London: Where to eat with kids?!

[MsWalterMitty]

Hi, I’m taking the kids to London in Feb half term. They’re 8 and 12.

We’re staying near Tower Bridge.

Can anyone recommend nice cafes/restaurants that aren’t fancy and don’t mind kids?!

Thanks

Rainforest cafe

Pizza Union

Cote in St Katherine's Dock.

Oh god not rainforest cafe unless you you want to spunk ££££ on shite food and service.

Chinatown if your kids like Chinese, otherwise I'd stick to a chain, pizza express etc you know what you're getting and the price.

Ping pong is fun, one on the south bank

Box park near shore ditch is cool.
Camden
Covent Garden for street theatre

There are also lots of themed afternoon teas, and riverboat cruises

Honest burgers or pizza pilgrims are tasty

Borough market is also good for lunch. Most restaurants in London are very kid friendly

There are lots of nice restaurants in Shad Thames, which is also pleasant for a stroll.

It’s more informal dining/cafe/deli but I like Absolutely Starving! on Tooley Street, lots of choice.

My dd (10) loves Emilias pasta bar at St Katherine Dock. Its teeny, so you will need to book, but can sit at the counter and watche the chefs hand make the pasta while you eat. They were very good with dd

Rainforest Cafe they'll love it

Ivy Cafe - we have taken my DS lots of times and there's one by Tower Bridge.

Wahaca is also great with kids.

Definitely NOT Rainforest Cafe - Awful.

Thank you… Had to look at rainforest due to conflicting posts… wow! Very garish (sorry! Not my thing!) and very pricey! £18 for a pasta dish? Sorry!

Has anyone been to Vacinity near tower bridge?

@itwasntaparty

Oh god not rainforest cafe unless you you want to spunk ££££ on shite food and service.

Chinatown if your kids like Chinese, otherwise I'd stick to a chain, pizza express etc you know what you're getting and the price.

Ping pong is fun, one on the south bank

Recommendations on chains would be good too! With live in the stocks of Cumbria!

Giraffe, pizza pilgrims, wahaca, byron, pizza express, all good with kids.

Giraffe is very kid friendly, and Carluccios kids menu is quite good (both chains)

@pjparty

Borough market is also good for lunch. Most restaurants in London are very kid friendly

That’s good to know! Thanks

Walk towards Southbank and there's loads of different places to eat and a wide range of cuisines. From Mexican (Wahaca) to Giraffe to Zizzi's. There's also a really lovely food market behind the Southbank Centre if you just want food on the go.

Ping pong looks good!

Are the Covent Garden street performances during the day or eve?

My two loved the Rainforest Cafe! It is expensive though. TGI's is always popular with kids. DS loves Planet Hollywood, although I'm not sure if that's still there.

Wagamama near London Bridge is conveniently situated for your visit. My fussy, Autistic 8 year old has eaten there several times -- the kicker being they give kids chopsticks! The other option is to take packed lunches and eat them in the Festival Hall. They really don't care as long as the adult buys a coffee. They often have free events on during half term too.