Best Family Friendly Restaurants in Lakeview & Wrigleyville (60657)
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Little Goat Diner
A chef-driven diner from Stephanie Izard where brunch plates and burgers come with playful global twists.
Notable Picks
8.8
Little Goat Diner is Stephanie Izard’s all-day Southport Corridor spot where playful diner classics share the table with more cheffy, globally inspired plates. Families lean on it for pancakes, burgers, and fries that still feel special enough for a birthday brunch or early dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bull’s Eye French Toast with fried chicken, The Hash Browns with white cheddar, Chili Crunch Burger
What makes it special: A chef-driven diner from Stephanie Izard where brunch plates and burgers come with playful global twists.
#2
Ann Sather
8.4
Since the 1940s, Ann Sather has run on cinnamon rolls, Swedish pancakes, and hearty breakfasts that work just as well for grandparents as toddlers. The Belmont dining room is casual, loud, and forgiving, making it a natural weekend choice for multigenerational groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cinnamon rolls, Swedish pancakes, Swedish Breakfast Sampler
What makes it special: Decades of Swedish-leaning breakfast plates and famous cinnamon rolls in a no-fuss diner setting.
8.3
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Brunch Bliss Spots
Crosby’s Kitchen is a Southport Corridor standby from 4 Star Restaurant Group, built around rotisserie chicken, hearty Midwestern comfort food, and a kid-friendly dining room where families celebrate birthdays and big group occasions. With a broad menu, brunch, and a busy sidewalk patio, it functions as Lakeview’s default choice when you need a crowd-pleasing spot that still feels a bit special.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster deviled eggs, Rotisserie chicken, Monkey bread
What makes it special: A high-volume Southport Corridor rotisserie-and-brunch hub where families and friend groups mark birthdays over shareable comfort food and a famous cookie skillet.
8.3
The Bagel Restaurant & Deli is an old-school Jewish deli where matzo ball soup, corned beef, and bagel-and-lox platters fuel family breakfasts and casual dinners. The Broadway dining room is bustling and a bit worn-in, but it’s one of the few places in Lakeview that still feels like a classic neighborhood deli.
Must-Try Dishes:
Matzo ball soup, Hot corned beef sandwich, Bagel with lox and cream cheese
What makes it special: A long-running Jewish deli where families share soups, sandwiches, and bagel platters around big tables.
8.3
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Tuco & Blondie is a colorful Tex-Mex spot on Southport where sizzling fajitas, taco platters, and a full kids menu make it an easy family dinner call. Between the patio, murals, and soft-serve machine, it hits the sweet spot of being fun for kids while still serving adults proper margaritas.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chile Con Queso, Taco Platter with mixed tacos, Chicken Fajitas
What makes it special: A lively Tex-Mex dining room with a kids menu, soft-serve machine, and a patio built for family dinners.
Milt’s Barbecue for the Perplexed is a kosher smokehouse turning out brisket, ribs, and wings in a casual Lakeview dining room where families, neighborhood groups, and visiting relatives all mix. Portions can be hefty and prices higher than average, but the charitable mission and crowd-pleasing BBQ keep it on local shortlists.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smoked Brisket Sandwich, Half BBQ Chicken, Beef Ribs
What makes it special: Kosher, in-house smoked barbecue where profits support local charities.
8.1
Brown Bag Seafood Co. in Roscoe Village is a counter-service seafood spot where grilled, crispy, or blackened fish can be built into bowls, boxes, and salads at family-friendly prices. It’s a practical option when parents want something lighter than burgers but still need kid-approved sides like tots and fries.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salmon Powerbox with grains and greens, Fish and chips, Crispy cod tacos
What makes it special: Sustainably sourced seafood served in customizable bowls, boxes, and sandwiches at counter-service speed.