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 is the biggest heap of stupid, overpriced, tourist-exploring crap in the whole of London. Literally anything would be better than that!

Carluccio's, The Ivy etc are all good shouts.

Covent Garden there will be buskers and performers during the day all around the plaza and musicians inside on the lower level (can watch from above).
Outside at Paul's church (Covent Garden not the cathedral) there's usually a highly skilled performer doing their turn.
And loads of places to eat around seven dials. Pick n cheese is fun, like yo sushi but cheese.

www.sevendials.co.uk/food-drink/

Definitely go to Chinatown. I took my two last year and they felt like we'd stepped into another world. All the restaurants there are great for children. Also recommend Casa Do Frango which is nearby borough market and is proper Nandos!

@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

Gerrards corner is a great Chinese for kids if you like that

Soho is full of good cheap pizza places

Yy to Seven Dials. Like a food court but also has cocktails

There's Pizza Express, Zizzis and Wagamama all close to Tower Bridge/ Tower of London too. You can use tesco clubcard vouchers for pizza express and zizzi

Thanks all! I’ve booked ping pong in South bank for Friday early evening.

We took ours to Pizza Pilgrims in Convent Garden, Chinatown and Borough Market on a Saturday. They loved them all.

Franco Manca for the best pizzas - there is one in Bermondsey Street (so not far from London Bridge)!

Thanks! I’ll look for pizza on the other night 😀

Try Coal Drop Yard - lots of options available there.

We love ping pong

My kids also love the box park, so many food options and it feels very "London trendy"

I've never been in a restaurant in London that minded children being there. So you'll be okay OP. If you like burgers there's a big Five Guys by where City Hall is, so not far from where you're staying.

I think a lot of the “kid friendly” places being suggested are awful. Your kids aren’t toddlers - no need to go down awful chain route! Most London restaurants are kid friendly. Personally I wouldn’t take them to somewhere fine dining or Michelin starred - but other than that, most places will be fine. You definitely do not need to go to rainforest cafe!

Padella in Borough Market is very popular and you can book. However, the children might find Tanner & Co on Bermondsey Street fun - its a converted warehouse with nice courtyard.

If you like steak, there is a hawksmoor in borough. It even has a kids menu. If you can get an igloo, the coppa club is great fun. Not the best food (and minimum spend) but fantastic views! Roast - also in borough market is nice - but better for breakfast/brunch. Dinner is a bit overpriced. On a weekend, they have a fantastic street food market behind royal festival hall on southbank. And likewise - borough market as well - my 12 year old loves it there!

@ElaineMarieBenes

Franco Manca for the best pizzas - there is one in Bermondsey Street (so not far from London Bridge)!

Yes, it's lovely.

Creme de la crepe if you are in the vicinity of Covent Garden (and like pancakes and crepes). It's got an online booking option.

If you do want a chain, then busaba eathai (Thai) is usually nice. I agree wahaca is also good and child friendly. Brasserie Blanc also ok - big one round the back of festival hall.

Wetherspoons...cheap and cheerful!

I was going to say weatherspoons! We ended up in the one nr Tower Bridge in the summer. We had a great view of the bridge. Food wise, you know what you're getting. It won't be the best meal ever but it will be cheap and cheerful and very very easy with kids. A good one if you just want an easy meal rather than an 'experience'.

Thank you everyone! I’ve been Googling as I’ve been reading and there’s some fab suggestions! I particularly like:
Boxpark
Absolutely starving
Festival hall
Tanner and Co

Although I’ve just mentioned the cheese bar to my 12 yrs old and he’s like wtf!!! Soo that’s out! 🤣

I don’t mind paying for food as long as it’s not fancy, and it’s substantial. Markets sound like a great idea during the day!

I think all I’m going to be doing on this trip is eating 🤣 Thanks!

Padella too