SOS - need somewhere to eat near the London Eye that is good with kids

[beagle101]

I'm taking dd to the London Eye with a few of her friends and her younger brother for her 4th birthday tomorrow(all seemed like a good idea at the time ).

Anyway I assumed that getting a reservation in Giraffe on the Southbank would be no problems at this time of year as kids still at school so my little brood of pre-schoolers (plus Dad!) and I would be fine. They practically laughed when I rang them today asking for a lunch reservation!

Does anyone know of a good restaurant somewhere within easy walking distance of the London Eye that would be good for kids? - I really really don't want to fall back on McDonalds and when I google restaurants/cafes on google maps it is coming up with more formal places!

Hi,
I think that there is a whole row of restaurants next to Giraffe but can' for the life of me remember thier names. I'm shocked Giraffe is fully booked! Further along the river is Gabriels Wharf, a little complex of shops and restaurants including a pizza place. I've walked to it with a two year old, not too far from the Eye

www.southbanklondon.com/index.php?pid=4&full=&foodDrinkcategoryid=3
This is a Southbank london website on which you can search for restaurants, cafes, pubs, nearby. I had a quick look and it seems Pizza Express is very near. They also have a map that you can use to assess how near to the Eye these places are. there are tons of places to eat round there. DON'T resort to macDonalds

There's a strada, a wagamama, the Royal Festival Hall has various sandwich places and plenty of seating; there's a whole bunch of restaurants alongside the Royal Festival Hall (tapas, French-ish place), there's a Pizza Express behind the Southbank on Belvedere Road. There's also a nice and large Italian called Azurro on the way to Waterloo Station, cafe in the National Film Theatre, and a more posh, but still tolerant restaurant called Benugo

Plenty of options

there's a wagamama next to giraffe, and they don't do booking - you just turn up. their kids meals are fabulous. don't get me started... suffice it to say it's the only place we and the kids all eat happily! there are indeed lots of other restaurants there and you'll definitely be able to find a space in one of them.

Thanks all - I think I just got into a panic when Giraffe sounded so shocked that I could possibly even think of trying to book a lunch table a mere 24 hours before!

Thanks for the link Peasoup - I will have a look - it has been ages since I have been to the Southbank!

London Eye here we come!

Giraffe on the Southbank is shite anyway! It is always packed, service is rubbish and food lukewarm. Pizza Express is on Belvedere Road just behind Festival Hall - it's never as busy because it's not actually on the river.

Thanks Sniffy - feel better about stupid Giraffe !

Coincidentally, I was in "Canteen" on Belvedere Road (Royal Festival Hall) yesterday. Great food and child friendly, tho didn't notice whether they offered smaller portions for children.

Southbank is packed with places - Wagamama, Pizza Express, Strada... even the cafe next to the cinema is ok.

I second Wagamama. Their kids meals come with children's chopsticks. Basically they're a tweezer type affair so it's very easy for small hands to grip and use.

If there's a Yo Sushi nearby I recommend that for kids. I've had massive success taking children there, even fish allergic ones.

that Giraffe on the SB doesn't take lunch bookings anyway so you'd probably get in there

Wagamama is right next door but one to it, with Strada in-between

have fun!

I love Wagamama. Strada do child sized portions on some of the meals now. If you go, definately have the polenta with creamy mushroom sauce - it is heaven!