Northeast of Indianapolis is the small town of Fortville. You’ll find gorgeous parks, boutiques full of handcrafted goods, art galleries, and enough mom-and-pop-run restaurants to satisfy whatever your palate craves. Check out these family-friendly restaurants in Fortville, and after all that, stick around for some more family fun in Fortville.
Lincoln Square Pancake House
901 E. Broadway Street, Fortville
Fill your belly with the comfort foods you know and love. For less than $10, you can get huge skillet dishes, healthy waffles, and breakfast tacos hearty enough for kids to share! They also serve more lunch-type foods, i.e., burgers, wraps, and salads. On the kids’ menu, we love the Mickey Mouse pancakes. (They are almost too cute to eat!) The “pick two” option makes our kids feel like they’re in control when they get to choose from two waffles, pancakes, or pieces of French toast. This breakfast/brunch/lunch restaurant is only open until 3 pm, so don’t wait until dinnertime to visit.
Broadway Diner
426 E. Broadway Street, Fortville
The Broadway Diner is exactly what you’d expect to find in small town America. Amazing home-cooked food, without the frills of fancy establishments. The kids’ menu is full of child-friendly selections. Our kids love the Mickey Mouse pancakes ($4). The staff is known for being friendly and engaging with their youngest patrons. You can expect silly faces and jokes to make the littles laugh when you visit.
Los Maguelles
222 S. Main Street, Fortville
The go-to for Mexican food in Fortville is Los Maguelles. We love their affordable kids menu, which features chicken and cheese tacos, quesadillas, chicken tenders, and mac-and-cheese (less than $6). Save room for dessert, because the fried ice cream is delicious. Our kids had never heard of it, so they were eager to try and loved every bite.
Taxman
29 S. Main Street, Fortville
On the kids’ dinner menu, try the “dip’n chick’n” or the amazing PB&J waffle. They also have a kids’ Sunday brunch, with options like breakfast Tacos and Chicken & Waffles. Grab a table by the windows, and you’ll enjoy the sight of the passing trains. If there are no trains to watch while you wait, they have coloring pages and crayons proudly displayed on the restaurant’s windows.
Cortona’s Italian Cuisine
209 S. Main Street, Fortville
While Cortona doesn’t have a specific kids’ menu, the portions are large enough for a couple of kids to share. The pizza is amazing, and we love the breadsticks. They also offer a create-your-own pasta option that our kids love. For the adults, there are fantastic wine options and fun beverages, as well. This is a fantastic dinner option for authentic Italian cuisine. Check out these other favorite places in the area to get pasta too!
Mozzi Pizza
23 S. Main Street, Fortville
Sandwiches, pastas, salads, and, of course, pizza are all available for carry-out or delivery. We suggest grabbing a pizza and heading to a shade tree in a park, or under the gazebo in Landmark Park. Personal-size options are perfect for kids to create their own. The gluten-free crust is really tasty, too.
Libby’s Ice Cream
11 S. Main Street, Fortville
While not a restaurant in the traditional sense, it’s definitely worth a mention. Libby’s is the go-to spot in Fortville for all things dessert. Known for their ice cream, you can also indulge in their smoothies, loaded cookie sandwiches, and pies. Check out their seasonal options, as well (think zombie milkshakes at Halloween and homemade peppermint ice cream at Christmas). The kids will have fun playing and shopping in the toy section. Don’t miss the chance to snap a photo in the back at the Insta-worthy painted wall.
Denver’s Garage Pizza & Brew
110 E. Broadway Street, Fortville
Fortville’s newest family-friendly restaurant just opened this summer. Head to Denver’s Garage for amazing pizzas and fun garage/car themed decor. Our kids loved the cheesy flatbread vs the traditional pizza. We loved that there was no red sauce to stain their clothes. Watch cars pass by from any of the outdoor seating options. Denver’s Garage prides itself on high-quality ingredients, and it shows.
Heading out to eat with kids in tow can be an adventure in and of itself. It’s comforting to know that families are welcome and catered to at these establishments. Attention to detail, spectacular service, and kid-friendly fare make these places our go-to Fortville options. One of the best things about this small town is that all these restaurants are on the same street! Fortville is perfect for a “progressive dinner”. Enjoy appetizers, the main course, and dessert at different restaurants on the same night; a great way to see for yourself how inviting and family-friendly Fortville is.
