Family-Friendly Restaurants in Montreal You Can Rely On

McKiernan is the more casual, rotisserie-style restaurant from the group behind Joe Beef, Liverpool House, and Vin Papillon. Set in a converted industrial space along the Lachine Canal, with an exposed ceiling, copper columns, and dark hardwood floors, the space is stylish yet easygoing. Their menu sticks to familiar flavours, making it naturally kid-friendly with dishes like rotisserie chicken, spicy rigatoni rosé, and chicken noodle soup, but they also have plates for the more mature palates, including beef tartare and beets with citrus and ricotta.

NDG’s Chalet Bar-B-Q has been spit-roasting local chicken on hardwood charcoal since 1944. Chicken comes in many forms on their menu—choose individual pieces (leg, breast, wings, or half-chicken), have it in a sandwich, on a salad, or opt for a full dinner with coleslaw, fries, sauce, and a roll. Their $10.65 kids’ meal is a chicken dinner with fries or a baked potato and barbecue sauce. The space itself evokes the ‘40s, with wood panelling and red leather booths, but it’s not so precious that a few spills will disrupt the evening.

Elena’s simple Italian menu will make all family members happy—even the pickiest. Pizza and pasta are the focus, the former ranging from simple tomato pies and Margherita to mushroom or salami and pepperoncini. The pastas take up a smaller but still impactful space on the menu, with three types: spaghetti ubriachi (cooked in red wine, mixed with oil, pepper, and parmesan), creamy mushroom rigatoni, and mafalda al ragù. It’s perfect for families seeking a more upscale ambience while keeping the cuisine accessible and relatively affordable.

Chinatown’s restaurant Kim Fung is a neighbourhood institution—a classic, understated dim sum spot where many of the servers speak Cantonese and Mandarin (in addition to French and English) and a bustling atmosphere. You can order à la carte, but it’s much more exciting to choose your dishes directly from the rolling carts, with options like har gow, turnip cakes, and rice rolls. From classic dumplings to chicken feet, the menu embraces the full spectrum of traditional dim sum—inviting both the adventurous and cautious to explore.

Arthurs Nosh is a family-owned brunch restaurant built on familial ties, named for owner Raegan Steinberg’s father and created to honour his legacy. Naturally, they welcome families effortlessly, with a kid-friendly menu featuring cottage cheese pancakes, a schnitzel sandwich, and a latke smorgasbord with smoked salmon. Their warm, colourful atmosphere and generous portions cultivate a space where families can settle in for a hearty meal. If the kids are early risers, that’s all the better—the sooner you get to Arthurs, the less time you’ll have to wait in line.

Rita, the name of both owners’ grandmothers, is an Italian spot in Verdun that specializes in pizza and pasta—though they also have a selection of cicchetti and antipasti, salads, and sweets. An homage to its namesakes, the restaurant’s homey Italian dishes offer options for kids, parents, and everyone in between. Shishito pepper, fried zucchini spirals, agnolotti stuffed with ricotta and black garlic, a classic pizza with tomato sauce, fior di latte, pecorino, and olives—these dishes may be on the menu when you visit—but the constantly evolving menu ensures there’s always something to discover every time you return.

For over two decades, Patati Patata has been serving up burgers, poutine, hot dogs, and other casse-croûte classics to Saint-Laurent patrons. While it’s often thought of as a late-night spot (open until 2 am) where you can grab a cheap, greasy meal after hitting the bar, its simple, affordable, and dietary restriction-friendly menu is perfect for a quick family lunch or dinner. Burgers run you only $5.50, whether beef, tofu, or sole, while hot dogs are only $4.

At Time Out Market, 15 restaurants from around the city (plus three bars, a mocktail station, and an ice cream counter) assemble in one culinary space. From the Japanese Marusan to the Vietnamese Le Red Tiger, Mexican La Capital, and Portuguese Campo, parties can order meals from various restaurants while convening at one table to enjoy their food together. Because of Time Out’s food hall-style construction, everyone will get exactly what they’re in the mood for with no sacrifices needed.

Satay Brothers, as the name suggests, is owned by brothers Alex and Mat Winnicki—making it an inherently family-oriented restaurant. While they started with a stand in Atwater Market (good for a quick bite while roaming the produce and flowers), the brothers’ Notre-Dame Street restaurant is best for a sit-down meal. Lanterns and string lights, red accents, and ornate carvings on the walls make the space visually intriguing. The Singaporean street food menu stays relatively accessible, featuring chicken satay, fried chicken, noodles, and fried rice.

Calaveras is a Rosemont favourite, with Mexican food that’s rooted in Chef Elemy’s childhood on the coast of Manzanillo. The space is laid-back, with bright, colourful murals on the walls, paper flowers hanging from the ceiling, and a menu of plates that will satisfy the whole family. Chips and guacamole, taquitos dorados (crispy tortillas stuffed with potato, topped with cheese and sour cream), tacos with various fillings, and the restaurant’s signature Calavera—a flour tortilla filled with black beans, rice, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, avocado, and a choice of protein—offer approachable options for diners of all ages.

Restaurant Daou is a family-run Lebanese restaurant founded in 1975 by Alice and Nahmed Daou, now led by their daughters. The Villeray spot (now also with a Saint-Laurent location) covers a host of Lebanese classics—fattoush, tabouleh, babaganouj, kibbeh, labneh, falafel, kebabs, and more. Their relaxed dining room, with black-and-white photos on the walls and generous, family-style portion sizes, makes for the perfect place to bring the whole crew.

Beyond the childlike novelty of Orange Julep’s big orange sphere and the nostalgic edge of its casse-croûte fare, this spot off Decarie is a Montreal icon for a reason. The trademark Orange Julep beverage is enough of a draw, but when combined with their Montreal-style hot dogs, poutine, and burgers, their menu is as family-friendly as it gets. It’s an easy stop if you’re coming back from a sports game or looking for a quick lunch or dinner.

Parc-Ex’s Village Grec has been in the neighbourhood since 1977, dishing out classic, affordable Greek food. Souvlaki and gyros with grilled meats, fried calamari, Greek salad, and more comprise a menu with plenty of handheld, easy-to-eat dishes, alongside comforting classics for the whole family. Their rustic interior with tiled floors, green and dark wood tables and chairs, and eclectic Greek-inspired decor dotting the walls only adds to the welcoming atmosphere.

This Plateau rotisserie churns out Portuguese chicken, alongside some other classics, all enjoyed in their cafeteria-style dining room that’s perfect for kids and adults alike. Poutine with a twist, plates with French fries and their house-made hot sauce, sandwiches, salads, and more are all anchored by the same charcoal-grilled chicken, which you can see them attentively making behind the glass counter. Generous portions, quick service, and simple flavours make it a great choice for a casual family meal.

Brit & Chips is the Burgundy Lion group’s take on the United Kingdom’s classic “chippy,” serving traditional British fish & chips while incorporating a bit of Montreal flair here and there. In addition to their standard menu, where diners can select the number of pieces and type of fish in their meal, this Old Montreal spot has a kids’ menu complete with a maze, tic-tac-toe boards, and characters that can be coloured in. All three kids’ dishes—fish ‘n chips, chicken tenders and fries, or popcorn shrimp and fries—are $16.