Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Smith Mountain Lake
Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia — updated August 21, 2026
Six Moneta and Wirtz spots that work with kids in tow, ranked by how settled their ratings are and what's actually on the menu for younger eaters.
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Eating out with kids around Smith Mountain Lake means driving between Moneta, Wirtz and the marina roads, and it means watching the clock: several of the lake's most reliable kitchens close at 2 p.m. or 8 p.m., and at least one shuts down two days a week. Seasonal hour changes are common here, so a phone call before loading everyone into the car is worth the trouble. The six below are ranked by how well they handle families, with review counts noted so you can tell a proven rating from a promising one.
1. Old Oak Cafe
Old Oak is the only place on this list whose website lists a kids menu as its own section, alongside breakfast, sandwiches and burgers, salads, and sides. That matters when someone at the table wants nothing but eggs and toast. The rating is 4.6 across 672 reviews, which is a lot of agreement for a small-town cafe. Hours are morning through early afternoon, Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a later 8 a.m. start on the remaining day. Breakfast plates run to scrambled eggs, country fried steak and steak and eggs, so it works as a first stop before a day on the water. It is at 400 Scruggs Road in Moneta.
2. Moosie's Bar and Grill
Moosie's carries the broadest menu of anywhere here, which is the practical argument for bringing a family: overstuffed subs and sandwiches, burgers, ribs and chicken, pulled pork barbecue, and Mexican dishes, plus beer and wine for the adults. At 4.4 from 956 reviews, it is one of the most tested ratings at the lake, and that volume makes the score trustworthy rather than provisional. Listings show doors opening at 11 a.m. and a kitchen that winds down around 8 p.m., though the days it operates are reported inconsistently, so confirm before you go. Find it at 16 Bridgewater Pointe Place in Moneta.
3. Napoli Cowboy
A Texas-meets-Italian kitchen in Wirtz, which in practice means the picky-eater standbys of Italian cooking sit next to heartier plates. The 4.6 rating over 692 reviews is the highest on this list at meaningful volume. The catch is scheduling: dinner runs 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and the restaurant is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Sunday follows a different, earlier schedule listed on its own site. Specials and any hour changes get posted to its Facebook page, which is the fastest way to check. Address is 6674 Burnt Chimney Road.
4. Jake's Place
Jake's has the appetizer lineup that keeps children occupied while entrees are still coming: mozzarella sticks at $8.99, fried pickles at $8.99, and a quesadilla at $14.99. Cheese pizza and tacos ($12.99) appear on the menu as well, alongside shrimp tacos and burgers. The rating sits at 4.3 from 735 reviews, a settled figure rather than a fluke. It is a full bar operation with two dozen craft taps, so evenings skew adult, and the posted Wednesday service starts at 5 p.m. Hours shift with the season and the restaurant runs occasional pop-up Tuesday dinners. It sits at 1041 Harbour Inn Lane, Moneta.
5. Mango's Bar & Grill
Mango's has the largest review base at the lake, 1,315, but the lowest rating on this list at 4.2. Read that as a well-documented middle: plenty of people go, opinions vary. For families the deciding factor is timing. Live music runs on weekend evenings, including Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., which is either the draw or the reason to come earlier with young kids. Published hours differ between sources and change with the season, with spring listed as 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and later on weekends. It is on Booker T. Washington Highway in Moneta.
6. Wake Cafe
Wake Cafe is the casual, order-and-sit option: burgers, sandwiches and wraps, with shareable sides sized small or large, including waffle fries at $4 or $6 and cheese curds at $6 or $9. Splitting a large order of fries across two kids is a straightforward way to keep the bill down. Evidence here is thinner than elsewhere on the list, 4.3 from 214 reviews, so treat the rating as promising rather than proven. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., meaning it is closed Mondays. It is at 520 Scruggs Road in Moneta.
What we left off
First Watch on Franklin Road in Roanoke was removed. It rates 4.5 across 1,426 reviews and serves breakfast through mid-afternoon, but it is a national chain, and this guide covers independent restaurants around Smith Mountain Lake.