Parents, this one’s for you. We’re in the thick of summer and the kids are with you 24/7 but you deserve a break from preparing endless snacks. Cue these family friendly local restaurants — tried and true with Cola kiddos.
Grill Marks
From its comfortable, welcoming dining room to its burgers + milkshakes, this is a great spot to eat with the littles in tow. The kids menu is for diners age 10 and under and includes cheeseburger sliders, chicken fingers, a hot dog, and more — all served on a Grill Marks frisbee.
![The dining room at Grill Marks in Columbia, with brick walls, booths, and tables and chairs. There are customers sitting in every seat and servers walking around delivering food.](https://6amcity.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dedb499/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1440x811+0+75/resize/1000x563!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk1-prod-sixam-city.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F5d%2F17%2F3419d2e14ad3bc5ec47e5386325c%2Fgrill-marks-2-copy.png)
The dining room at Grill Marks is comfortable for families.
Photo via @grillmarksofficial
Groucho’s Deli
This Five Points favorite is the perfect place to drop in for a sandwich; the variety is endless. Check out the menu’s Juniors section featuring smaller versions of classics like the Apollo, Dipper, and STP — perfect for mini hands + bellies. Also, you can’t go wrong with the grilled cheese.
![A closeup of a grilled cheese sandwich from Groucho's Deli in Columbia; the yellow cheese is melted between golden brown bread and there's a pickle spear on the side.](https://6amcity.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/808a70c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1440x811+0+75/resize/1000x563!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk1-prod-sixam-city.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F36%2F13%2F1e0399cb4e22b96e998b47d6a16a%2Fgrouchos-deli-copy.png)
You can’t go wrong with a grilled cheese from Groucho’s — or any of the kids sammies.
Photo via @grouchos_deli
The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli
Treat the family to breakfast or lunch, including those delightful mini cinnamon rolls. The kids will love Elsie’s Kid Breakfast — their choice of bread, one egg, cheese, and bacon or sausage, plus a mini cinnamon roll + Capri Sun. There are also several sandwiches available on the kids menu.
Village Idiot Pizza
Plan a family pizza outing with a little pizzazz — the New York-style pies at this spot are legendary. The restaurant offers great daily specials including the Sunday Family Special which includes a large, one-topping pizza, large salad, garlic bread or garlic knots, and a 2-liter soda or four fountain drinks.
Zesto
This longtime West Columbia restaurant will please little palates: the menu features burgers, chicken, hot dogs, fries, soft serve, sundaes, and milkshakes. Don’t forget to snap a sweet photo with the cone in the sky.
![Three plates of pasta sit on a grey table — each topped with bright red marinara sauce and shredded parmesan cheese.](https://6amcity.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f899c40/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1800x1013+0+213/resize/1000x563!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk1-prod-sixam-city.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fca%2Fdf%2Fe61c4af54e1d9508aa1a687ea35f%2Fpasta-fresca-sc-copy.png)
If your little ones love pasta, Pasta Fresca is it.
Photo via @pastafrescasc
Pasta Fresca
If your kids love pasta, the options made from scratch at this family-owned restaurant won’t disappoint. The kids menu is for diners age 12 and under and includes entrees like buttered noodles with parmesan cheese, spaghetti marinara, and cheese ravioli with marinara sauce.
Know of more great, family friendly restaurants in the Capital City? Drop us a line and tell us about them.