Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Houston for Fun Birthday Celebrations

 
The chocolate piñata is the perfect way to end a birthday meal. Photo courtesy of Uncle Julio's

1. Uncle Julio's - Katy and Spring

This delightful Tex-Mex restaurant is known for its vibrant atmosphere, tasty food, and, most importantly, its famed chocolate piñata. That's right. Chocolate piñata. Talk about a birthday to remember! This dark chocolate orb is filled with freshly baked churros and fresh fruit and features sweet dipping sauces on the side. Let the birthday child take a whack at it with the little mallet and make sure you have that camera rolling when they bust into the goodies for a super-sweet birthday treat they're not likely to forget. It's so fun, it might just be a new family tradition. 

2. Benihana - Downtown and Westchase

When it comes to Benihana, you can expect top-notch food, highly trained teppanyaki chefs, quality service, and an incredible performance. Hibachi options abound, even on the kids meals, so prepare to feel the heat from the flames and the thrill of the show when you visit for a birthday dinner. Birthday or not, kiddos get a scoop of ice cream for dessert when they order off the kids' menu, and they'll get to don the iconic red paper hat to commemorate the experience. 

 
The Aquarium is part amusement park and part restaurant. Photo courtesy of the Aquarium Restaurant in Downtown Houston

3. Aquarium Restaurant - Downtown and Kemah

Whether you're going for a small family celebration or hosting a birthday party, the Aquarium is a must-visit Houston restaurant and attraction. Eat your delicious meal while you watch the fish swim, and when you're finished, either hop over to the Ferris wheel or carousel (Downtown) or explore the exhibits. If you visit the Kemah location, spend some time on the Boardwalk and its rides or opt for the Stingray Reef experience with up-close stingray encounters.

 
Have a fancy tea party with a special dessert. Photo courtesy of Proper Rose Garden

4. Proper Rose Garden - Katy  

Is your birthday baby a fan of fancy tea parties or, you know, frozen custard in soft cones shaped like dragons? This European-Asian fusion eatery is the perfect place to stop and enjoy a spot of tea with pastries and cake or indulge in some tasty sandwiches, fish and chips, and more. Before you leave, grab a sweet Dragonyaki ice cream for a one-of-a-kind birthday treat that's sure to leave an impression. 

5. The Melting Pot - Galleria 

For an interactive dining experience the whole family will enjoy, pay a visit to Houston's favorite fondue restaurant, The Melting Pot, for an upscale, fun meal that will keep you coming back year after year. Start off with a pot of melty, artisan cheese for dipping bread and veggies, then pick your broth to cook your own meats, and finish the festivities off with a basin of melty chocolate that's accompanied by fresh fruit, cheesecake squares, rice cereal treats, and more - it's a personal favorite for my family. 

6. Texas Roadhouse - Multiple locations

If the warm rolls and cinnamon butter weren't enough to draw you in, let the hand-cut steaks, ice-cold drinks, and sides made from scratch do the rest of the talking at this popular Texas chain. Let your server know you're celebrating and get ready for a darn tootin' good time as they bring out a saddle for the birthday buckaroo to sit on and get the whole restaurant to join in on a big ol' YEE-HAW. Between courses, kiddos can even select their favorite songs on the jukebox. 

7. Clay's Restaurant - Katy 

Serving up comfort food and a welcoming atmosphere, this kid-friendly joint features a green space and multiple buildings that come together to look like a Wild West scene. Clay's has an ample kids menu as well as desserts galore, but the real perk is the attractions. Fill your bellies and let your child celebrate their special day playing in the sand box; and make sure to come prepared with a pocketful of quarters so you can pay a visit to Pony Rail and let your little ones take a spin on an assortment of old-school coin-operated rides. 

8. Rainforest Cafe - Galveston and Katy

Let your kiddo celebrate on the wild side at the iconic Rainforest Cafe, where nature comes to life over a fun brunch of Python Pasta, Gorilla Grilled Cheese, Castaway Pizza, and other foods with on-theme names. You can enjoy a family meal or set up a Wild Bunch Birthday Bash, which includes food, coloring activities, a Wild Safari Hat, collectible kids plate, and invitations (for parties of 10+).  

9. Barnaby's Cafe - Multiple locations

A favorite among Houstonians, Barnaby's is the perfect kid-friendly restaurant for a birthday meal. When it comes to a birthday celebration, it's all about the five-layer Rainbow Cake! This bright dessert is smeared with a heavenly white icing that pops against the colorful layers for a wow-worthy treat. Let the staff know you're celebrating and they'll undoubtably go out of their way to make it extra special. 

10. Los Cucos - Multiple locations

Feliz cumpleanos! Set out for some authentic Mexican food and a photo-worthy celebration when you take your kid to Los Cucos for their birthday meal. It's hard to go wrong with chips and queso, but they certainly go right when it comes to making sure the guest of honor is the center of attention. Let the staff know you're celebrating and, before you know it, your child will be serenaded in Spanish while wearing a sombrero and smiling through a dollop of whipped cream on their nose from their complimentary dessert.

11. Little Matt's - West University

This amazing Houston restaurant is known as being "for kids and families" specifically. A visit to Little Matt's is an experience worthy of a birthday in itself with its arcade, iPad wall, candy shop, icee bar, and classic American eats. But what really takes the cake is that this nonprofit restaurant donates proceeds to the families battling cancer at Texas Children's Hospital. 

 
The birthday kid always gets a lot of attention at Joe's. Photo courtesy of Joe's Crab Shack

12. Joe's Crab Shack - Kemah

A classic birthday spot for seafood lovers, Joe's Crab Shack dishes out buckets of crab followed by tasty sweets like key lime pie and apple crumble. Clue the waitstaff in that you're celebrating a birthday and they'll make sure to put the birthday child in the spotlight. You never quite know what to expect - one year you may enjoy the happy birthday song and the next you may be dressed up with to go boxes and napkins and asked to flap around the restaurant - either way, it's a whale of a time for a kiddo who doesn't mind the attention!

13. Lake House at Discovery Green - Downtown

Whether you're grabbing lunch for a picnic in the park after a birthday playground session or enjoying the views of Kinder Lake from the restaurant's deck, this Houston eatery in the heart of Downtown's Discovery Green makes an excellent birthday spot. Enjoy a lakeside burger, taco, salad, or hot dog at this fast-casual restaurant and then wrap up the celebratory fun with a kayak ride across the lake or races at the Model Boat Basin.