Kids Eat Free in Milwaukee’s North Shore: The Ultimate Guide

Many restaurants in Milwaukee’s North Shore area offer “kids eat free” promotions that let children dine at little to no cost when accompanied by adults. This guide covers ongoing deals at North Shore eateries and highlights a few nearby promotions, along with tips to make the most of your family night out.

Below are some North Shore area restaurants with ongoing kids-eat-free promotions. For each listing, we’ve included the location, day(s) of the deal, age restrictions, what the deal includes, the cuisine type, whether it’s dine-in only, and any key fine print. Enjoy a night out in the neighborhood with these family-friendly deals!

Bavarian Bierhaus – Glendale, WI

• Day: Tuesday (weekly, during dinner hours)

• Ages: 12 and under

• Deal: One free kids’ menu meal with each purchase of an adult Bavarian Specialties entréemkewithkids.com. In other words, if you order one of their classic German dinners, you get a free kids’ meal for your child.

• Cuisine: German-American brewpub (casual beer hall atmosphere)

• Dine-in Only: Yes – the deal is valid for dine-in guests only (cannot be combined with other offers)opentable.com. The restaurant opens at 4 PM on Tuesdays, so the promotion applies to dinner service.

• Notes: Kids’ beverages are not included in the free offer (you may need to purchase drinks separately). This longstanding German restaurant is very family-friendly – they even host fun “Kid Boogie Down” dance parties throughout the yearmkewithkids.com. The lively atmosphere and large indoor space make it comfortable for kids.

Highland House – Mequon, WI

• Days: Sunday & Tuesday evenings

• Ages: Generally 12 and under (call to confirm, as specifics aren’t listed on the website)

• Deal: Kids eat free at dinner with the purchase of an adult entrée (typically one free kids’ meal per adult meal) on Sunday and Tuesday nights. This has been a popular promotion for years, making Highland House a go-to for North Shore families at the start of the week.

• Cuisine: Mexican and American fare in a casual “vacation vibes” setting (think tacos, burgers, and tropical drinks).

• Dine-in Only: Yes – the free kids’ meals are offered for dine-in guests dining with adults. (Promotions like this usually aren’t applicable to carryout.)

• Notes: Highland House is known for its family-friendly features – there’s a video game room on-site to keep kids entertained. Because this deal draws local families, the restaurant can get busy on these nights; arriving on the earlier side of dinner is wise. As always, beverages and desserts for kids may not be included in the free promotion. It’s a good idea to call ahead to verify the deal, since details can change.

Denny’s – 8001 W. Brown Deer Rd

• Day: Tuesday, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Ages: 10 and under

• Deal: Up to two free kids’ meals from the kids’ menu per one regularly priced adult entrée purchased (an adult meal and beverage purchase is required).

• Cuisine: American diner – Denny’s offers comfort food, breakfast-all-day, and classic kid favorites.

• Dine-in Only: Yes. The kids-eat-free deal is valid for dine-in customers only at participating Denny’s locations

• Notes: Kids’ drinks are not included in the free deal, so things like milk or juice will be extra. This Denny’s is on the northern edge of Milwaukee (near Brown Deer), so it’s convenient for North Shore families. Tip: Denny’s promotions can vary by location, but the Brown Deer Road location has consistently offered the Tuesday night deal. It’s wise to mention the kids-eat-free promo to your server when ordering, just to avoid any confusion on the bill.

More Milwaukee-Area Kids Eat Free Deals (Nearby)

In addition to the North Shore favorites above, several nearby Milwaukee-area restaurants offer reliable kids-eat-free or kids’ discount deals. If you’re willing to drive a bit further or if you’re exploring outside the North Shore, these promotions are worth knowing about:

• IHOP (Multiple Locations): Kids 12 and under eat free every day from 4–10 PM with the purchase of an adult entrée. This deal is dine-in only and generally one free kids’ meal per adult. (Drinks not included.) IHOP’s family-friendly atmosphere and variety of pancakes make it a hit for an easy dinner or “brinner” (breakfast for dinner).

• Pizza Ranch (Menomonee Falls location): Kids Day is Tuesday evenings. Kids 10 and under eat free at the buffet with a paying adult at participating Pizza Ranch locations. If you’re up for pizza and fried chicken buffet-style, this is a great value – one child per adult eats free, and the buffet means even picky eaters will find something they like. (Hours may vary, typically the deal is during the dinner buffet window.) Dine-in only.

• A.J. O’Brady’s Irish Pub & Grill (Menomonee Falls, WI): This friendly pub has kids eat free on Sundays. For each adult meal purchased on Sunday, you get a free kids’ meal (usually for ages 12 and under). It’s a popular spot for families to catch a game on TV and enjoy classics from mac & cheese to mini corn dogs for the kiddos alongside Irish pub fare for the adults. Dine-in only.

• De Marinis Pizzeria (Menomonee Falls, WI): On Sundays, kids can eat free off the kids’ menu here. The deal generally allows one free kids’ pizza or pasta per adult entree ordered. This neighborhood Italian spot is a bit of a drive from the North Shore, but on a Sunday family outing it could be worth it for some free pizza. As always, call ahead to confirm participation and timing.

• Smashburger (Brookfield, WI): Every Wednesday, get a free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult meal (entrée, side, and drink). This is an in-store only offer. If you’re out towards Brookfield, Smashburger’s deal can save you the cost of a kids’ burger or chicken tenders. (Brookfield is a drive from the North Shore, but we include this for those who travel around the metro.)

Note: Many national chain restaurants run kids-eat-free promotions that vary by franchise location. For example, Perkins, Culver’s, Chili’s, and others have offered kids-eat-free nights or limited-time deals in the past, but these can differ by restaurant. Always check with your nearest location. The deals listed above are known to be consistently offered in the greater Milwaukee area as of the latest updates.

Seasonal & Limited-Time Kids-Eat-Free Promotions

Keep an eye out for seasonal promotions as well – some restaurants offer special kids-eat-free deals during certain times of the year or on special occasions. Here are a few examples that North Shore families might want to watch for:

• Noodles & Company (Fall Promotion): In the fall of 2024, Noodles & Co. ran a limited-time offer where with any regular entrée purchase, you could get a free kids’ meal any day of the week, any time of day. Parents just had to mention a code (or apply it online) to redeem the free kids’ meal. These kinds of promotions are not permanent, but they do pop up – Noodles & Co. called it a “Kids Eat Free Everyday” special for the autumn season. It never hurts to ask if a place has any current specials for kids; you might luck into a similar deal.

• Outback Steakhouse (Summer Offer): During summer 2024, Outback Steakhouse introduced a “kids eat free on Mondays” deal from late June through Labor Day. This was a seasonal promotion to attract families when kids were out of school. If you love a good steak or blooming onion, it was a nice perk to bring the kids along on a Monday night for no charge. Such summer vacation specials tend to be limited to those months – check each year to see if they return.

• Holiday Freebies: Restaurants sometimes let kids eat free on specific holidays. For instance, some Applebee’s locations have offered free kids’ meals on Easter Sunday or Halloween as a one-day promotion (usually advertised via social media or email to subscribers). These aren’t regular occurrences, but around major family-centric holidays it’s worth browsing your favorite restaurant’s Facebook page or emails for a potential “kids eat free today” announcement.

• Community Events: Don’t forget local community events and venues – not exactly restaurants, but worth mentioning. For example, Milwaukee Brewers baseball games on Sundays have in the past featured promotions like Kids Eat Free Family Days at the ballpark (with a voucher for a free hot dog and soda for kids), and some summer outdoor events offer free meals to kids. While not a restaurant scenario, it’s a fun way to combine dining and entertainment. Also, the Marcus Theatres’ Kids Dream film series offers $3 kids’ tickets in summer, which isn’t a meal deal but is a nice tie-in: you could catch a cheap morning movie and then head to a kids-eat-free lunch spot on a day offpatch.compatch.com.

In short, stay alert for limited-time deals – follow your favorite local restaurants on social media or join their email lists. You might score a free kids’ meal during spring break, a “back to school” special, or other seasonal events.

Tips for Enjoying Kids-Eat-Free Nights

Taking advantage of kids-eat-free promotions can be a game-changer for your dining budget. Here are some final tips for families to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience:

• Call Ahead to Confirm: Always call the restaurant or check its official website/Facebook before you go to verify the deal is still active and get details. Promotions can change or be paused, and some deals vary by location. A two-minute call can save disappointment if a promo ended or the rules changed.

• Go Early (or Late): Kids-eat-free nights tend to be popular. Restaurants might get busier than usual on these evenings with many families taking advantage. Consider arriving on the early side of the dinner hour to beat the rush (or come a bit later if your kids have later bedtimes). An early arrival can mean quicker seating and less wait when kids are hungry.

• Know the Rules: Make sure you understand the fine print. Common restrictions include: dine-in only (almost always the case), requiring the purchase of an adult entrée per free kid’s meal, set hours (e.g. 4–8 PM only), and exclusions on drinks or desserts for the kids. For example, if your deal is one free kid per adult and you have more children than adults, you’ll pay for the extra kid’s meal – plan accordingly when ordering. If the promotion specifies an age limit (such as “under 10”), know that your older kids might not qualify for the freebie.

• Mention the Deal: When you arrive or when ordering, casually mention “We’re here for the kids-eat-free deal” or ask your server to apply the promotion. This sets the expectation and ensures the staff rings up your bill correctly. It can be easy for a busy server to forget to apply the discount if it’s not mentioned until the bill comes.

• Enjoy Kid-Friendly Activities: Make the night out a little adventure. Many North Shore spots have nearby activities perfect for before or after dinner. For instance, if you’re dining at Bavarian Bierhaus on a Tuesday, you might catch their live music or let the kids dance if there’s an event. If you’re at Highland House in Mequon on a Tuesday, you’re just a mile from Marcus North Shore Cinema – perhaps treat the family to an early movie (often, promotions like $5 Tuesdays at the movie theater pair well with a free kids’ dinner afterward). Likewise, after a Sunday meal at a place like O’Brady’s or Pizza Ranch, you could head to a nearby park or ice cream shop as a reward for good table manners. Combining dinner with an activity makes the outing more memorable and fun for the kids.

• Be Patient and Prepared: Family nights can be a bit louder and more chaotic at restaurants – which is actually good for parents (no one minds the noise your kids make!). Even so, service might be slower on a packed kids-eat-free night. Bring along a coloring book, handheld game, or have some “I Spy” games ready to play at the table. Keeping kids occupied will help the time pass if the kitchen is backed up. Remember, you’re saving money on the meal, so a little patience goes a long way to keep the experience positive.

• Show Gratitude (and Tip Well): Even though you’re getting a free deal, it’s good form to tip your server on what the value of the meal would have been. The waitstaff is still doing the same amount of work bringing out those kids’ meals. Being gracious and thanking the restaurant staff can also help reinforce to the establishment that these promotions are appreciated by the community.

By following these tips, you can make your kids-eat-free night out both budget-friendly and stress-free. Milwaukee’s North Shore has a lot to offer families, and taking advantage of these dining deals is a smart way to explore local restaurants without overspending. Enjoy your next family dinner outing, and happy saving!

Sources: The specific deal information above has been compiled from restaurant websites, local guides, and promotions verified as of 2024-2025. Always check with the restaurant for the most current details.

Looking for more local deals with kids? Here’s how you can get in free to Summerfest in 2025.