To think why is it so hard to find somewhere decent to eat?

[anothergilmore]

Whenever we go away as a family, whether it's abroad or at home food always becomes such a big issue that it ruins most of the day! Food should be enjoyable! DD is 5 and is quite fussy (which is infuriating but a seemingly unavoidable situation atm) and whenever it comes to lunch time or tea time we have the usual trawling round everywhere to find something she will eat. Places like pizza express are ruled out because other than the dough balls she won't actual eat anything they make (and in her defence I think the food there is fairly dire too).

We are currently in London, have come down for a few days for a nice pre Christmas treat. Can anyone recommend any good family friendly pubs in central London? She is usually ok with pub food because it looks how she expects it to look - for example a roast or sausage and mash can only really look one way whereas a pasta dish or risotto she'd eat at home she won't eat when we're out because it looks/smells different.

Please help, I'd really like to enjoy the next few days!

Thank you

Try Youngs pubs, lots in London and very good food

LOL at the pp recommending dim sum and Leon. You've obviously never had a fussy eater.

Bill's and Canteen are good suggestions. Will your DD eat toasted cheese or cheese and ham sandwiches? If you fancy going somewhere posh then places like The Ivy and The Wolseley should knock you one up even if it's not on the menu. There's now a branch of The Ivy by Covent Garden market and they're good with kids. And pretty much everywhere serves chips, right?

philODox there's a Canteen on the South Bank, also a Giraffe which is aimed at kids.

I second Giraffe - friend's fussy son always find something in there.

My recommendation was a generic one to everyone not to the op specifically

i use tripadvisor to find places to eat along were we will be visiting in advance and then write the name/addresses in a notebook.That way no stress .

Giraffe are a good in-between option, as are the bigger Leons.
As people have said, there are lots of Witherspoon - some of them in lovely old buildings, so quite pleasant to eat in. (though not that exciting for adult wanting something different!)

If on the Southbank, the BFI cafe is nice.

there are also places with lots of street food stalls where you can all get different stuff... (back of Royal Festival Hall, etc)

Those of you saying the child should just not be pandered to need to wind your necks in. Until it's something you have really experienced, having a child with such particular anxieties is hard work and not something you can or want to change/work on during a short family holiday.

Hope you find somewhere suitable OP and have an enjoyable break.

China town is generally great for young kids. Dim sum is served quickly and they are tolerant of children. We used to order a side dish of crispy noodles with bean sprouts, which means they would not leave without eating anything. They used to like ang pau, steamed BBQ pork buns, and fried won ton. Nieither is too challenging.

Borough market is also good, as kids can have basic things like sausage sandwiches (Northfield Farm) plus try lots of tasters, and you can have what you want.

TAS/Turkish used to be another favourite. If nothing else DD loved the bread. The waiters used to be very kind to children.

How about a reward for every new thing she tries. We used to do that when on holiday in France with the kids building up a credit of French chocolate. Once tried they discovered they really liked things like gherkins and moules but obviously not everything.

And generally as long as there is bread or something, ignore any complaints. You are entitled to enjoy a meal. Your child won't starve.

And generally as long as there is bread or something, ignore any complaints. You are entitled to enjoy a meal. Your child won't starve.

A thousand times this

I'm sure there's something in the idea that if they see you enjoying food they will - eventually - try it.

Bills and Giraffe are good options for kids who are fussy eaters in London. Wagamamas and places in Chinatown only good if you can find something she will eat (noodles?) on the menu.

Or you could just take her to McDonalds, let her have her happy meal, then go find somewhere to eat you actually want to eat (plenty of fabulous places in Chinatown which is just round the corner from a McDonalds).

The food places at Borough Market and the food market behind the southbank are fab.

PhilODox - canteen on the southbank (behind Royal Festival Hall) and one in Shoreditch too from memory.

You don't have a restaurant problem, you have a DD problem

Some fab family choices would be Ottolenghi, Carluccio's, Dishoom.... and then google depending on the area. You could find somewhere to eat in London easily, but you have given into your daughter being fussy. Don't blame London!

There's a canteen up near Baker Street too.

Thanks dinky and three.
Mygorgeous- you have no idea what it's like to have a child with food issues.
You're lucky. DS would starve if we didn't "give in".

Jydel- a child cannot eat only bread for three days.

Thanks Tallulah too, sorry- just seen your message

How about tuttons in Covent Garden xx

THeres loads of places where three people can eat lunch for £40 or under in London. If you stop in prime tourist areas then not as easy because those places obviously increase as they can