We don’t write about our hometown often enough. We’ve chosen to raise our family in the Vail Valley, in the heart of Colorado’s spectacular Rocky Mountains. It come with perks, and drawbacks. One of the many things that Vail is known for is its fantastic chefs and restaurants. While many of these dining options are high end, there are also many kid friendly Vail restaurants. Let us tell you about them!
The Vail Valley is comprised of several areas from Vail Village and Lionshead Village down to Eagle-Vail, Avon, Edwards and then Eagle. As a visitor to Vail you are probably best off dining in the villages of Vail and Lionshead within the Town of Vail. It is a cute cobblestone walking village with lots of great restaurants. Vail is a pedestrian village with a convenient free bus system. So, if you are staying in the Town of Vail the Vail and Lionshead areas will offer your best dining options.
Vail Village Kid Friendly Restaurants
Vail Village is the original base village for Vail Mountain. Lionshead was added shortly thereafter. Vail and Lionshead Villages are about a mile apart along a very walkable heated cobblestone streets connecting the existing mountain base areas. There is a very convenient free bus system that runs every few minutes between the two villages.
Much of the dining in Vail Village is high end but there are also a few casual spots. And, some of those high end restaurants still cater to kids.
Pazzos Pizza
122 E Meadow Dr #9, Vail, CO
Pazzos Pizza serves Italian food — pasta, calzones, subs, salads, and has been since 1990. It has a casual environment with a kids menu, and large pizzas for the family to share. In our family the adults tend to order a pizza and the kids order pasta off of the kids menu. Our daughter’s favorite is Rigatoni and our son loves the cheese ravioli.
Vendetta’s
91 Bridge St, Vail, CO 81657
Vendetta’s is another Italian and pizza restaurant with a casual atmosphere. It also boasts a large patio out back perfect for al fresco dining during the summer. Our family typically orders appetizers, as well as salads and pizza to share.
La Tour Restaurant
122 E Meadow Dr, Vail, CO 81657
La Tour is one of Vail’s better known and higher end restaurants. It is a real treat to dine at this sophisticated French Bistro. We include it on the list because of the wonderful kids menu. Our kids are adventurous diners, so it is always fun to dine at a restaurant that offers items such as Salmon and Petite Filet. All kids meals come with a delicious scoop of ice cream. And, fun fresh flavors of lemonade are available. Fair warning, it is not a restaurant where kids can run around. But in the summer there is a lovely patio for outdoor dining.
Alpenrose
100 E Meadow Dr # 25, Vail, CO
Another beautiful patio is at Alpenrose on East Meadow Drive. This is a fantastic place to people watch during the Sunday Farmers Markets during the summer. Sometimes Alpenrose also serves food at a quieter outdoor location off the back of the restaurant. This is a ideal spot for active kids. It is another restaurant with an interesting kids menu that includes Spatzle, Frankfurters and a potato pancake.
Lionshead Kid Friendly Restaurants
Generally Lionshead Village is a little more family friendly than Vail Village. It is a bit quieter. Also, the gondola out of Lionshead takes guests to Epic Discovery. Epic Discovery is the ultimate family playground, located atop Vail Mountain. There are many restaurants in Lionshead. These are our family’s favorites.
Blue Moose Pizza
675 Lionshead Pl #170
Blue Moose Pizza may be our favorite pizza restaurant in Vail. Here our family pretty much always orders pizza. There are some fun varieties of pizza to choose from. It is conveniently located with a lovely patio. In the winter, diners can watch ice skating out the windows. And, during the summer the ice rink turns into Vail Square with many fantastic concerts.
The Little Diner
616 West Lionshead Circle Vail, CO
The Little Diner is arguably the best breakfast in town, though also open for lunch. They recently completed a renovation and expansion and can now serve more guests. That means the wait isn’t quite so outrageous now. Awesome comfort food for a snowy Vail morning! You won’t go wrong, whatever you order. There’s something for everyone. But one person in your party should try the German pancakes for which they are known.
Moe’s BBQ
616 W Lionshead Cir, Vail, CO 81657
Moe’s BBQ is now a nationwide chain. But it got its start right here in Lionshead. They are known for their Alabama-style pulled pork and sides of Mac & Cheese and Banana Pudding. But they do switch out their special sides, so go crazy and try something new. Quick food. And, excellent to-go food, as well.
West Vail Kid Friendly Restaurants
The restaurant area of West Vail is just across the highway from Vail and a mile or two west. There is Town of Vail bus that can take you to that area but it isn’t quite as convenient as the free in-town bus. So, you are going to be better off visiting this area if you have a car. It is also where the grocery stores are. So, you could conceivably use your hotels grocery shuttle (many have this service) to grocery shop and pit up a to-go order. Pretty much all of the restaurants in West Vail are family-friendly.
Yellowbelly Chicken
Another Vail-born fast casual restaurant. Yellowbelly was founded by friends looking to serve their community healthier, cleaner versions of foods they already love. The menu features all-natural, vegetarian fed, hormone free, antibiotic free, free range chicken. Choose fried or roasted and then add sides. The Smashed Potatoes are delicious and the Brussel Slaw is my personal favorite. Our kids are big fans of the Macaroni Pie. They also have family meals to go.
Westside Cafe
Westside Cafe is possibly the best breakfast in the entire Vail Valley. Founded by locals from high end restaurants, they serve hearty breakfasts with interesting twists. It is a casual environment with a solid kids menu. Just good food here!
There are so many excellent Vail restaurants to choose from. Does your family have any favorites that we left off the list? Tell us below in the comments!
