Finding restaurants that are good for kids and serve good food can be difficult, especially if you have picky kids in your crew. Many of the restaurants in and around Carmel, Indiana, feature kids’ menus, a welcoming space, and great menu options for the adults, too. Next time you’re looking for a place to enjoy dinner with the family or need to host a family celebration, consider trying one of these local spots.

Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream

Image via Flickr by Theo Crazzolara

A favorite Indiana spot, Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream has a few locations in the area with one on Main Street in Carmel, which is the original location that started serving locals in 2003. This location is open daily from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. with indoor and outdoor seating. Visitors of all ages and tastes will find something to love on Bub’s menu. Choose from a huge list of burgers and hot dogs with some options that will blow your mind.

The famous Big Ugly burger is a 1-pound ground chuck burger topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, and other optional toppings. If you eat one of these beasts of a burger, you’ll get your picture on the wall. Other burger options include small sizes of beef burgers and several elk burger options. Kids can enjoy a mini burger, a corn dog, a grilled cheese, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or chicken fingers.

Don’t forget to treat the family to something sweet from Bub’s Ice Cream Shop. Their hand-dipped milkshakes and malts come in many flavors and even offer some mix-ins like Oreo cookies, cookie dough, and more.

Muldoon’s

Muldoon’s on Main is a cozy neighborhood Irish pub right in the heart of Carmel that first opened in 1981. Come by for lunch or dinner from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, or for brunch or dinner on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday brunch is a local favorite with offerings like omelets, crab cake eggs Benedict, pancakes, and French toast. For lunch and dinner, parents can enjoy brews and awesome pub food while kids chow down on chicken quesadillas, chicken fingers, or burgers. Try one of their classic Irish pub dishes like the Paddy Melt, Reuben sandwich, or the Dublin fish sandwich.

Make sure everyone eats a good dinner so you can enjoy dessert. The whole family is going to want to try the volcano cake. This plate of chocolaty goodness features a warm chocolate cake topped with vanilla ice cream and gooey chocolate sauce. Muldoon’s also offers delivery and take-out if you want a delicious meal at home without having to get the entire crew out of the house.

Books and Brews

An Indiana-only chain, Books and Brews is a popular local restaurant that combines a used bookstore with a microbrewery and offers a mouth-watering menu full of options kids will love. Stop by the Carmel location on West City Center Drive from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sundays.

To make it even more family-friendly, kids eat for free on Tuesdays and Sundays. Items like grilled cheese, cheese quesadillas, macaroni and cheese, and pizza are sure to keep picky eaters happy. Adults in the group can choose from a list of pizzas made with naan bread, paninis, fries, and nachos. Come by on a Tuesday evening for trivia night or on Monday or Wednesday for discounted beers.

Mimi Blue

If you’re looking for a spot with a slightly fancier vibe but still kid-friendly, check out Mimi Blue, established in 1940. This is a great place to host a family birthday celebration or anniversary for grandparents. Kids and adults alike will feel welcome and have plenty of meal options. There are three Indiana locations in the greater Chicago area with one on Old Meridian Street in Carmel. The Carmel location is open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day except Sundays when they close at 9 p.m. Reservations, catering, and online ordering are all available for your convenience.

Mimi Blue is known for its many different takes on the classic meatball. Nine different types of meatballs are regularly available, plus they offer special balls each week like the Falafel ball, smokey beef ball, or cheddar poblano ball. In the permanent lineup, you’ll find traditional beef meatballs, as well as gluten-free turkey balls, and a few vegan varieties. Try a few different ball variations by ordering some sliders, meatballs served with sauce and a baguette, or the Dempsey sandwich made with your choice of meatballs, sauce, cheese, and bun.

Kids will enjoy the chicken tenders, pasta with meatballs, or a few meatball sliders. Top them off with a root beer float and they’re sure to be happy. Stop by with the family on a Monday and the adults can enjoy half-priced bottles of wine. Draft beers are all half-off on Thursdays.

Bazbeaux Pizza

On West Main Street in the Carmel Arts District, Bazbeaux Pizza serves up unique pies that are sure to satisfy any taste buds. Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., Bazbeaux is a local favorite for a chill atmosphere and great food.

Create your own 12- or 16-inch pizza with topping options like andouille sausage, house-roasted red pepper, bacon, pepperoni, Cajun chicken, Smoking Goose capicolla, and many more. You’ll also have the choice of a wheat, white, gluten-free, or gluten-free vegan crust. Cheese pizzas are available for kids. Delivery and pickup are available to enjoy your meal at home. Keep an eye out for daily lunch specials. If it’s nice out, sit in the outdoor seating area overlooking the Monon Trail.

Once you’ve checked out a few of the spots on this list of recommended family-friendly restaurants, let Crème de la Crème of Carmel, Indiana know what you think. Did we miss one of your family’s favorite places to eat? Feel free to share any suggestions with us, and we might even add them to our list.