Eating in central London - Alternative to Rainforest Cafe?

[WillowB]

We're taking DD aged 6 to London for 2 days in a few weeks as part of her birthday present. We had booked to go to the Rainforest Cafe as she loves the rip off version at Drayton Manor! The reviews are abysmal though. To be honest I wouldn't mind if the food was rubbish if it wasn't so bloomin expensive but I think I'm just going to feel ripped off.
Any suggestions for child friendly places in central London that are a bit different/special much appreciated 

[KirstenRaymonde]

Which attractions are you going to/do you want to eat near?

[notheretoargue]

As pp said, it depends a lot where you’re going to be. I used to go to smolensky’s on the strand for a treat when I was a kid - haven’t been there in years so no idea what it’s like now but I used to adore it!

[notheretoargue]

Oh no, trip advisor says it’s not child friendly

[WillowB]

We're planning to go on a bus tour during the day around the typical touristy sights...Buckingham palace, tower bridge etc. We're staying in Kensington so will head there early evening.

[pimlicolife]

If you google 'Buonasera @ the jam' this place is different and kids would enjoy. It's a pizza place on Kings Road Chelsea where the tables are stacked on top of each other and you climb up to your table on a ladder lond of bunk bed style.

[WillowB]

That sounds great - I'll take a look, thanks!

[DullAndOld]

Won kees in China Town, the famously rude waiters who arent that rude any more are perfectly charming if you have a small child with you, bringing ice for their hot tea and stuff....

[DullAndOld]

or
Franco Manca as the pizzas are so good and you dont have to buy wine or soft drinks,.

[pink1173]

Smollenskys is fine for kids. Took mine in the summer holidays. Maxwells in Covent Garden, The Diner and Planet Hollywood are all good for kids.

[Ummmmgogo]

my kids love a McDonald's. I know it's not special to an adult but my children consider it more of a treat than any other restaurant.

[LolitaLempicka]

Dishoom is lovely. My kids loved yo sushi when they were little, but I think it was because the conveyor belts were more of a novelty back then. It’s true, the Rainforest Cafe is a bit shit, it was great 20 years ago, but went downhill almost instantly..

[theredjellybean]

The ice cream parlour at fortnum and masons is still a hit with my grown up girls but they loved from very young. You can get savoury snacks/light supper dishes and then amazing ice cream sundaes. Special kids menu and gin and tonic ice cream floats for parents

[Snowmageddon]

Yo sushi with the conveyor belts is really fun if you've not been before. Or how about afternoon tea? Most hotels do a version and they are usually very fancy and special.

[ejk10]

I almost fell off my chair at the Rainforest Cafe last May when I ordered 4 cokes and they charged me £19.50!!! I'm from Yorkshire and I questioned the price thinking they must have given me 4 vodka and cokes - but no, it wasn't a mistake... Food was OK but not worth the price.

[UnRavellingFast]

Urgh we had crap food and a boring time at Rainforest Cafe and we're charged an entirely unjustified fortune for the pleasure. Avoid. There are so many gorgeous places in Kensington I would aim for there for eating as you're staying there. Loads of fun and good places. Some really nice child friendly pubs too with a great atmosphere.

[UnRavellingFast]

Were not we're bloody autocorrect!

[nancy75]

Anywhere you eat in London will be better than the rainforest cafe, it really is dire

[beguilingeyes]

There's a My Old Dutch on Kensington High Street, huge sweet and savoury pancakes.

[WillowB]

Oh wow loads of ideas here, thank you so much! I wasn't feeling very inspired but spoilt for choice now! I'll run them past DD and see what she fancies