If you’re looking for a family-friendly destination filled with sun and fun, Mexico Beach, Florida is your ideal place. While you sit back and enjoy the scenic view of the Gulf from your Mexico Beach vacation rental, the last thing you’ll want to do is spend hours cooking. Try out a few of these kid-friendly restaurants in the area so you can effortlessly admire the sunset while dining with your family.
1. Toucan’s Mexico Beach
Dine with the view and sound,of Gulf Coast waves lapping on the welcoming sands of Mexico Beach with a family visit to Toucan’s. Oyster lovers in your family are in for a treat, as the restaurant serves fresh, local oysters prepared however you like them. Enjoy other seafood as well, or choose favorites such as slow-cooked baby back ribs. If you time your visit right, you can watch the sunset from Toucan’s deck. In addition to tiki-themed decor and colorful cartoon toucan signage, the restaurant has a playground for kids on the sandy beach, perfect for working off some of your kids’ energy before or after your meal.
2. 40th Street Pizza
A pizza place is always a hit with the kids, and 40th Street Pizza supplies not only delicious pies but sandwiches, salads, tacos, and seafood. A separate menu for kids under 12 includes chicken fingers, fish nuggets, and the perennial favorite, grilled cheese sandwiches. Get your pizza to go so you can enjoy a family meal on the beach or back at your vacation rental.
3. Sharon’s Cafe
Start your day off right with breakfast or brunch at Sharon’s Cafe. The traditional diner has everything you expect from waffles to bacon to hash browns. Several types of pancakes even arrive at the table in the form of a smiley face, which is sure to make your youngster’s morning.
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4. Mango Marley’s
Enjoy a relaxed meal amid the picnic tables and island-themed decor of Mango Marley’s. The children’s menu features classic kid’s fare like cheeseburgers, grilled cheese, and mac and cheese, as well as shrimp and fish, accompanied by chips or applesauce. After the meal, foosball and arcade games are sure to draw your little ones from the table.
5. The Fish House Restaurant
It shouldn’t be a surprise that seafood is popular in Mexico Beach, given the bounty of species in the nearby Gulf of Mexico. The Fish House serves a variety of local seafood, ranging from flounder to scallops, all available either fried or roasted. Seasonal seafood includes Alaskan snow crab legs or blue crab legs, and you can also choose from sandwiches, burgers, salads, and steaks. Kids under 12 can enjoy diner classics, as well as the old standby, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, all served with fries.
6. Castaway’s Southern Cuisine
Enjoy a traditional Southern meal, or just some good diner fare, when you stop by Castaway’s. Dine inside or take advantage of the Florida sunshine and eat outside at the picnic tables. The seafood-heavy menu includes unique dishes such as Cajun pasta and shrimp and grits, but it has plenty for even the picky eaters in your family. Separate children’s menus for breakfast and lunch serve up traditional favorites ranging from eggs and grits to a cheeseburger with fries. Diners of any age can also build a custom omelet to get the perfect flavor combination.
7. Killer Seafood
Get your fill of fried seafood with a visit to Killer Seafood. The restaurant also serves New Orleans-style po’ boy sandwiches and burgers, including a sandwich with fresh fish caught daily. Kid-sized portions of shrimp and grouper are accompanied by hot dogs and quesadillas on the menu for “Little Fish.” Be sure to order some hush puppies, which are a specialty of the house.
8. Crazy Beach Pizza
When dining with kids, there can never be enough pizza places. Despite being a small town, Mexico Beach has this savory food covered with the help of Crazy Beach Pizza. Try out one of the specialty pizzas, like the bacon cheeseburger pizza, or build your own to satisfy all your family members. If not everyone is in the mood for pizza, the small restaurant also serves sub sandwiches and calzones. Make the kids extra happy at the meal’s end with a kid-sized ice cream cone or root beer float. When the weather’s nice, take your pizza to the outside dining area, or call in a delivery order to your vacation rental.
9. Graba Java Internet Cafe
After spending a lot of time at the beach or exploring town, sometimes it’s nice to enjoy a quiet meal and catch up on your email, or let the kids mess around on their phones or tablets for a bit. The perfect place for this is Graba Java, which has free Wi-Fi, as well as a tasty menu of breakfast and lunch dishes. Enjoy a Belgian waffle or biscuits and gravy while you reconnect to your life back home, or make it a sandwich or hot dog at lunch. There’s also desserts, and of course, a full range of coffee drinks.
10. Mr. G’s Smokehouse and Seafood Grill
When you’ve worked your way through the restaurants in the town of Mexico Beach, there’s more to explore just down the highway in Port Saint Joe. A local favorite, Mr. G’s serves large portions of seafood, barbecue, and tacos from a tiki-themed food truck. Load up the family with good eats, then stroll around to enjoy the town or beach. Alternately, eat in place at one of the picnic tables.
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