Where to Eat with Kids? Family Friendly Restaurants in Whistler
Whistler is a great place to bring the kids: there’s endless outdoor adventure, a pedestrian-friendly village and tons of rainy day activities. But after any big day of family adventure, it can be a struggle to find somewhere to eat that keeps everyone happy. Luckily, there are more than enough family friendly restaurants in Whistler to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Where to Bring the Kids for Dinner?
Whistler is a foodie’s paradise, and you can find some great deals on great food around here. But before you commit to a restaurant with all the kids in tow, you want to know everyone is going to leave happy. So here’s five restaurants that have Forged seal of approval, guaranteed to please the whole family.
- Whistler Brewhouse
The Brewhouse is one of the most popular spots in town, located right next to the bustling Olympic Plaza. And it’s easy to see why. The menu is huge, serving barbeque and rotisserie options, as well as pizza, pasta and pub-style dishes. And the kids menu is just as good. The location is killer as well, just by the great outdoor playground in Olympic Plaza in summer, and the makeshift sledding area in winter. It’s easy to keep the kids entertained on the sun-soaked patio while the grown-ups taste one or two of the delicious craft beers on the Brewhouse menu.
Peaked Pies is destination No. 1. Big meals, good prices.
- Peaked Pies
For a quick but delicious, warming family meal, pop down to Peaked Pies on Main Street. The owners had the great idea to provide all our resident Aussie’s with a taste of home. And the Aussie-style meat pies never disappoint. Plus, they have plenty of veggie and vegan options too. For the boys who just never seem to get full, order their pies “peaked” – with creamy, rich mashed potato and mushy peas. Or pick up some frozen, handmade pies to take home and warm up later.
- El Furniture Warehouse
An eternal favourite with families visiting Whistler, El Furniture Warehouse serves up tasty meals and friendly service from a wide-ranging menu. And every plate is just $5.95, which makes it friendly on the wallet too. The kids will love the Warehouse Crispy Mac and Cheese, or the Maple Bacon Potato Skins. Finish up with a sweet treat and grab a plate of mini donuts to share with the whole family.
- Sushi Village
Sushi is a must-have meal in Whistler, and there are loads of options to choose from. You can’t go wrong with any of them, but for a family-friendly dinner we’d recommend Sushi Village. The atmosphere is casual and buzzing, and the kids will love taking their shoes off and sitting in the Japanese-style booth seats. Sushi Village offers more than just sushi, and even the fussiest eaters go mad for the chicken karaage or the much-love KFC roll (a deep fried chicken and avocado sushi roll).
- Old Spaghetti Factory
Kid-friendly and wallet-friendly, the Old Spaghetti Factory is one of the most popular family restaurants in town. Big enough to accommodate even the largest family reunion, the Spaghetti Factory is the perfect place to head after a long day of mountain adventure. Pretty much everything on the menu comes with a starter and dessert included. Everyone is guaranteed to leave satisfied and full-to-the-bursting, ready for another long day playing in the sun.
Pizza, Pizza, Pizza – The Perfect Family Meal
Pizza the way Italy would have wanted
Pizza is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and luckily in Whistler you’ll be spoilt for choice. Whether you’re grabbing a quick slice before heading up the mountain, and looking for a family friendly restaurant for an evening meal, Whistler has you covered.
- Creekbread
A real locals favourite and Whistler institution, Creekbread is sure to be a winner for a family dinner. Their oven-baked pizzas are all-natural and organic, so you know you’re filling everyone up with the good stuff. There’s plenty of unique and classic toppings available, or you can build your own in nothing floats your boat.
- Gnarly Roots
For a quick bite, Gnarly Roots is one of our favourite pizza places in town. Down in the Olympic Plaza, it’s the perfect spot for lunch while the kids are enjoying playing out in the sunshine. Pizza is sold by the slice, so you can keep everyone happy. And if one of you is looking for something different, they also offer delicious soups, salads and wraps.
- Pizzeria Antico
Another family friendly restaurant offering delicious wood-fired pizza, Pizzeria Antico is a great spot for an early family dinner. In the summer they have a great sun-soaked patio that’s closed off to the road, so kids can run around to their heart’s content. And if you visit between 3pm and 5pm every day, Margarita pizzas are half price, which has to be one of the best deals in town.
Whistler’s Most Mouth-Watering Sweet Treats
If we know one thing for certain: kids love a sweet treat
No family vacation in Whistler would be complete without treating the kids (and yourselves) to some tasty goodies. There’s no shortage of sugar-laden delights to be found in Whistler – in fact, the kids won’t believe their luck. And maybe they’ll behave a little better when they know some of these treats are at stake!
- Cow’s Ice Cream
Cow’s is an ice cream joint that’s been known to have queues out there door! Such is it’s reputation for the creamiest, richest ice cream and punniest flavours (Moo York Cheesecake, anyone)?! The kids eyes might pop out of their heads when they see the array of flavours on offer, and they’ll love posing with the giant cow that lives outside!
- Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Another sweet spot with a reputation that precedes it, the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is a kids idea of apres-ski heaven. Located just at the bottom of the Whistler gondola, they sell their handmade ice-cream as well as an outrageous selection of sugary, delicious goodness. You can watch them making their enormous blocks of fudge in store, or grab a candy apple the size of your head that will keep the kids entertained for hours.
- The Great Glass Elevator
Any kid who has ever read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will think they’re in heaven in The Great Glass Elevator. They’ll be stunned into silence for a second by the bright colours and wall to wall candy displays. And then they might be bouncing off the walls for hours afterwards – but they are on vacation, after all! This is also a great spot to get your hands on candy and sweets from around the world. It’s where the resident Aussies and Brits head when they need a sugar-rush and a taste of home.
- Purebread
A local bakery that’s grown to have five stores between Whistler and Vancouver, Purebread have earned their reputation as the best bakers in town. Step into their cafes in Function Junction and Olympic Plaza, and take your time to choose the perfect treat from their huge selection. Everything is baked in house using great ingredients, and everything is delicious.
Build Up an Appetite: The Best Playgrounds in Whistler
Find a playground near your accommodation
After that sugar-high, it’s time for the kids to run off some steam. Of course, the parks and the lakes of Whistler are always a great option. And a day skiing or biking on the mountain is sure to tire even the most excitable, sugar-infused child. But there are some other great spots you may not think of that the kids will love.
- Olympic Plaza
One of the best things about having a totally pedestrianized village is that the kids can run wild and you’ll know they’re safe. And Olympic Plaza is one of the best spots for a run-around. In summer there’s a fantastic play area with swings, slides and climbing areas. And in the winter, there’s a super cool sledding hill constructed in the middle of the plaza that’s free to use and provides endless entertainment.
- Meadow Park Waterpark
Venture outside of the village and discover this historic Whistler play area. The water park at Meadow Park is the best option for a cool-down on those long, hot summer days. The water slide and water cannon will be a big hit with the little ones. And the adults can enjoy lounging by the banks of the River of Golden Dreams and taking in the panoramic views of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Meadow Park is just a few minutes north of Whistler village, on the way to Alpine Meadows.
- Family Adventure Zone
In the summer months, you could easily while away a whole day playing in the Family Adventure Zone. At the base of Blackcomb mountain, the Adventure Zone pops up with loads of crazy games for kids big and little. There’s go karts, trampolines, bouncy castles and even a giant airbag jump! There’s also a great crazy golf course for the competitive families out there. The kids will be sure to have a day to remember, and tire themselves out long before bedtime.
Feeding the Kids? Whistler Has You Covered
Feeding the whole family can be one of the most stressful parts of the holiday. But in Whistler the options are countless, and everywhere you go you’ll find friendly service and mouth-watering meals. Restaurants here have years of practice catering to hungry, adventurous kids, and we know what it takes to make a great family dining experience. There’s far more to explore than we’ve covered here, so let us know your favourite family-friendly restaurants in Whistler.