The Experience: This relatively new addition to the area’s family-friendly food and fun scene (it opened in March) has a winning formula – offer (unlimited) food that both kids and parents like in a comfortable environment, throw in a whole bunch of games and rides and you’ll end up with an experience everyone will enjoy. More…

The Experience: Hero to sassy girls the world over, Junie B. Jones shines in the lively new play at Northwest Childrens’ Theatre based on the bestselling series by Barbara Park. Junie B. and her classmates show us just how trying first grade can be. And NWCT is the perfect troupe to perform this show More…

The Experience: Dinnertime is an ongoing and universal family challenge. Rise to it at Hopworks Urban Brewery, where the scene, the food and the staff are equally welcoming to adults and kids.

Hopworks, recently named as one of Portland’s top family restaurants in our 2011 Readers Survey, is an organic microbrewery, a hip pizza joint, and a sustainably-minded family food haven all in one. Kids love More…

The Experience: Imagine – a place where you can sit and enjoy a bite to eat with friends, not distracted by the dust bunnies/crumbs/cobwebs gathering in your house, as your child blissfully plays just a few feet away.

This piece of heaven is available to parents – and grandparents, nannies and other caretakers – seven days a week at Vancouver’s popular Cafe Sip-n-Play. More…

The Experience: This toy store with a full-on cafe tucked inside opened to much fanfare last fall, and for good reason. Mary Langley and Lynn Gleeson, one a former teacher and the other a chef, have hit upon a great concept. More…

The Experience: While the Lake View Shopping Plaza has gussied up downtown Lake Oswego, devotees of the Lake Oswego Ice Creamery have nothing to worry about. This local staple retains its mom and pop charm.

With the black and while bovine theme and 38 flavors of Tillamook ice cream, kids of all ages find something to love here. The burgers all come with fries, and include variations like the western, the lumberjack and the guacamole jack. Soup, sandwiches and salads are also available, as well as breakfast served until 11 during the week and noon on weekends.

The real star here, of course, is the ice cream. Introduce your kids to homegrown favorites such as marionberry, mountain huckleberry and Oregon strawberry, or seasonal offerings like pumpkin and peppermint candy. Plenty of chocolate and nut variations are always on the menu, too.

The prices are a bit steeper than the nearest fast food chain, but the quality is far superior.
Inside information: This is a favorite hangout for local teens and tweens on summer evenings, so be prepared to wait in line.

The 411
Ages: Good for all ages.
Hours: Sunday – Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: Burgers with fries start at $7.25. Junior cones are $2.25 and milkshakes will set you back $4.50.
Location: 37 S.W. A Avenue in downtown Lake Oswego.
Contact information: 503-636-8218.

You want to dine out with the kids but fast food chains aren’t your cup of tea? You’re in luck! The Portland metropolitan area offers a wealth of family-friendly options spanning a wide variety of cuisines and atmospheres. And don’t forget about the numerous kid-friendly coffeehouses perfect for lazy weekday mornings. Here’s a sampling of some local family favorites:

Unlike its fast food peers, this local chain showcases local ingredients including Tillamook cheese, Walla Walla onions, regional berries and Oregon Country Beef.
Multiple locations; www.burgerville.com.

Featuring healthy ingredients with a focus on local, organic products. Try their house made real fruit sodas!
SW 18th and Morrison (adjacent to PGE Park), 503-517-9354; NE 33rd at Killingsworth, 503-445-1020; SE 22nd and Hawthorne Blvd., 503-234-9999; 1909 SW Sixth Ave., 503-224-0311; NW 10th and Irving, 503-595-2342; www.hotlipspizza.com.

Healthy wraps in the flavors of the world with vegan, vegetarian and carnivorous options. Books and toys available to entertain kids of all ages.
3320 SE Belmont St., 503-235-6472; 3765 N Mississippi Ave., 503-467-4146; 922 NW 21st Ave., 503-445-1319; 4110 SE Woodstock Blvd., 503-788-2921; 4405 SW Vermont St., 503-244-4254; 721 NW 9th Ave., Ste. 175, 503-505-5020; www.laughingplanetcafe.com.

Local brewpub featuring designated play spaces for the kids, organic beer and tasty Northwest cuisine for Mom and Dad. Voted a “Family Favorite” in Metro Parent’s 2009 Readers’ Survey.
5115 NE Sandy Blvd., 503-282-0622; 2327 NW Kearny St.; 503-228-5553; 1728 NE 40th Ave. (Laurelwood Pizza Pub), 503-943-6157; Portland International Airport, Concourses A and E; www.laurelwoodbrewpub.com.

A regional icon born in Portland. Casual brewpubs throughout Oregon and Washington.
Multiple locations; www.mcmenamins.com.

Portland-based chain catering to families and groups with affordable pasta and pleasant surroundings. Kids’ meals are all-inclusive, with pasta, beverage and ice cream.
0715 SW Bancroft St., 503-222-5375; 18925 NW Tanasbourne Dr., Hillsboro, 503-617-7614; 12725 SE 93rd, Clackamas, 503-653-7949; 730 SE 160th, Vancouver, Wash., 360-253-9030; www.osf.com.

Affordable, quick and delicious pasta dishes, salads and sandwiches plus beer, wine and cocktails.
911 SW Taylor St., 503-863-5188; 1506 NW 23rd Ave.; 503-595-1205. 1426 NE Broadway; 503-288-4300. 2027 SE Division St.; 503-595-6400; 7307 SW Bridgeport Rd. (Bridgeport Village), 503-718-2300; 3487 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton, 503-619-2241; www.pastini.biz.

Multiple Locations; www.pizzicatopizza.com. Gourmet pizza chain that goes above and beyond when it comes to supporting neighborhood schools.

Family-friendly taqueria.
3524 N Mississippi, 503-467-4149; 4635 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 503-954-3138; www.porquenotacos.com.

Buffet featuring a huge salad bar, soups and chili, baked items, fruit and lots of other kid favorites.
1225 NW Waterhouse Ave., Beaverton, 503-439-0850; 13011 SE 84th Ave., Clackamas, 503-794-2921; 6600 SW Cardinal Ln., Tigard, 503-443-6161; 12601 SE 2nd Cir., Vancouver, Wash., 360-891-0240; www.sweettomatoes.com.

Features a kids’ play area with wooden toys, books, a rocking horse and comfy chair for nursing moms and a kid-friendly menu.
8716 N Lombard; 503-286-2030; www.annabannanascoffee.com.

Eat at the “kids’ charity table” and profits go to a local charity.
1919 SE Columbia River Dr., Vancouver, Wash.; 360-699-1592; 503-222-9947; www.beachesrestaurantandbar.com.

A nonprofit coffeehouse and gathering space scheduled to open in early 2010 with children’s play areas and activities for children, caregivers and the community. Check Web site for Grand Opening events.
5633 SE Division; www.cafeauplay.org.

1500 square foot kids’ play area available while parents enjoy coffee drinks and treats. Voted a “Family Favorite” in Metro Parent’s 2009 Readers’ Survey.
3000 SE 164th Ave., Ste. 107, Vancouver, Wash.; 360-896-4446; www.cafesipnplay.com.

The fastest Chinese food in the west! The quality is excellent, portions are family-sized and kids are always welcome.
3549 SE Hawthorne Blvd.; 503-231-3753.

Healthful food (many organic options and no soda pop on the menu!), a professionally staffed children’s activity area, and more. Voted a “Family Favorite” in Metro Parent’s 2009 Readers’ Survey.
10122 SW Park Way; 503-291-7800; www.grandmaleeths.com.

An “Eco-Brewpub” featuring organic handcrafted beers, tasty pub fare made with local ingredients, an eco-friendly building and a play space for the kids.
2944 SE Powell Blvd.; 503-232-4677; www.hopworksbeer.com.

A comfortable café serving lunch and dinner with a separate, supervised play area (you can see in through the large picture windows). Winner of the “Happy Highchair” award (the area’s family favorite restaurant) in Metro Parent’s 2009 Readers’ Survey.
16755 Baseline Rd. #102, Beaverton; 503-439-6586; www.metoobeaverton.com.

A family-run pub with a menu featuring flavors for every palate.
16165 SW Regatta Ln. #1000, Beaverton; 503-439-9942. www.monteauxs.com.

A downtown bistro featuring upscale “comfort food” and a children’s play area and a full bar.
212 SW Stark St., 503-464-1122; www.mothersbistro.com.

This Portland standard offers a play space for the kids and legendary Hungarian mushroom soup for Mom and Dad.
– 1300 E Burnside St.; 503-238-0470; www.oldwivestalesrestaurant.com.