10 Charlotte Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free (+ a Brand-New Bonus Spot)

Looking for a way to save some money on your kiddos? Back-to-school season means busier evenings for Charlotte families — homework, sports practices, and everything in between. To make life a little easier, several local restaurants are offering “kids eat free” nights so parents can take a break from the kitchen without breaking the bank.

Listed below are 10 spots around the Queen City where kids can enjoy a complimentary meal — with menus ranging from pizza and burgers to tacos and Southern comfort food.

1. Empire Pizza

📍 Matthews & Pineville-Matthews Rd
🗓 Monday, 4–9 p.m.
Kids enjoy a free meal with the purchase of an adult entrée (dine-in only).

2. The Lodge: A Sportsman’s Grill

📍 Colony Rd
🗓 Monday, 12–4 p.m.
With a focus on hearty burgers and grill classics, The Lodge gives kids a free meal when you order from select menu sections.

3. Three Amigos Mexican Grill & Cantina

📍 Central Ave
🗓 Monday
Pair stacked tacos or enchiladas with a free kids’ meal alongside your order.

4. Dilworth Neighborhood Grille

📍 Morehead St
🗓 Monday–Thursday
With a wide menu ranging from crab cakes to fresh salads and sandwiches, this neighborhood favorite offers one free kids’ meal per adult entrée. 

5. Hawthorne’s New York Pizza

📍 Multiple Charlotte-area locations
🗓 Tuesday
One of Charlotte’s most popular pizza chains, Hawthorne’s lets kids eat free every Tuesday with an adult meal.

6. Midtown Tavern

📍 E 3rd St
🗓 Tuesday
Classic pub food plus a dedicated kids’ menu — free all day Tuesday.

7. Wolfman Pizza

📍 Park Rd
🗓 Tuesday
Kids get their meal free with your entrée.

8. Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse

📍 Uptown, Ballantyne, SouthPark & Huntersville
🗓 Thursday
For every $12 spent, families get one complimentary kids’ meal (dine-in only).

9. Deluxe Fun Dining

📍 Uptown
🗓 Friday
Playful presentation and hearty dishes for adults, with kids under 12 eating free from a special menu.

10. Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant

📍 Ballantyne
🗓 Sunday
Round out the weekend with some margaritas while kids enjoy a free meal (limit one per adult).

⭐ Bonus: Just Opened!

Mother’s Comfort Food & Cocktails
 📍 Park Road Shopping Center: Charlotte’s newest restaurant is already making waves with Southern-style comfort food, craft cocktails, and the menu has 130 ITEMS! On Thursdays kids under 12 can eat for free! It’s a family-friendly newcomer worth adding to your dining list.