Central London buffet restaurant

[tastylancs]

Off to London next week with DCs 10 and 7. Their favourite place to eat is Panda in York - international buffet style with dream pudding section. I'm just wondering whether there's anywhere similar in London? Ideally Piccadilly / Euston / Covent Garden / not too hard to get to. Or any other children friendly recommendations? We love Belgos and Giraffe but not been many places to eat as a family in London.

there is a fab buffet restaurant in the O2 called Jimmy's, you will be able to get the tube/train there. there is also a Planet Hollywood restaurant in covent garden which is child friendly x

Oh I will definitely check out Jimmys, thanks! And they've never been to a planet Hollywood so that could be a winner too!

In no particular order, these have been my DCs' favourite London meals:
Inamo in Soho - the menu is projected onto your table by space-age pods. Use the touchpad to place your order, choose a tablecloth, and even play a game of Battleships. You can also use 'chef cam' to watch your food being prepared on the screen on the table. It's Asian cuisine (think Wagamama) so expect lots of noodles and rice. There's a children's menu with some simple dishes like BBQ vegetable noodles, spring roll and Korean chicken wings.
Also in Soho is HipChips, a restaurant dedicated entirely to the humble crisp. Platters of crisps served with a large choice of inventive dips, both savoury and sweet! www.hipchips.com/crisps-dips
My Old Dutch - various locations serving jaw-dropping pancakes. A good range of savoury (I like the ratatouille and creamed spinach but my DCs like the Italian, the Chilli con Carne and the Hot Dutch). You can also make your own. There’s an awesome range of sweet pancakes and a 'specials menu' with a pancake called Star Trek on Nutella!
Cereal Killer Cafe, Brick Lane and Camden - an amazing collection of cereals from all over the world. I let my kids enjoy a massive bowl of lots of different types for a fun lunch one day. Not a good option if you care too much about healthy eating! And The hot chocolates really do have to be seen to be believed.
Bubba Gump has a really fun atmosphere and my kids love the kids menu.
Gordon Ramsay's Heddon Street restaurant has an ice cream bar. Children up to 12 eat free from the children's menu AND get an entertainment pack. The same applies at the Bread Street branch but I'm not sure if they have an ice cream bar.

There is a nice Belgos restaurant near Holborn tube station (turn left out of the station into Kingsway, cross this road and keep walking down.

Planet Hollywood is actually located in Haymarket near Piccadilly (its about a 10 minute walk from Covent Garden).

@Ricekrispie22 there’s no ice cream bar at the Bread Street Kitchen (sadly, would be a welcome addition!!)

Ricekrispie thanks soooo much - never heard of any of those places, can't wait to check them out! I was struggling to think of anywhere to take them apart from the rainforest cafe and now I am spoilt for choice 😀.

Attila thanks for the Belgos tip - is it nicer than the Covent Garden one? (Only one we've been to). And good to know about planet Hollywood - we are going to the Haymarket theatre so would certainly be handy.

Ricekrispie I'm saying hello from inamo in soho! What a brilliant idea, thanks so much! All loving it, DH and DD playing ping and eating yummy food. Love love ordering direct from the table love Mumsnet. Sorry getting soppy, on third ichiban.

Glad you like it!