Best Family Friendly Favorites Restaurants in Excelsior
15 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Superstar Restaurant
HK-style café breakfast meets Filipino silog plates under one roof.
Notable Picks
8.4
Long-running Cantonese-Filipino diner serving hearty breakfast plates, congee, and HK café staples from morning hours. Locals rely on fast tickets, big portions, and a wide mix of sweet-savory breakfast options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tapsilog (beef, garlic rice, egg), HK-Style French Toast, Congee with Century Egg
What Makes it Special: HK-style café breakfast meets Filipino silog plates under one roof.
#2
Pho Golden
8.3
Steady, family-run Vietnamese spot known for clean, aromatic broths and a broad menu that goes beyond pho. Portions are hearty, service is warm, and weekend tables draw multi-generational neighborhood crowds.
Must-Try Dishes:
Phở đặc biệt (house special), Bún bò Huế, Bánh khọt (mini savory pancakes)
What Makes it Special: Clean, fragrant broths with a deep menu beyond pho standards
8.3
Excelsior standby known for generous maki and classic combo sets at fair prices. The menu spans cooked and raw options, making it easy for mixed groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Amami Special Roll, Melted In The Mouth Roll, Vegetable Tempura Roll
What Makes it Special: Broad roll lineup with value-forward combos and easy takeout.
8.3
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Trendy Table Hotspots
Family Friendly Favorites
Excelsior’s kid-friendly bar and kitchen serves crisp, sauced fried chicken wings alongside Midwestern-leaning comfort fare. The lively room and patio make it a social stop for chicken and beers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soy-Garlic Fried Chicken Wings, Buffalo Wings, Chili Cheese Fries
What Makes it Special: James Beard–recognized new bar with standout fried wings.
8.2
Excelsior standby with a real weekday Happy Hour (Mon–Fri, 2–6pm) and a full bar pouring classic and flavored margaritas. Plates lean hearty—molcajetes, pollo fundido, and weekend birria—at prices that make after-work meetups easy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp Molcajete, Pollo Fundido, Weekend Birria
What Makes it Special: Legit weekday Happy Hour with a full tequila program in the Excelsior.
#6
Glaze Donuts
8.2
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Sweet Treats Escapes
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Neighborhood counter on Mission Street turning out classic yeast-raised and cake donuts alongside coffee and quick breakfast items. Locals rely on it for consistent fritters and freshly glazed rounds from early morning through the evening.
Must-Try Dishes:
Apple Fritter, Maple Bar, Old-Fashioned Cake Donut
What Makes it Special: Reliable, early-opening shop with freshly glazed classics all day.
#7
Aloha BBQ
8.1
Excelsior counter spot for Hawaiian BBQ plates, including marinated short ribs (kalbi) with rice and mac salad. Portions run large and the line moves quickly at peak meal times.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Short Ribs (kalbi) plate, BBQ Mix Plate (beef, chicken, short ribs), Loco Moco
What Makes it Special: Plate-lunch short ribs with classic sides and quick counter flow.
8
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Late Night Legends
Family-operated taqueria known for late hours, wet burritos, and quesadillas suizas. Counter service and speedy pacing make it a practical family stop after activities.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wet Burrito (Mojado), Quesadilla Suiza, Al Pastor Tacos
What Makes it Special: Late-hour staples with big-format burritos and quick lines.
8
Mom-and-pop storefront near Geneva offering fresh classics, plus croissants and coffee, with a short morning window. Friendly owners, quick service, and well-made cake styles anchor its following.
Must-Try Dishes:
Plain Glazed Ring, Cinnamon Twist, Cruller
What Makes it Special: Small-window, early-bird shop focused on fresh, classic donuts.
Worthy Picks
#10
The Salad Place
7.9
Neighborhood counter for hearty salads, breakfast sandwiches, and fresh juices near Crocker Amazon. Portions are generous, ordering is quick, and the menu leans lighter without feeling spartan.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cobb Salad (build-your-way), Chicken Tostadas, Avocado Bacon Egg Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Balanced, customizable salads and breakfast staples done reliably fast.
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Casual takeout staple for Hawaiian comfort food—BBQ short ribs, chicken katsu, and loco moco—served fast with rice and mac. Reliable portions and wallet-friendly combos make it a neighborhood go-to.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Short Ribs plate, BBQ Chicken & Short Ribs combo, Spam Musubi
What Makes it Special: Fast, sizeable short-rib plates at everyday prices.
7.8
Cantonese-style cafe known for dependable late dinners up to around 9:30pm. Expect a long rice-plate menu, comfy booth seating, and quick turnover for post-evening eats.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Chow Fun, Wonton Noodle Soup, Salt & Pepper Fish Fillet
What Makes it Special: Large rice-plate menu served late with fast pacing.
7.7
Neighborhood Italian spot that also serves saucy BBQ pork ribs as a full entrée with pasta and vegetables. It’s an unexpected rib option when the group wants pizza and you want ribs.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Pork Ribs entrée, New York Steak dinner, Garlic bread with house salad
What Makes it Special: Full rib dinner inside a long-running neighborhood pizzeria.
#14
Phillies
7.7
Crocker Amazon staple for cheesesteaks that also griddles a solid burger. Straightforward build, generous toppings, and quick counter service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheeseburger, Mushroom Swiss Burger, Garlic Fries
What Makes it Special: Neighborhood counter-serve spot that treats burgers with the same care as its cheesesteaks.
#15
Freshito
7.7
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Sweet Treats Escapes
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Bright snack shop where families build casual meals from Mexican treats—think tosti elote, fresas con crema, and ice cream—plus simple sandwiches. Clean space, quick service, and kid-friendly options make it an easy add to a neighborhood rotation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tosti Elote, Fresas con Crema, Mangonada
What Makes it Special: Mexican snacks and desserts in a tidy, kid-friendly space.