8 Best Family Restaurants in Martha’s Vineyard for dining with Kids

Dining out with kids can often feel like navigating a culinary minefield. Will they like the food? Is the environment child-friendly?

As someone who’s spent over 20 years exploring Martha’s Vineyard, as a patron and employee in various island restaurants (and now as a parent), I’ve faced these questions head-on. 

From temperamental taste buds to the need for quick, engaging service, I understand the hurdles of dining out with little ones. 

Before we had kids, my husband and I enjoyed many exceptional dining experiences when visiting Martha’s Vineyard. Now, with our family focus, our restaurant choices have shifted, but we don’t like to compromise on quality.

In this post, I’m excited to share with you my handpicked list of best family restaurants in Martha’s Vineyard where your family can enjoy a stress-free meal on your family vacation.

How I choose a place for casual dining with kids

When selecting the perfect place to eat for a family meal, there are four key things I look for: 

• Menu – The menu must have options that are surefire hits with my kids – because we all know a happy child means a peaceful meal! Bonus points if there’s a dedicated kids menu (like all the restaurants below).
• Seating – I prefer restaurants with plenty of (indoor and outdoor) seating so I know we won’t have to wait too long for a table, particularly in high season. Patience is a rare commodity with little ones in tow.
• Service – Fast service is a must to keep the dining experience enjoyable and meltdown-free. 
• Portions and Pricing – Kids meals priced and sized appropriately. I’m not looking for adult sized portions at adult prices. They won’t eat a huge meal and depending on where we’re staying, we might not have facilities to store leftovers.

1. The Barn Bowl & Bistro

The Barn Bowl & Bistro in Oak Bluffs is my number 1 pick for best family restaurants in Martha’s Vineyard, especially for lunch and dinner. It was a surprise to find such excellent food in a bowling alley but this restaurant has consistently provided great meals across my multiple visits.

The service is exceptional, with staff who are always welcoming and go above and beyond to create a memorable experience. This year-round venue was even recognized by TripAdvisor as a hidden gem in Massachusetts on its list of ‘Under the Radar’ Hot Spots​​. 

I love the burgers here and there is a gourmet pizza menu with 12 different choices plus the option of a gluten-free cauliflower crust. When we last ate here in August 2023, the adults food and drinks were delicious, particularly the cocktails and huge curry mussels appetizer which is bursting with flavor.

The children’s menu features generous portions of chicken nuggets, tenders, mac and cheese and buttered pasta. Plus, the added bonus of bowling makes it an ideal location for a fun-filled family evening.

Hot tip: You can combine this with a visit to the nearby Flying Horses Carousel, one of many family-friendly activities in Oak Bluffs. 

2. Fish MV

Fish MV is a fantastic choice for family-friendly dining on Martha’s Vineyard. The seating is all outdoor (bar one or two tables inside) so don’t plan to go on a rainy day. They have large canopies providing some shade if it’s really sunny.

The atmosphere is genuinely relaxed, and they truly welcome children rather than just accommodating them like many ‘family-friendly’ spots. This is evident in their thoughtful kids’ menu, which offers more interesting choices than the usual options, and the treasure chest full of toys that kids can pick from to take home.

The kids’ menu offers options like cheese or chicken quesadillas, fish & chips, rice & beans with chicken, steak, fish or mushroom, and a grilled hot dog. Notably, there are no fries on the menu—instead, all meals come with tortilla chips.

For the adults, we loved the Baja Fish tacos with broiled cod and the Tequila Lime Shrimp tacos. Both were excellent.

Although there’s no onsite parking, the convenient location in the heart of Vineyard Haven means it’s easy to get to if you park in any of the street spots.

3. Edgartown Diner

At the Edgartown Diner, I discovered a true gem for family dining on Martha’s Vineyard for breakfast. From my experience, this diner stands out with great service, delightful food, and reasonable prices.

The breakfast menu features traditional choices like pancakes, french toast, omelettes, eggs, bacon, sausage and hash. They even offer an acai/yogurt bowl that’s a hit with the health-conscious. This is a great place to have breakfast before you head to the beach.

There’s a dedicated kids menu with a funny face pancake (my kids favorite), french toast, fruit bowl or egg sandwich. What adds to the charm of this place is its friendly staff and quirky decor, making every visit enjoyable.

The diner also serves lunch but I have not enjoyed our lunch meals as much here, so I recommend it primarily as a breakfast spot.

4. The Attic

The Attic is conveniently located a short walk from Vineyard Haven Harbor and the Steamship Authority ferry terminal. After dining upstairs at The Attic, I can share that it’s a solid choice for families, especially when considering value for money.

Menu items like the lemon chicken, lobster roll and the generous portion of Hoisin glazed salmon are all noteworthy. The kids menu has appealing options like chicken tenders, quesadilla and a jumbo hotdog​.

The atmosphere of this year round restaurant is another plus. It has a vintage feel, with antique lamps and old school decor adding to the charm. A small downside is the closely arranged seating, which doesn’t leave much room for children to move around​​.

Overall, I found The Attic to be a good dining option for families and will definitely return.

5. Seafood Shanty

Dining at The Seafood Shanty in Edgartown has always been enjoyable for my family, particularly for its outdoor seating on the deck with a beautiful view of Edgartown Harbor and Chappy in the distance.

The combination of a wonderful atmosphere, location right on the harbor, and huge selection of local seafood, makes it a standout option for the adults as well as the kids. 

If it’s a rainy day, there’s ample indoor seating on the floor below. You can bring a stroller into the building but you need to fold it and leave it at the entrance.

The extensive menu features sushi, seaweed salad, soup, lobster, fried clams and a wide variety of sandwiches. Items that we love include the superb clam chowder, delectable fish and chips, fried shrimp basket and tasty fish tacos.

The efficient service and the laid-back vibe, even when it’s busy, add to the restaurant’s charm, making it a great spot for families to enjoy a meal together. The children’s menu contains the usual suspects – hot dog, hamburger, buttered noodles, chicken tenders and a grilled cheese sandwich.

Great food, spectacular views, and the relaxed atmosphere make this one of the best places to eat a family meal in the summer. Takeout is also available.

Hot tip: take the kids next door to the Ice Cream and Candy Bazaar for a kiddie cone after dinner!

6. Wharf Pub and Restaurant

The Wharf Pub & Restaurant in Edgartown, renowned for its central location and status as a year-round, local favorite, is an easy and enjoyable place to dine with kids. Its no-frills approach, combined with good quality food, creates a cozy atmosphere for families.

The Wharf serves lunch and dinner and I like to ask for booth seating as it’s a great way to keep restless kiddos contained! Some standout menu items include the best fish and chips with a super thin, crispy batter and the hearty lobster ravioli.

This was the first place on MV I tried clam chowder and more than 20 years later, it’s still a top choice when I eat there. The restaurant serves a kids menu with a variety of pasta dishes, hot dog, grilled cheese, tenders and burgers.

Prices are reasonable by Edgartown standards, the portions are substantial, service is quick and friendly and there’s lots of seating.

Honorable Mentions: Other Family Restaurants on Martha’s Vineyard

The restaurants above are some of our favorites and they meet my personal menu, seating and service criteria. However, it’s important to note that my children are young and this obviously influences my selections.

If you have more flexibility in terms of waiting for tables or older kids who will order from an adult menu, here are some other family-friendly options to consider

7. Nomans

This Oak Bluffs restaurant is always mentioned on family-friendly restaurant lists. It checks the boxes for tons of seating, fast service, great food for adults and being stroller friendly. It even has games like Jenga, giant Connect 4 and cornhole for kids to play.

Kids have a lot of freedom to run around this large outdoor space. However, it doesn’t make it to my main list because of the lack of a dedicated kids menu or kids portions at kids prices.

We usually order the chicken tenders but the portion is so large it’s more than enough for 2 young kids to share. Bonus points for the celery and carrots sticks that are included!

Nomans is a popular spot for people to bring their dogs so you should be aware that there will be kids and dogs in close proximity to each other in the outdoor spaces.

The restaurant is a hit with both families and groups of adults looking to unwind. While the vibe is generally upbeat, it’s good to know that it can get quite lively at any time of day as some group are stopping by just for drinks.

8. Bad Martha Farmers Brewery

Bad Martha’s is a fun spot for families, especially if you’re looking for a casual lunch. There is no kids menu – it’s primarily pizza and a few other light bites.

The pizza is excellent, with a super thin crust on the 18-inch which is perfect for a family of four to easily finish off. The slices are cut quite large and wide so bear that in mind for small hands. They also offer smaller pizzas with a cauliflower crust, which are fantastic too.

Like Nomans, this is a bar and popular with groups of adults including bachelorette and birthday parties. In terms of kids drinks, they don’t have juice but do offer lemonade and sodas

The outdoor seating is perfect for enjoying the weather, though it’s a bit limited, so getting there early is a good idea. We usually opt for a noon lunch if we want to visit in the summer months.

The games, like cornhole and building blocks, are great for keeping the kids entertained. Plenty of parking on-site but also an easy walk from downtown Edgartown.

Practical tips for dining out with kids on Martha’s Vineyard

Consider whether you need a stroller. Even in the larger restaurants, it is usually difficult to bring a stroller to your table. You may be asked to leave it at the entrance or in a storage area.

Will you need a high chair? Many restaurants on the Vineyard have high-top tables which standard high chairs do not reach. This can limit your seating options.

Even after my children were out of high chairs, they still moved around a lot in their seats and I didn’t feel they were safe to sit at high-tops. All of the restaurants on this list have ample regular-height seating.

We are not a screen-free family however we prefer not to use them in restaurants and instead, keep screens for downtime at home.

I’ll admit, there’s a slightly panicky period between placing the order and waiting for the meal when we don’t know how long it’s going to take and how much patience the kids have.

This does mean we have to bring some distractions with us but I have found some fantastic small, easy to carry toys. 

Sticky hands are great fun. I bought a pack of almost 50 and always keep a couple in my purse. These keep my kids occupied on car journeys, plane rides and while waiting for something to eat at restaurants. I’ve used them in party bags and as stocking fillers too. 

If your children like small things with moving parts, these Botbots are ideal. My sister introduced me to them and my 4 year old was hooked.

This road tape has been a lifesaver on planes and in restaurants. It’s small, light and not difficult to tear so you can quickly create a track. It comes off as easily as it goes on, leaving no residue. Add a few Hot Wheels vehicles and you have a great activity for keeping little hands busy.

Finally, these Usborne sticker and activity books are my daughter’s favorite. She loves creating her own scenes with the stickers and there are endless themes so as her interests change, she can still find something she likes. We’ve worked through fairies, unicorns and dinosaurs so far!

Wrapping up: Family-Friendly Restaurants on Martha’s Vineyard

These restaurants in Vineyard Haven, Edgartown and Oak Bluffs are my favorite spots for good food and stress-free dining on Martha’s Vineyard.

The Barn Bowl and Bistro tops my list, but if you’re looking for the best seafood, classic American fare, or a hearty breakfast, all these restaurants will satisfy. They have a range of dishes to suit children and plenty of great choices for adults too.

I look forward to adding to this list as our children grow older and we explore even more of the great restaurants on the island. Next on my bucket list: Sharky’s Cantina for Mexican food!

Where’s next on your list to try? Share your best family restaurants in Martha’s Vineyard with other visitors in our Travel Tips group on Facebook