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The Pop Shop hosts themed events where you can celebrate with your favorite characters.

Best Restaurants for Birthday Dinner in NJ

1. The Pop Shop – Collingswood

This brightly colored restaurant has themed events every day. "Wacky Wednesdays" include free balloon twisting with dinner, and "Fairy Tale Fridays" includes visits from favorite characters like Rapunzel, Super Mario, and Elmo. The children’s menu features kid palate pleasers like PB&J, pasta with butter, chicken fingers, and turkey and cheese, all served with a choice of fries, tots, applesauce, or peas and carrots as a side. Order a signature “Happy Birthday to You” sundae with a sparkler on top to make the birthday child feel extra special. Be sure to call ahead and let them know you’re coming in for a birthday, and they will place balloons at your table.

2. Choo Choo Train Sushi – Leonia

All aboard for a memorable birthday meal! Kids will be excited as soon as they lay eyes on the exterior train design of this restaurant. If you sit at the sushi counter, a model train on a track will deliver your food. If your birthday child isn’t a sushi fan, they can order empanadas, chicken nuggets, teriyaki wings, or a hamburger from the kids’ menu. The staff will add a candle to your child’s ice cream and sing "Happy Birthday" upon request.

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Kids get special treatment on their birthdays at the Blue Moon Mexican Cafe. 

3. Blue Moon Mexican Cafe – Wyckoff and Englewood

This restaurant offers Mexican food that parents will love and a separate kids’ menu for any picky eaters featuring classics like grilled cheese, hot dogs, mac and cheese, pizza, and more. The staff will place a sombrero on your child’s head and sing "Happy Birthday" when they find out it is a special occasion. Your kiddo will leave with a smile, and you will leave with a super cute photo op.

4. Shut Up and Eat – Toms River

They only serve breakfast and lunch here, but it is worth it to come for an earlier birthday meal. The pajama-clad waitstaff is sure to make the birthday child feel special. They will sing and place a candle in either your child’s meal or dessert. It is your choice, but pancakes with a birthday candle on top are super fun! Customers are also welcome to bring in their own cake, and the staff will serve it to your table with candles.

5. Mama’s & Cafe Baci – Hackettstown

Offering dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian menus, this Italian restaurant is a great choice for children (and parents!) with special diets. The simple kids’ menu includes spaghetti, penne, meatballs, chicken, pizza, and mozzarella sticks. The staff will sing Happy Birthday to your child and place a candle in either a dessert you ordered or a cake you brought in.

6. Chit Chat Diner – West Orange and Hackensack

The festive interior of this diner makes it a fun destination for a birthday celebration. The children’s menu choices come with a free fruit salad, Jello, or ice cream. The birthday child can also pick a slice of cake from the many options available, and the staff will add a candle and sing "Happy Birthday."

RELATED: 10 Best Kid-Friendly Coffee Shops in New Jersey

Birthday celebrants choose a free dessert on their special day at Winberie’s. 

7. Winberie’s – Princeton and Summit

Located across from Princeton University and inside a historic opera house in Summit, both locations offer casual American fare. The kids’ menu varies slightly at each location but includes staples like pizza, cheeseburgers, and mac and cheese. The waitstaff doesn’t sing, but the birthday child can choose a free dessert that will arrive with a candle.

8. Duffer's – Wildwood

For a true celebration, check out this seasonal, family-friendly spot that opens at the end of May. Known for its homemade ice cream, the Clown sundae is sure to be a hit with the birthday child. Duffer's also serves a full dinner menu including classic kiddie food and slushies with a crazy straw. For the icing on the cake, there is an 18-hole miniature golf course and an arcade on the premises for the family to enjoy.

RELATED: New Jersey Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free

Bring your birthday kid to Rosalita’s Roadside Cantina on Wednesdays for a free meal. 

9. Rosalita’s Roadside Cantina – Englishtown and Brick

Kids eat free every Wednesday night with the purchase of an adult meal. Family fun on Wednesdays includes visits from costume characters and free face painting. Parents will enjoy the Tex-Mex menu, and there are chicken fingers, burgers, and fries for little ones who don’t want a quesadilla or taco. The staff will gladly sing and add a candle to the birthday child’s dessert.

10. Clinton Station Diner – Clinton

There is a blue train car attached to the side of this diner! Snag one of the tables inside the railway car for a truly unique birthday dinner. The big diner menu is sure to have something that everyone will eat, including many dessert options. Let your waiter know there is a birthday at your table, and they will light a candle and sing "Happy Birthday."

Photos courtesy of the restaurants