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Japan is an incredible destination for families, but eating out as a family can sometimes be daunting, especially if you’re eating with kids who might like their food to be a bit more like home. That’s where Japan’s family-friendly restaurant chains come in very handy.
What Is a Family Restaurant in Japan?
They’re basically a series of casual dining chains designed with families in mind. They’re bright, spacious, affordable and open for both early and late dining – but, on top of that, they offer…
Varied Menus
Many smaller Japanese restaurants specialise in just a few dishes that they do exceptionally well. This is great for gourmets, but it’s not ideal when you have one child who wants a pizza, another who wants chicken nuggets, and nobody willing to compromise. A family restaurant will usually have a little bit of everything on the menu.
Kid-Friendly Dishes
The menu at family restaurants is aimed to suit everyone’s tastes – admittedly, this is everyone in Japan, so don’t expect to see precisely the same as you will on a Western menu, but things are often Western-inspired, and there’s often a dedicated children’s menu. Although, check the age for which it applies; at Coco’s Restaurant, for example, the kids’ menu is for children under sixth grade (11-12 years). If the children’s menu isn’t available for your children, some restaurants offer different-sized portions, allowing you to order a small serving or half a portion.
Big Tables and Booths
Sometimes, even with adventurous-eating children, finding a restaurant with space to seat everyone together can be tough for larger families. You won’t have that problem at a family restaurant, as they have space for larger groups – they also have high chairs, and room to put them out!
Can You Go Into a Family Restaurant as a Couple or Solo?
Yes, don’t worry about it. I dined at a Royal Host in Nagano solo on a Sunday, as it was one of the few places open, plus I had just recovered from being sick, so I wanted a salad. They were just as lovely to me as the family of six sitting opposite me.
English Menus
Or at least pictures on the Japanese one, that means you’re unlikely to get too many surprises. You can also check menus online in many places, as they are chains.
Allergy Information
Because these restaurants have many branches with the same menu, they usually are pretty good with allergy labelling for the eight main allergens in Japan – these are eggs, milk, wheat, buckwheat, peanuts, shrimp, crab, and walnuts. Check the websites before visiting, and you’ll generally find a full allergy listing on there. I’ve added links below to the restaurants mentioned here.
Relaxed Environments
Japan is generally very quiet; sometimes, the only noise in a restaurant is other patrons slurping their ramen! Family restaurants are a bit more relaxed – don’t expect Western-style play places or kids roaming around, but things are a bit more casual.
So, where do you find these very handy places to dine? Here’s our rundown of some of the most popular family restaurant chains in Japan.
Saizeriya
A low-cost Italian-style family restaurant, Saizeriya offers a Japanese take on pasta, pizza, gratin, and salads. It’s ideal for families on a budget – many dishes cost under ¥400, including the pizzas and pastas, and the drink bar is usually under ¥200.
You can even add a glass of red wine to your pasta for as little as ¥91 – wine can be expensive in Japan, so I cannot confirm or deny if I have just gone here to get the wine before, and classed the pasta and garlic bread as a bonus! Important note – I also have zero wine palate!
This is one of the best choices if you have vegetarians, as there are vegetable-based soups, pastas and pizzas on the menu. The atmosphere is simple but cheerful, and it’s a common pick for family lunches.
Find the menu here – click on the menu button, then choose the menu book in English.
Find allergen and other nutritional information here.
Gusto
One of Japan’s most popular family restaurant chains, Gusto serves a broad menu that includes Western-like dishes with a Japanese twist.
Expect a variety of dishes, including hamburger steaks (note – this is not the same as a burger in a bun), fried chicken, cheese-stuffed chicken, pasta, pizza, salads, and a great range of desserts. There’s a Spaghetti Bolognaise, a Marinara Pizza and, using the side menu, you can cobble together fried chicken pieces and chips. There’s also some more traditional Japanese dishes, so adventurous eaters don’t have to miss out. There’s not a great amount of choice for vegetarians, but the pizzas could work.
There’s a drink bar (free refills of coffee, soft drinks and tea), a kids’ menu with colourful meals, and budget-friendly pricing – children’s meals can cost under ¥550. Plus, if you’re lucky, you’ll be in one of the branches with robot waiters, which is fun.
Check the menu for Gusto here. If it doesn’t translate into English, choose the language by pressing the logo at the top right.
Allergy information can be found here.
Bikkuri Donkey
A quirky chain that specialises in hamburger steak (hambāgu) dishes served with rice, salad, and sauces. Again, note that these are not burgers in a bun – instead, it’s the patty with a rice side and some fun toppings like tomato sauce and prawns, slices of pineapple, or fried eggs. There’s one soy patty option for vegetarians. They also have fries, macaroni and cheese, salads, and a couple of pasta dishes on the side menu.
The décor is eclectic and fun, with a slightly whimsical feel that’s appealing to kids. While the menu is less varied than other chains, it’s extremely child-friendly, and portion sizes are generous. There are often novelty drinks and desserts to add to the appeal. A kids’ meal can cost as little as ¥570, a small burger steak with small sides starts from ¥680.
Find the menu here. You’ll need to choose a city where you’d like to dine, as the exact menu varies by area.
Allergy information can be found here. Unfortunately, it’s not in English, nor will it translate, so you’ll need to use Google Translate, or print it out before you go, and your hotel might be able to help you pinpoint suitable meals. There is a section on the online menu for dishes with no eggs, wheat or dairy, though.
Royal Host
A slightly more upmarket family restaurant, Royal Host caters to families looking for a more refined dining experience without losing kid-friendliness.
The menu features a variety of Japanese-style Western dishes, including prime Angus Beef steaks, seafood, salads, and sandwiches, such as a Club Sandwich with fries!
Royal Host is where I go when I need a vegetable, as the kale salad (above) feels relatively healthy! We’ll ignore the fried chicken I ordered with it. Saying that, though, it doesn’t have a huge choice of actual vegetarian meals – there’s only one listed the day I write this, so check the menu carefully if that’s important to you.
The children’s menu includes plates that might be a bit more suited to Japanese kids, but hiding at the bottom are some very cute dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets and a portion of chips! And it’s only ¥320.
Find the full menu here – lunch and dinner have different selections.
You can find the allergy information here. You will have to translate it, or print it and ask your hotel for help.
Jonathan’s
A long-running family chain, Jonathan’s offers a broad menu including hamburger steaks, chicken, beef, pasta, pizza, curry and even a BLT lurking on the sandwich menu. The side dish menu has French fries, fried chicken, and fried squid rings.
It’s a good mix of casual dining with a few slightly more “grown-up” menu options for parents. Currently, they’re running a seasonal ‘summer spice’ promotion, which means there are lots of curries on the menu. There is a children’s menu where prices can be as low as ¥450.
The allergy information can be found here – make sure you select Jonathan’s as they are part of a group who own a lot of chain restaurants – most of which will be family friendly if you want to explore them all.
Denny’s (Japan)
Not to be confused with its American cousin, Japanese Denny’s has adapted to local tastes with a mix of Japanese and Western fare. You’ll find hamburg steaks, rice bowls, pasta, pancakes, salads, and set meals. However, if someone in your group is demanding a grilled cheese sandwich, this is where to go!
There’s a clear kids’ menu, with choices starting at under ¥500, and seasonal dishes.
At first glance, it also doesn’t look like there’s much choice for vegetarians – but then, if you read the small print, you discover they offer a meat-free patty that can replace the hamburger patty in some of their hamburger plates. They also do a plain omelette rice and offer some meat-free salads.
While it’s often not flashy, Denny’s is dependable, well-located, and a solid choice for families needing a quick, safe option.
Find the allergy information here.
Where Can You Get a Burger
Many of the menus above claim to have a ‘hamburger’, but as I mentioned, this isn’t the same as a burger in a bun that you or your kids might be familiar with. However, don’t worry, you will also find these in Japan. There are individual burger shops, Japanese burger chains like Mos Burger and Freshness Burger, and also branches of McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Carls Jnr dotted around.
Cocos
Another varied mix of sauce-covered hamburgers, pasta dishes, salads and pizzas. You’ll be able to make a dish of fried chicken and fries from the side menu – and they also have a simple quesadilla and jacket potato on the menu. If other members of your party are looking for something a little less familiar, there is also a Japanese meal section of the menu which offers sashimi and rice bowls, and even the chance to try eel without spending a fortune.
As with the other restaurants, the vegetarian selection isn’t huge, but there are both pasta and pizza without meat.
The kids’ menu costs from ¥440 a dish, and a simple pasta costs from ¥540.
Find the full Coco’s Restaurant menu here. You will need to translate it.
If you’re interested in the allergy information, look for that here.
Need Extra Planning Help?
Our Japan trip planners can help. You might like our First-Timers Japan Planner, which will help you plan your trip to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka step-by-step, including tips on everything from picking hotels to sightseeing and dining. Or our super-duper Tokyo Disney Planner makes arranging your park trip MUCH easier. Find them in our Planners store – printable and digital versions are available.
Whether you need a break from wandering around trying to find the perfect place to dine, or just want some familiar food in a comfortable setting to reset everyone’s tastebuds, Japan’s family restaurants make dining with children stress-free and enjoyable.
Who Writes This Blog?
My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, Escape, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve traveled to Japan eight times before – solo and with my partner and visited over 25 towns and cities. My last visit was November 2024 so, everything here is pretty up to date.