20 Traverse City Restaurants for Kids! Best Dessert Spots & Family Restaurants
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Best Traverse City Restaurants for Kids and Families
Looking for a spot in Traverse City to chow down with the kids beyond the usual fast-food chains? You’re in for a treat!
Pizza, burgers, ice cream treats, check!
Buckle up and get ready to dive into Traverse City’s most fabulous food stops for families!
Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Traverse City + Sweets & Treats
Bardon’s Wonder Freeze
1100 E Front St, Traverse City MI 49684
This ice cream cone place is an institution, a fixture, and it should be in the National Register of Historic Places in Traverse City!
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Blue Tractor
423 S Union St, Traverse City MI 49684
With menu items like kids-little squealers and Whole Hog Quesadillas, it's no wonder why the Blue Tractor is a family favorite BBQ spot.
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Camp Critter
Inside Great Wolf Lodge Water Park, Traverse City MI 49684
Camp Critter has pizzas & pastas the whole pack can share. For dessert, enjoy a souvenir bucket layered with soft serve ice cream, brownies, cookies, candy pieces, topped with chocolate sauce & whipped cream.
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Cherry Public House
6026 S Lake St, Traverse City MI 49636
While you sample the wine, the kids can sample some of our seven cherry soda pops with handfuls of chocolate or a scoop of cherry ice cream.
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Don’s Drive In
2030 US 31 N, Traverse City MI 49686
Experience 50’s style dining at Don’s Drive-In.
They serve burgers, french fries, and hand dipped milkshakes.
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Flap Jack Shack (Traverse City)
3980 US-31, Traverse City MI 49684
In addition to pancakes, littles can order up a crustless grilled cheese, kids confetti cakes, waffle, or cinnamon toast crunch sticks. This might be one of the best kids menu in town!
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Fresh Coast Market
7270 North Long Lake Rd, Traverse City MI 49684
Specialty food store with natural foods, gourmet deli, coffee shop. Reasons families stop here? Kid meals can be ordered ahead a including mac & cheese, grilled cheese, pb & j, & ham & cheese sandwiches.
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Grand Traverse Pie Company
525 W Front St, Traverse City MI 49684
Calling all sweet tooths! Pies, cookies, muffins, brownies, turnovers, sweetbreads and cakes all round out your Traverse City experience. Simple and Yummy they are baked fresh every day.
more infoMama Lu’s – A Modern Day Taco Shop
149 E Front St, Traverse City MI 49684
A modern taqueria with tacos, side dishes and churros as well as a menu designed for their small diners.
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Milk & Honey
240 E Front St, Traverse City MI 49684
Vegan options, check. A quick bite, check. Milk & Honey Café and Ice Creamery is a family ice cream shop and espresso bar serving products made with high-quality ingredients from local sources. It’s naturally yummy!
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Moomer’s Homemade Ice Cream
7263 N Long Lake Rd, Traverse City MI 49685
This ice cream parlor close to Traverse City is the perfect stop for a northern Michigan sweet treat. Step out on the beautiful terrace and have an amazing view of the farms and the cows.
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Peace Love & Little Donuts
441 E Front St, Traverse City MI 49686
You can’t go wrong with little donuts! Flavors vary, but there’s always a small treat for the whole family.
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Red Mesa Grill
1544 US-31, Traverse City MI 49686
Bring on the chips and salsa! Kids will love the colorful décor and flavorful Latin American cuisine. Fan favorites include quesadillas and fried ice cream.
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Sleder’s Family Tavern
717 Randolph St, Traverse City MI 49684
Try the Slabtown burger, a heap of shrimp, or Randolph’s twist on the tater, moose chips, served plain, with cheese or with chili and cheese. They'll make you want to smooch the moose (Randolph).
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Sugar 2 Salt
1371 Gray Dr, Suite 300, Traverse City MI 49684
Fresh, local breakfast and brunch served daily from 9 to 2. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Kid-friendly with highchairs and easygoing vibes. A go-to spot for farm-to-table eats in Traverse City.
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The Flying Noodle
136 E Front St, Traverse City MI 49684
Who doesn’t love noodles, especially fresh made? The great thing about this place is that the adults can get a meal fit for a foodie and picky toddlers will also be satisfied.
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The Little Fleet
448 E Front St, Traverse City MI 49686
Food truck hub with choices like parmesan fries, tacos, burgers, sushi, hot dogs, and pizza. Check their calendar for DJ nights and special events. Adults, visit their open air bar serving hand-crafted drinks. Located on the east end of downtown’s Front Street.
more infoBONUS: Score Free Pie!
Check off activities on the Northern Michigan Scavenger Hunt while you explore Traverse City, and earn yourself some delicious pie along the way!
Hit the trails for biking, hiking, skiing, or dune climbing. Cruise downtown if shopping’s on your list—it’s packed with toy stores and cool boutiques. Remember, checking in as you explore brings you closer to winning prizes, including pie!
Traverse City is for Foodies, Big and Small
No matter how old you are, Traverse City’s got a spot that’ll tickle your taste buds.
Drop a comment and let us know which foodie joint rocks your world!
