Family Restaurants in Helen, Georgia
Kids' menus, prices and which dining rooms work best with little ones
The short answer
Where kids eat well
Helen is built around beer halls and German food, but the restaurants here are used to families. The table lists the places with the clearest kids' options, with the prices each restaurant posts.
| Restaurant | Kids' menu | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| The Heidelberg, 8660 N Main St | For ages 12 and under, with fries and a pickle: hot dog $5, hamburger $6, grilled cheese $5, chicken fingers $6, bratwurst, knockwurst or child schnitzel $7 | Dining room open Sun to Thu 11 to 9, Fri and Sat 11 to 10. Takes reservations. 18% gratuity added for parties of six or more |
| Bodensee, 64 Munich Strasse | $7 plates for ages 12 and under: chicken or pork schnitzel, cheese spaetzle, wings, tenders, fish sticks, grilled cheese | No reservations right now. Site lists 11 AM to 8 PM; call to confirm |
| Cafe International, 8546 S Main St | $6 plates for 12 and under: kids burger, grilled cheese, PB&J, hot dog or mac and cheese | Overlooks the Chattahoochee. 3.99% service charge, waived for cash |
| Troll Tavern, 8590 N Main St | $11 plates, drinks not included: cheeseburger, chicken tenders or hot dog, all with fries | Right on the river under the bridge. Hours Mon to Thu 11 to 9, Fri to Sun 11 to 10. Service dogs only |
| Bigg Daddy's, 807 Edelweiss Strasse | A kids menu is posted on its site | Open daily 11 AM to midnight, kitchen until 10 PM |
| Cowboys & Angels, 60 Chattahoochee St | Ask for kids' options at the table | Open daily 11 AM to 10 PM; pet-friendly deck |
Kids' prices can change; confirm when you order.
Easy wins
The Heidelberg is the best-documented choice: its menu includes a "Für Kinder" section with prices starting at $5. Ask for the main dining room rather than the Bierhimmel music hall on the top floor if you want a calmer meal, and call ahead because it takes reservations. At Cafe International, a kid's plate is $6 and the sandwich list is easy to split.
Troll Tavern is the fun one: it's under the bridge on the Chattahoochee, and its menu has smash burgers, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, and it is handicap accessible, with parking behind the restaurant. Bodensee has a $7 kids' menu that includes cheese spaetzle, a good starter for picky eaters.
Make a night of it
After dinner, Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen is open until 8 or 9 PM and makes its fudge, brittle and caramel apples by hand. Alpine Mini Golf Village at 7914 S Main St is another after-dinner option; check its hours and prices at the course. In summer, the Chattahoochee tubing outfitters are the big family activity. The paved Anna Ruby Falls trail is about 0.4 mile each way with some steep sections.
For a bigger day, Dillard House serves family-style Southern meals about 70 minutes north.
Tips for dining with kids
Eat early
Kitchens close at 9 or 10 PM, and Oktoberfest and leaf-season weekends fill up. Aim for an early dinner.
Skip Tuesday and Wednesday at Hofer's
It's closed both days, so plan a different breakfast.
Reserve where you can
Call The Heidelberg at 706-878-0061 about reservations, since its website says both yes and no. Bodensee doesn't take them right now, and Troll Tavern takes them for parties of 20 or more.
Ask about cash
Cafe International waives its 3.99% service charge for cash, and Troll Tavern adds a 3.5% non-cash adjustment.
Family dining questions
Which Helen restaurants post kids' menus?
The Heidelberg ($5 to $7), Bodensee ($7), Cafe International ($6), Troll Tavern ($11) and Bigg Daddy's all post kids' menus on their websites.
Does The Heidelberg take reservations?
Call ahead at 706-878-0061. The restaurant's website says it gladly takes reservations in its dining room, and also that it's seating parties first come, first served.
What time do Helen restaurants close?
The Heidelberg's dining room closes at 9 PM Sunday to Thursday and 10 PM Friday and Saturday. Troll Tavern closes at 9 or 10 PM, Cowboys & Angels at 10 PM and Bigg Daddy's kitchen at 10 PM.
Can I bring my dog?
Troll Tavern allows service dogs only. Cowboys & Angels lists a pet-friendly deck, and Hofer's allows pets on its outdoor patio with bakery-case items.
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