Palo Alto Creamery Fountain & Grill
Kid essentials
About this place
An old-school diner with a working soda fountain - milkshakes, burgers, pies - that's always full of families, so yours won't be the loud table. Weekday lunch is the quiet window.
How kid-friendly is it?
Nearby places
Palo Alto's old-school fountain diner since 1923: grilled cheese, real milkshakes, and counter seats - the classic treat-lunch downtown.
Cal-Mex tacos and guacamole with a heated parklet and sidewalk tables - outdoor seating is the kid-pressure valve. Early dinner (5-6pm) is the family sweet spot.
The family-style Italian chain built for groups: platters meant for sharing, kitschy photo-covered walls kids stare at all meal, and a noise level that absorbs toddler volume.
Family-style Italian served in shareable platters - order two dishes and the whole table eats. Loud, kitschy, and built for groups; note there's no separate kids' menu, the family-style format is the kids' menu.
Portland's artisan ice cream shop (also Santana Row, San Jose) with seasonal flavors and unlimited tastings before you commit. The tasting policy makes it the most kid-patient scoop line in town.
Outdoor pool and a location next to Stanford's campus and the Palo Alto Caltrain station. The handy car-free option: train to the door, walk to campus.