Salt & Straw Palo Alto
Kid essentials
About this place
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.
How kid-friendly is it?
Nearby places
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.
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.
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.
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.
Warm-cookie ice cream sandwiches assembled to order on University Ave: the after-dinner bribe destination - walk in, point at cookies, done in minutes.