Happy children and families enjoying time at Kids & Family Dine

About Kids & Family Dine

Creating joyful family dining experiences since 2010

The founders of Kids & Family Dine in the first restaurant location

Our Story

Kids & Family Dine began as a dream shared by Michael and Sarah Thompson, parents of three energetic children who often found traditional dining experiences challenging. In 2010, after a particularly frustrating evening trying to enjoy a family meal at a upscale restaurant, they decided there had to be a better way.

Drawing on Michael's culinary background and Sarah's expertise in early childhood education, they transformed a small Brooklyn storefront into the first Kids & Family Dine location. Their vision was simple but revolutionary: create a space where quality food and family-friendly atmospheres could coexist without compromise.

The concept immediately resonated with local families. What began as a single location quickly grew as word spread about a restaurant where children were not just tolerated but celebrated, where parents could enjoy sophisticated cuisine while their kids were happily engaged in safe, creative play.

By 2015, the Thompsons had opened three additional locations across New York City. Today, Kids & Family Dine has expanded to twelve restaurants along the East Coast, each maintaining the founding principles of exceptional food, engaging environments for children, and genuine hospitality for the whole family.

Throughout our growth, we've remained committed to our original mission: creating spaces where families can connect over good food without stress or compromise. We believe that dining out should be a joyful experience for everyone at the table, regardless of age.

Our Mission & Values

At Kids & Family Dine, we're on a mission to transform family dining by creating experiences that delight both children and adults without compromise. We believe that exceptional cuisine, engaging environments, and genuine hospitality can coexist to create memorable family moments.

Chef preparing healthy food in kitchen

Culinary Excellence

We believe children deserve the same quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation as adults. Our menus are developed by professional chefs who understand nutrition, flavor, and what kids actually enjoy eating. We never compromise on food quality and maintain a commitment to fresh, seasonal ingredients across both our children's and adults' menus.

Children playing in safe indoor playground

Joyful Environments

We design our spaces with intention, creating environments that stimulate children's imagination while respecting adults' desire for comfort and conversation. Our play areas are supervised, sanitary, and designed by child development experts to engage different age groups appropriately, while our dining areas offer the comfort and ambiance adults appreciate.

Staff members engaging with children and families

Family-First Service

Our team members are selected for their genuine love of working with families and trained extensively in child-friendly service techniques. We understand the unique rhythm of dining with children and adapt our service approach accordingly. From swift seating to timing courses appropriately, we anticipate family needs before they arise.

Sustainable practices in restaurant operations

Community Responsibility

We recognize our responsibility to the families we serve extends beyond our walls. We implement sustainable practices throughout our operations, source from local producers whenever possible, and actively participate in community initiatives that support children and families. Our restaurants are designed to be community gathering places where lasting connections are formed.

Meet Our Team

The passionate people behind Kids & Family Dine who make the magic happen every day

Michael Thompson, Co-Founder & CEO

Michael Thompson

Co-Founder & CEO

With over 20 years of culinary and hospitality experience, Michael oversees the strategic vision and growth of Kids & Family Dine. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, his passion for exceptional food and family dining experiences drives our company's innovation. When not in our restaurants, Michael can be found coaching his children's soccer teams or experimenting with new kid-friendly recipes at home.

Sarah Thompson, Co-Founder & Chief Experience Officer

Sarah Thompson

Co-Founder & Chief Experience Officer

Sarah brings her background in early childhood education to create truly engaging environments for our youngest guests. With a Master's degree in Child Development from NYU, she leads the design of our play spaces and children's programming. Sarah oversees our staff training programs, ensuring every team member understands the unique needs of family diners. She's passionate about creating spaces where genuine family connections can flourish.

Elena Rodriguez, Executive Chef

Elena Rodriguez

Executive Chef

Elena joined Kids & Family Dine in 2013 after working in renowned restaurants across Europe and the US. A parent herself, she understands the importance of creating menus that appeal to children while maintaining sophisticated options for adults. Elena has revolutionized our approach to children's food, eschewing typical "kid menu" options for creative, nutritious alternatives that children actually love. She leads our culinary team in creating seasonal menus across all locations.

Jason Park, Operations Director

Jason Park

Operations Director

Jason brings a wealth of experience in multi-unit restaurant operations to our growing organization. With a background in family entertainment venues and high-volume restaurants, he ensures our locations run smoothly while maintaining our exacting standards. Jason has been instrumental in developing our training programs and operational systems that allow us to scale without losing the personal touch that makes Kids & Family Dine special.

Our Milestones & Achievements

2010

First Location Opens

Michael and Sarah Thompson open the first Kids & Family Dine in Brooklyn, introducing the concept of truly family-friendly dining with quality food and dedicated play spaces.

2013

Expansion Begins

After three successful years, Kids & Family Dine opens its second and third locations in Queens and Manhattan, bringing our unique concept to more NYC families.

2016

Industry Recognition

Kids & Family Dine receives "Family Restaurant of the Year" from NYC Family Magazine and is featured in Food & Wine as a pioneer in reimagining family dining experiences.

2018

Sustainability Initiative

We launch our comprehensive sustainability program, eliminating single-use plastics and implementing farm-to-table practices across all locations.

2020

Community Support

During pandemic challenges, Kids & Family Dine pivots to provide meal kits and virtual entertainment for families, donating over 50,000 meals to healthcare workers and their families.

2023

East Coast Expansion

Kids & Family Dine reaches 12 locations across the Eastern Seaboard, bringing our unique dining concept to families from Boston to Washington DC.

What Families Are Saying

Join Our Family Table

We're passionate about creating dining experiences where every family member feels welcome, engaged, and satisfied. Whether you're joining us for a casual weeknight dinner, a special celebration, or just stopping by for our famous weekend brunch, we're excited to welcome you into our Kids & Family Dine community.