Au Bon Pain
300 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210, Phone: 617-542-0412, Hours: Mon-Fri 6 am-6 pm Sat/Sun 8 am-6 pm

Au Bon Pain is the easiest option for sure, since it’s part of the Children’s museum and set up just for kids. Eat your lunch in the toddler-friendly cafeteria or sit outside at the waterfront tables in nice weather (just mind the seagulls.) A great selection of kid- friendly options is served with sliced apples, baby carrots or chips. They do a nice job of offering healthy snack options in their nutrition kiosk as well.

Kristin’s Favorite: Soup in a bread bowl with a side of fresh fruit

Flour
12 Farnsworth St., Boston, MA 02210, Phone: 617-338-4333, Hours: Mon-Fri 7 am-8 pm; Sat 8 am-6 pm; Sun 9 am-5 pm

Located right down the road and to the left of the BCM, everything at Flour bakery is prepared in-house by their professional kitchen staff. You will not leave disappointed. Kids will love the creamy peanut butter & raspberry jam on gourmet bread while parents can choose from sandwiches that boast unique, healthy ingredients. Save room for dessert, they are well known for their mouth-watering treats. Highchairs available.

Kristin’s Favorite: Grilled roasted chicken, brie, arugula, roasted red peppers and caramelized onion sandwich

Metro Cafe
332 Congress Street #1, Boston, MA 02210, Phone: 617-399-2001, Hours: M-F 6 am-8 pm

While the Metro Cafe is not a sit-down restaurant, it offers excellent lunch and snack selections for on-the-go families. The made-to-order deli sandwiches are a great choice for picky eaters. They have a full salad bar and lots of drink options. They also feature a healthy dose (pun intended) of cut up veggies and dip, hummus and pretzels, and fruit in perfectly size containers for eating on the run or a waterfront picnic.

Kristin’s Favorite: Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad

Legal Seafood Harborside - 1st Floor
270 Northern Avenue, Liberty Wharf, Boston, MA 02210, Phone: 617-477-2900, Hours: Sun - Thurs 11 am-10 pm, Fri - Sat 11 am-11 pm

A hop, skip, and a jump down from the Children’s Museum, (okay, more like a 20 minute walk down Northern Avenue, but totally worth it), Legal Harborside offers a beautiful view and fine dining all while staying true to the term “kid-friendly.” Sit on the first floor and watch the fish swim in the pond or try to score a harbor side seat to watch the boaters on a sunny day. Crayons are offered to younger kids to decorate the construction paper table cover; older kids will have fun watching the oyster shuckers or staring into the lobster tanks. Say hi to the first floor manager, Justin, he has two kids of his own and loves families!

Kristin’s Favorite: Steamers to start, Hot Dog and Stuffed Quahog

TIPS FOR PARENTS

- The area around the Children’s Museum (Fort Point, or more recently named Innovation District) is very much up and coming. Adult restaurants Tavern Road and The Blue Dragon just opened their doors and have received excellent reviews. Look for a new restaurant, Pastoral, coming this Summer.

- The Bee’s Knee’s supply company opened two weeks ago next to Flour bakery. I got lost in here admiring all of the interesting produce, antique sitting areas, gourmet treats, and extravagant wine and beers. Definitely worth a stop in!

- The garage across from the Bee’s Knee’s supply company and Flour Bakery is the only parking garage that validates for the Boston Children’s Museum. Don’t make the mistake of parking in the open lot across from the museum -  it will cost you!