Newport’s compact waterfront makes it easy to string together meals, mansion tours, and beach time without ever re-parking the car. Within a one-mile radius you’ll find historic pubs plastered with memorabilia, wharf-side decks that skim the harbor, and even a café overlooking the grass courts where the first U.S. Open was played. Better yet, nearly all of these spots hand out coloring placemats, maintain full kids’ menus, and sit steps from marquee attractions, so when the littles get restless, there’s always something interesting a few yards away.
Brick Alley Pub
Housed in a 19th-century storefront at 140 Thames Street, Brick Alley sits directly across from Brick Market Place and a short stroll from Bowen’s Wharf. Inside, walls drip with license plates, sports jerseys, and vintage neon, while a self-serve soup-and-salad bar keeps kids busy between bites. The children’s menu covers classics like chicken tenders and mini burgers, and the kitchen’s broader focus is American comfort food—think chowder, steaks, and seafood pasta.
Make sure to try the Blackberry Sangria!
Red Parrot
Set in an 1898 brick mercantile building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Red Parrot anchors the corner of Thames Street and Memorial Boulevard, just a short stroll from the waterfront and boutique shopping. Three floors mean short waits for large families, and a colorful parrot statue greets kids as soon as they walk in. The children’s placemat menu promises pizza, mac-and-cheese, or “Chicken Littles,” while the adult menu free-ranges from lobster rolls to Caribbean jerk wings.
Diego’s
Diego’s occupies a perfect location in the middle of the action on Bowen’s Wharf. The vibe is punk-rock meets Baja cantina, but the kids’ list keeps things mild with burritos, quesadillas, and nachos built around rice, beans, and grilled chicken. Parents dig into shrimp tacos or mezcal cocktails, and when attention spans fade, the wharf’s souvenir kiosks and boat docks sit just outside the door.
The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar
Perched on Sayers Wharf, The Mooring’s mahogany-planked deck actually floats above Newport Harbor, giving restless kids some great boat watching. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows frame the same panorama, and a dedicated kids’ menu offers kid-friendly seafood picks (such as simple grilled fish) or classic pasta. Adults come for raw-bar towers and an award-winning wine list while sunsets paint the masts outside.
Longing for a trip to Newport? Check out hotel availability here!
La Forge Casino Restaurant
Few eateries share a fence line with a global sports landmark, but La Forge does: its veranda overlooks the grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Bellevue Avenue. The McKim, Mead & White–designed facade signals Gilded-Age pedigree, yet the menu reads pure American comfort—burgers, lobster rolls, and bowls of Rhode Island chowder. A printed kids’ section offers grilled cheese, pasta, and chicken fingers, making it easy to reward good museum behavior with ice cream sundaes afterward.
O’Brien’s Pub
Down in the Fifth Ward, O’Brien’s spreads across a leafy garden patio where a bubbling fish fountain serves as built-in toddler entertainment. The main building has poured pints since 1945 and still feels like a neighborhood living room, but highchairs, booster seats, and a “For the Little Ones” menu prove families are welcome. Standard pub fare (burgers, flatbread pizzas, and chowder) pairs with 20+ taps for grown-ups.
Gas Lamp Grille
Centrally located at 206 Thames Street, Gas Lamp sits between Brick Market’s colonial brick arcades and the busy harbor wharves. Two stories of exposed brick and big-screen TVs make it feel like a friendly sports bar; upstairs seating sits above busy Thames Street, away from the traffic below. The kids’ menu covers personal pizzas and chicken tenders, while adults choose from American staples, seafood plates, and the much-praised BBQ mac-and-cheese.
Pasta Beach
Occupying a restored storefront at 138 Bellevue Avenue, Pasta Beach shares the block with the Audrain Auto Museum and sits a short walk from the Tennis Hall and Redwood Library. Bright awnings, an open kitchen, and Torino-designed straw lamps set an airy, modern tone. The kid lineup sticks to penne (butter, pomodoro, or meat sauce) or a pizza, while parents twirl house-made pasta or split a Margherita pie.
Why it Works for Families
Each restaurant combines location perks (be it harbor decks, wharf shopping, or historic backdrops) with thoughtful kids’ options, so you’re never juggling hangry toddlers while reading a fine-print menu. Stick these eight names into your phone, and you can match any Newport outing with an easy, kid-approved meal.
