Seattle Family Restaurants

Seattle rightly takes pride in its fish restaurants, and in particular in its sushi. There are a number of great sushi restaurants in town, but Blue C Sushi gets the nod here thanks to its conveyor belt setup, which is an attraction in itself that also shuttles noodle and chicken finger offerings to the raw fish-averse among the youngsters. Now at five locations:

University Village
4601 26th Ave NE Seattle
Phone: (206) 525-4601

Bellevue Square
503 Bellevue Square Bellevue
Phone: (425) 454-8288

Fremont
3411 Fremont Ave N
Phone: (206) 633-3411

The Village at Alderwood Mall
950 The Village at Alderwood Mall
3000 184th St SW Lynnwood
Phone: (425) 329-3596


Westfield Southcenter
468 Southcenter Mall, Tukwila
Phone: (206) 27-SUSHI (206-277-8744)

Beloved of kids and boho Seattleites alike, Cupcake Royale is pretty much what it sounds like: a royally good cupcake shop. Now with three locations in Ballard, Madrona, and West Seattle, the shop has won Best Cupcake awards out over some stiff competition (who knew folks in Seattle would be so into cupcakes). In addition to a stable of reliable favorites (you know, chocolate and vanilla), Cupcake Royale devises a new and unlikely Cupcake of the Month for the royally bold: chocolate chili cupcakes anyone? Maybe just a taste.

A Seattle institution for 55 years with five locations throughout town, Dick's is certainly no health food joint -- but your kids will love it. Everything at Dick's is done the old-fashioned way: potatoes are hand-sliced, milkshakes are hand-dipped and whipped, and burgers are, well, burgers; and they promise "Instant Service," the savior of many a parent's sanity. Despite the name, you can get out of your car and sit down at Dick's -- and I recommend it. Dick's is open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Fun, fast, and affordable, the Seattle Old Spaghetti Factory got a shout-out from nothing less than Parents Magazine; despite this being a national chain (albeit with roots in the Pacific Northwest), who am I to argue?

Since the famous U-District Atlantic Pizza store is currently closed for remodeling (http://www.atlanticstreetpizza.com), local Best-of's tend to tip toward Pagliacci Pizza, now with locations around town stretching as far a field as Bellevue. Pagliacci is also famous for its delivery service; eat the town's best pizza right in your hotel room. The Broadway location has a Monday Comedy Night, players from the Seattle Storm visit locations to serve slices on occasion, and the menu ranges from the reliable to the unusual, such as a prosciutto asparagus combo.