Finding a place where the whole family can relax and get a bite to eat can be challenging in North Texas. Thankfully, you’re not stuck with a drive-thru. Next time you and your children need to fill up when you’re out and about, stop by one of these kid-friendly restaurants near Allen.

Sunview Cafe

Choosing the right restaurant where you take your kids can make or break your dining experience. That’s why we recommend Sunview Cafe. This regional chain offers five locations around Texas, including Allen’s spot on West Stacy Road. Its airy feel and floor-to-ceiling windows welcome diners of all ages, and the country decor adds a touch of charm to the place.

Sunview Cafe serves American plates for breakfast and lunch, made just the way you like them. Get comforting classics like a pair of buttermilk biscuits fresh from the oven smothered with house-made sausage gravy. If your kids woke up with a sweet tooth, we suggest the cinnamon French toast combo with bacon. Sunview’s cooks also offer omelets, skillets, pancakes, crepes, waffles, and healthy options like a yogurt parfait with berries.

If you stop by this cafe for lunch, its extensive menu will have your mouth watering. It starts with traditional sandwiches, like a Reuben, tuna melt, and BLT. There are also Angus burgers, paninis, and hearty plates like chicken fried steak or an 8-ounce rib-eye steak. Mickey Mouse pancakes, grilled cheese, and chocolate milk are just a few kid favorites on their section of the menu.

Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm

Image via Flickr by Holidayextras Licensed CC BY 2.0

Going out to eat with young children can be quite a balancing act. From fussy eaters to whining and complaining, it can be stressful in the wrong environment. Let the restaurants at Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm take the tension away. This scenic 52-acre neighborhood shopping center features an array of eateries, a kids’ play area on the village green, public art installations, shopping, and views of the creek — all off Garden Park Drive.

Every dining venue at Watters Creek is family-friendly, including Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Village Burger Bar, and Sugarbacon. You can find tastes from all over the world here too, such as Paciugo’s Italian gelato. What really makes Watters Creek an ideal spot for hungry families is its incredible patio dining, like you’ll find at Mi Cocina.

UP Inspired Kitchen

You want to feed your kids delicious, nutrient-dense meals that they’ll actually eat. Make everyone happy at UP Inspired Kitchen. Located on North Dallas Parkway, this pick offers a chef-prepared menu using honestly sourced ingredients, like organic produce, pasture-raised meat, and all gluten-free baked goods. Its motto, “food that fuels,” is right on target. UP’s passionate team delivers food with a purpose: health and wellness.

Some of its scratch-made dishes include a Sammie. It’s scrambled pasture-raised eggs and cheddar cheese tucked between the halves of a brioche bun smeared with sriracha aioli. For a fresh plant-based lunch, go for the Power Salad. UP’s chefs start with a bed of shredded kale and quinoa, then top it with dried cranberries, goat cheese, pickled red onions, and sliced almonds. Then, they drizzle it with a balsamic dressing. Add chicken or salmon to satisfy a big appetite.

The kid’s menu is so good here that it may even inspire your child to try a cooking class. It features a mini cheese omelet, classic pancakes, and pasta with marinara sauce. UP Inspired Kitchen is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also check out its Eat UP Meals and get your food to go.

5th Street Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza? It’s one food that has no age limit. Whether you’re old or young, you can stuff your face with a slice at 5th Street Pizza in Twin Creeks Village on North Central Expressway. This long-time Allen gem is an ultra-casual counter-service joint. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t care if your toddler is hanging off your leg while you put in your order.

This traditional pizzeria touts an authentic St. Louis vibe with brick walls covered in sports memorabilia. The owners even tossed in a dash of the Blue’s Brothers to the decor. There are big-screen TVs scattered all around so mom and dad can catch the game while the kids chow down. The servers are friendly, your food comes out fast, and the prices are reasonable. In fact, 5th Street Pizza has everything you want to make it a regular family night destination.

Its menu offers families a wide selection of wood-fired pizzas and classic Italian dishes. It’s the best place to find St. Louis-style pizza here in Texas and everything tastes fresh. Share a plate of broiled stuffed mushrooms before you move on to your pie. We propose the chef’s special Chicken Pig. It’s grilled Fajita seasoned chicken, smoked bacon, and jalapenos with a layer of creamy Alfredo sauce.

Allen Cafe

The last stop on our foodie tour of Allen’s family restaurants is our town’s crowning jewel: Allen Cafe. Situated right on East Main Street, this locally owned diner welcomes hungry patrons of all ages. Parents know exactly what to expect when they take the kids to Allen’s. It’s a no-frills place to fill up on classic comfort foods you know and love.

The kids will want silver dollar pancakes hot off the griddle, while the carnivores in the family can satisfy their cravings with a meat lover’s omelet. If you’ve got a Texas-size appetite, get the Texas Breakfast. It’s two eggs any way you like them, two slices of bacon, two sausage patties, and a pair of delicious fluffy pancakes.

Well, are you hungry yet? Crème de la Crème of Allen put together this list of the top kid-friendly restaurants in town. Which one will you try first? Did we forget your family’s top eatery — one Texas parents will like? If we did, let us know! Drop us a line and we’ll share your suggestions on our list.