Best Family Restaurants in Massachusetts

"With locations in Boston, Cambridge, and at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, the casual Summer Shack serves its “tower of power.” Price and ingredients vary slightly by location, but the Boston location is currently charging $65 and including oysters, littlenecks, shrimp, and oyster and tuna sashimi."

"With its giant bucket of crayons on the hostess stand and army of highchairs standing at the ready, this seafood [...] read more». 2008 Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant, Brunch"

"The ice cream: There’s a reason why you’ll often find lines of eager customers waiting at Cabot’s. The longtime shop is a favorite among parents and kids alike, serving up classic sundaes, ice cream sodas, malteds and frappes. The classic diner ambience only adds to the experience."

"Restaurants Ice cream parlors. This Newton family favorite has been scooping ice cream since 1969. It feels a little older and is styled like a classic 1950s diner and ice cream parlor."

"Cabot's traditional ice cream sundae! Ice cream sundaes are my go-to dessert if I have a sweet craving, and I've been going to Cabot's since I was a kid." —Kenny Hoshino, pastry chef at Alden & Harlow and Waypoint"

"This casual sit down spot in Newton offers healthy, vegetarian versions of classic faves such as meatloaf, lasagna, and pizza. Soups, salads, and sandwiches are on the menu as well, all made with fresh, often local veggies and other organic ingredients. Whether it’s garden quesadillas, tuscan fig and oyster mushroom pizza, or portobello steak, Walnut Grille offers a range of innovative vegetarian selections for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch."

"Newton Highlands Suburbanites need plant-centric options, too. Walnut Grille is saint and savior for the Mass Pike crowd, a sit-down spot that takes all the usual family restaurant entrees -- chicken piccata, meatloaf, lasagna, pizza -- and recreates them in vegetarian (and often vegan) form. Oh, and the restaurant doesn't shy away from adult beverages, including organic beer and wine."

"Everything on the menu at Walnut Grille is plant-based—and also flavorful and crave-able. Otherwise, though, this “global vegetarian” menu will not be contained. You’ll find everything from soy-based “fingers,” fried for dipping in chipotle barbecue sauce; to Polenta Napoleon with fennel béarnaise and black-eyed pea salsa."

"Opened in 2012, Carmelina's serves up traditional Sicilian comfort food with their own unique Mediterranean twist from the heart of Boston's famous Little Italy. The restaurant is run by Executive Chef Damien DiPaola, who transforms his family's old but delicious recipes into modern Italian gastronomic delights with the help of Chef di Cucina Michael Hollenkamp. The open kitchen in Carmelina's is reminiscent of a mother's cooking space, while the dining area is incredibly homey with family photos hanging from the walls."

"This open-floor kitchen located in the north end offers the largest Italian menu on this list, and at a far more fair price than other restaurants in the area. Family pictures decorate the walls of the Italian eatery. Carmelina’s made Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat List this past year, so be sure to make reservations."

"Looking for a restaurant that specializes in Roman cooking and delivers large portions perfect for families or, in some cases, voracious eaters?. If so, then it's high time to book a table at La Famiglia Giorgio's. Located in the historic North End, La Famiglia Giorgio's treats every customer that walks through their doors like family."

"A go-to for huge portions of traditional dishes at an affordable price With plates that overwhelm the table and portions that scream leftovers, you’ll be the talk of the office after reheating La Famiglia Giorgio’s lasagna for three days straight."

"I haven't been to 'No Name' in Boston since the mid '80s when I worked for Digital Equipment. Today my wife and I were watching 'The Best Places…. Didn't find what you were looking for?"

"They have individual servings of things like lamb lollipops, filet mignon, and rigatoni bolognese, but they also have trays of arugula salads and chicken parm for 4-6 people. Orders both for takeout and delivery should be placed on their website."

"Sweet Rice, with locations in both JP and Charlestown, has an extensive menu with Thai and Japanese options. There’s a seemingly infinite number of rolls to choose from, including one that pays homage to our favorite underwater character, SpongeBob. Sushi party boats for four people are available as well."

"Thai and Japanese restaurant Sweet Rice is open for takeout and delivery on Caviar and Grubhub, which means you can pair your chirashi bowl with a side of tom yum soup."

"Located diagonally across from Prudential Shopping Mall on Huntington Avenue and within walking distance from Copley Square, Thornton's Restaurant is a simple, no-frills eatery that serves breakfast and lunch. Boasting both indoor and outdoor seating, the counter-serve restaurant offers a wide range of healthy and hearty dishes from the all-day menu, including breakfast plates such as eggs and bacon, blueberry pancakes, Belgian waffles, French toast, oatmeal and granola, and yogurt parfait. Other items on the menu, which are available all day, include freshly prepared salads and soups, sandwiches and wraps, appetizers, pasta dishes, and a variety of beverages."

"Thornton’s is an unpretentious breakfast, lunch, and brunch spot in an increasingly pretentious neighborhood. The menu is massive (and affordable) and can accommodate almost any diet. There are nearly countless egg dishes, as well as sandwiches and wraps, salads, pasta, and lots more."

"Chinese spot Dumpling Daughter has a brand new location at Coolidge Corner, and it’s open for takeout Wed-Sun, 11:30am-8pm. Dumplings are on the menu, naturally, but so are things like lo mein and scallion pancakes. Place an order on their website."

"Restaurants French Downtown. Originally opened on Bosworth Street in 1885 as Restaurant Marliave by a French immigrant chef of that name, this quaint restaurant and espresso bar is the sister spot to Beacon Hill’s longstanding favorite, Grotto. The menu mixes French classics such as escargot and cassoulet with American culinary standards like Caesar salad and macaroni and cheese."

"Located at 10 Bosworth St. (between Tremont Street and Chapman Place) in downtown Boston, it's the most popular high-end French restaurant in Boston, boasting four stars out of 1,208 reviews on Yelp. Named after a French immigrant, Henry Marliave, the restaurant's history dates back to 1885. The menu consists of French and Italian fare, including oysters and clams, pastas, meats and seafood dishes, sandwiches and salads."

"Address: 10 Bosworth Street, Boston, MassWebsite: www.marliave.com. Marliave was established on Bosworth Street in 1885 by Henry Marliave, a French immigrant from Paris. The restaurant was actually first established at a different location, near what is now the Ritz-Carlton, sometime around 1872 but that location was damaged in a fire and Marliave relocated to Bosworth Street in 1885."

"Pat’s Pizza has a wide variety of things on their menu, including calzones, pastas, and dinner entrees like BBQ turkey tips and meatloaf. To place an order, call the restaurant at (617) 298-2222 - they’re open for lunch and dinner."

"However, true gastronomes and foodies will be the first to tell you that cost should always come second to a fabulous meal, and Lucca certainly has no shortage of those. One of the most dependable restaurants in North End, Lucca consistently serves fantastic Italian dishes. They also stick to the philosophy of sourcing quality ingredients from local farms and have even cultivated strong relationships with local fishermen to make sure they get the best seafood the East Coast has to offer."

"You can’t go wrong with pretty much any restaurant on Salem St or Hanover St, but 2 of my favorites are Neptune Oysterand Lucca. Many of the restaurants in the North End are family-owned and operated, so eating in the North End is like visiting your favorite Italian grandma for Sunday family dinner!"