Places to eat with kids in London

[TheSteveMilliband]

We're off to London for the weekend, with ds, 4&6. I remember the thrill of trips to London and really would like to take them somewhere that has that London buzz (China town etc) but know it'll be a long day and don't fancy too much travelling around. We are going to the natural history museum sat and staying in regents park area, so was wondering if anyone had any recommendations of where to eat with young kids around those areas (or in between). Or should I just sod it and take them to China Town!

Thanks nerf

Nerf, ds2 would have LOVED mama Mia (he tells me proudly he is one of the "mama Mia boys" at nursery) but NO chance of persuading ds1 and dp. How does it compare with the film? I thought the film was overly cheesy but imagine it might work better in theatre.
We are going to aliens love underpants, ds choice (obviously!). Would have had more choice had I noticed kidsweek before yesterday- was really impressed there was so much to choose from (had I been more organised at least), lion king would have been fabulous.

Mamma Mia is the first West End show we took ds to as we knew he'd sit through it. We had previously taken dd who is older to Lion King & Wicked.

The film is awful, the show is much better.

I've been printing off loads of menus as we are going in a couple of weeks. But I don't like Chinese.

Rainforest Cafe was ok but a bit over rated. Dd likes Italian so might try Carluccios.

Covent Garden Grill emailed me their children's menu.

(For the under 12’s)

MAIN COURSE & DESSERT
£6.50

BANGERS AND MASH (or CHIPS) with GRAVY

HOMEMADE HAMBURGER & CHIPS (or SALAD)

GRILLED CHICKEN FINGERS, MASH &
PEAS (or SALAD)

FISH & CHIPS with PEAS

SPICY VEGETABLE SKEWERS, SALAD & COUSCOUS (v)

ROAST BEEF DINNER (SUNDAYS ONLY)

oOo

HOMEMADE TRIPLE
CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM

SUMMER BERRY ICE CREAM SUNDAE

CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE

This is our 4th Kidsweek. I always book the day they go on sale & try & get a workshop for dd. (this year she's doing 'Ballet with Billy'

Five guys near Leicester square tube is good. And fast

(Also did kidsweek)

Giraffe is good, has branches all over the place

Bodeans on Poland street Alsogood

No, no, no to Ping Pong. It's not real dim sum at all and is overpriced rubbish.

Any authentic place will only serve dim sum up to 5pm.

If you're in Chinatown then head to Joy King Lau or Imperial China.

Rainforest cafe is sooo memorable for you get kids my 9 yr old went at 4 and still remembers it and talks fondly about it.

Really? Food so. Shit tho. The one in Florida smelled of stagnant water

I second, third? Fourth? Comptoir Libanais.

We haven't been to the south ken one, but have eaten at the Soho, Chelsea and Bluewater ones.

We once had terrible service at Bluewater - they kept us waiting for a ridiculous amount of time for our meals. We spoke to the manager, and she didn't quibble, but just waived our bill completely!

(Apart from that, the service has always been excellent, there and in the other ones, including the time DS was sick all over the table. )

Christ. My kids would never eat that

Thanks for the kids menu pictures, looks good. I think ds might just manage lion king or mama Mia but 1 hr show probably safer, he is not one for sitting still. Will put mama Mia on the list for next year! The activities are worthwhile then?
I know ds2 would love the rainforest cafe, but seems a bit overpriced and, well, not that exciting for grown ups (except for the excitement for ds).
Pizza always goes down well but that tends to be our staple if we go out, think we should try something different.
Will take a look at those chinatown options too, might not always be the best chinese in London but Chinatown definitely has a buzz.
Am thinking comptoir libannnaise for lunch Sunday.

Steve, mamma Mia was excellent , such a good feel happy show and the voices on the main singers were amazing.
Ds waited at the stage door and the cast were bloody lovely - photos, chatting, so kind.

There is nothing on the comptoir menu me or the kids would eat.

Dd fancies cafe rouge.

That sounds great nerf, one for me to take them to next time. Pictures, I'm hoping falafel/ dips and flatbread would work, though suspect I'd enjoy it more!

Giraffe is dreadful. Bodeans and smolenskys I have taken boys and they liked.

There is always the hagaan daz place in Leicester square - you can either get takeaway or sit inside and enjoy the Ice creams/sundaes

Oh well, a classic case of over ambition....Ended up in subway for lunch as Leicester square / long acre so packed, then to regents park and pizza express
Still planning something a bit different for s Kensington tomorrow. Still, on plus side boys are loving London and loved subway/pizza.