On any given day of the week, kids eat free at select San Diego restaurants around town.
IMPORTANT NOTE: These promotions change regularly, tend to be correlated to the broader economy (i.e. fewer such offers in good economic times, many more in tougher times), and many are not even promoted on the restaurants’ websites and social media platforms. Call before you go to see if kids eat free is still on offer.
There are a few rules that usually apply to kids eat free promotions. These offers usually apply to the kids’ menu only (not the regular menu) and are tied to the purchase of an adult meal. Dining in the restaurant, versus take-out, is also often a common requirement.
Without further ado, here is a list of verified restaurants in San Diego that offer kids eat free promotions as of September 2019.
TIP: Kids eat free at even MORE restaurants during October as part of the countywide Kids Free San Diego promotion. You can check the list here.
(Make sure you also check out the Top 10 Things to Do in San Diego.)
Every Day
Barra Barra Saloon
4016 Wallace St.
619-291-3200
San Diego, CA
Online: barrabarrasaloon.com
Daily, kids 10 and under eat free with paying adult
Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant
2600 Calhoun St.
619-297-1874
San Diego, CA
Online: oldtowncosmopolitan.com
Daily, kids 10 and under eat free with paying adult
Al’s Cafe in the Village – Carlsbad/North County
795 Carlsbad Village Dr.
760-729-5448
Carlsbad, CA
Online: alscafeinthevillage.menutoeat.com
Daily, kids 10 and under eat free
Denny’s
Multiple locations in San Diego County
Online: dennys.com
Participation varies at Denny’s locations across the United States. Kids eat free with purchase of adult entree costing $6 or more, up to 2 free kids meals.
Sunday
Daphne’s California Greek
Multiple locations in San Diego County
Online: daphnes.biz
Sundays, kids eat free per adult entree
Hooters
1400 Camino De La Reina #115
San Diego, CA
619-235-4668
Online: hooters.com
On Sundays, with purchase of adult entree a kid’s meal is free
The Weevil Burger – East County
9104 Fletcher Parkway
La Mesa, CA
619-644-1010
Online: yelp.com/biz/the-weevil-burger-la-mesa
On Sundays, kids eat free
Mondays
Hacienda Casa Blanca – East County
700 North Johnson Ave
619-442-9827
El Cajon, CA
Online: haciendacasablanca.biz
On Mondays, kids 10 and under eat free with paying adult
Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen
6985 El Camino Real #108
Carlsbad, CA
760-431-5323
Online: tinleafkitchen.com
On Mondays, kids 10 and under eat free with paying adult from 4 p.m. until close
Tuesdays
Ikea Restaurant
2149 Fenton Parkway
San Diego, CA
888-888-4352
Online: ikea.com
Tuesdays, kids eat free
Hamburger Factory – Poway/North County
14122 Midland Rd
Poway, CA
858-486-4575
Online: hamburgerfactory.com
On Tuesday nights after 5 PM, kids 10 and under eat free with paying adult
O’s American Kitchen – North County
137 S. Las Posas Rd. #153
San Marcos, CA
760-798-7889
Online: osamericankitchen.com
On Tuesdays, kids eat free all day with a purchase of adult entree
Achiote – South Bay
4419 Camino Camino de la Plaza
San Ysidro, CA
619-690-1494
Online: achiotes.com
On Tuesdays, kids eat free with paying adult – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Marie Callender’s
Multiple locations in San Diego County
Online: mariecallenders.com
Tuesdays and Saturdays, kids 12 and under eat free with paying adult
Ruby’s Diner
3500 Sports Arena Blvd.
San Diego, CA
619-224-4171
5630 Paseo Del Norte, #130 D
Carlsbad, CA
760-931-7829
1 Oceanside Pier
Oceanside, CA
760-433-7829
online: rubys.com/locations
Ages 12 and under eat free from 4 p.m. to closing
Wednesdays
Hooley’s Irish Pub – East County
2955 Jamacha Rd.
El Cajon, CA
619-670-7468
Online: www.hooleys.com
On Wednesdays, kids 12 and under eat free with paying adult
Saturdays
Marie Callender’s
Multiple locations in San Diego County
Online: mariecallenders.com
Tuesdays and Saturdays, kids 12 and under eat free with paying adult
Are we missing a San Diego restaurant where kids eat free? Please let us know in the comments and we’ll get it added to the list ASAP.
PLEASE remember to call before you go as promotions change.
Looking for more discounts in San Diego? Learn how to buy San Diego Zoo Safari Park discounted tickets.
Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide, like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai, that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).
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