Blondies owner Anne Turner missed the high quality and low-priced counter cafes native to her New Jersey home after moving south with her family in 2011. She decided to fill the void herself and opened Blondies Bagels and Café in late 2015. This Daniel Island gem welcomes patrons with wonderfully chewy bagels, spot-on soups and sandwiches, and lots of hot coffee. It is Daniel Island, so families are regulars at every restaurant. Sit side by side with your own kind, and leave the bottomless mimosa crowd at the door. These blondes have more fun.

There’s a Los Ninos menu at dialed-up Tex-Mex restaurant Rancho Lewis, so you know it’s serious about including the kids. Children can pick from quesadillas or corn dogs, while parents can indulge in an ice-cold margarita and the fare that famed pitmaster John Lewis grew up eating in El Paso. Pro parenting tip: The Astroturf lawn, right outside of the restaurant, is a great place for kids to run around.

While the well-appointed atmosphere that is Leon’s Oyster Shop doesn’t scream toddler territory, Leon’s does have a golden hour midday where parents can squeeze in a stroller and take the kids for an early fried chicken dinner, grab some muscadet and bivalves for the adults in the room and quickly house some ice cream with sprinkles for dessert — all before the out-of-towner takeover.

This neighborhood pizza dive caters both college coeds with hangovers and South of Broad social climbers. With several kids between co-owners and brothers Nick and Ben, D’Al’s also keeps it real for families looking for a quick bite. Tiny customers can play with their own dough, while parents take advantage of the beer specials. A family that pizzas together, stays together. Pro parent tip: If your dinner guests fly south quickly, D’Al’s makes it easy to switch from dine-in to takeout.

As a father of five children, Daps co-owner Jeremiah Schenzel had family mealtime in mind when designing the menu and space at Westside’s newest all-day breakfast joint. Kids and adults will dig Dap’s standard short stack or fancy Fruity Pebbles pancakes — not to mention the chickpea sandwich or the breakfast burrito. Baby breakfast hour starts at around 8 a.m. on weekends. Don’t wait too long because this neighborhood gem maintains a steady line out the door at brunch. Pro parent tip: Get your morning coffee, along with an apple or orange juice for the kiddos in Daps’ grab-and-go cooler.

Enjoy a Southern-style breakfast, down-home diner lunch or seafood-centric dinner at the Marina Variety Store, an old-school local spot with magnificent views of the Ashley River off Lockwood. While seafood takes up a good part of the menu, there are still quite a few options for land lovers, including chicken fingers, pancakes, or a turkey sandwich for the littles. Between boat and dolphin watching on the dock and the promise of chocolate cake for dessert, mealtime will fly by. Pro parenting tip: This is one of the more budget-friendly sit-down options on the peninsula and a good choice for grandparents in the mood for a modest meal.

Dining with children requires a hefty dose of Mex 1’s meal mantra: a grain of salt, a slice of lime, and a shot of tequila. All the restaurant locations are noisy and spacious, with fun vibes inside and out. With a kid’s menu full of Mexican favorites and servers schooled in substitution and alterations, just show up and chill out. For your twinkle-toed toddlers and tweens: The Sullivan’s Island location has a stage inside that makes for a perfect dance floor while waiting for the meals to arrive.

Famulari’s has kept it all in the family since brothers Jason and Justin opened the first location with two childhood buddies in Summerville ten years ago. All their locations feature vintage arcade games like Pac-Man and pinball. The James Island location has even more space, with shuffleboard, a patio and onsite brewery. Family dining has taken on a new meaning, as the Famulari brothers now have kids of their own: “We’re not Chuck E. Cheese, but we love kids, and families have a great time here.”