Traveling with kids can be challenging. Not only do you have to pack extra items to keep your little ones happy and occupied throughout the trip, but you’ll also have to spend extra time figuring out what you’ll do on your vacation.
Depending on the age of your children, finding places to eat can also be problematic. Many parents don’t even bother looking at high-end restaurants because they know their kids won’t really be welcomed when they arrive. There are some exceptions on the Cape, though, which are worth exploring.
These rare Cape Cod eateries have world-class menus, and the staff won’t bat an eye when you walk in with your kids, ensuring you don’t have to miss out on the fine dining experience. Here’s a look at some wonderful kid-friendly restaurants to check out during your vacation on the Cape.
Ocean House in Dennis
The Ocean House Restaurant in Dennis Port offers one of the most scenic dining experiences on Cape Cod. This eatery overlooks the stunning Nantucket Sound and is steps from the sand, providing a view you won’t soon forget.
There’s a classy dining room at the establishment, with many tables sitting in front of its large windows with views of the ocean. The menu is also outstanding, featuring a wide selection of seafood options like ahi tuna, lobster dishes, scallops, and salmon, in addition to steak, chicken, and pasta.
Despite the fine dining experience you’ll find here, children are welcome to join you for your meal. That way, you can eat as a family without having to forgo fine dining restaurants when staying in Dennis.
Twenty-Eight Atlantic in Harwich
Although Twenty-Eight Atlantic is technically in Harwich, it actually sits just south of downtown Orleans on Pleasant Bay. This venue also has a classy interior with large windows overlooking the water, offering the perfect location for a fine dining experience.
There’s a three-course prix fixe menu at Twenty-Eight Atlantic and a seven-course tasting menu, so you can choose the option that best suits what you’re looking for on that day. The menu is always changing, but typical dishes include salmon, halibut, escargot, scallop, duck, short rib, and lobster tail.
You can also opt for a vegetarian meal, upgrade with a wine pairing, and try some local cheese with your meal. And don’t worry about bringing your kids; they’ll be welcome.
STARS in Chatham
One of the Cape’s best-known fine dining establishments is STARS, which is part of the Chatham Bars Inn. This venue hosts numerous events throughout the year and has a menu you’ll rave about for years to come.
If you visit STARS for dinner, items like bluefin tuna, oysters, wagyu beer tartare, duck, lobster, and short ribs are available. They also have the petit and grand plateaus, which are plates featuring shrimp, oysters, tuna, beef tartare, and lobster.
There’s even a dedicated kids’ menu at STARS, so your children can order fish and chips, a cheeseburger, or a chicken breast. Or, if your kids are a little more adventurous, this menu has wagyu bolognese and a striploin steak for them to try. There are children’s desserts, too.
STARS is located just outside downtown Chatham near the Chatham Pier Fish Market, making it an easy spot to get to when your kids are hungry.
Fanizzi’s in Provincetown
Fanizzi’s Restaurant is a little more casual than the other options on this list, but the food is amazing, and it probably still qualifies as a fine dining experience. This eatery’s location can’t be beaten, either, as it’s right on the water overlooking the mouth of Provincetown Harbor.
The menu here is outstanding, with options like grilled New York strip, crusted cod, cucumber-dill salmon, chicken caciatore, and piccata. You can also get a burger, a fried clam plate, or a lobster roll if you’re in the mood for something a little less fancy.
There’s a kids’ menu at Fanizzi’s, so your children can choose between various pasta dishes, chicken fingers, multiple pizzas, and grilled chicken. The result is a happy family at the end of the day, which is all you can ask for while on vacation.
Fine Dining with Kids on Cape Cod
The Cape has a world-class dining scene with some of the best restaurants you’ll find anywhere on the East Coast. However, you might be hesitant to visit some of them with your children, and you could also find that some spots won’t allow kids under a certain age to dine there.
Fortunately, these places will welcome your entire family so you can take advantage of the great food Cape Cod has to offer. Just remember to reserve a table in advance because all of these restaurants are incredibly popular with locals and visitors.
