Family mealtimes provide great opportunities for fun bonding experiences, especially when you got out as a group to enjoy a favorite restaurant. But if you’re planning a family outing and don’t know where to look, what should be fun can easily transform into tons of stress.

That’s where Crème de la Crème of Lone Tree, CO comes in. We’ve put together this list of amazing restaurants that you just have to check out with your family. Not only do these restaurants offer tasty menu options, but they’re also super easy to get to from Centennial. Get inspired for a meal out with this list of local restaurants.

Doug Day’s Diner

“Homemade cheeseburger” free to use under the Unsplash License by @rabbit_in_blue

If you’re searching for a classic American diner experience, you’re in luck. Doug Day’s Diner is a small Colorado chain, and they have a location right here in Centennial. Everything on the menu here is homemade from scratch, so you can look forward to some of the most delicious soups, fries, biscuits, potato chips, and more. Established in 2010, this diner strives to create a place away from home that lets you feel at home, and it’s the perfect spot to go for a bite to eat with the whole family.

Doug Day’s Diner makes finding a meal to please the kiddos incredibly easy. Their dedicated kids menu features breakfast favorites like cheese omelets and kid-friendly hot cakes (think: blueberry and chocolate flavors!) alongside lunch fare like chicken fingers, peanut butter and homemade jam sandwiches, and mac-n-cheese. In other words, no matter what the kids are craving, you’re sure to find the ideal meal to treat them here.

Of course, this popular dinner offers plenty for adults to love, too. Whether you’re in the mood for huevos rancheros,  breakfast or lunch burritos, or a hearty burger or sandwich, you’ll find all that and more at Doug’s Day Diner. We think their local, fresh, and delicious meals will have your family coming back for more!

Cranelli’s Italian Restaurant

Make the short drive over to Lone Tree when you’re dreaming of an Italian getaway. Even if you can’t jet off to Italy right now, Cranelli’s Italian Restaurant delivers rustic simplicity in the form of delicious meals. That translates to quality ingredients sourced to deliver pure flavor and made-from-scratch goodness the whole family can enjoy. The pair behind the restaurant build their commitment to family values and delicious food into everything they do, so it’s no wonder that Cranelli’s has become a neighborhood favorite.

Whether you come here for lunch or dinner, you’ll have plenty of menu options to keep your hungry family happy. Start the meal off with an appetizer like garlic knots or arancini (fried risotto balls stuffed with cheese and other ingredients) for the whole table to share before diving into your meal of choice.

An extensive array of pasta dishes is just the start. You can also indulge in sandwiches complete with ingredients like meatballs, salami, or eggplant, or go for build-your-own stromboli, calzones, or thin-crust pizza. The restaurant also takes the guesswork out of mealtime by offering a small kids menu, complete with a scoop of ice cream to round out the meal. You’ll want to leave room for dessert, too — with Italian classics like panna cotta and affogato on the menu, no family meal out is complete without a sweet addition.

Zig Zag Burger

Greenwood Village is home to Zig Zag Burger, a family-owned restaurant you’ll love to visit with your own family. If you’re in the mood for burgers or meatballs, this fun and modern restaurant is the place to go. Kids are sure to love putting together unique meals from the “House Balls” section of the menu, which lets you choose from beef, pork, or shrimp meatballs before mixing and matching with various sauces, toppers, and more.

You can also go for an assortment of burger options, or try one of the many sandwiches available here. You don’t have to cross Zig Zag Burger off your list of places to try if you’re seeking out a vegetarian-friendly night out with the family, either. This restaurant offers vegetarian options such as the avocado toast or five grilled cheese sandwiches, not to mention a charred Brussels sprouts appetizer perfect for dipping in the accompanying remoulade sauce and various unique salads. All in all, there’s something for everyone here.

Tocabe

With two locations, one in Greenwood Village and one in Denver, Tocabe should be a must-visit spot on your family’s list. The restaurant got its start in 2008, and it’s currently the only American Indian owned and operated restaurant in the metro Denver area. Tocabe specializes in Native and Indigenous cuisine, all served in a warm, inviting open space that draws on connections to American Indian culture.

The restaurant takes care to source high-quality ingredients from like-minded people, building partnerships with Native and Indigenous producers and other local vendors. That means you can look forward to food that not only tastes delicious, but also tells a story.

So, what can you expect when you visit Tocabe? First, you’ll pick your base of either a plate or posu bowl. Then, you pick a protein, which can be anything from grilled chicken to braised shredded bison to vegan beans and more. Add toppings like sweet corn, seeds, and chiles, then finish things off with a vinegarette, salsa, or sour cream and ancho chipotle. Tocabe also offers a small Indian Taco kids meal (complete with beef, chicken, ground bison, shredded bison, or vegetarian toppings) to make eating here with your family even easier.

That wraps up Crème de la Crème of Lone Tree’s list of amazing and really close restaurants to check out with your family. We hope you’re feeling inspired to try some new flavors or stop by a longtime favorite. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or looking for a fun just-because meal out, you can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants on this list. Did we miss your family’s go-to spot? Drop us a line so we can add it to our list!