Kids Friendly Restaurants
Covid may have you feeling like going to restaurants was something you once did in a past life, but it won’t always be this way. Soon you’ll be settling into that familiar routine of spending hours choosing somewhere to eat and almost as long choosing what to eat. Going to kids friendly restaurants can be an entirely different ball game. Do they have a kid’s menu? High chairs? Changing tables? What exactly makes up a kids friendly restaurant and what are the ones you should be adding to your future dining list? Read on to find out.
What Do All Great Kids Friendly Restaurants Have?
Kids Friendly Restaurants = Decent Kid’s Menu
This is the biggie. After all, there is no point in eating somewhere if they can’t choose anything to eat! Contrary to popular belief, not all kid’s menus consist solely of chicken nuggets and chips. Restaurants everywhere are starting to hop on to the healthy eating trend and produce healthy meal options for kids. Sure, they will still be pretty basic, but isn’t that what kid’s palettes are? If you’re unsure whether the restaurant you are choosing has a kid’s menu, look on their website or call them up. Alternatively, if they don’t have a kid’s menu, there is no harm in asking if they will produce smaller meal portions, especially if you ask nicely.
Kids Friendly Restaurants = High chairs and booster seats
While most restaurants nowadays will have high chairs and booster seats, not all seem to recognise that kids are not just tiny adults. They often require special seating so their chins won’t be on the table. It is always worth calling up and finding out if they are a kids friendly restaurants, capable of accommodating your children.
Kids Friendly Restaurants = Changing tables
While it is probably not the first thing that jumps to your mind when you are picking a restaurant for the night, it is worth keeping it in the back of your mind. Dirty diapers can strike at any time and you don’t want to be stuck changing them in the middle of the restaurant!
Kids Friendly Restaurants = Entertainment options
Everyone with a child knows that they have the attention span of a goldfish. Sitting through dinner is often a boring time for them and can lead them to act up and the last thing you want is to cause a scene. A kids friendly restaurant will often have colouring books and multi-coloured crayons for them to use if you ask. Alternatively, bring your own form of entertainment if you are worried the restaurant can’t provide it. Try to avoid reaching for the Ipad though and perhaps something more stimulating instead.
Kids Friendly Restaurants = Dining accessories
No, I’m not talking about a sparkly tiara! Kids are notoriously messy eaters, forever spilling all sorts of condiments down their fresh out the laundry t-shirts. To save time and laundry detergent, find out if the restaurant provides bibs. You could bring your own but wouldn’t it be nicer to be accommodated for? On that note, kid-friendly cups are also a must. And by that, I mean they must have lids.
Kids Friendly Restaurants = Family offers
While not all kids friendly restaurants will have these, it is always worth checking! A lot of places have deals such as ‘Kids under 7 eat free!’ which is always a bonus. This means you can splash out on that expensive steak you’ve been eyeing up!
5 KIDS FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS LONDON
1. Sticky Fingers
Cuisine: Anglo-American
Location: Kensington
Kid-Friendly Rating / 10: 7/10
Founded by Bill Wyman, the bass player for the Rolling Stones, Sticky Fingers restaurant is a fantastic kids-friendly restaurant! Choose from a wide variety of food such as burgers, steaks, and fajitas. As for the kids, they can choose from baby back ribs, cheeseburgers, and even strawberry jelly! It is renown for its milkshakes so make sure to order one of those too!
2. Giraffe
Cuisine: From all over the world
Locations: South Bank, Victoria, King’s Cross, Spitalfields
Kid-Friendly Rating: 8/10
Not only is this friendly on the old bank account but it is also super healthy! Kids options include porridge, fresh fruit and pancakes for breakfast; and teriyaki salmon and colourful salads for lunch. Weekends are the best time to grab a bite with the “kids eat free with every main meal purchased” deal running all weekend long.
3. All Star Lanes
Cuisine: American
Locations: Westfield, Holborn, Brick Lane, Shepherd’s Bush
Kid-Friendly Rating: 9/10
For a meal out that your kids will most definitely approve of, head to All Star Lanes. For just £15 ahead, a family of four can enjoy a main course, side, drink, AND game of bowling. I know where I’m heading after lockdown ends! It has child-friendly amenities such as extra light bowling balls, bowling ramps and bumpers, and a kid’s menu. A fantastic evening out!
4. Inamo
Cuisine: Japanese
Locations: Covent Garden, Camden, Soho
Kid-Friendly Rating: 7/10
Ever thought about combining dinner with interactive tables? Me neither! But this sushi restaurant thankfully has. Leave the Ipad and crayons at home and get ready to play some seriously fun games that the whole family can participate in. You can even watch the chef prepare your meal! No kid’s menu here though so your kid has to be okay with sushi.
5. Bubba Gubba Shrimp
Cuisine: American - Deep South
Location: West-End
Kid-Friendly Rating: 8/10
Movie-buffs might recognise this from the movie Forest Gump. This kids-friendly restaurant serves favourites such as popcorn shrimp, chicken strips and macaroni cheese as part of its children’s menu; plus they can build their own sundaes for dessert!