Toronto has some of the best restaurants in Canada, and some of the best kids’ menus, too. But while dining out as a family can be fun, it’s not always cheap. These restaurants aim to make eating out with kids affordable by offering free meals for kids—at least for one day per week.
Unfortunately, the kids eat free offer isn’t as popular as it once was (Boston Pizza, Pizza Hut, and the Magic Oven are just a few of the places that have discontinued this promo), but below are ten Toronto restaurants that are still offering free meals for kids, and making eating out as a family a deal.
Toronto Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free
Most restaurants only offer free meals for kids of a certain age on one or two days of the week and/or for a single type of meal (generally brunch), so be sure to plan ahead. Since this type of promotion seems to come and go, be sure to call ahead to make sure that it’s still being offered!
The Ace
One of Roncesvalles’ tastiest restaurants lets kids ages 12 and under dine free every Sunday night. Just purchase an adult entrée and your child can pick something off The Ace’s kid’s menu, which offers such options as mac and cheese, a beef brisket burger and a kid’s size portion of the restaurant’s beloved fried chicken.
When to go: Sunday nightscaféAGO
Here’s one of the many great reasons to become an Art Gallery of Ontario member: Kids 5 and under get a free kid’s meal at the caféAGO when accompanied by an adult cardholder who spends at least $12. Meal options include mac ‘n’ cheese, tuna salad sandwich and yogurt parfait. Adult members also get 10% off their purchase.
When to go: Anytime, if you’re a memberCrabby Joe’s
Technically, Crabby Joe’s isn’t in Toronto—there are locations in Mississauga and Pickering—but this deal is so good that we had to include it. On Sundays, kids 12 and under get a free kids’ menu meal; just buy an adult entrée. Each meal includes a drink, a side, a main such as pasta or a burger and a Kinder Surprise.
When to go: SundaysDenny’s
Pancakes for breakfast anyone? Or how about French toast or a Jr. Grand Slam breakfast combo? All those options and more are available to kids for free every Tuesday from 4 pm to 10 pm at the Denny’s at Yonge-Dundas Square. Just purchase a regular adult meal.
When to go: TuesdaysEast Side Mario’s
Sign your kids up for the Mini Mario Club and they’ll be mailed a membership card good for five free Kids Eat Big meals. This means they’ll get a drink and a choice between chicken fingers or sliders as their main as well as ice cream or a peanut-free brownie for dessert.
When to go: Anytime, with free membership cardFairmont Royal York
At any Fairmont hotel, kids ages 5 and under eat for free off the children’s menu, which we’re told, “offers a healthy twist on the usual kid-friendly favorites such as chicken strips, pizza, spaghetti with meatballs and even chocolate mousse.” Kids ages 6–11, meanwhile get half-price off the regular menu’s meals.
When to go: AnytimeMontana’s BBQ & Bar
Not only do kids get to colour on the tables at this beloved chain, every Tuesday they get a free kid’s meal, with the purchase of an adult entrée. Meal choices include grilled cheese, pizza, and crispy chicken fingers, just to name a few. Members of Montana’s Kids’ Birthday Club also get a free kid’s meal on their special day. There’s one Toronto location (Queensway and Islington) and four GTA locations.
When to go: TuesdaysThe Old Mill
At the scenic Old Mill, kids under age 6 eat free at the all-you-can-eat buffet brunch that includes a huge variety of foods, including eggs, waffles, salads, fruit, a carving station, and dessert table. Plus, every kid’s favourite: pasta. Older siblings ages 6–11 pay a reduced rate of $17.95.
When to go: SundaysProhibition Gastropub
Cinnamon crumble-crusted brioche French toast, breakfast poutine, and pulled pork sliders are just a few of the delicious items featured on the weekend brunch menu. Kids under 10 (with accompanying adult) get a free brunch meal from the kids’ menu, which features pizza, Caesar salad, and a Smash Burger, with cheese, pickle, and bacon jam. Two locations: Leslieville and Yonge & Eglinton.
When to go: Weekends 10 am–4 pmSwiss Chalet
Kids 10 and under eat free on their birthday at one of Canada’s favourite homegrown restaurants. All meals feature a main, a side, a drink and a dessert, including Swiss Chalet’s beloved Worms N’ Dirt.
When to go: On your child’s birthday
