A fun-filled day of exploring Calgary with the family deserves the inclusion of enjoying a meal out – no cooking, no cleaning, and no mess! Are you looking for affordable family-friendly dining establishments in Calgary to take the kiddos? Ones that will result in a fuss-free dining experience that will be enjoyed by the whole family? There are definitely a lot of local options that provide accommodating atmospheres, friendly staff, and enticing children’s menus, but here are a few of my favourites:

Spot On Kitchen & Bar

2 Richard Way SW, Calgary
Open Monday through Saturday: 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. and Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Since March 2015, Spot On has been connecting families around the dinner table in their inviting family-friendly dining establishment located in Garrison Woods. Their menu, full of mouth-watering comfort food, is made from locally-sourced fresh ingredients. Some of their most popular menu items include the Super Dave’s Smash Burger, their pizzas (both thin crust and the original Karouzo Family recipe made famous in Calgary in 1967), their scrumptious Mac & Cheese (you need to order the Mac & Cheese with bacon – amazing!), their fabulous homestyle Lady & The Tramp Spaghetti & Meatballs, and their very famous French Onion soup.

Their better-than-your-momma’s French Onion Soup has a flaky pillow of puff pastry ballooned on top which is absolutely heavenly. All of the dishes on the children’s menu are only $11.00 (and the portions are very large). The price includes a choice of beverage (pop, iced tea, or chocolate or regular milk) and a popsicle. And on Sundays kids eat FREE ALL DAY! Spot On also has a Kids Club that the kiddos can join that offers them free meals on their birthdays.

Most importantly, every time you visit Spot On, you will see families laughing, smiling and bonding around cuisine that will most definitely be enjoyed by the whole family.

Kinjo Sushi & Grill

7 locations in Calgary, including Macleod, Dalhousie, Millrise, District, Mahogany, Westhills, and North Hill

You’re craving sushi, but the kids are begging for pasta and fried chicken? Kinjo is your destination, and it’s probably the most affordable place to eat for families in YYC. Kids platters are just $2.50 (for children 10 and younger), and the children’s platters are large portions that include three different food options (inclusive of rolls, pasta, fries, chicken, fried rice, and more).

Kinjo also serves up fried chicken (at $2.00/piece for dine-in) and chicken burgers (at $2.75 each for dine-in), which all come in your choice of ginger garlic, golden crispy, or spicy bbq. They even have $5.00 pasta bowls that come with your choice of either bacon creme sauce or bolognese. Does dining out get any more affordable than that?

And if you think that the inclusion of all of these child-friendly options take anything away from the quality of Kinjo’s sushi and more “mature and refined” menu items, I can assure you that they most certainly do not. Kinjo’s fish is always super fresh and my personal favourite, the Miso Black Cod, melts in your mouth like butter.

In case you don’t get your fill of sushi, pasta and fried chicken, and you’re looking forward to some dessert, Kinjo also has “Kinjo Cafe” that offers up croissants, muffins, danishes and more all around the $2.00 mark each. And if the kids need something to do to pass the time while waiting for their food, Kinjo has a storefront full of Japanese treats and toys, and every flavour of Pocky you could possibly imagine. Kinjo is definitely a win-win for families!

(Note that not all locations have the fried chicken and the Kinjo Cafe, so please confirm ahead with your preferred location if you are looking for these options.)

Diner Deluxe

Mahogany: 106 Mahogany Centre, Open 7 days a week: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Marda Loop: 2252 - 33 Ave. SW,  Open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and Saturdays & Sundays, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

If you’re looking for a satisfying start to your day before you head out on your family adventures, Diner Deluxe is a wonderful option. There is definitely something for everyone in your family with both their breakfast and lunch fare. Their Lil Diner’s menu options include pancakes, a breakfast sandwich, French toast, eggs in a nest, macaroni and cheese, a grilled cheese sandwich, and more.

 

Diner Deluxe sources all of its ingredients locally, and they have the ability to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions. Some of my recommended menu items include the Potato Rosti (rosti topped with an over easy egg, cilantro sour cream, and your choice of chorizo sausage, bacon or grilled tomatoes, with an option to have to your Rosti stuffed with Quebec cheese curds, double smoked bacon and basil hollandaise) and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich (made with cheddar and brie on thick-cut sourdough, and served with a tomato soup dip, with an option to add bacon, a fried egg, or caramelized onions and apple relish to your Grilled Cheese).

And an absolute must-have is their Big Cinnamon Bun (served weekends and holidays only), which are made in-house and topped with cream cheese icing, rum caramel sauce, mascarpone mousse, and candied walnuts. In fact, after dining at Diner Deluxe, you just may feel full enough to skip dinner! Unfortunately, Diner Deluxe does not accept reservations, but you can order beverages (including mimosas!) to enjoy while you wait if there is a waiting list.

 

Most importantly, dining out with our families provides us with an opportunity to relax around a table, enjoy the comfort of family conversation, and bond over delicious grub. It can set the tone for the start of a fun-filled day, or we can choose to unwind by dining out with the family at the end of a busy day. Either way, sharing these experiences together will create memories that will last a lifetime.

Story and photos by Jennifer Benstead