There are still a few weeks before school starts, which means families have time to squeeze in some last-minute summer outings together. And we get it: dining out with the whole crew can get expensive fast, but several restaurants across Toronto are helping parents save with free meals for kids. We’re talking about everything from pancakes and pizza to Korean barbecue, Brazilian steak and steaming bowls of ramen!
Here are 10 Toronto restaurants where kids can eat free before summer ends.
Chako BBQ & Izakaya
Where: Various locations: Richmond Hill, Midland, Vaughan, Eglinton and Aurora
This is the perfect opportunity for the kids to take charge of dinner: Chako BBQ & Izakaya lets guests cook their own food over a grill built right into the table! Throughout August, children ages 10 and under (or those 140 centimetres and shorter) eat free with the purchase of an adult all-you-can-eat dinner. Families can grill everything from boneless short ribs and sliced beef to chicken, shrimp, tofu and veggies, then round out the meal with kid-friendly picks like California rolls, mango rolls, steamed rice and miso soup. There are even ice cream cups for kids and kids at heart. All you have to do is follow @chakobbqizakaya on Instagram and show the Insta post to your server.
Copacabana
Where: 150 Eglinton Ave. E.
Every Sunday (for a limited time), kids ages 11 and under can enjoy Copacabana’s unlimited Brazilian rodizio menu for free, with one complimentary child admission for every paying adult. Servers continuously carve more than a dozen cuts of meat tableside, from juicy picanha and garlic sirloin steak to cilantro-lime chicken and filet mignon, while kids can also dig into faves like mac and cheese, Parmesan fries, cheesy pão de queijo and roasted pineapple.
Denny’s
Where: Various locations, including Dundas St. W., St. Clair Ave. W. and Yonge & Sheppard
Families have two chances to save each week at Denny’s: kids ages 10 and under eat free every Tuesday and Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m. with the purchase of a regularly priced adult entrée! Breakfast fans can dig into the Jr. Grand Slam, complete with pancakes, an egg, bacon and sausage, or opt for the colourful birthday cake pancakes. The menu also has tons of kid-friendly lunch and dinner faves, like chicken tenders, grilled cheese, mac and cheese, spaghetti and a Jr. cheeseburger.
East Side Mario’s
Where: 2171 Steeles Ave. W., as well as various locations across the GTA
Tuesdays are made for family pasta nights at East Side Mario’s, and kids 10 and under can eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée priced at $19.99 and up. Your little ones can dig into comfort eats like cheesy cappelletti, chicken fingers or pizza, or even build their own pasta by choosing their fave noodles and sauce. Just make sure to read the fine print before heading out, like the offer isn’t valid for groups of eight or more kids, but totally worth it for a carb-filled family night out!
Pickle Barrel
Where: Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Yonge & Eglinton
Make Tuesday night your official family dinner night at Pickle Barrel, where kids ages 12 and under receive a free meal with the purchase of an adult entree costing at least $18 (dine-in only). Little ones can keep things classic with chicken fingers and fries, grilled cheese, fish and chips or a kid’s burger, or opt for linguine tossed in Alfredo, tomato or Parmesan sauce. Bonus: every kids’ meal comes with a drink and dessert!
Swiss Chalet
Where: Various locations across Toronto, including Queens Quay, Dufferin St., Keele St. and Bayview Ave.
Head to Swiss Chalet for Wednesday dinner: kids ages 10 and under can eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée. The chain’s signature rotisserie chicken is always an option, but little ones can also choose from chicken tenders with dip, a six-inch cheese pizza, the Cheezy Chalet Burger or the Smoky Rib Sammy, made with pulled barbecue rib meat. Each kids’ meal comes with a side, drink and sweet treat. The dine-in-only promotion is available at participating locations and runs through Oct. 31, so families can take advantage of it well beyond summer break!
Mandarin
Where: Locations in North York, Scarborough and on the Queensway
Mandarin’s offer is geared toward the youngest diners, with kids aged four and under eating free from the buffet. Families can receive complimentary admission for up to two children per paying adult, while kids ages five to 12 get 50 per cent off the regular buffet price. There are more than 100 dishes to explore, so even the pickiest little eaters can stick to familiar foods like soft noodles, vegetable fried rice and pepperoni pizza or branch out with classics like General Tao chicken, beef with broccoli and honey garlic spareribs. Of course, there’s a full dessert spread with cakes, pies, crème brûlée and honey twists!
IKEA Swedish Restaurant
Where: IKEA North York, 15 Provost Dr. and IKEA Etobicoke
If you’ve got a (free) IKEA Family card, a midweek IKEA run can come with a free meal for the kids! Every Wednesday through Aug. 31, children under 12 receive one free kids’ meal at IKEA’s Swedish Restaurant with the purchase of a qualifying adult main dish. Grown-ups can choose from options like Swedish meatballs, plant balls, chicken balls, salmon or cod balls, while kids can choose between a classic meatball meal and a plant-based version.
Kelseys Original Roadhouse
Where: 1972 Eglinton Ave. E. and 50 Cinemart Dr., Scarborough
Okay, so this one is sort of free (but still very wallet-friendly). On Tuesdays, kids ages 12 and under can receive a free meal at Kelseys with the purchase of an adult entrée priced at $18.99 or more and a $2 donation to BGC Canada. Little ones can choose from faves like chicken fingers, mac and cheese, grilled cheese, a hamburger or cheese pizza, with each meal including a side, drink and chocolate or vanilla push pop.
Ramen RAIJIN
Where: 24 Wellesley St. W.
Downtown families have two chances each week to score a free kids meal at Ramen RAIJIN. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, kids ages 12 and under eat free when each adult at the table orders a main dish. Little ones can choose between Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen, made with a rich pork-bone broth, or the lighter Umami Shoyu Ramen with a savoury soy sauce-based broth.
And if you’re looking for more family-friendly meal ideas, we found the best kids’ menu options on Uber Eats in Toronto (so you don’t have to).
