Letting a restaurant take care of family dinner is the dream—as long as you can do it without blowing the budget. Lucky for us, Boston and the surrounding ‘burbs are home to some fantastic, family-oriented restaurants. Some feature play areas where children can get their energy out while parents linger over the meal. Some of our favorites let kids eat free today. At these local eateries, children dine gratis on certain days, allowing everyone to enjoy family time without stressing about the bill. We know what you’ll be making for dinner tonight: reservations.
Check out our guide to Family-Friendly Boston Breweries and beer Gardens. Our Boston Free Fun Guide is chock-full of ideas for making a low-cost day of it, before or after your meal. For more eateries that welcome the kiddos, see Mommy Poppins’ Boston Restaurant Guide.
Kids Eat Free Boston – Any Day
The 99 Restaurants let kids eat free the day after a Red Sox victory. Photo courtesy 99restaurants.com
1. Ninety Nine – multiple locations
Need another reason to cheer on the Sox? The Ninety Nine serves up free meals to kids (ages 10 and under) the day after each Red Sox win (home or away). These post-win kids’ meals are free with the purchase of an adult entree in all Ninety Nine restaurants in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and most of Connecticut. Go Sox!
4. Longwood Grille and Bar – Boston
The children’s menu here is unapologetically full of reliable kid-pleasers, like PB&J and Kraft mac and cheese. The Longwood Grille has run specials where kids (12 and under) eat free for lunch or dinner every day when an adult entree is also ordered.
Kids Eat Free Boston – Sunday
2. Moe’s Southwest Grill – multiple locations
This popular chain launched a national “Kids Eat Free” program, which began in April 2021. Every single location now offers one free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entree ($6 or more). This is valid for children 12 and under, only on Sundays. Kids can enjoy a customized burrito, taco, or quesadilla plus a cookie and drink.
6. Smuttynose Restaurant – Hampton, NH
Enjoy one free kids meal on Sundays (from 11:30am to 7:30pm) with the purchase of an adult meal priced $9.99 or more.
Kids Eat Free Boston – Tuesday
7. Owen O’Leary’s – Southborough, Westborough
There’s a big menu at this local chain, with lots of crowd-pleasing sharing plates like loaded nachos and wings. Two kids eat free on Tuesdays from 4pm to 8pm, with the purchase of an adult entree.
8. Denny’s – multiple locations
An American chain that is recognized across the 50 states, Denny’s in Massachusetts has multiple places to dine and enjoy a free meal for the kiddos. Every Tuesday from 4pm to 10pm, kids eat free at Denny’s. Valid for up to two kids ages 10 and under, a free kids entree can be enjoyed with the purchase of one adult’s normally priced entree.
10. Bracks Grille and Tap – Brockton
Kids eat free all day on Tuesdays at this Brockton spot. The menu is poaded with all the kids’ (and the parents’) favorites. And the restaurant offers free birthday meals (up to $25, ID required) with the purchase of a beverage!
Kids Eat Free Boston – Wednesday
Kids are sure to be fired up for these family-friendly spots where kids eat free. Photo courtesy of smashburger.com
3. Smashburger – Boston & Attleboro
At the Smashburger chain, kids can eat free on Wednesdays. This deal is valid with the purchase of one adult entree.
5. La Qchara — Melrose
Every Wednesday, kids eat free after 4pm with the purchase of an adult meal. La Qchara in Melrose delivers the flavors of Central and South America.
9. Barrett’s Ale House – Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Fall River
Little ones are a real focus here, with fail-safe children’s entrees like burgers and grilled cheese that include an ice cream sandwich. On Wednesdays, kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree worth $18 or more.
Get some games in after your free kid’s meal on Wednesdays! Photo courtesy of Barret’s Ale House in West Bridgewater.
11. Mama Mia – Marshfield
Who doesn’t love Italian food? Mama Mia’s Marshfield location gives Boston families even more to love with free kids meals on Wednesdays. This local chain also offers plenty of other meal deals throughout the week across all of the Mama Mia locations.
Find some kids meal seals at these family-friendly restaurants! Friendly’s photo by Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr 2.0
IHOP Kids Eat Free & Other National Chains with Deals
