Look, we’re not knocking grilled cheese over here. We even found the best of the cheesy dish across Sonoma County for all ages to enjoy. But there’s a time in every child’s life — a rite of culinary passage, if you will — when they venture beyond such simple meals in pursuit of something different, yet equally tasty and comforting.
Most children’s menus at restaurants have essential basics, from buttered noodles to chicken tenders, though quality and inventiveness can often fall to the wayside. So we sought out the local eateries offering something a little different for youth. The dishes are still age-appropriate and at least almost as delicious as a grilled cheese, yet with a certain Sonoma flair that will pique any kid’s interest.
Whether your child is a picky or adventurous eater, these Sonoma County restaurants have some of the best kids menus around with something for everyone.
Cafe Frida Gallery
This is where you’ll want to take your cultured, budding artist children. The kids menu at this artsy SOFA District cafe includes a hibiscus latte — no espresso involved, just milk and housemade hibiscus flower syrup over ice — as well as a waffle with either smashed avocado and lemon zest or fruit and whipped cream.
300 South A St., Santa Rosa, 707-308-4344, cafefridagallery.com
Rosso Pizzeria
No kid can turn down pizza, and the Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pies at Rosso will be no different. The bambini menu includes Casaer salad, pizzas (cheese, mushroom, margherita or pepperoni jr.), mac and cheese (add chicken for $2) and an “Anything you want, just ask” option. At the bottom of the menu is a word of advice to the youth: “Eat what’s good for you… play soccer…and be nice to your parents!”
53 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-544-3221, rossopizzeria.com
Grill Santa Rosa
This Mediterranean spot nestled in the Santa Rosa Plaza mall is a great place to take the kids after a day of shopping. Its kids menu features a fried chicken sandwich with Greek aioli and chicken skewers with tzatziki and rice. For dessert, kids will love the chocolate baklava served with chocolate ice cream.
1016 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa, 707-303-7114, grillsantarosa.com
Criminal Baking Company
In addition to a variety of pastries fit for all ages, Criminal Baking has a kids menu with fun, nourishing breakfasts. The menu includes a toasted English muffin topped with peanut butter, banana and berries; a baked egg with bacon or sausage, potatoes and fruit; and the Baron Bacon Bandit breakfast sandwich with bacon and white cheddar on an English muffin, served with fruit.
808 Donahue St., Santa Rosa, 707-888-3546, criminalbakingcompany.com
Brigitte Bistro
The kids meal ($18) at this French-inspired bistro is a choice of steak hache frites or bacon mac and cheese. Dessert is a choice of fondant au chocolat or the weekly ice cream. Bon appétit, les enfants!
841 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-981-8381, brigittebistropetaluma.com
Pub Republic
In addition to providing coloring and activity sheets, Pub Republic serves carrots and apple slices to children when they arrive. The Pub kids menu includes grass-fed steak with grilled seasonal veggies, Alaskan cod fish and chips, fried chicken sandwich on a soft bun and more. There are also organic juices, natural sodas and a kids brownie sundae. Plus, kids 12 and under eat free after 3 p.m. on Mondays (one free kids menu entree per paying adult; dine-in only).
3120 A Lakeville Highway, Petaluma, 707-782-9090, pubrepublic.com
Sax’s Joint
This pink and checkerboard eatery has a generous kids menu (for ages 12 and under) with breakfasts for $6 and lunches for $7. The menu includes an Egg McMommy (egg, ham and cheese on English muffin), French toast, mini corn dogs, mac and cheese, turkey sandwich and other diner classics. Plus, a junior-size ice cream or shake ($2.50-$4).
317 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-3021, saxsjoint.com
Art’s Place Ristorante
The kids menu at Art’s Place has a “build your own pasta” option with a selection of pastas and sauces to choose from (so they can flex their independence while developing their palate). There’s also burgers cooked to order, served with fries or sliced apples, and kids Italian sodas.
563 Rohnert Park Expressway, Rohnert Park, 707-588-2787, artsplacerp.weebly.com
KC’s American Kitchen
The “Little Rascals Menu” (for children 11 and under) at this retro-style diner includes a variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, in addition to fun games like a word cross and “I Spy.” Menu items include a stack of pancakes with a bacon smile and whipped cream eyes, fish and chips, barbecue pork ribs, roasted turkey sandwich and kid-sized ice cream shakes. Everything on the menu is under $10.
9501 DuVander Lane, Windsor, 707-838-7800, kcsamericankitchen.com
Mary’s Pizza
At Mary’s, young aspiring chefs and bakers can craft their own personal pie — Mary’s servers will bring them the prepared dough and ingredients, and children can add the sauce, cheese and toppings to their liking. The kids menu also has ravioli, meatballs and a pig in a blanket (a hot dog and mozzarella cheese wrapped in Mary’s pizza dough).
Locations in Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sonoma and Windsor. maryspizzashack.com
Acorn Cafe
Healdsburg’s new favorite brunch destination has an “Acorn Happy Meal” ($16) on its kids menu, including a pancake with fresh fruit and a choice of milk, hot chocolate (with housemade chocolate sauce) or fresh-squeezed juice (orange, apple or pineapple). The kids menu also features “build your own pancakes” with sprinkles, chocolate syrup, dulce de leche and whipped cream. Other kids menu items include a triple decker grilled cheese (three-times the usual fun) and an egg sandwich with cheddar and Journeyman bacon on brioche.
124 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-955-7001, acornhealdsburg.com
Hazel Hill
Montage Resort’s Hazel Hill restaurant has a children’s menu from executive chef Jason Pringle. The menu includes wild berry yogurt, French toast with berries, mini cheeseburger, grilled chicken breast and Ora king salmon, with healthy side choices like salad, roasted veggies and seasonal fruit. For dessert: cookies, brownies, sorbet and ice cream.
100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, 707-979-9000, montage.com
Altamont General Store
The kids menu at this Occidental restaurant and market includes katsu and rice, a rotisserie chicken sandwich with havarti on brioche, and a bowl of lentil, rice and chicken with tahini. Altamont also has milkshakes, soft serve, cute mochi donuts and the ever kid-friendly rice crispy treats.
3703 Main St., Occidental, 707-874-6053, altamontgeneralstore.com
Fishetarian Fish Market
After some beach-time fun at the Sonoma Coast, take your kids to Bodega Bay’s Fishetarian Fish Market. All dishes on the kids menu come with Goldfish crackers and a fish-shaped cookie. The menu includes clam chowder, fresh fish and chips, and a “jellyfish” sandwich with organic almond butter and strawberry jam.
599 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9092, fishetarianfishmarket.com
Check out the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sonoma County for more fun places to dine with your kids.