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Original poster

Fun family friendly restaurants central London

38 replies

Eminybob · 10/06/2021 10:40

Going to London with 6 and 2 year old and want a really fun place to have dinner one night.

I was looking at Planet Hollywood and Jungle Cafe, both of which sound great on paper, I like the idea of a theme, and I think it’ll be really exciting for the kids. But neither of those places have great reviews, the menu doesn’t look great for jungle cafe, and planet Hollywood isn’t open I don’t think (although we’re not going until July).

So that’s the kind of thing I’m looking for, does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

OP posts:
Hughbert · 10/06/2021 10:46

Inamo. Sushi place quite expensive for what it is, but interactive games on the table for everyone to play.

Original poster
Eminybob · 10/06/2021 10:52

I love sushi but it’s not dh’s cup of tea at all. And don’t even get me started on the fussy kids! Thanks anyway though.

OP posts:
Original poster
Eminybob · 10/06/2021 14:01

Anyone else have any ideas?
Should have said, Asian food is a no no, but stuff like American, English, Mexican, Italian etc would be good.

OP posts:
edwinbear · 10/06/2021 14:56

By Jungle Cafe, do you mean Rainforest Cafe? I've been a few times and whilst it's true it's not exactly haute cuisine and can be a bit of a conveyer belt, with DC of your ages, they will love it!

If not, the Hard Rock is always fantastic.

PaniniHead · 10/06/2021 14:59

Not dinner but Afternoon Tea on a bus is fun

Londonmummy66 · 10/06/2021 15:24

The Parlour at Fortnum and Mason was always a favourite with mine.

motogogo · 10/06/2021 15:44

Theme restaurants are nearly always very poor in terms of food quality and seriously overpriced for the food. Just stick to ordinary restaurants and let them have fancy mocktails or milkshakes.
I did rainforest cafe 20 years ago, was terrible, can't tell you what it's like now.

Original poster
Eminybob · 10/06/2021 15:49

@edwinbear

By Jungle Cafe, do you mean Rainforest Cafe? I've been a few times and whilst it's true it's not exactly haute cuisine and can be a bit of a conveyer belt, with DC of your ages, they will love it!

If not, the Hard Rock is always fantastic.

Oops yes I mean rainforest cafe. Looking at the website, it looks right up the ds’s street but the menu is just so meh for me and dh.

We go to Hard Rock in Manchester so wanted somewhere different.

OP posts:
Original poster
Eminybob · 10/06/2021 15:51

@PaniniHead

Not dinner but Afternoon Tea on a bus is fun
I saw something like that when I was browsing - it does look fun and the dc would enjoy. Might do that during the day. But also need somewhere for the evening.
OP posts:
Original poster
Eminybob · 10/06/2021 15:51

@Londonmummy66

The Parlour at Fortnum and Mason was always a favourite with mine.
Will take a look, thank you.
OP posts:
Original poster
Eminybob · 10/06/2021 15:51

@motogogo

Theme restaurants are nearly always very poor in terms of food quality and seriously overpriced for the food. Just stick to ordinary restaurants and let them have fancy mocktails or milkshakes. I did rainforest cafe 20 years ago, was terrible, can't tell you what it's like now.
That’s my fear.
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PlayDohDots · 10/06/2021 16:00

Rainforest Cafe looks awful from the outside...cannot imagine the food is any good.

JapanCentre is around the corner and has fantastic food. Lots of cute character themed stuff so kids will love it. Not sure if they're open at night but definitely a great place to get takeout for a picnic in the park or something.

FreeButtonBee · 10/06/2021 16:07

Din Tai Fung in covent garden is fab dumpling and noodles. My kids love it. Nothing too out there and you can order small portions of everything to give them a try.

PaniniHead · 10/06/2021 18:59

Bubba Gump Shrimp is good too

Original poster
Eminybob · 10/06/2021 21:34

@PaniniHead

Bubba Gump Shrimp is good too
I looked at that I’d love it, DH doesn’t like seafood Hmm Honestly if him and the DC weren’t so picky I wouldn’t be having any problems finding somewhere. I’m going to London on my own next time! Grin
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FreeButtonBee · 10/06/2021 21:38

Okay what about the Angela Hartnett restaurants? Pasta but modern and a kids menu but a proper restaurant experience. Can’t remember the name though but there are 3/4 dotted about and I’ve taken my (young) parents and my kids to different branches successfully

Hawks moor ayr street is a super cool building but basically steak and chips.

I also love bentleys but not cheap and more seafood focussed but they were delightful to my kids when I took them.

Original poster
Eminybob · 10/06/2021 21:46

@FreeButtonBee

Okay what about the Angela Hartnett restaurants? Pasta but modern and a kids menu but a proper restaurant experience. Can’t remember the name though but there are 3/4 dotted about and I’ve taken my (young) parents and my kids to different branches successfully

Hawks moor ayr street is a super cool building but basically steak and chips.

I also love bentleys but not cheap and more seafood focussed but they were delightful to my kids when I took them.

Thanks, I’ll take a look at those.

It’s dh’s birthday when we go, so it would be nice to go somewhere special for him (although as always the dc’s tastes need to be accommodated)

OP posts:
ICanSmellSummerComing · 10/06/2021 21:47

Inamo, it's not all sushi at all, I have an extremely fussy Easter and we managed to get her something.

The interactive tables are fab and so distracting you maybe able to get something into them!

Check out the menu

ThanksItHasPockets · 10/06/2021 21:55

You can have a ‘fun’ setting or you can have decent food but you can’t have them both in the same place, I’m afraid.

Cyberworrier · 10/06/2021 22:01

Ed’s Diner is quite fun for retro fittings. Theres a theatrically themed restaurant on drury lane I think which is quite fun looking.

Cyberworrier · 10/06/2021 22:02

Maybe a historic pub could be a good bet for experience with food? Like the Mayflower in Rotherhithe, with garden overlooking the Thames.

CommanderBurnham · 10/06/2021 22:07

There's a mad hatter afternoon tea somewhere.

Any restaurant that you can sit out onto Covent Garden to watch the street theatre.

Pret A Manger at Stratford station. My 2 love it there as they always something kicking off and they get to see someone get arrested.

Spitalfields or box park on a Sunday morning. Lots of street food and the graffiti around there is amazing. Really cool vibes.

River cruise lunch

GappyValley · 10/06/2021 22:12

Benihana

You sit at a teppinyaki table and the chef gets the kids really involved - catching eggs in hats, making volcanoes out of an onion etc

Krabapple · 10/06/2021 23:10

We went to a burger bar called Happy that might fit the bill. Not themed as such but the kids loved it. They had a sushi menu as well as steaks/ burgers etc. Around Leicester Square/ convent garden area.

RubyFakeLips · 10/06/2021 23:40

@ThanksItHasPockets

You can have a ‘fun’ setting or you can have decent food but you can’t have them both in the same place, I’m afraid.
This.

Just take them to Duck and Waffle up Heron Tower and enjoy the views and the food. Ivy Asia with views of St Paul’s?

Themed isn’t popular with adults really is it. Rainforest Cafe is a tourist classic, if 3/4 of you aren’t into food though I doubt it would matter for one night as they would remember the setting.

Consider Circus, Ping Pong, Inamo and Benihanas already mentioned, took my middle to Amazonico which he loved but that was lunch, not sure if I would brave it with kids as young as yours in the evening. Mine love HomeSlice because of the size of the pizzas.