London MNers - advice please!

[Donatella]

I'm coming to London for the day soon, meeting up with some friends but also spending some time just me and DD. Can anyone recommend

1. somewhere to have lunch that will allow 8 people outdoors (not allowed indoors due to covid rules), fairly central (some people will be spending the morning in Camden, others near Marble Arch, then heading home via either Waterloo, Victoria, or Paddington, so pretty much anywhere on zone 1 would work) which would serve chicken nuggets and chips type meals for fussy kids! I thought about TGI Friday in Leicester Sq but they only take bookings for 6 people even outdoors.

2. something I can do for a couple of hours with a 10year old girl who doesn't really have any strong interests. I've suggested Hamleys, an open top bus tour, historical sites, museums, and none have hit the mark.

Can’t help with activities, but for food, how about Giraffe on the South Bank? www.giraffe.net/restaurants/southbank

No idea about lunch as my children are past the chicken nugget stage thankfully but here are some activities that might work:
*taking a speed boat along the Thames thamesribexperience.com/

*going to Brick Lane, walking down it, buying a beigel at the Beigel Bake

*Wandering around Covent Garden/China Town

*Going up the Shard and having a drink at the top

*climbing up Primrose Hill and looking at the city then going to the villagey part nearby and having a hot chocolate/look at the shops

*pedalo on the Serpentine in Hyde Park

*Harrods then the V&A

You might like to have a browse in the London topic, and see if anything there catches your eye as a good idea for things to do.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/london

I'm really not sure about eating out in gracious larger than 6. I think the various food courts on the South Bank might be a good call. The other option is to get takeaway (directly or via Deliveroo or similar app) and have a picnic in a park. Pretty sure they'll deliver directly to a park, as long as you can describe clearly where you are

Thanks! Hyde Park and pedalos sounds fun, will check that out. And thanks for the suggestions of the South Bank, I've enquired about the Slug and Lettuce at County Hall so fingers crossed they take outside bookings!

Would Alice in Wonderland at the V&A be of interest to your daughter?

Alice

@Westfacing

Would Alice in Wonderland at the V&A be of interest to your daughter?

Alice

Possibly, I'll check it out, thanks

London Eye, aquarium or dungeon if you’ll be on the South Bank?

Bumping as I am struggling to find somewhere to eat. I checked out Giraffe but they don't make it clear if you can book for more than 6 outdoors, plus their menu doesn't work for the fussy eaters in our group (adults as well as kids!). The Slug and Lettuce came back to me with an offer of a table for 6, rather than the 8 I asked for, which implies they don't do more than 6 either, although I have emailed them back. The picnic in the park idea is a back up, but I'd rather book a table as a couple of people have back problems and may not be able to sit on the ground. Willing to consider pretty much anywhere in zone 1 at this point, just need a basic, non-fancy menu and outdoor dining.

Are restaurants allowed tables of more than six at the moment?

www.pergolapaddington.com/
www.thefarriercamden.com/
www.smokinggoatbar.com/ one of my favourites

As for a ten yr old - i would just head to embankment and jump on a river boat down to Greenwich. Maybe stop off at Tate Modern and head up to the viewing gallery or to the cable cars over that side

boroughmarket.org.uk/events/al-fresco-dining/ borough market is cool although may be difficult to seat 8

Book two tables of four? Even outside I think it’s only groups of up to six that are allowed (def the case in pubs, even if outside).

@Justbetweenus

Book two tables of four? Even outside I think it’s only groups of up to six that are allowed (def the case in pubs, even if outside).

The guidance says that groups of up to 30 are allowed outdoors, including at restaurants, but most seem to be limiting to 6. But I've found the Serpabtine Lido cafe which seems to be all outside seating so will hopefully be OK.

Often you have to ring to book tables for numbers over 6, might want to give the venue a call OP.

Mercato Metropolitano at Elephant & Castle.

It's a foodie market about 15 minutes walk from the South Bank. 30+ independent stalls so hopefully something for everyone. You sit on benches which I reckon would hold 8.

You won't get chicken nuggets but you will get good pizza if that works an alternative? Also really excellent ice cream.

It's quite quirky and fun as well. Kind of an activity as well as somewhere to eat.