Best Fun Restaurants for Kids’ Birthdays in Chicago

If you’re looking for a fun and festive restaurant to celebrate your child’s birthday in Chicago, you’ve come to the right place. We have restaurants for a fancy, kid-friendly tea, train and animal lovers, and more. From over-the-top desserts to interactive experiences where kids can make their own pizza, these restaurants are great for your family or a small group of friends.

For more birthday party inspiration, check out the best indoor party spots for Chicago kids and our birthday party guides here. More fun-themed restaurants are on this list of interactive dining experiences for kids.

Tea Party-Themed Birthday Restaurants in Chicago

 

Try a fancy tea for the fanciest birthday kids. Photo courtesy of The Peninsula

1. Tea at The Peninsula – Chicago

Afternoon tea service at The Lobby at the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago runs from Friday-Sunday. Seating takes place at 2:30 and 4:30. The menu changes seasonally and reservations are required. This beautiful 5-star hotel is a truly magical place to go for a birthday party or special occasion.

2. All Chocolate Kitchen – Geneva

All Chocolate Kitchen in Geneva serves afternoon tea on Fridays and Saturdays at 1:00 and 4:00. This tasty tea service is booked through reservation only. You’ll find trays filled with pastries, finger sandwiches, and desserts. There’s tea and champagne for the adults included as well. The restaurant features a beautiful tree that goes from floor to ceiling. In addition to tea, you’ll also find sweets and treats to take home. This is a chocolate lovers’ dream.

3. Russian Tea Time – Chicago

Russian Tea Time in Chicago is a great place to celebrate a birthday party. The afternoon tea service runs all day Monday-Sunday. This iconic Chicago staple is a wonderful place to celebrate a special birthday. There are desserts, sandwiches, pastries, and tea for adults and children of all ages. Reservations for groups of 6 or more should be made through the online form found on their website.  

 

Get the dolls involved at American Girl Cafe. Photo courtesy of the American Girl Cafe

4. American Girl Cafe – Chicago

American Girl Café is a great experience for doll lovers. Not only do you get to walk through the American Girl Store, but the café is also located next to the doll hospital and doll hair salon. Reservations are required for dining. There are also party rooms available for private parties and larger groups. Girls celebrating their birthdays can also host small groups right in the main café. Bring your dolls along because tea service, brunch, lunch, and dinner, are all served with tiny high chairs for your dolls to join in on the fun.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants with Over-the-Top Birthday Desserts

5. JoJo’s Shake Bar – Chicago and Naperville

JoJo’s Shake Bar features amazing over-the-top kids’ desserts. These milkshakes are a meal and a dessert all on their own. While there is a full menu for lunch and dinner, the main event is the milkshakes for dessert. Kids will love the milkshakes the size of their heads. Toppings include full cookies, brownies, and thousands of sprinkles.

 

An epic dessert is a necessity for any birthday celebration. Photo courtesy of Joy Yee Noodle & Pan Asian

6. Joy Yee Noodle & Pan Asian – Chicago

If you have a birthday kid who loves noodles and Asian, Joy Yee in Chinatown is such a fun experience. Not only is walking through Chinatown an amazing adventure, but Joy Yee has some of the best noodles and pan-Asian in town. For kids, their special treat for dessert is almost as good as the noodle dishes. This kid-friendly restaurant is known for their over-the-top bubble teas. These colorful creations come with fun candy toppings and are great for a special birthday treat. There are additional Chicago locations as well as Evanston and Naperville.

7. Crosby’s Kitchen – Chicago

Crosby’s Kitchen features a great menu for adults and kids. This is a fun spot to go for a birthday dinner, lunch, or brunch with your kiddo and family. The kids menu features pancakes and French toast for brunch, and kid favorites such as peanut butter and jelly, and butter noodles for dinner. The dessert is where the birthday fun begins. The chocolate chip cookie skillet is a huge chocolate chip cookie that is big enough for the entire family to share. It’s served warm, in the skillet with vanilla ice cream on top.

Pizza Birthday Party-Themed Chicago Restaurants

8. Pizzeria Uno – Chicago

Pizzeria Uno is a Chicago institution. For kids, they feature a make-your-own pizza option where kids can make a pizza table-side. This is great for keeping kids occupied during the meal. It’s also a fun birthday treat. For larger parties, you can also book a private pizza experience where kids get to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the kitchen and how pizza is made. For dessert, there’s also a make-your-own sundae bar with cookies, sprinkles, cherries, and more as toppings. To book your private party, you’ll want to call your local Pizzeria Uno location.

9. Moretti’s – Multiple Chicagoland Locations

Moretti’s has several Chicagoland locations. Each location has private party rooms available to rent for larger, private parties. Kids can make their own pizza at the party and cook up their own creations. If you’re dining with your own family for your child’s birthday, you can also order the make-your-own pizza. This is great for a pizza-loving birthday kid.

Birthday Party Restaurants for Animal Lovers

10. Rainforest Café – Gurnee

Rainforest Café is an awesome birthday destination. With rainforest animals moving and making animal sounds throughout the restaurant, there is so much to see while you dine. You’ll even find a rainforest mist coming out during your meal. Transport your animal-loving birthday kid to the rainforest for their special day. You can also book a private birthday party for small groups.

 

Medieval Times is perfect for any birthday kid who loves pretend. Photo courtesy of Medieval Times

11. Medieval Times – Schaumburg

Medieval Times in Schaumburg is a dinner and a show. This interactive theater-like experience is great for a birthday kid who loves horses, knights, princesses, and a little jousting. The horse show is super cool to watch, and the kids will love getting to see if their favorite knight wins at the end of the show. Birthdays are extra special at Medieval Times.

Birthday Party Restaurants for Train and Plane Lovers

12. 2 Toots Train Whistle – Glen Ellyn and Bartlett

2 Toots Train Whistle is an awesome birthday experience. If your little one loves trains, they are in for a thrill getting their meal served direct to their table by a real, working, train. There is a great kids menu and plenty of fan favorites for the adults. For dessert, you can treat the birthday kiddo to train whistle cupcakes with sprinkles and a train whistle on top.

13. Pilot Pete’s

Pilot Pete’s is a fun restaurant for kids who loves planes. This location is right next to the Schaumburg Flying Club and flight school. You’ll see regional planes and helicopters taking off through their floor-to-ceiling windows. This aviation-themed restaurant is great for a special birthday dinner or lunch. You can also make reservations for larger parties.

Fun Chain Restaurants for Kids’ Birthdays

 

Benihana always puts on a good show. Photo courtesy of Benihana

14. Benihana – Multiple Chicagoland Locations

Benihana is the ultimate interactive experience for a kid’s birthday party. You’ll have a hibachi chef cook your dinner right at your table. This is an amazing experience to watch these professional chefs work their magic. Kids will love the fun and interactive dinner that makes for a truly special birthday experience.

15. Chick-Fil-A – Multiple Chicagoland Locations

If you’re looking for an inexpensive, no-fuss birthday dinner or lunch, Chick-Fil-A delivers. Chicken nuggets are almost always a crowd-pleaser for kids so there’s no worrying about what to serve picky eaters. You can also book the play place and a party room for your own private birthday party. This makes for a fun and affordable birthday party for your little one and their friends.