Who needs to cook when kids eat free every night of the week at restaurants around the DC area? From popular chains like IHOP and Denny’s to neighborhood pubs, Italian bistros, and more, we’ve got you covered with kid-friendly meal deals that will help you enjoy an evening out with your family while saving money, too.
Read on for our list of 15 restaurants where kids eat free in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. For more great freebies, check out our Guide to Free Things to Do with Kids in DC, and look up our Kid-Friendly DC Restaurants Guide for more family restaurants throughout the area.
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Note: Deals may change, so confirm ahead of time to make sure the offer is still available. Note that most kids-eat-free deals are for dine-in only with the purchase of an adult entrée, and for kids ages 12 and under.
Kids eat free from the regular menu every Monday at Monk's BBQ. Photo courtesy of Monk's BBQ
Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
1. Monk’s BBQ — Purcellville, VA
Day Kids Eat Free: Monday
Monk’s offers a mouthwatering selection of smoked barbecue favorites, including tender brisket, spare-rib slabs, pulled pork and chicken, and more. Kids eat free on Mondays and can order off the regular menu, which includes child-friendly items like Memphis nachos, mac and cheese, and custard-filled cornbread.
2. Surfside — Washington, DC (Tenleytown)
Day Kids Eat Free: Monday
A favorite DC destination for fresh Mexican food, the kids' menu at Surfside offers a nice selection of child-sized apps and entrées, ranging from traditional kids' menu fare like chicken tenders and fish sticks to tacos, burritos, and even a salmon filet. On Mondays, children can enjoy a free kids' meal with the purchase of an adult entrée.
3. Inca Social — Arlington & Vienna, VA
Day Kids Eat Free: Monday
Even if ceviche doesn't top your kid’s list of favorite foods, this Peruvian restaurant still has plenty for both grown-ups and children to enjoy. Kids eat free all day on Mondays from the kids' menu, which features chicken chicharron (a South American version of chicken tenders), salchipapas (thin-sliced sausage fried with potatoes), and buttered pasta.-
4. Brookland Pint — Washington, DC (Brookland)
Day Kids Eat Free: Tuesday
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Kids eat free Tuesdays from the children's menu at this neighborhood gathering spot with the purchase of an adult entrée (up to two per family). Parents will appreciate the range of craft beers and the chef-driven, seasonal menu, which includes burgers, sandwiches, and vegetarian options such as roasted corn salad and vegan moussaka.
5. Periodic Table Restaurant and Bar — Columbia, MD
Day Kids Eat Free: Wednesday
The Periodic Table offers an eclectic menu with a variety of sandwiches, salads, and entrées. Its “Little Alchemists” menu includes traditional children’s menu choices like chicken tenders, burgers, and mac and cheese. Kids can choose a free meal from this menu on Wednesdays with the purchase of another meal of $13.95 or more.
6. Tino’s Italian Bistro & Wine Bar — Columbia, MD
Day Kids Eat Free: Wednesday
Tino’s offers classic Italian fare like lasagna, veal parmigiana, spaghetti and meatballs, and more. On Wednesdays, kids can choose from a variety of kid-friendly pasta preparations, pizza, or chicken fingers and fries from the kids' menu for free.
7. IKEA — College Park, MD & Woodbridge, VA
Day Kids Eat Free: Wednesday
Enjoy IKEA’s iconic Swedish meatballs and other family favorites at its in-store restaurant. Kids eat free on Wednesdays with a complimentary IKEA Family membership, which includes rewards such as special discounts and free workshops.
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8. Duffy’s Irish Pub — Washington, DC (Dupont Circle)
Day Kids Eat Free: Thursday
Kids eat free from the kids' menu with the purchase of an adult entree and drink every Thursday from 4-7pm at this neighborhood pub. The menu includes a selection of pub-food favorites, including burgers, chicken tenders and wings, as well as Irish classics like shepherd’s pie and fish and chips.
9. Hard Times Cafe — Alexandria, VA
Day Kids Eat Free: Sunday
Sunday night is Kids’ Night at Hard Times Café’s original location in Old Town Alexandria. From 5-8pm on Sunday evenings, children get a free kids' meal with the purchase of an adult meal. The menu is full of kid-friendly food, including burgers, chicken tenders, and Hard Times' famous chili.
RELATED: Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays Near DC
Joining the Silver Diner Kids Club comes with lots of perks, including free meals! Photo courtesy of Silver Diner
Local and National Chain Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free in the DC Area
10. Silver Diner — Multiple Locations in DC, Maryland, & Virginia
Days Kids Eat Free: Any day (when earned)
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Join the Kids Club at Silver Diner and every fifth meal is free. Other perks include collectible pins, instant prizes, and a complimentary birthday meal and shake. All kids' entrées come with a side of fruit or vegetables, and choices include a salmon quinoa bowl, a free-range turkey platter, and more traditional kids' menu items like chicken tenders and grilled cheese.
11. Matchbox — Multiple Locations in DC, Maryland, & Virginia
Day Kids Eat Free: Tuesday
Kids can get a free 10-inch pizza every Tuesday at Matchbox with the purchase of an adult entrée. Joining the free Matchbox Rewards program is another great way to save money at this popular chain—you'll get $10 just for signing up and earn one point for every dollar you spend, which can be converted into $10 in Matchbucks when you reach 125 points.
12. IHOP — Multiple Locations in DC, Maryland, & Virginia
Days Kids Eat Free: Daily
Who doesn’t love IHOP’s signature Happy Face Pancake, with strawberry eyes and a chocolate chip mouth? Other kids' menu classics include chicken and waffles, mac and cheese, and silver-dollar pancakes. For a limited time at IHOP, kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal every day from 4-10pm at participating locations.
13. Denny’s — Multiple Locations in DC, Maryland, & Virginia
Day Kids Eat Free: Tuesday
At Denny's, kids eat free Tuesdays from 4-10pm at most locations with an adult entrée purchase. The kids' menu includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner diner classics like chicken tenders, mac and cheese, and chocolate chip pancakes. Join Denny's Rewards for free for more money-saving perks such as discounts and birthday freebies.
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14. Ruby Tuesday — Multiple Locations in Maryland, & Virginia
Days Kids Eat Free: Tuesday (after 5pm) and Friday
At Ruby Tuesday the kids' menu includes crispy shrimp and grilled chicken strips, alongside classic kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and chicken tenders. Kids eat free Tuesdays after 5pm and all day on Fridays from the kids' menu, with the purchase of an adult entrée.
15. Fogo de Chao — Multiple Locations in DC, Maryland, & Virginia
Days Kids Eat Free: Daily (ages 6 and under)
If you’ve got a little carnivore in your life, this is the deal for you. Kids 6 and under always eat free at this Brazilian steakhouse, while kids ages 7-12 dine half price for the full churrasco experience, which includes fire-roasted meats carved table-side, traditional Brazilian sides, and various salads.