The Ultimate List Of Child-Friendly Restaurants (London Edition)

Ellie Sylvester
Dec 12, 2023 By Ellie Sylvester
Originally Published on Jul 01, 2020
Restaurant worker holding tray

London is oozing with so many unique restaurants, cafes and even pop up market stalls and knowing where to take your children can sometimes be difficult - that's why we've comprised a list of the ultimate child-friendly restaurants!

With Boris Johnson making an announcement on July 4th, in which he is expected to reveal the latest information on restaurants, shops and plenty of other exciting things in light of COVID-19, we know it can't be too long until we're allowed back in our fave foodie hotspots!

Whether it's for a birthday, special occasion or just as an exciting treat, going out to eat in London as a family is always super fun and we simply can't wait.

However, we know the struggles of trying to find a toddler-friendly, relatively affordable and, above all, delicious dining options, especially in London where we are truly spoilt for choice. If you're used to searching the web for 'kids friendly restaurant near me' or 'best kids restaurants London' and are in need of some serious culinary inspo, look no further.

Whether your children go crazy for pizza, enjoy juicy burgers or unleash their more adventurous sides and dine on sushi, we've got something for everyone - tuck in!

Hop-On Your Spaceship And Head To Planet Hollywood

Planet Hollywood - Haymarket

Lights, camera, action!

Head to the Haymarket and get comfy ready for a truly unique dining experience. Perfect for children who are into all things movies and Hollywood, with over 80 incredible pieces of memorabilia from your traditional old classics, action films and favourite superhero movies, we can guarantee you’ve never had a meal like this before.

Dine next to the stars and sit in awe as you take in the movie-esque surroundings - quite literally!

Head upstairs to the mezzanine level where you’ll be greeted by the wall of handprints and signatures of famous actors - compare sizes with the one and only George Clooney or Sylvester Stallone. Plus, older children will love the downstairs area, filled with giant plasma screens repeatedly playing interviews with your favourite movie stars and snippets of upcoming cartoons.

Not to mention, Planet Hollywood boasts a great kids menu for under £10 where your little ones can dine on a main, dessert and soft drink - it’s truly out of this world!

Have A Slice Time At Pizza Pilgrims

Pizza Pilgrims - West India Quay

Who doesn’t love a good pizza?

Pizza Pilgrims (West India Quay branch) has confirmed that they will be reopening their doors from 6th July and you just knead-to-know how incredible it is!

Their motto is to stay at least four pizzas apart at all times so the whole family can feel comfortable knowing that social distancing measures are in place but best of all munch on some of the best Neapolitan pizza in all of Central London. Table bookings are essential and are currently live on the Pizza Pilgrims website.

Not to mention, their super affordable kid’s menu where you can grab a half sized Margherita pizza, a bottle of orange or apple juice and a scoop of melt-in-your-mouth ice-cream with a dollop of Nutella for just £6.95!

Plus, Pizza Pilgrims' super fun and interactive kids menu has endless crafty and pizza-related activities to keep your children occupied whilst the pizzas are sizzling away!

Have Your Very Own Fiesta At Wahaca

Wahaca - Soho

Hola!

Fancy a taste of Mexico right in the centre of London?

Head to the family-friendly Mexican restaurant Wahaca for some seriously good tacos and more… Get a feel for Mexico with the vibrant and engaging decor, perfect for babies and dine on some authentic and tasty Mexican food.

With an abundance of vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian options as well as a kids menu which caters for little ones without the spice includes a ‘Build your own taco’ option for £5.75, where kids can choose from grilled chicken, grilled steak, crunchy MSC cod or seasonal veg as their main filling, along with cheese and mouth-watering, mashed-up guacamole, a side of vegetable stick dippers and crunchy chips to finish!

It also offers cheesy toasted quesadillas with grilled chicken along with veggie sticks and chips - you really don’t have to travel to Mexico to dine on the cuisine.

Feel The Wrath Of The Jungle At Rainforest Cafe

Rainforest Cafe - Piccadilly Circus

We might not be able to travel to the Amazon Rainforest this summer but with the super child-friendly Rainforest Cafe in the heart of London’s West End coming in at a close second, you won’t need to pack a suitcase or hop on any planes!

Renowned for its incredibly atmospheric environment, featuring life-like animatronic animals, cascading waterfalls and tropical thunderstorms, the jungle environment is brought to life before your very eyes at this unique family restaurant - it’s hard to believe you’re just a stones-throw away from the London underground!

Plus, with everything from fish and chips and Rotisserie chicken to steak and honey sriracha salmon on the menu, you bet there’s something for all the family to enjoy!

 

Tuck Into Flippin’ Awesome Pancakes At My Old Dutch

My Old Dutch - Kensington & Chelsea

No one stacks up to My Old Dutch’s extensive range of pancakes and weird and wonderful toppings.

And best of all they are opening up their Kensington and Chelsea stores on July 4th (booking beforehand is advisable) so you can tuck into some flippin’ awesome pancakes in no time at all!

If you’re anything like us, you’ve been craving a nice, family Sunday brunch as a weekend treat and My Old Dutch is the perfect excuse to enjoy the most ridiculous of pancakes.

Plus, the children's menu boasts a variety of both sweet and savoury options including Italian, Meat Feast, Ham and Cheese and Four Cheese, as well as Chocolate Sprinkles, Nutella, Smarties, Fresh Fruit Salad and Banana, Nuts and Chocolate Sauce, plus your choice of juice for just £6.95!

Or if you’re feeling more creative, make your own with pancake bases at £4.50 each and a whole range of toppings to choose from.

 

Rock and Roll at Sticky Fingers

Sticky Fingers - Kensington

Calling all mini rockers!

Head to Sticky Fingers - one of the most rockin’ restaurants for families in London.

Inspired by American classics, this haven for all things rock n’ roll will see Rolling Stones fans along with others dining on a collection of eclectic, tasty American food.

From the juiciest of ribs, stacked burgers and even chicken wings, this joint offers up some seriously good food and you don’t even have to go overseas to get a taste!

The children’s menu boasts a main course of anything from burgers and BBQ ribs to spaghetti meatballs and mac ‘n’ cheese, a choice of soft drink or fruit juice as well as desserts including chocolate and pecan brownies and jelly and ice cream for just £7.95!

Let The Good Times Roll At All Star Lanes

All Star Lanes - Holborn, Brick Lane, White City

All Star Lanes is right up our alley and the White City and Brick Lane branches have confirmed reopening from 4th July for all things dining and are taking bookings for bowling reservations from 1st August!

Operating at a reduced capacity, installing hygiene screens between the bowling lanes and easily accessible hand sanitising stations are just a few of the measures that the child friendly All Star Lanes are taking to ensure that you can have all the fun but are still keeping safe.

Plus, their children’s menu covers everything from vegan pasta and mini fish and chips to chicken and waffles and chicken wraps, not to mention their irresistible brownies on offer for afters!

Combined with the opportunity to bowl some balls, it's undoubtedly one of the most fun restaurants for kids across London.

Dabble In Spice At Masala Zone

Masala Zone - Covent Garden, Islington, Soho, Camden, Earls Court and Bayswater

Experience a real taste of India at Masala Zone with all six branches set to open on 4th July!

Operating on a reduced menu and opening hours but still retaining core faves, Masala Zone is ensuring that all social distancing measures are in place so that you can experience India from the comfort of the capital.

The kids menu boasts mini kids Thalis (platters), a range of unspiced but authentic Indian food as well as child-friendly favourites (prices start from £6 depending on location).

Plus, high chairs, nappy changing facilities and buggy access are all available, making Masala Zone one of the best family restaurants across London.

Tuck Into Some Traditional Fish & Chips At Poppies

Poppies - Soho, Spitalfields, Camden

Renowned for its authenticity, Poppies has been serving the nation some of the finest fish and chips for over 60 years and is undoubtedly one of the most iconic, child-friendly restaurants in London! Whether you’re a Londoner or not, you really can’t beat a good, hearty fish and chips, complete with all the trimmings and mushy peas of course...

 

Lettuce Dine On Some Meat At Honest Burgers

Honest Burgers - Baker Street, Borough, Soho, Brixton, Canary Wharf, Clapham, Dalston, Ealing, Greenwich, Hammersmith, Kings Cross, Old Street, Oxford Circus, Peckham, Portobello, South Kensington, Spitalfields, Covent Garden, Camden, Waterloo, Wandsworth, Tooting

Yes, that’s a whole lotta locations! Honest Burgers is a simple but irresistible burger joint that boasts over 40 branches in London alone.

Making their own British beef patties in their own butchery and cutting and cooking their very own rosemary chips daily, you can guarantee absolute freshness with Honest Burgers.

Plus, for just £5.50 kids can get stuck into their choice of chicken, 100% honest beef or vegetable patties, served with chips and juice or homemade lemonade! As one of the most affordable, child-friendly restaurants for family, you really can’t go wrong with Honest Burgers.

 

Unleash Your East-Asian Side At Inamo

Inamo - Covent Garden, Soho, Camden

Get tucking into some seriously good Asian fusion cuisine at Inamo with their Camden branch opening back up on 9th July!

Inamo is a great way to ease your little ones into trying a variety of foods from Japan, Thailand, China and Korea, encouraging them to tuck into everything from roasted cauliflower and chicken and vegetable dumplings to more adventurous dishes including tofu and a whole range of yummy sushi! Not to mention the showstopper - the interactive tables.

Spy on the chefs cooking up your food in the kitchen, discover the local neighbourhood around you and even do some graffiti work on your tabletop!

Get Your Brunch On At Granger & Co

Granger & Co - Kings Cross, Chelsea, Clerkenwell, Notting Hill

Granger and Co takes Sunday brunching to the next level! They’ve revealed that they are currently navigating the road ahead in order to create a safe restaurant experience for their staff and guests, so we can expect this foodie spot to be opening up their doors again soon.

With everything from classics like eggs and porridge to more adventurous dishes including their infamous ricotta hotcakes with banana and honeycomb butter and smoothie bowls on the menu, you really are spoilt for choice at this child-friendly brunch joint!

 

Mamma Mia! It’s Got To Be Padella

Padella - Borough Market, Shoreditch

With both branches of this pasta haven set to open on 4th July with outdoor alfresco seating and social distancing measures in place, you won’t need to go anywhere else in the capital to get your pasta fix.

Padella is a hidden gem - serving up an extensive but simple menu of irresistibly creamy pasta and mouth-watering flavour combinations, this super affordable pasta joint is one of the best restaurants in London!

Paired with a walk along the Thames or a stroll along Borough Market, it’s a perfect day out for kids.

Bringing Bombay To London, Head To Dishoom

Dishoom - Kings Cross, Shoreditch, Kensington, Carnaby & Covent Garden

Much like in India where dishes are shared and mealtimes are very much a family affair, the family-friendly Dishoom offers a wide range of delicious Indian food that even little ones can tuck into!

For just £7.50, kids can choose from either Murgh Malai (mild, tender grilled chicken thigh) or Paneer Tikka (tasty Indian cheese and peppers) along with bombay potatoes, Dishoom slaw, and a glass of fruit juice - yum!

 

Stop By At The Diner For Some Seriously Good American Food

The Diner - Soho, Camden, Shoreditch, Spitalfields

Howdy! This American chain restaurant serves up some of the most classic American dishes of all time, all set within a rocking environment. Whether you fancy chicken and waffles, loaded hot dogs or even all-day breakfast, The Diner will definitely soothe your craving for some authentic, albeit slightly unhealthy, American culinary treats!

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Written by Ellie Sylvester

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English

Ellie Sylvester picture

Ellie SylvesterBachelor of Arts specializing in English

As a passionate Londoner, Ellie enjoys exploring the city's theaters and food markets with her younger siblings. She has a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Nottingham. She's particularly fond of Primrose Hill and the Natural History Museum, as well as the constantly changing Spitalfields Market. In addition to her love of theater, Ellie also enjoys trying new foods and dabbling in musical theater.

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