Kid-Friendly Restaurants on El Boquerón Volcano
El Boquerón is one of San Salvador’s most popular getaways—fresh mountain air, incredible views, and best of all, plenty of family-friendly restaurants with play areas. Whether you’re visiting the national park or just escaping the city heat for a few hours, here are seven restaurants on El Boquerón where both kids and parents can enjoy their meal.
We chose these spots because they all offer free play spaces for children, so you can dine while your little ones stay entertained!
👉 Planning to visit the national park too? Check out our full guide to Visiting El Boquerón with Kids.
🌄 1. Shack 503
Play Area: Wooden playground structure with swings, slides, and monkey bars. They have a horseshoe game in a separate area as well! The kids will probably ask about the mechanical bull ride, which can be used for an additional cost (they can control the speed and make it slow for kids).
Food Type: This restaurant has great BBQ—some of the best we’ve had in El Salvador! Brisket, pulled pork, chicken and tri tip. Watch the kids though, the rub they use on the outside of the meat is a bit spicy! They have a bunch of sides to accompany, coleslaw, BBQ beans, broccoli salad as well as kid favorites like mac and cheese and french fries.
Other Highlights: There are cowboy hats you can try on for some fun photos! You can also ask the staff for a lock or ribbon to write your name on and add to their railing.
📍Location on Google maps
🔗 https://www.shack503.com/
🔗 https://www.instagram.com/shack_503/
🍖 2. Picnic Steakhouse
Play Area: This is the one restaurant on our list without a traditional playground, but it has various other kid-friendly elements. When you arrive you will see a big carousel with white horses that kids can ride. There is a big life-like elephant and giraffes, as well as a beautiful fountain that entranced my two-year-old. At the entrance is a mosaic covered castle-like structure which you can climb up to have an even better view. The biggest attraction for tourists is the giant rainbow slide (for an extra $5), however this is NOT an attraction for kids and you have to be older than 12 to use it.
Food Type: Grilled meats, burgers, and classic Salvadoran fare with a twist. Very yummy! Though they don’t have a dedicated kids menu written down, if you ask the waiter they have some smaller sized kid options to choose from. There are definitely some kid friendly foods on the main menu as well!
Other Highlights: For $5 a person you can walk through their Jurassic park trail which has 17 animatronic dinosaurs! They also have a new VR experience.
Please check their instagram for hours before you go, different attractions have different hours!
🎒 Want a stress-free experience? Join the family-friendly tour that includes El Boquerón Park and Picnic Steakhouse.
📍Location on Google maps
🔗 https://www.instagram.com/picnicsteakhouse/
🍽️ 3. Plaza Volcán
Play Area: A small play area tucked near the parking lot—ideal for little ones under 5 to burn some energy while waiting for the food.
Food Type: Multiple casual restaurants and cafés. Options include: pupusas, coffee shop, steakhouses, burgers and an italian place.
Highlights: Great pit stop. You can grab a snack, let kids play briefly, and move on. Popular for a quick break or snack time.
📍Location on Google maps
🔗 https://www.instagram.com/plazavolcansv/
🛝 4. Plaza Boquerón
Play Area: Several restaurants with a nice sized play area and green space that was recently remodeled. The main play structure is wooden and plastic, with slides and swings, check behind restaurante Ikatú Café.
Food Type: A variety of restaurants — steak, seafood, pupusas, coffees, and even international dishes. Casual and flexible—you can find something for picky eaters or picky parents. Some restaurants also have coloring pages or kid meals.
Highlights: There is a nice lookout which is popular for taking pictures. Also, all the buildings are made from used shipping containers!
📍Location on Google maps
🔗 https://www.instagram.com/plazaboqueron.sv/
🌤️ 5. 1200 Café
Play Area: For $3 per child, kids can access a fun zone with a trampoline, playground, and mini fair-style rides like a small Ferris wheel and airplane carousel. There’s also a free pedestrian bridge to explore and hammocks for you to relax in after the meal.
Food Type: A wide and varied menu—breakfast, lunch, and dinner options including crepes, grilled chicken and soup, sandwiches, coffee drinks, and desserts. Perfect for all-day cravings.
Highlights: Located right in front of Plaza Volcán, 1200 Café has ample parking and even extreme attractions like a zipline and aerial bike ride for teens and adults. A great mix of relaxing and adventurous energy for the whole family.
📍Location on Google maps
🔗 @1200cafesv
☕ 6. Café del Volcán
Play Area: Lots of green space for kids to run around. There is a play structure with a slide, swings, a play house and even a trampoline.
Food Type: Coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and light meals as well as salvadoran favorites.
Highlights: There are some paths you can walk around and see their coffee plantation, they produce their own coffee.
📍Location on Google maps
🔗 https://www.instagram.com/cafedelvolcan/
🏡 7. Casa de Campo Boquerón
Play Area: Garden-style space with swings, a trampoline and lots of spaces to explore.
Food Type: Home-style meals, soups, grilled meats and pizza with a traditional Salvadoran touch.
Highlights: Feels like a weekend at the grandparents’ finca. Lots of plants and space to breathe. Kids can explore while you enjoy a warm cup of coffee.
📍Location on Google maps
🔗https://www.instagram.com/casadecampoboqueron/
📝 Final Tips for Visiting El Boquerón with Kids:
- Bring a light jacket—temperatures drop quickly, and some spots get windy, especially in the late afternoon.
- If you’re planning to hike or visit the Boquerón National Park, stop by one of these restaurants before or after for a full family experience.
- Many of these places get crowded on weekends and afternoons, so aim for breakfast, early lunch or weekday visits if possible.
Looking for more kid-friendly restaurants in El Salvador?
Follow us on Instagram @ElSalvadorKidsGuide for updates, reels, and kid-tested spots across the country.
Or check out more articles on our blog.
No responses yet