to ask you for a gimicky family restaurant like rainforest cafe, in london

[Springingintolife]

Going to see a west end show with my dd for her 5th birthday in the summer, and wanted to take her to the rainforest cafe as well- make the day really magical for her. Only I've just seen it's been closed down because it was never maintained well. Shame- I loved it as a child!

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any other really exciting theme restaurants in central London which a five year old would love? Obviously, I'm not expecting the quality of food to be amazing, as you usually have to sacrifice that for a bit of a theme- but anyone know of anything which would seem exciting?

At that age my DCs loved Ping Pong. Not gimmicky as such but lots of food to enjoy and fun presentation. Also conveyor belt sushi restaurants.

The Big Mamma restaurants are very kitsch and fun, and the food is actually good. Something for everyone rather than gimmicky.

Jacuzzi, Gloria, Circolo Populare and Ave Mario are their names, in different parts of the city.

Have a look at Sketch glade.

she's going to be five, i want something super gimicky. only me and her going.

Hard Rock is always quite good for a cheesy chain sort of place - usually lots to look at and see music wise.

The Theatre Cafe diner on Shaftesbury Avenue. The staff sing songs from musicals (you can write requests on a board) and they can really sing! and it is near to most of the shows :-)

There is a 'cute' exhibition at Somerset House at the moment, with a pop-up 'Cute' hello kitty themed cafe.

You don't need a ticket to the exhibition to visit it - but, it may have closed by then. Worth a look though.

My Old Dutch Pancake house in holborn, were my DCs favorite. Its easy to walk to some of the theatres

Get the train to Paris and go to their Rainforest Cafe. Man, I'm so sad it's closed down, I used to love going there as a kid.

ahaha i don't think we will make it back in time to london for the show!

But that's an idea for another time- thanks! It sounded like it became an awful place to work and dine in the last few years. Apparently, it was so bad the company ordered them to change all the branding, as it didn't want to be associated with them anymore.

This sounds incredible!

Will definitely check this out, if it's still there!

My dc loved belgos at that age - long tables and piles of mussels, also yo sushi (or other restaurant with conveyor belt) . Another hit was the teppanaki Japanese restaurant where the chef stands in front of you and cooks.

The afternoon teas at the Ampersand Hotel in Kensington - I'd love to take DS for the dinosaur one

Can recommend the afternpon tea there its delightful

Hard rock cafe but dont know if she'll be a bit young

DS went on about Hard Rock Cafe for ages after we went when he was about 4. He had macaroni cheese on a plate shaped like a guitar. Blew his tiny mind!

I've heard very good things about the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea at One Aldwych:

https://www.onealdwych.com/food-drink/charlie-the-chocolate-factory-afternoon-tea/

Second the Theatre Cafe Diner! My toddler loved it, so I think a 5 year old would think it’s great

Duplicate post.

Definitely recommend the Theatre Cafe Diner. Food is fairly basic but decent enough to not be disappointed. Been a few times and you tend to get 4 or 5 performances from the staff across the time it takes to eat your meal

You can book a table three months before the date you want to go. Don’t bother booking the Royal Box. It’s supposed to be a “special” table but in reality you are in a corner and behind a pillar for some of the stage so miss a lot of the performances

https://b-bakery.com/london/bus-tours

I bet your dd would like the Paddington Bear bus tour (they do a Peppa Pig one too but maybe she's too old for this?). It's a great way to see the London sights as well. The bus picks up from Northumberland Avenue which is near many of the West End theatres. What are you going to see?

Also, if you and/or your dd like cats I've heard good things about the cat cafe in Marylebone

www.javawhiskers.co.uk

Not far from the West End theatres either.

I went to a Japanese-ish restaurant just off Oxford street where you cook your own meat and vegetables on a hot plate built into the table.

Would she be big enough for something like this?

Obviously depends on the 5 year old, and you know your kid best, but train into London, followed by sit down meal followed by sitting still through a play might be a bit much staying still for a 5 year old - so it might be worth looking at grabbing lunch somewhere she can play for a bit. I don’t know which theatre you’re going to but

e.g. if it’s frozen you’re going to see that’s literally about 2 minutes walk from the transport museum where there are lots of kids activities and a kid friendly cafe
e.g. if it’s one near St James’s Park maybe you could have a park picnic in the park and a little walk around to try to see the pelicans and the kings horseguards (and a quick stop at the playground) to burn of some energy exploring before the show