*** Disclaimer: just walked in to our local Swiss Chalet (Fairlawn Plaza) only to have them tell me they are stopping the ‘Kids Eat Free’ Nights as of October 1st, 2019. Devastating!!!!

Long gone are the days where my family could go out to a restaurant and we could get away with just giving the kids some food off our plates. They aren’t even satisfied splitting a meal with each other anymore. At 6 and 4 years old, my two oldest can really eat, so going out to a restaurant can get expensive. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t go out to eat anymore, it just means we have to be smart about it, and know where the deals are.

We live just blocks away from a Swiss Chalet, who just so happens to have a ‘Kids Eat Free’ Night once a week. Let’s just say it doesn’t take too much convincing for me to forgo cooking every once in a while and take advantage of the meal deals. So to all you other parents out there who might benefit from a list like this, here are some of the Ottawa restaurants where you can get a free (or almost free) kids meal.

Monday

• The Wellington Diner – this Wellington west restaurant is a favourite of mine. They serve up such amazing brunch (all day long), their poutine is awesome and they are so kid friendly. On Monday evenings after 5 pm kids eat free, so that’s a great time to try it out if you haven’t been!
• Buffet des Continents – this is a Gatineau buffet that has someone for everyone. I haven’t been yet, but I had so many of you messaging me to tell me how good it is! Every child 12 years of age and under eats for free every day of the week except for Saturday (when it is half price) when accompanied by a parent, and meals are always free for children four and under.

Tuesday

• Montana’s – I’m a sucker for their corn bread and on Tuesdays kids 12 years old and under eat for free. Kids also eat free on their birthday.
• Pizza Hut – there are a number of locations across Ottawa. It’s never a bad idea to call ahead to make sure they participate, but on Tuesdays Kids 10 and under can get a free meal.
• Denny’s – kids 10 years old and under eat free from 4 pm to 10 pm. There is a limit of two free meals per visit.
• Red Lobster – if you are looking to get your seafood fix (or your kid likes shrimp as much as my daughter does) then you may want to hit up Red Lobster on Tuesdays. They don’t offer free meals, but kids meals are only $1 with the purchase of an adult meal.
• East Side Mario’s – again not free…but cheaper. On Tuesday’s kids meals are $2. Your kids can also sign up for the restaurant’s kids club which will give them five free kids meals to be used at any time. (I have been informed that some different East Side Mario locations have different deal days – some with kids eat free on Mondays or Sundays…so call ahead!)

Wednesday

• Swiss Chalet – this is the restaurant deal my family has taken advantage of the most in the past. Kids meals (which are big and include a drink and dessert) are free on Wednesdays for kids 10 and under. Some locations could have different days, and not every location runs this, so double check before going! ***The local Swiss Chalet we always go to at Fairlawn Plaza is stopping the Kids Eat Free Day as of October 1, 2019. Hopefully this is not the same across all locations!
• Whispers Pub – this friendly neighbourhood Westboro pub offers free meals to kids 12 and under from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Bonus, if the weather isn’t cold there is a kids play area for little ones out on their covered patio!

Sunday

• Barley Mow – the Barley Mow has a number of Ottawa locations, as well as Kanata, Almonte Barrhaven and Brockville. Kids eat free on Sundays with the purchase of an adult meal.
• Mexicali Rosas – kids ten years old and under eat free on Sunday’s at the Dow’s Lake location. Bonus: a really beautiful view with this restaurant being right on the lake.
• Stoneface Dolly’s Riverside – on Sunday evening kids eat free at the Riverside location of this family restaurant. BONUS: also half price desserts and $5 pints for adults!
• Zak’s Diner – with three locations (Byward Market, Kanata and Elgin st) this popular and super kid friendly restaurant is now offering free kids meals from SUNDAY to THURSDAY from 4 pm to close. It comes with the purchase of one adult meal and beverage and is offered for kids aged 10 and under.

There are probably some more kids meal deals out there that I don’t know about. If you know of some, please leave me a comment and I will add them to the list! It is important to note that all of these deals require the purchase of an adult meal to get the kids deal.