7 Family-Friendly Restaurants in Johnson City, TN
Known as a wonderful place for families, Johnson City boasts a dining scene that reflects those values. You’ll find that many area restaurants offer atmosphere and menus specifically designed for all ages. Here are seven family-friendly restaurants in Johnson City to get families started on their exploration of the city’s dining scene.
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1. Auntie Ruth’s Donuts & Pretzels
A quick glance at Auntie Ruth’s Donuts & Pretzels social media immediately tells you the whole family is welcome. Photos of cute kids abound, and the popular bakery even boasts a children’s corner with a tiny table and chairs, books, crayons and coloring pages for tots to enjoy while their parents settle in with a steaming cup of coffee and signature vanilla-glazed doughnut.
2. Lazy Lady Baking Co.
The chic, sunny and modern Lazy Lady Baking Co., which shares space with Fischman Gallery and its rotating selection of art, is the perfect place for a family with older kids to enjoy a decadent early-morning pastry or a sandwich on one of the kitchen’s own loaves of sourdough bread.
3. The Kitchen at Grace Meadows Farm
Consider The Kitchen at Grace Meadows Farm your grandma’s bottomless dinner table: Its family-style service means each party selects two entrees (think fried chicken or catfish or barbecue ribs) and four side dishes from the menu to be enjoyed by the whole gang. The best part? Servings are automatically refilled, and every diner gets their own dessert. This might be the home run of family-friendly restaurants in Johnson City!
4. White Duck Taco Shop
Four-legged family members will appreciate the spacious, pup-friendly patio at White Duck Taco Shop, which is known for its creative and adventurous flavor combos. Family-friendly games like bocce ball are on tap, as are brews from Yee-Haw Brewing Co., with which White Duck shares space in the city’s historic train depot.
5. Burg’r & Barrel
Also located across the street is Burg’r & Barrel; its regular menu, heavy on comfort food like burgers and macaroni and cheese, appeals to all ages, but a children’s menu offers a pared-down selection of kid-approved bites along with jokes and puzzles to keep little ones occupied. Adults will appreciate the solid bar menu.
6. The Firehouse Restaurant
The Firehouse Restaurant has been serving ’cue out of a former fire station since 1981; the expansive space is packed with fun touches that pay homage to the building’s history and appeal to any little firefighters-to-be: A fire engine dating from 1925 (complete with Dalmatian puppy) is stationed near the front door, while fire ladders, vintage photos and posters, and historic newspaper clippings adorn the walls.
7. Don Chentes Cantina & Grill
No restaurant appreciates family diners quite like a family-owned spot does, and Don Chentes Cantina & Grill, which is named after the owner’s father, shows its gratitude by feeding kids under 12 for free on Mondays. The lush decor, marked by elaborate and colorful murals and plants cascading from the ceiling, makes for a true oasis in the city.
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