to having you join us! San Diego's favorite "Neighborhood" restaurant. Located in beautiful, quaint Del Mar and winner of the "Gold Medallion Award" for Best Neighborhood Restaurant awarded by the San Diego Chapter of the California Restaurant Association. Dine up on the Ocean View deck and take in the blue pacific while enjoying our award winning cuisine or sit on our ocean view sidewalk cafe and sip on one of our Wine Spectator award winning wine list wines. SPECIALS: 1/2 price on Wine Bottles Tuesdays & ThursdaysHappy Hour Daily 3-5pm (excluding holidays) Please note we cannot guarantee seating requests, we will do our best to accommodate but it is not a guarantee for inside or outside

3. Duke's La Jolla

4.7

Exceptional(7426)

$$$$

• Hawaii Regional Cuisine • La Jolla

Booked 156 times today

Perched above La Jolla Cove with panoramic Pacific views, Duke’s La Jolla brings the spirit of aloha to one of San Diego’s most iconic oceanfront destinations.Named for Olympic champion and father of modern surfing Duke Kahanamoku, Duke’s honors his legacy with Hawaiian-inspired cuisine, craft cocktails, and warm island hospitality. Dine indoors or on the outdoor patio overlooking the Pacific and enjoy fresh, locally sourced ingredients featured in signature poke tacos, Loco Moco, premium steaks, and the legendary Hula Pie. The Barefoot Bar offers tropical cocktails and island favorites in a casual setting. Gluten-free and vegetarian options available. Family-friendly.Perfect for date nights, celebrations, and group dining, with banquet and large party spaces available. Valet parking and nearby public garages available. Indoor, outdoor, and takeout dining offered.Visit dukeslajolla.com for menus, reservations, and updates.

4. Fortunate Son

4.6

Exceptional(482)

$$$$

• Chinese • North Park

Booked 35 times today

Among my chef friends and the epicurean elites, aka “foodies”, the conversation around great Chinese food was always centered around authenticity, with classic American Chinese takeout dishes not considered authentic. But, having grown up in the Chinese American restaurant my parents have worked at for the past 25 years, I’ve always seen it as a by-product of enormous creativity and ingenuity of Chinese Immigrants.

5. Barbusa

4.7

Exceptional(4753)

$$$$

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 107 times today

Barbusa Local Modern Sicilian Restaurant.Lively atmosphere with our craft cocktails, handmade pastas, freshest seafood, delicate pizza, and our famous Sicilian Ribeye.Pizza Served from our stone fired oven.Gluten free and Vegan Items AvailableWHILE WE VALUE THE TIME OF ALL OUR LOYAL GUEST AND SMILING FACES, WE KINDLY REQUEST YOU LIMIT THE TIME SPENT AT YOUR TABLE TO 1 HOUR AND 30 MIN DUE TO MANDATED REDUCTION IN CAPACITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT, WE COULDNT BE MORE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU DINE WITH US!

A photo of Trattoria Da Sofia restaurant

6. Trattoria Da Sofia

4.6

Exceptional(474)

$$$$

• Italian • Kensington

Booked 31 times today

Trattoria da Sofia is a brand new Italian restaurant located in the charming Kensington neighborhood of San Diego. Trattoria da Sofia features delicious, comforting Italian dishes paired with warm Italian hospitality. By day, the Trattoria is your new favorite coffee shop and cafe.

7. Arterra

3.9

Excellent(430)

$$$$

• American • Del Mar

Booked 2 times today

Here at Arterra enjoy one-of-a-kind, locally inspired food with a commitment to sourcing seasonal, sustainable ingredients. Our culinary team shines a focus on supporting local San Diego Farmer’s markets and purveyors. Indulge in our curated sushi menu by Sushi Chef Andew Ho. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails featuring local distillers, and innovative signature wine list, and a selection of bottled and draft beers from the area’s top craft breweries.

8. Petrini's

4.6

Exceptional(499)

$$$$

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 15 times today

Petrini's, in the heart of San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood, serves homemade Italian dishes with a traditional authentic dishes. If you go to Music box, stop by for a dinner and a cup of wine before the show. We offer Brunch, Lunch and Dinner menus 7 days a week.The diablo shrimp in spicy wing sauce with lemon and cream, served with garlic cheese bread makes the perfect starter to your meal. Some of Petrini's' specialty entrée dishes include the smoked salmon alfredo sautéed with tomatoes and basil, garlic and rosemary served with spaghetti with tangy Pomodoro sauce and the baked white fish coated in seasoned bread crumbs in wine, butter and garlic sauce with Tuscan vegetables. Handhelds, such as the classic meatball hoagie, the vegetarian caponata sandwich with tomato-stewed eggplant and the craft-your-own pizzas, are other diner favorites.For a sweet end to your meal at Petrini's, enjoy a homemade classic Italian dessert, the layered tiramisu cake.

A photo of Vincenzo Cucina & Lounge restaurant

9. Vincenzo Cucina & Lounge

4.1

Excellent(525)

$$$$

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 18 times today

Modern Italian Dining in the Heart of Little Italy, San DiegoVincenzo Cucina & Lounge is a go-to destination for Italian cuisine in San Diego’s vibrant Little Italy, located steps from Piazza della Famiglia on India Street. Blending classic Italian flavors with a lively, modern atmosphere, Vincenzo is perfect for date nights, group dinners, happy hour, and special occasions. Enjoy handcrafted pastas, fresh seafood, and signature cocktails, plus San Diego’s only dedicated Aperol Bar—ideal for spritz lovers and aperitivo hour. Whether you’re looking for the best Italian restaurant in Little Italy, a fun night out, or a place to celebrate, Vincenzo delivers an energetic dining experience that keeps guests coming back. Reserve your table today and experience one of the top restaurants in Little Italy San Diego.

10. Allegro

4.1

Excellent(1597)

$$$$

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 91 times today

Allegro Restaurant and Bar in Little Italy San Diego offers a true Amalfi coast Italian dining experience. Featuring a combination of traditional and modern Italian cuisine, Allegro San Diego is the perfect venue for your special occasions and party celebration.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
SomayehGold
Phoenix / Arizona •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Great food, atmosphere and service! We always enjoy our yearly dinner at Dukes!
More info
Duke's La Jolla$$$$• Hawaii Regional Cuisine• La Jolla
•
4.7
D
DanielleGold
Tampa / Central Florida West •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Massive portions perfect for sharing while still having leftovers
More info
Fortunate Son$$$$• Chinese• North Park
•
4.6
L
LoriGold
Phoenix / Arizona •26 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
This was a great experience. We sat in the patio and the fire and the heaters made it very comfortable. The service was top notch and the food was fabulous! I had the salmon and it was very tasty. The crispy skin was seasoned to perfection. My husband had the filet rare. It was also cooked to perfection. We will be back to visit in our next Carlsbad trip!
More info
20|TWENTY$$$$• Californian• Carlsbad
•
4.1
L
Lou
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined on May 20, 2026
Had a great time. Food and service was good and the atmosphere was unbelievable.
More info
Sbicca - Del Mar$$$$• Contemporary American• Del Mar
•
4.6
E
Eliz
San Diego •6 reviews
5.0
Dined on Oct 7, 2025
Had not been here in a few years and we were all very happy to find the sushi bar is still here and the food was great!
More info
Arterra$$$$• American• Del Mar
•
3.9

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