25 Family-Friendly Restaurants You And The Kids Will Love
Say goodbye to tears and tantrums at your next family lunch out with our top picks for London’s best family-friendly restaurants. From crowd-pleasing pizza joints to restaurants that feel grown-up but know how to charm your little ones, here are our favourites…
London’s top family-friendly restaurants
Gloria
We’ve waxed lyrical about how much we love this place on many occasions but it’s just one of those places you can take anyone – friends, a date, your mum or indeed little ones. The menu is casual Italian fare – the pasta dipped in a wheel of cheese at the table is a must and the pizzas will please fussy little eaters – but we recommend going for the interiors alone. The highchairs look like they’re made by Gucci and we’d quite like to pop the crockery in our bags (we don’t). Oh, and the staff are utterly charming with little ones.
Gloria, 54-56 Great Eastern Street, Hackney, London EC2A 3QR
www.bigmammagroup.com
Sea Containers Restaurant
Home to unmissable views of the River Thames, Sea Containers Restaurant boasts a tasty children’s menu packed with all of their favourites.
From SeaCo’s cheeseburger with baby gem and chips to pepperoni pizza, mac & cheese to grilled chicken with gravy, this is a kid’s menu designed with little tummies in mind.
20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD
www.seacontainerslondon.com
Caravan
With multiple locations in the capital, a dedicated kids’ menu, crowd-pleasing pizzas, banging brunches and some of the best coffee in the capital (for knackered mums and dads), Caravan is a fine choice for casual, fuss-free family dining.
Head to the Kings Cross restaurant (our fave) for cool, stripped-back, industrial-style interiors, an outdoor terrace if you’re still unsure about eating inside and Granary Square’s famous fountains – which children absolutely love running through when the weather warms up.
various locations
www.caravanrestaurants.co.uk
Pizza East
Big banqueting tables, buzzy atmosphere and a place that parents will enjoy just as much as little ones, Pizza East is a great choice if you’re in Shoreditch.
The menu doesn’t have a dedicated kids’ section but there’s plenty to choose from, from their signature pizzas to mozzarella sticks, baked carbonara to gelato scoops. Oh, and they have Aperol Spritz on draught for the adults.
Pizza East, Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JJ
www.pizzaeast.coma
Bocconcino
Bocconcino Soho recently launched Family Festa Sundays, a family-friendly lunch with kids’ entertainment where kids are entertained with interactive games, a lively mini-disco and magic shows.
Taking place every Sunday, 1pm-4pm, between the performances and activities kids can feast on Roman-style pizzas, perfect for a kid’s lunch with its light, crispy crust and simple, fresh toppings.
59 Great Marlborough St, London W1F 7JY
bocconcinosoho.co.uk
Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
He may be ferocious in the kitchen, but he’s obviously a softie at heart. Gordon Ramsay not only welcomes children to most of his restaurants; he also lets those under eight years old eat for free from the kids’ menus at selected Gordon Ramsay Restaurants. Kiddies can look forward to the likes of macaroni and cheese; bangers and mash; meatball pasta with tomato sauce; and burger and chips.
Various locations
www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com
Bellanger
Bellanger has recently reintroduced their children’s menu. Served daily, from 11.45 am onwards. Young diners can enjoy two courses for just £9.95, with choices including linguine with tomato sauce, chicken escalopes with fries, and for dessert, banana split or crepes.
Bellanger has recently reintroduced their children’s menu, where young diners can enjoy two courses for just £9.95
9 Islington Grn, London N1 2XH
bellanger.co.uk
LIMA Cantina
Treat your family to a delicious lunch or pre-theatre meal at LIMA Cantina, nestled in the heart of Covent Garden’s bustling theatre district. Enjoy a one-course meal with a side dish for £18 per person, available Monday to Friday from 12pm to 5pm. LIMA’s kid’s menu has something for every young diner — whether they’re picky eaters or adventurous foodies.
14 Garrick St, London WC2E 9BJ
lima-cantina.com
La Trattoria
After a day at the museums in South Kensington, refuel with the new Pasta Shakerata menu at La Trattoria by Alfredo Russo.
Ideal for fussy eaters, kids can build their own dish, selecting from a variety of homemade pasta, fresh sauces made from seasonal Italian produce and the topping of their choice.
15 Cromwell Pl, South Kensington, London SW7 2LA
collezione.starhotels.com
Pizzeria Mozza
Pizzeria Mozza has announced the launch of their new ‘mozza sundaes’, the newest addition to their Dolci menu. Perfect for kids, guests will be able to enjoy a delicious selection of housemade gelatos and sorbettos, with flavours including orange and passion fruit, traditional cioccolato, olive oil, cookies and cream and pistachio.
The build-your-own sundae station will only
be available to diners on a Sunday from 12-10pm. The mozza sundaes which include three scoops of ice cream and unlimited toppings are £12.
14-15 Langham Pl, London W1B 2QS
treehousehotels.com
Mosaic at The Westin London City
Taking pride in ensuring that guests eat well as part of their stay, Mosaic at The Westin London City has curated a menu that reflects this commitment. And the kids won’t be missing out either.
Little ones can get both a delicious and nutritious meal, featuring favourites such as the family vegetable platter; grilled chicken breast with mash; salmon with soba noodles; or even build your own pizza, allowing them to get fully stuck into the process.
60 Upper Thames St., EC4V 3AD
www.opentable.co.uk
Granger & Co.
No dedicated children’s menu as such but we defy you to find a child who doesn’t love Bill Granger’s hot ricotta pancakes.
This place is the perfect choice for a late breakfast or lunch with little ones in tow when you can’t face another bowl of chips.
Plus, grown-ups will love the seasonal, Aussie-inspired interiors, quality ingredients and easy-going attitude.
Chelsea, Kings Cross, Clerkenwell, Notting Hill
www.grangerandco.com
The Wolseley
The facade of London institution The Wolseley, on Green Park, might look imposing from the outside but inside, the restaurant is anything but pompous.
The team are friendly and great with children, there’s always plenty of atmosphere to soak up and it’s great for people watching too.
Tuck into everything from soups and salads to posh sandwiches and their famous burger, or treat your little lords and ladies to afternoon tea. They will be welcomed like royalty.
The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9EB
www.thewolseley.com
Smith’s Bar & Grill
This summer, treat your kids to a delightful dining experience at Smiths Bar and Grill. The specially curated kids’ menu features a variety of mouth-watering dishes that are sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. From crispy fish and chips to vibrant pesto pasta, comforting tomato pasta, and juicy burgers with chips, there’s something for every little palate.
25 Sheldon Square, Paddington, W2 6EY
www.smithsbarandgrill.co.uk
St Martins Lane
Whether you’re looking to fuel up for the day with a nourishing brekkie, delight in a light lunch or after an early dinner option with the kids, St Martins Lane’s Restaurant is the perfect, laidback spot to know. While the menu is a little more grown up, children and families are always welcome and dishes can be accommodated to keep even the fussiest of eaters happy.
It’s dog-friendly too so even your pooch will be happy here!
45 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4HX
www.book.ennismore.com
Pan Pacific London
A tiny tea for you and your little one? Yes, please!
Celebrating the hotel’s Singaporean roots, Straits Kitchen offers a children’s afternoon tea. It comes complete with adorable finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and sweet treats.
They’ll be kept entertained throughout the afternoon thanks to the children’s colouring activity pack, including pencils and word searches.
80 Houndsditch, EC3A 7AB
www.panpacific.com
Eataly
One for the little one and one for you. Treat the whole family to traditional pasta and wood-fired pizza at Eataly’s Pasta E Pizza restaurant.
Tuck into your favourite Italian dish and order your bambini their traditional margarita pizza – mini-sized just for them, cute! Finish with a traditional Italian dessert made fresh every day by their pastry chefs.
Treat the whole family to traditional pasta and wood-fired pizza at Eataly’s Pasta E Pizza restaurant
135 Bishopsgate, EC2M 3YD
www.eataly.co.uk
Holborn Dining Rooms
Not necessarily a ‘kids’ restaurant but one that is happy to serve even the littlest of diners (our kind of place), Holborn Dining Rooms has that perfect mix of great food, cool interiors and somewhere that children will feel all grown up in but you won’t have to worry about them breaking something.
Choose from a menu of hearty British classics from a scotch egg to delicious steaks and their famous pies.
Holborn Dining Rooms, No. 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN
www.holborndiningroom.com
Swan London
The perfect stop-off during any London day trip out, The Swan is the restaurant that boasts the best children’s menu on the river.
They serve a special children menu in both the bar and restaurant for those who wishing to have a leisurely lunch, or visit the café in the foyer of Shakespeare’s Globe for artisan sandwiches and sweet treats to take away. This summer they’ve collaborated with The Globe’s children’s production of Rough Magic to produce wizardry inspired cookies, soft serve ice creams and magic-potion sparkly juices.
21 New Globe walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT
www.swanlondon.co.uk
Cafe Murano
If you’re aching to try Angela Hartnett’s Michelin-starred Murano but you’ve got little ones in tow, make this Plan B.
The sister restaurants, Cafe Murano, in St James and Bermondsey, are basically watered-down versions of the real deal with better price points. Plus, they have an excellent build-your-own style kids menu of pastas. Basically choose a pasta dish with a sauce of your little one’s liking, from sausage ragu to cheesy parmesan.
Murano St James’s, St James’s Street, SW1A 1HD
Murano Bermondsey, 184 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ
www.cafemurano.co.uk
The English Grill
Located inside The Ruben’s at the Palace, The English Grill welcomes families to dine inside its flagship restaurant. Boasting a live-action kitchen, signature classics for children include shepherd’s pie; classic beef burgers in a brioche bun; Mrs Tollman’s sesame fried chicken; and macaroni cheese.
39 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 0PS
www.rubenshotel.com
South Place Chop House
South Place Chop House is a classically British restaurant, centred around carefully sourced cuts of meat, seasonal ingredients and freshly caught fish. For the kids, they have a dedicated menu filled with child-friendly saviours like fish and chips; Angus beef sliders and chips; and pumpkin and sage tortellini.
For the kids, they have a dedicated menu filled with child-friendly saviours
South Place Hotel, 3 South Place, EC2M 2AF
www.southplacehotel.co
All Star Lanes
Who wouldn’t want their buttermilk fried chicken with a side order of skittles? This upmarket bowling alley and restaurant, which has four venues in London, is the quintessential retro American experience.
Children are more than welcome and there’s a finger-lickin’ kids’ menu deal that includes food, a milkshake and a game of bowling.
There are also luxurious private rooms available for hire, should your little one want to get into the competitive spirit to celebrate their birthday.
Brick Lane, Holborn, Westfield Stratford, Westfield White City and Manchester
www.allstarlanes.co.uk
The Montague on the Gardens
Refuel after a morning strolling around the British Museum and book in for the Montague on the Gardens’ family-friendly afternoon tea. Expect plates to be laden with freshly baked plain and raisin scones, delicious cakes, and freshly hand-cut sandwiches including egg and mayo, smoked salmon, chicken, cucumber, and cream cheese.
15 MONTAGUE STREET, WC1B 5BJ
WWW.MONTAGUEHOTEL.COM
Looking for more family friendly restaurants and activities? check out our kids section for the latest events, including the best afternoon tea experiences to book with kids.