“Family Fridays” are a thing at this come-as-you-are food hall across from the Elkins Park train station, just outside of Philly. Creekside combines a microbrewery, bar, deli, and upscale dishes from Haven Local, run by Tam Fuard, former sous chef of A.Kitchen. Kids can roam with chicken tenders and fries and play free air hockey while parents spread out around big tables with beers and food like a Sri Lankan fried chicken sandwich. Bonus: Ice cream shop Goat House Creamery and Open Book Bookstore are just across the street.

Room to run makes Nick Elmi’s suburban cafe a go-to for families. At the Landing Kitchen’s riverside patio, kids can play and color with chalk while everyone enjoys the Top Chef winner’s all-day food and drink, from grilled cheese and barbecue fries to avocado toast and sparkling rosé for the parents.

With an inviting grassy area that runs through a pedestrian-friendly shopping center, Ardmore’s Suburban Square is a popular spot for families. The team behind Harper’s Garden and Morgan’s Pier offers a big, covered outdoor dining area at Lola’s Garden, which welcomes kids and caters to them with cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, shells and cheese, and grilled cheese.

Honey’s is frequently full of families. In addition to one of the best brunches in town, Honey’s offers high chairs and a kids menu with simple options like pancakes, eggs, fruit, and grilled cheese. Fair warning: Get there early. There’s typically a wait during the height of brunch.

With an indoor pirate ship-themed playground, freshly brewed beer from Mainstay Independent Brewing Company, and a menu full of upgraded comfort food, Craft Hall checks all the boxes for a day of family-friendly fun. Diners coming by car can even park next door in Lot A at Rivers Casino.

One of Philly’s most popular vendors at events and festivals, Charisse McGill now has a permanent home for her French Toast Bites operation. The name says it all: bite-size French toast pieces that can come topped with berries, whipped cream, maple syrup, chocolate syrup, or caramel drizzle. You’ll also find a vegan option and French toast-infused coffee. The poppable treat is available year-round at Cherry Street Pier and seasonally at Spruce Street Harbor Park, Eastern State Penitentiary, and Christmas Village.

Center City has two Marathon restaurants within a few blocks of each other. The broad menu is geared to please both grown-ups — with salads, sandwiches, smoothies, and moderately priced entrees — and littler guests. An extensive kids’ menu features leveled-up takes on typical offerings, such as curly cavatappi pasta with marinara or Bolognese and a hummus plate, as well as standards like chicken fingers, mac and cheese, and PB&J.

This international chocolate-themed restaurant and retailer has one of the biggest and most playful kids' menus in town. Children can “paint” their food with ketchup, get sliders in a mini-spaceship, and share the Chocolate Mess Party: warm chocolate mud cake in a chocolate swimming pool, with whipped cream mountains, ice cream bowling balls, chocolate chunks, toffee sauce, and some fruit for balance.

Just off South Street in the Head House Square area and walkable from Independence Mall, Pizzeria Stella from the Starr Restaurants group gathers families around wood-fired pizzas and gelato. Picky eaters will find plain pizza while the adventurous will enjoy more gourmet options, like a pie with black truffle and an egg.

When Bridget Foy was a newborn, her parents named their restaurant after her. It’s been a family-friendly joint ever since, even on busy holidays like St. Patrick’s Day. Now, Foy, a mom herself, runs the casual South Street destination. On the menu, find kid-accessible dishes like tomato soup with grilled cheese, pizza bruschetta, and pasta.

Hawthornes is a go-to spot for families in the area, especially for brunch-time pancake specials. Kids will also enjoy tater tot apps, sweet potato fries, French toast, and pizza (after 4 p.m.), while grown-ups appreciate espresso drinks in the morning and the long beer list.