Dining out can be tricky when you have little ones in tow, but don’t fret. You don’t have to settle for the drive-through when you’re hungry on the go. Use our guide to find the best family-friendly restaurants around South Barrington, Illinois.

Eggology Cafe

A skillet of scrambbled eggs and green onions in a cast iron pan in South Barrington, IL

Scrambled Eggs with Green Onions on Black Skillet Pan by Shameel mukkath is licensed with Pexels

Eggology is the place to go for breakfast or lunch in South Barrington. This family-friendly restaurant features an elevated chef-driven menu, a coffee bar, and fun, bubbly drinks for brunch. Get everything from omelets and egg dishes to pancakes and waffles. The kids will love the Curious George dish. It’s French toast made from a slice of chocolate banana bread and topped with whipped cream. We love the Farmer’s Market skillet bowl. It’s a hearty combination of sauteed veggies, melted goat cheese, and scrambled eggs.

For lunch, there are sandwiches and salads, as well as a couple of entrees you can eat with a fork, like the braised English short ribs. You’ll find classics like the Cubano with fries and some uncommon delights like the Santa Maria. This sandwich is loaded with a mouthwatering layer of thinly sliced Angus tri-tip drizzled with bearnaise sauce. There’s even an outdoor seating area where you can soak up some sun with your meal.

  • Location: the South Barrington Arboretum at 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington
  • Hours: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily

Pinstripes

Pinstripes in South Barrington combines made-from-scratch, Italian-inspired cuisine with the excitement of bowling and bocce. Its menu features dishes made with quality, locally sourced ingredients, including a vegan section. Stop by on the weekends and get a yummy brunch for the whole family. Saturdays feature signature a la carte entrees like Prosciutto Eggs Benedict, while Sundays offer a fantastic buffet with signature waffles, omelet stations, and more. 

You’ll also want to visit Pinstripes for dinner. Gather with your kids for a night of entertainment with bowling and bocce. Lace-up your shoes and enjoy these classic American pastimes. There’s plush game-side seating and delicious food and beverage service, including kid-friendly options like pizzas straight out of a wood-burning oven. Bowling lanes accommodate eight, while bocce courts offer room for up to 10 people, so invite some friends and make it a party.

  • Location: 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington
  • Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11: 30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday

MAGO Grill & Cantina

Spice up your night with dinner at MAGO Grill & Cantina. Award-winning chefs Juan Luis Gonzalez and Ric Munoz filled its menu with authentic Latin Mexican dishes made from old family recipes. We recommend one of MAGO’s signature dishes featuring uniquely prepared steak, chicken, pork, and seafood, just like Grandma Paula made in Mexico. 

Bring the kids and have a fiesta with a family-style meal, like the Blanco, for up to six. It comes with everything you need to satisfy hungry tummies, like an appetizer or salad, rice, black beans, dessert, and a choice of two main dishes. We recommend the shredded chicken enchiladas called Tinga de Pollo and the steak fajitas with caramelized onions, tomatoes, and green and red peppers.

  • Location: 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington
  • Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday between 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Dawg Park Gourmet Grill

Tell your kids they’re going to the Dawg Park for dinner, and watch their faces light up. Even parents enjoy eating this distinctive gourmet grill’s delicious comfort food with a canine theme. Its “pawsome” appetizers include all the fried staples, from mozzarella sticks to onion rings. While there are a few salads on the menu, we recommend getting slobbery with one of their famous Chicago-style hot dogs. It’s a polish sausage topped with sport peppers, tomato slices, onions, relish, mustard, celery salt, and a pickle.

The Dawg Park’s Barking Burgers aren’t bad, either. Everything from the classic version to the Crazy Curry with spicy sauce sits on a Brioche bun. You can also order other sammies, like the barbequed pulled pork or a chicken breast smothered with teriyaki and ranch. For your “puppies,” there are mini bagel dogs, chicken nuggets, fries, and Dawgy Dog ice cream or a Crazy Cookie shake for dessert. 

  • Location:  1839 Tower Drive in Glenview
  • Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday and Monday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Frank’s Chicago Shrimp House

Next time you’re craving something from the sea, head to Frank’s Chicago Shrimp House. This casual eatery offers fried seafood from catfish strips, ocean perch, and their specialty: giant, wild-caught Gulf shrimp. Seafood tastes the best when harvested fresh from the water, and Frank’s high standards show in the flavor.

Frank’s is also the place to get kid-friendly goodies like real frog legs, crispy onion rings, and the city’s best hush puppies. You can get your favorites by the pound and take them home for the family. We recommend 3 pounds of Chicago Shrimp. You’ll love the savory seasoning the chefs use to flavor them.

  • Location: 3071 N. Barrington Road, Hoffman Estates
  • Hours: Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.

Apple Villa Cafe – Catering

Apple Villa is an Americana-style cafe with some of the most delicious offerings. Stop by first thing and get a serving of oven-baked pancakes, crepes, or omelets made from locally-farmed, cage-free eggs. It’s the perfect way for everyone in the family to fuel a weekend adventure at an awesome South Barrington park. If you’re running late, head over for lunch. Apple Villa Cafe – Catering also offers a yummy selection of sandwiches and gluten-free menu items.

  • Location: 3101 Barrington Road, Hoffman Estates
  • Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday

Well, there you go. Crème de la Crème of South Barrington put together this guide of the top family-friendly restaurants in town. Which one will you try first? Let us know all about your favorites. We’d love to hear from you and share your thoughts with other parents.