When most families grab a bite from a restaurant, it’s usually something quick from a drive-thru window. And there’s a good reason! Everyone can get exactly what they want while staying strapped inside a climate-controlled environment. It’s cheaper than a sit-down restaurant and you don’t have to deal with public meltdowns or your child making a monstrous mess.
However, there will be times you want to eat at a sit-down restaurant. Maybe your family is coming into town, or you’re celebrating a birthday or graduation. Surely there’s somewhere better to eat than a McDonald’s or Chick-fil-A with their built-in playplaces!
Thankfully, the Crestwood and East Louisville area offers several excellent kid and family-friendly restaurants so you can enjoy a nice meal without wanting to pull your hair out or spend an exorbitant amount of money.
1. 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens (East Louisville)
Located in Crestwood, 3rd Turn was: “Established in 2017 Oldham Gardens has a rich history in Oldham County. The venue was most recently a greenhouse and nursery and the space still reflects that history. With over 1.5 acres of beer garden this space has so many unique spots to enjoy yourself. Get beer, cocktails, slushies or wine from one of the many locations on site indoor or outdoor.”
3rd Turn has lots of outdoor space for kids to roam. They regularly feature live musicians and have events like Jeep night, Derby fundraisers, and Bluegrass jam sessions.
Visit 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens at 6300 Old LaGrange Rd Crestwood, KY 40014 or call them at (502)-233-7591 for more information.
2. Havana Rumba (East + South Louisville)
Havana Rumba is a tapas restaurant, which means all the dishes are on the smaller side, but you order multiple dishes and share. This is an ideal situation for a family with young kids! Ordering this way allows you to save money on overpriced kids’ meals by letting your kids have a little of everything. This also exposes your kids to new and exciting flavors.
If you decide to order from the kid’s menu, the kitchen staff prioritizes getting kids meals out fast, which, as every parent knows, is a lifesaver!
Havana Rumba also has fun music to groove to and the relaxed environment puts parents at ease.
Havana Rumba has several locations:
- Lyndon: 2231 Holiday Manor Center Louisville, KY 40222 / 502-425-0949
- St. Matthews: 3939 Shelbyville Road Louisville, KY 40207 / 502-897-1959
- Middletown: 12003 Shelbyville Road Louisville, KY 40243 / 502-244-5375
- Highlands: 2210 Bardstown Road Louisville, Kentucky 40205 / 502-749-4600
3. Wild Eggs (East, Jeffersontown, South, Downtown)
Who doesn’t love breakfast food? In fact, most people love Wild Eggs so much, that they’re willing to flip a celebratory dinner into brunch.
Wild Eggs is very kid-friendly because it’s easy to please little children with breakfast food. It’s a bustling place and there’s always something to look at to keep your child’s attention. They also have coloring mats and activities. Because breakfast food doesn’t take that long to make, service is generally fast, which keeps your dining experience short and sweet (literally!).
Wild Eggs is so popular, that they have multiple locations:
- Westport Village: 1311 Herr Lane Louisville, KY 40222 / (502) 618-2866
- Middletown: 153 English Station Road Louisville, KY 40245 / (502) 618-3449
- Jeffersontown: 9010 Taylorsville Rd. Louisville, KY 40299 / (502) 473-5959
- Downtown: 121 South Floyd Street Louisville, KY 40202 / (502) 690-5925
- Dupont/St. Matthews: 3985 Dutchmans Lane Louisville, KY 40207 / (502) 893-8005
Wild Eggs is generally busy from open to close, so if you want to guarantee that you dine at a certain time, it’s best to call to reserve a table.
4. Noodles & Company (East, Southwest, South)
If you’re tired of hamburgers and chicken nuggets but still need to feed a picky eater, try Noodles & Company. Their menu offers dozens of customizable noodle and rice options so everyone gets exactly what they want. Just choose one of their delicious meal options and, if you so desire, customize what goes in the bowl. They also offer kid-sized portions or spaghetti and meatballs, mac n’ cheese, or buttered noodles, and come with a healthy choice of applesauce or steamed or crispy broccoli.
Noodles & Company expects to see families, so their atmosphere is friendly and welcoming to young children. As a quick-service restaurant, there is minimal wait time. After ordering at the counter, you take a number to your table and the waiter will bring your food to you.
Noodles & Company has two locations in the area:
- Cardinal Towne: 319 W. Cardinal Blvd. Louisville, KY 40208 / (502) 632-2846
- Plainview Village: 1225 S Hurstbourne Pkwy Louisville, KY 40222 / (502) 625-6137
5. Impellizzeri’s Pizza (East, Jeffersontown, South)
Named Kentucky’s best pizza pie by Reader’s Digest, Impellizzeri’s Pizza is the place to go for pizza. Impellizzeri’s is the originator of Louisville-style pizza, has lots of customization options, and even a delicious gluten-free crust.
Where there’s pizza, there will be kids! Impellizzeri’s is ready for kids of all ages. You will feel at home, and your kids will, too.
Impellizzeri’s Pizza has three locations in the Louisville area:
- Highland’s: 1381 Bardstown Rd Louisville, KY 40204 / 502-454-2711
- Holiday Manor: 4933 Brownsboro Rd Louisville, KY 40222 / 502-425-9080
- Middletown: 805 Blankenbaker Pkwy #105 Louisville, KY 40243 / 502-653-7243
6. Hauck’s Corner (South Louisville)
From Hauck’s website:
“Hauck’s Corner, located in Louisville’s trendy Schnitzelburg, Germantown neighborhood, offers a vibrant blend of delicious food and expertly crafted cocktails in a welcoming atmosphere.” Hauck’s has multiple bars, a spacious patio, and even a playground for littles with the wiggles.
Their menu features crowd favorites, such as wings, burgers, sandwiches, and desserts. Kids can enjoy tasty food, too!
Visit Hauck’s Corner at 1000 Goss Avenue Louisville, KY 40217 or call 502-384-9374 for more information.
7. 80/20 at Kaelin’s (South Louisville)
80/20 at Kaelin’s has a rich Louisville history that has entered the modern restaurant era. The menu features classic hot dogs, burgers, and sandwiches that are cooked to perfection by two outstanding chefs. There is a huge outdoor patio area that is completely fenced in, so it is safe for little children to run around.
80/20 at Kaelin’s also has a unique Malt Shoppe that features a 50’s flair. Families can enjoy the 20 delicious homemade ice cream flavors, or a handmade milkshake, malt, or sundae!
Visit 80/20 at Kaelin’s at 1801 Newburg Rd. Louisville, KY 40205 and check their Facebook page for current hours.
Which of these restaurants does your family love? Let us know in the comments!