Kid-friendly restaurants in London

Ever since I read Jac’s post on the Baby Deli
in Madrid, I have been thinking about similar locations in London. Now I don’t mean to rub it in Jac, but we are a bit spoilt for choice here in the capital. There are lots of restaurants that are child friendly. That is, places where you can take your kids and they help you out with high chairs, kid’s menus, early eating, etc. There are also nicer places that are great with kids – both of which I have listed below. However I am fundamentally a selfish person who does not like having their meal interrupted by sticky fingers, babies crying and people crawling around my feet. The exception would be yum cha/dim sum which is MADE for children – mess and noise is positively welcomed, chopsticks were designed to be thrown, there are inevitably fish in a tank to look at, and the whole thing is over in an hour.

But some clever people have cottoned on to the fact that I am not the only parent in the world who likes a nice meal, but doesn’t always want to pay for a babysitter. Thus, the brilliant child-minding restaurant has been born. See below for some details. And if you’ve got any in your hometown, let me know and I’ll continue the research into other cities….

The jewel in the parental eating crown – places that offer activities/crèches/child minding

• Quo Vadis – very posh Soho gaff normally off limits to those with kids, but on Sundays they not only put on a reasonably priced meal, but they have a supervised playroom with entertainers.
• The Commander – good little west London gastropub with – wait for it – a supervised Sunday nursery. Brilliant.
• Julie’s – old style Holland Park eatery (Prince Charles rumoured to have his first stag do there) has a fully staffed crèche from 1-4pm on Sundays. Love it.
• Babylon – this infamous restaurant with its fabulous roof gardens (a highlight in themselves) is also remarkably family friendly, especially on Sundays where they usually offer entertainers.
• Blue Elephant – famous Thai restaurant with a river, plus face painting, entertainment and family buffet on Sundays.
• Le Bouchon Bordelais in Clapham – crèche available sometimes, and on request.
• Malabar – ok, you have to have the kids with you, but on Sundays they do eat for free and they are good with kids and have crayons, cartoons etc with a great priced adult deal.

Chain type places that have terrific kid set-ups

• Pizza Express, Carluccios, Nandos, ASK, Wagamama, Cafe Rouge, Giraffe, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Strada, Locale, Tootsies, Las Iguanas Pappa e Ciccia.

Posher places that are lovely with kids

• Bumpkin, Daylesford Organic, Petersham Nursery, The River Cafe, Tom’s Kitchen.

Yummy Mummy style cafes great for weekdays and weekend brunches

• Mudchute Kitchen – described on square meal as ‘yummy mummy central’, this East London haven has a play area for kids.
• Gracelands – a lovely cafe in the NW nappy valley with good play area right in the middle of the cafe, plus lots of kids and mums classes.
• Crumpet – good Clapham cafe with or without kids as the play area is separate.
• That Place on the Corner – tasteful kids cafe in Stoke Newington with separate play area and an extensive menu of kids classes
• Coffee & Crayons  – brilliant Fulham child friendly cafe with supervised play area and terrific coffee!
• Frizzante – cafe in the heart of the Hackney farm in Bethnal Green with healthy meals and activities PLUS the farm.
• Cibo Cafe in Mamas and Papas store in Regent Street which has got good kid facilities.
• Boiled Egg & Soldiers – I used to go here for a hangover fry-up (which is awesome by the way). It’s in the heart of Clapham’s nappy valley and now I realise how good it is for kids too. Sigh.
• Munchkin Lane  – kid friendly Earlsfield cafe with separate play area in a family friendly neighbourhood!

For dim sum/yum cha venues you’ll have to wait – I need to dedicate a WHOLE post to that. If you’ve a dim sum emergency though, let me just say two words: Royal China.

For more venues, see here, here, here and here.

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