d'Alba

"Nestled on a quiet residential street in Garden Oaks, this neighborhood establishment is a warm, homey retreat offering wood-fired pizzas or handmade bucatini with marinara sauce. The main attraction is the extended patio, which features comfortable banquettes, picnic tables, and an outside bar. Parents can cool down with a mezcal paloma while the kids entertain themselves with a playground and arcade tucked behind the restaurant." - Brianna Griff

"With a patio for al fresco dining, a welcoming playground, and an arcade, d’Alba is a restaurant both kids and adults can get behind. Enjoy oysters on the half-shell, wood-fired pizzas, and handmade pasta dishes that can easily be shared. If the kids want their own meal, there are options including fingers, pasta, cheese pizza, and a classic peanut butter and jelly served with fries. Adults can savor big plates like the slow-baked king salmon, plus cocktails like the Alba red mule, made with Deep Eddy Ruby Red vodka and hibiscus ginger beer. Treat the table to scoops of seasonal sorbet, the tres leches, or the freshly baked chocolate chip cookie with a scoop of ice cream." - Brianna Griff, Brittany Britto Garley

"Dining al fresco with puppies and children in tow never looked so good. With outposts in Garden Oaks and Midtown, this beloved neighborhood gem boasts a charming backyard-style patio, complete with flat-screen TVs, picnic tables, a children’s play area, and Adirondack chairs surrounding a fire pit. In addition to craft cocktails, wine, and beer, the restaurant features provisions like Gulf oysters and 12-inch wood-fired pies, plus a lively weekend brunch." - Brittany Britto Garley

"Who says you can’t enjoy brunch anymore as a parent? At D’Alba in Garden Oaks, you can throw back a couple of mimosa carafes and ricotta pancakes on the massive patio while your kids absolutely tear it up on the playground. And with the outside being pet-friendly, you can also unleash your Australian Shepherd named Bluey and let it herd kids around in a non-stop chase-game ouroboros. It’s just like your backyard, but with truffle oil and jammy egg pizza." - chelsea thomas, gianni greene, julie takahashi

"D’Alba in Garden Oaks is a great spot to both have brunch and bring your kids, too. Throw back a couple of mimosa carafes and ricotta pancakes on the massive patio while your kids absolutely tear it up on the playground. And with the outside being pet-friendly, you can also unleash your Australian Shepherd named Bluey and let it herd kids around in a non-stop chase-game ouroboros. It’s just like your backyard, but with truffle oil and jammy egg pizza." - Chelsea Thomas