Dining out with children brings unique challenges for parents and can be a nightmare experience if you don’t select a restaurant that caters specifically for kids. However, when picking a restaurant you need to ensure that there is something for the whole family meaning there is no need for adults to forego a good wine list and fine food.
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Lucy Taylor, head of restaurant relations at toptable, the consumer destination site for restaurant reservations in the UK, shares her top ten restaurants in London perfect for that family outing this summer.
27 Cale Street, London, SW3 3QP
Area: Chelsea
This restaurant is a modern British twist on a French brasserie located in the heart of London’s Chelsea. Tom’s Kitchen believes in making the most of the seasons, so the menu changes accordingly, bringing the best each month has to offer.
Tom’s Kitchen has developed a special kid’s menu available for lunch and dinner catering to all tastes.
8 Porchester Gardens, London, W2 4DB
Area: Bayswater
One of West London's finest restaurants, Le Café Anglais is perfect for eating out with the kids this summer. The children will be sure to be spellbound with the great menu and roaming magician that visits every Sunday lunchtime ensuring parents can enjoy a luxury meal or relaxed Sunday brunch in this chic and stylish restaurant without a worry.
9 Camp Road, Wimbledon Common, London, SW19 4UN
Area: Raynes Park
The Fox and Grapes, situated just off Wimbledon Common, offers exquisite simple British dishes using produce sourced locally from small farmers and producers including independent butchers, fishmongers, fruit and vegetable growers. With its special kid’s menu the Fox and Grape ensures that there is something for the whole family to enjoy.
Puzzles, word searches and drawings to be coloured in can be found on the back of each kid’s menu with pencils and crayons provided to ensure that little ones remain entertained throughout the meal.
11 Barley Mow Passage, London, W4 4PH
Area: Chiswick
Award winning Sam's Brasserie & Bar is an all-day every day informal restaurant and bar serving Modern British cuisine. The menu has everything from light snacks and salads to three-course meals with serious roast on Sundays.
Sam’s Brasserie provides a kid’s menu that even includes brunch options. With placemats that can be coloured in and crayons provided, the kid’s will be kept occupied during your meal, whatever the time.
5-9 Battersea Rise, Clapham Junction, London, SW11 1HG
Area: Battersea
Acclaimed French Brasserie in Clapham, Bouchon, offers a great range of premium grill meat & fine dining dishes in a relaxed and very French atmosphere. Offering great value for money, Bouchon is a great restaurant for family dining that won’t break the bank!
Bouchon restaurant provides a great kid’s menu and even has a kid’s playground coming soon!
174 Northcote Road, Clapham, London, SW11 6RE
Area: Clapham
Situated at the end of Northcote Road in Clapham, The Bollingbroke is a child friendly gastro pub that was voted one of the top restaurants in the UK for kids by leading restaurant guide Hardens in 2011.
Little ones are given special attention at The Bolingbroke. A separate menu for children eight years old or under includes homemade cottage pie and messy spaghetti with vine roasted tomato sauce, there is even roast British beef with all the trimmings available to children on Sundays.
To save mums and dads a headache, toys and colouring crayons are on hand to entertain young minds and children can even decorate their own dessert! Cupcakes are made freshly on site and covered in icing before little artists can get creative with hundreds and thousands, chocolate buttons and marshmallows.
100 Balham High Road, Balham, London, SW12 9AA
Area: Balham
Balham’s Gazette is inspired by the traditional French village café. Lazy afternoons and leisurely evenings sampling fine food and glorious wines await you at this restaurant. This child friendly restaurant brings a slice of rural France in South West London that is a guaranteed relaxed escape from the busy High Street.
Gazette offers the most delicious French specialties that are simple, generous with a flavour and fresh, it also includes a tasty yet healthy kids menu.
13-15 Bollo Lane, London, W4 5LR
Area: Gunnersbury
With its friendly staff, The Bollo caters for children of all ages right from babies to teenagers with its full menu that includes a range of options for the kid’s. At The Bollo House, everything is homemade and the menu is entirely governed by what’s in season.
The Bollo provides a safe and relaxed environment in which families can enjoy great food with great beers and wines for the adults.
65 Rosedale Road, Dulwich, London, SE21 8EZ
A handsome public house and restaurant that is perfect for a family outing. Outside The Rosendale, guests will discover three unique al fresco spaces – the cosmopolitan terrace area at the front, the hidden gem that is the side garden and the glorious rear garden laying claim to being one of the finest in South London which even includes a children’s play area.
162 Thames Road, Chiswick, London, W4 3QS
Area: Gunnersbury
Unique and fun, Annie's is open for brunch, lunch and dinner seven days a week. All food is fresh, beautifully served and reasonably priced. Annie’s provides a dedicated menu for kid’s that caters to all tastes.
Popular during the hot summer month's Annie's comes into its own with beautiful outside dining.
The service is swift and friendly with staff that really does care about the customer. Great food is served in a friendly informal atmosphere.