Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in CT 

 
No cake required at sme of CT's best fun restaurants for birthdays. Photo courtesy of the Elm Street Diner

1. Elm Street Diner - Stamford, Norwalk (opening Fall 2024) 

All of the food at Elm Street Diner is party worthy, but their OMG Birthday Bowls really take the cake (pun intended). Ice cream, waffles, candy, cupcakes, and a piece of cake, all delivered to your table with an energetic chorus of Happy Birthday and a flaming candle. This treat is one that will certainly be remembered for years to come. 

2. Sugar Factory - Ledyard 

Holy sugar overload! The Sugar Factory in Foxwoods certainly lives up to its name and offers tons of sweet treats for any size of celebration! Make sure you tell your host that you are there to celebrate a birthday! The entire waitstaff gets in on the fun with a song, dance, and flashing lights! It’s a ton of fun! 

3. East Side Restaurant – New Britain 

“Ticky Tocky, Ticky Tocky, Hoy Hoy Hoy!” Everyday is Oktoberfest at this German-themed restaurant. Another one of our favorite theme restaurants, this spot is also the perfect place to celebrate another trip around the sun with your friends and families. Sing along with the live accordion music and enjoy a kids’ menu that combines both German and American favorites. 

 
Make a wish and blow out the, uh, flaming onion volcano... Photo courtesy of Sakura Hibachi

4. Sakura Hibachi -Westport 

With its giant tables, kid-friendly menus, and flaming onion volcanos, hibachi is a popular pick for a birthday dinner. One of my family favorites is Sakura. In addition to their full service hibachi room, you can sit in one of their Tatami rooms for a full Japanese experience. To make it a real party, they will put a candle in any dessert you order from the menu  or you can bring your favorite from home for them to plate and serve, 

5. O'Neill's Irish Pub & Restaurant - Norwalk 

Any restaurant can put a candle in a piece of cake and call it a party, but only Norwalk’s O’Neill’s has a birthday wheel! After your meal, the birthday kid gets to spin the wheel and win a prize! You could win a scoop of ice cream, a t-shirt, a hat, a beanie, or your picture on Instagram. 

 
Some of the best fun restaurants in CT have whimsical, festive decor. Rooftop patio photo courtesy of Cava 

6. Cava- Southington 

When you want to leave the party decorations to the professionals there is no better spot in Connecticut up to the task than Cava. As far as interior decor goes, this spot is the best of the best! Although best known for its over-the-top holiday displays, Cava is decorated year round- including its rooftop patio! Best yet, the birthday kid gets to pick a treat from the full dessert tray to be delivered to your table with a candle. 

7. The Place 2 Be – New Haven, Hartford, West Hartford 

When your big kids need a party too, there is no better place in town than the Place 2 Be. Yes, this place has an adult vibe, but plenty of teen-friendly options are on the menu. We're talking stacks of Fruity Pebble French toast, Cookies n Cream Oreo Pancakes, and tons of mocktails! Our favorite is the Drink My Bathwater - but, any of their adult beverages and milkshakes can be served as a mocktail. 

8. Don Carmelo’s Mexican Grill - Norwalk 

Mexican food is always a crowd-pleaser! Don Carmelo’s menu is stacked with tacos, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, and a kids’ menu filled with popular favorites. Best yet, the birthday kid gets a FREE dessert with a meal. And, if that’s not enough the waitstaff will sing happy birthday, and give the birthday kid a sombrero to take home!