If your wallet took a beating this holiday season, you’re not alone. While the new year can be a time for renewal and reinvention, many of us are just trying to recover from the physical, emotional, and financial stress of the holidays. Finding an affordable kid-friendly restaurant is more important than ever when winter hibernation is not an option.

I’ve compiled a list of eateries that offer kid-approved meals for under $12 – and, in some cases, free – that mom and dad will also enjoy, because I believe the whole family deserves a positive dining experience. 

For more deals, be sure to check out our story on restaurants where kids eat free in New Jersey, and discover all the free events and activities near you in our New Jersey Free Things To Do with Kids Guide.

Where Can Families Eat Well for Cheap in New Jersey?

1. Park Wayne Diner – Wayne

This bustling diner has a stacked kids menu (ages 12 and under) offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner items, plus a free fruit salad, ice cream, or Jello with lunch and dinner orders. Even better, kids eat free on Mondays between 5pm and 8pm with each adult meal. Kids can even get their faces painted and their own balloon animal. Every time I’ve been there, the service has been friendly, the portions large, and, while it’s frequently busy, there's always been a spot available for us.

2. Over Easy Kitchen – Marlboro, Holmdel, Fair Haven

Looking for a more elevated breakfast, brunch, or lunch experience? This vibrantly colored spot has a $12 kids menu that satisfies young palates with options such as chicken tenders, grilled cheese, scrambled eggs, or a hamburger (includes fries or a fruit cup and a drink), while mom and dad explore the rest of the exciting menu. I recommend the “Da Meech” chicken cutlet sandwich with sweet potato chorizo hash on the side, which is quite yum!

3. Cozy Cafe – Old Bridge

I went to the Cozy Cafe while visiting my friends and their kids. The portions are large enough to share, and, as the name suggests, the vibe is cozy and inviting. Each item on the kids menu is $8.95 and includes crowd-pleasers such as cheeseburgers and fries, churro French toast sticks, pancakes, and chicken tenders. Parents will appreciate the sweet and savory monthly specials, like the rainbow cookie crepe and the King Benedict (a loaded potato pancake topped with arugula, tomatoes, chicken cutlet, bacon, avocado, and poached eggs with a chipotle hollandaise sauce).

4. Brick & Brew – Franklin

My family goes to Brick & Brew a few times a month because it’s just that good! They make mouthwatering personal-sized brick-oven pizza and more! The kids menu is for ages 12 and under and includes items $10 or less, and the real star is the 8-inch cheese pizza. No frozen microwaved junk, this brick-oven pizza will have mom and dad begging for their kids to share. My daughter orders her own and usually has a few slices left to reheat in the toaster oven later on. Parents will appreciate their drink specials and build-your-own-pizza topping options. This spot also serves sandwiches, salads, steaks, pasta, and more! Don’t order the Nutella pizza for dessert unless you are sharing with a group.

5. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet – Jersey City, South Plainfield, North Bergen, Cinnaminson, Tom’s River

For the family that never sees eye-to-eye on a meal, Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet is for you. With locations throughout New Jersey, this budget-friendly spot offers a wide variety of food, including Chinese, Japanese, American, Italian, Mexican, and vegetarian options. Families can grab a buffet lunch for $12 per adult and $7 for kids ages 3-6; $9 for kids ages 7-10; and dinner for $17 per adult, $9 for kids ages 3-6, and $11 for kids ages 7-10. The price includes an extensive dessert menu. You can’t get more affordable than this!

6. JINYA Ramen Bar – Hackensack, Totowa

For older, adventurous eaters, there’s no better time to get them hooked on delicious, soothing ramen. Jinya offers two kids' meals, ranging from $10 to $12, that will have kids slurping and smiling. Order the chicken ramen meal that comes with crispy chicken, sweet potato fries, and vanilla ice cream, or the vegetarian meal, which comes with a rice bowl, ramen, and a mini taco. Parents will appreciate the choice between ramen, sushi, tacos, rice and curry bowls, salads, and more.

7. Jalapenos Mexican Bar & Grill – Glen Rock

When that taco craving hits, take the kids with you, preferably on Sundays and Tuesdays between 4pm and 9pm, when Jalepenos serves kids 12 and under a free meal with each paying adult. Great for picky eaters, the menu offers both Mexican and American fare. Even if you can’t make it on a late Sunday or Tuesday afternoon, thei kids menu, which includes a drink and ice cream, costs a modest $10. The lively environment will drown out any noises your kids make, so don’t worry about shushing them during dinner. My daughter is obsessed with the ground beef taco in a hard tortilla shell served with a side of rice.

8. Black River Barn Restaurant – Randolph

With almost everything on the kids menu under $12, kids 10 and under will feast at Black River Barn. The real draw on the menu is the kids rack of ribs, which comes with tator tots and cornbread for a relatively pricey $17. But, for $12 and under, your kids can sink their teeth into pasta dishes, chicken parmesan (my kid’s favorite!), chicken quesadilla, and other kids' menu staples (and top it off with a $5 sundae). The atmosphere is laid-back and family-friendly. You won’t be disappointed!

9. Teenie Hut Jrs. – Elmer

This pirate-themed fun spot is perfect for the little ones. The “Jr. Pirate Meals” range from $7 to $8.50 and come with two sides in a pirate box. Families can order a large pizza to share for $16, or a substantial barbecue or pasta family meal for $40. Besides the budget-friendly options, parents will love letting the kids run free in the fenced-in pirate-themed playground and bounce house. Teenie Hut Jrs. makes for an excellent spot for a playdate meet-up.

10. The Station Bar & Grill – Garwood

It’s tough to find a Saturday Kids Eat Free deal, but I found one at The Station Bar & Grill. Kids 12 and under eat free off the kids' menu on Saturdays. Can’t make it on Saturday? The kids menu is very affordable, with each item priced at $9.