Eating out is fun for the whole family. Use this guide to see some of the best kid friendly restaurants in and around the Richmond, VA area.

Offering a children's menu does not necessarily make a restaurant kid friendly. For an eating establishment to make this claim takes friendly staff, activities to keep children busy, and an atmosphere where kids do not feel restricted.

Here are some top choices, if you are looking for a place in and near Richmond, VA. Selections are based on star reviews from actual customers.

ComedySportz Improv Theatre

Location: 7115-A Staples Mill Road, Richmond, VA

Contact:

• Phone: (804) 266-9377
• E-mail: cszrich@aol.com

Menu: Salads, fun foods, wraps (ham, chicken, vegetarian, and even peanut and jelly), plus more.

Prices: Very reasonable; wraps up to $5.50

Attraction: Watch a family friendly skit while eating dinner. Other programs may be available throughout the year.

Shackleford's Restaurant

Location: 10496 Ridgefield Parkway, Richmond, VA

Contact:

• Phone: (804) 741-9900
• E-mail: info@shacklefords.com

Menu: Seafood, soups, salads, sandwiches, large children's menu

Prices: Entrees - $13.00 to $18.00; Kid's meals - $3.00 to $5.00

Glory Days Grill

Location: 10466 Ridgefield Parkway, Gleneagles Shopping Center, Richmond, VA

Contact:

• Phone: (804) 754-3710
• E-mail: gleneagles@glorydaysgrill.com

Menu: Appetizers, salads, steaks, sandwiches

Prices: Entrees $7.00 and up

Attraction: Wide screen TVs offering various sport shows and cartoons. Arcade.

Riverbound Cafe

Location: 8005 Creighton Parkway, Mechanicsville, VA

Contact:

• Phone: (804) 559-3663
• E-mail: michael@riverboundcafe.com

Menu: Salads, seafood, appetizers, burgers, and more.

Prices: Entrees - $7.00 to $14.00

Attraction: Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have events frequently throughout the year.

The Smokey Pig Restaurant

Location: 212 S. Washington Highway, Ashland, VA

Contact:

• Phone: (804) 798-4590
• E-mail: mike@thesmokeypig.com

Menu: Barbecue, appetizers, soups, salads, reasonable children's menu

Prices: Entrees - $7.00 and up

Attraction: Rated best barbeque in Richmond. Offers pig definitions. Sells pig apparel.

Fuddruckers

Location: 8205 W Broad Street, Richmond, VA

Contact: (804) 747-4779

Menu: Specializes in hamburgers, but also offers hot dogs, taco salad, and chicken dishes

Prices: Under $20.00

Attraction: Great place for birthday parties. Arcade. Open atmosphere.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Location: 7367 Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville, VA

Contact: (804) 559-2261

Menu: Home-cooked American cuisine

Prices: Entrees under $15.00

Attraction: Games for kids to play. A country store to browse through. Sells lots of candy!

Red Robin

Location: 10067 Brook Road, Glen Allen, VA

Contact: (804) 261-2222

Menu: Burgers, chicken dishes, appetizers, salads

Prices: Entrees under $15.00

Attraction: TVs with sports and cartoons. TV in the floor! Good selection on children's menu. Famous Towering Onion Rings.

Bev's Ice Cream

Location: 2911 W Cary Street, Richmond, VA

Contact: (804) 204-2387

Menu: Sandwiches, salads, and, of course, homemade ice cream

Prices: Under $20.00; ice cream reasonably priced

Attraction: Homemade ice cream in unique flavors and tried-and-true favorites. Gourmet coffee flavors.

Texas Roadhouse

Location: 10075 Jeb Stuart Pkwy, Glen Allen, VA

Contact: (804) 553-8060

Menu: Steaks, salads, appetizers, chicken dishes

Prices: Entrees under $20.00

Attraction: You can throw your peanut shells right on the floor. Kids love that! Delicious homemade breads.