Whether your family is out running errands or your pantry is empty, you deserve a break from kitchen duty today. You’re in luck. Finding a family-friendly restaurant near home is easy with our guide. Here are six acclaimed restaurants around The Woodlands that will welcome even your pickiest eater with open arms.

The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub

Family sitting down for dinner at Houston, TX restaurant.
Image via Flickr by Tetra Pak Licensed CC BY-SA 2.0

The Woodlands is a great place to live because we have some of Texas’s best family-friendly restaurants, like The Goose’s Acre Bistro and Irish Pub. The original Goose’s Acre stood on Main Street in County Cork, Ireland. While visiting family, Brian Young and Colm O’Neill purchased the contents of the authentic European pub from its previous owner and shipped it across the Atlantic Ocean. Now, it’s the only restaurant of its kind anywhere in The Woodlands.

Discover the romance and history of years past at this cozy, laid-back eatery. Owners Young and O’Neill serve upscale Irish and American fare. On your next visit, fill up on delicious comfort foods, like The Goose’s legendary shepherd’s pie. You’ll also appreciate its $5 kids menu. It features all of their favorites, from pepperoni pizza to chicken tenders with fries and ranch sauce for dipping, plus your children 12 and under eat free every Sunday.

Have a seat on its welcoming patio. It offers a fantastic view, and what’s better than eating outdoors when you have fussy toddlers in tow? Make The Goose’s Acres your family’s new favorite restaurant. Find it on Waterway Avenue. It’s open Monday through Wednesday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to midnight, Thursday through Saturday until 2:00 a.m.

Bellagreen

Just because you have kids along doesn’t mean you have to settle for fast food. Bellagreen on Research Forest Drive serves up wholesome dishes you’d make at home if you had time, like the kid’s burger. It’s an all-natural patty made from locally sourced beef. If your kids prefer cheese pizza, don’t worry. This scratch kitchen makes its dough in-house, with organic flour imported from Italy.

Since Bellagreen makes everything on its menu fresh to order, feel free to ask the chef to modify your dish based on your family’s dietary needs and preferences. Try one of the seasonal specials if you’re not sure what you’re hungry for, or dive into one of its staples, like the Brick Chicken. It’s a large piece of marinated chicken sauteed for extra crispiness and served with chipotle mashed sweet potatoes and a side of roasted vegetables. The Woodland’s location also serves brunch between 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Lama Mediterranean Cuisine

Enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal at Lama Mediterranean Cuisine. This family-owned restaurant welcomes you and your little ones to its location on Research Forest Drive. You can have a seat on the charming outdoor patio or sit inside the casual dining room.

For more than two decades, the chefs here have served delicious authentic Mediterranean, Lebanese, Greek, and Persian cuisine made from traditional recipes handed down over generations. You’ll love generous portions full of fresh vegetables, fragrant herbs, spices, olive oil, seafood, beans, and nuts that make up this potentially heart-healthy diet plan that many doctors recommend.

Start your meal with an appetizer, such as hummus or grape leaves stuffed with seasoned rice. You can try one of the salads with toppings like feta cheese and black olives or order a rejuvenating spicy yogurt, cucumber, and mint salad. Browse the menu for savory entrees like a classic gyro platter or the grilled chicken kabob. 

The kids will love their own section of the menu, with favorites like chicken tenders or the age-appropriate portions you’ll find on the kid’s gyros plate. Lama’s staff also offers hearty, build-your-own family platters that serve between three and 10 people. Remember to save room for dessert like its famous nut-filled baklava.

B52 Brewing

You don’t have to sacrifice your style to enjoy a good meal with your family. There are many things that make B52 Brewing a great place to take your hungry kiddos, starting with its location. This rustic seating with an outdoor beer garden and yard games is ideal for parents with activity children. While you sip a pint of your favorite brew, they can race around under the shaded woods.

Spread out your feast from one of the food trucks on the picnic tables. B52 Brewing’s online calendar lets you know which vendor is onsite from a rotating list of tasty options, like Kajun Asian on Wheels, Gotta Roll, and Rollin Wingz. There is root beer and lemonade for the kids and plenty of food for them.

The Olive Oil Restaurant

Take a family on a culinary trip to the Greek Islands courtesy of The Olive Oil Restaurant. It’s one of the best family-friendly restaurants near home, not only because of its authentic cuisines but also because of the show. Live Greek musicians and belly dancers entertain you while you dine.

Start your ethnic culinary journey with an appetizer like pita bread with hummus dip or rice-stuffed grape leaves. The fried eggplant with a tangy yogurt sauce also tops our list of favorites here. If you’re looking for a light lunch, check out their website for rotating specials or try a cup of mouthwatering spicy bean soup. The Olive Oil also has refreshing salads like the one made with spinach, walnuts, and raspberries.

For a family-friendly dinner, try savory Greek specialties like a gyro sandwich or cabbage rolls stuffed with meat, vegetables, rice, and flavorful spices. Your children will like the coconut shrimp and sweet potato fries. Share dessert with the whole family like the custard Galaktoboureko. Stop by The Olive Oil Restaurant on Sawdust Road weekdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m.

So, there you have it. Crème de la Crème of The Woodlands shared this guide to family-friendly restaurants with you. What do you think of the places we picked? Let us know if we missed your family’s favorite place to eat near home. Send us a note so we can add your ideas to our next guide. Other Texas parents want to know your secrets!