Lunch in London with kids???? Need ideas for tomorrow

[crunchie]

DH and I are takiing the 2 dd's (8 and 6) to London tomorrow (non-pupil day) so we are planning our day. I fncy a nice lunch somewhere with them, but am a bit stumped.

I have seen recommendations for Giraffe, Pizza Express etc, but anyone got any good iodeas of 'nice' places without the typical chicken nuggets as a kids meal, that my 2 will enjoy??

Central please as we haven't actually decided what we are doing!!

Rainforest Cafe is nice - kids will love it. It's at Picaddily Circus.

HOw about somewhere like Carluccio's ? We take dd (almost 3) so it would definitely be fine for 8 and 6. Or I would think livebait would be quite child friendly, if they like fish ?

Cafe Rouge ?

My two love going to Wagamama. They're all over London these days. No good if your children don't like rice or noodles though.

There's a Wagamama on the South Bank, not far from the London Eye.

Or take sandwiches (or buy from M&S) and eat them on a boat trip. Depends how much you want to pack in to the day.

My two also love Carluccios. They do a lovely lasagne for about £8.
Rainforest Cafe is horribly expensive so I've heard.

how about chinatown for something a bit exciting and different - or Wagamama (one in Covent Garden)

Chez Gerard in Covent garden ?

TGI Fridays, but prob too burgerish

rainforest is a no no, as is TGI's, Cafe Rouge we can go anytime in colchester, Wagamamas is a possible, DH loves it and they love chinese. I suppose I want somewhere that is a treat for me too IYKWIM!!

if you are i Covent Garden you could try Sofra - a Turkish chain which is very freindly, and have lost of spicy meze type things, but also grilled kebabs and pasta dishes, and not too expensive. A little bit more upmarket but in the same vein is Tas, opposite London Bridge tube and so good for The Golden Hinde, walk along the river to Tate, Globe, etc.

Underneath the Royal Festival Hall is Giraffe (no chick nuggets there!) Wagamamma, Strada...bog standard, but great location). There are some nice little restaurants in Berwick St in Soho - Pulcinella does a good lunch if you want small and cosy...but not sure what it is like on an 'office' day - v relaxed at w/e.

Carluccio's is lovely.

mine LOVED yo sushi - healthy and paced and interesting and exotic and unusual.

go there!

Ok - treat for you...will have a think...

My dd loved Hoummus Brothers on Wardour Street - it's just a cefe though so probably not "special" enough for it to feel like a treat for you.

Mine love Yo Sushi and the best thing is you can eat straight away so the meal can be quick if you want it to be. There's one behind County Hall (opposite Parliament) and one in Selfridges Food Hall, iirc.

hmmm sofra, I LOVE that place. Good idea, and Carlucios, there is a good menu there hmmm

Keep it coming, I am planning my day aorund food

What sort of budget are you on? Might help with recommendations if we know if you're looking for cheap and cheerful or more pricey.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen?

Another vote for Wagamama too.

I've got it!
Fish! in Borough Market is really lovely and the restaurant is all glass. It's just behind Southwark Cathedral. Gorgeous food but not too expensive. DP and I have been with and without DC. No good if you don't like fish though.

Fish!

We like Wagamamas, but since they opened one up in Windsor, it's not a London thing for us anymore.

We also liek Texas Embassy (as Americans).

Yo Sushi? - lots of things other than sushi if raw fish wouldn't appeal - big favourite of ours. It isn't a destination type meal though - it's more a convenient interesting pitstop - eat quickly & tumble out.

For destination eating: we had a very nice birthday lunch for me at Branson's Babylon restaurant in the Roof Gardens in Kensington - special lunch but children made very welcome & they enjoyed the oddness of trees & flamingoes so high above London, so were less twitchy than they could have been in another formal place.

We also had a nice lunch, but less special, at Inn the Park in St James's Park - it's somehow a little bit less inviting for long sitting - big windows & terraces make it feel chilly even if it isn't. But that's very very central, & very nice.

Alternatively once you decide what you're doing lots of the museums etc. have good restaurants themselves now - the National Portrait Gallery, eg; and the Tate Modern.

My favourite special place to take DS (which we have been going to since he was 18 months) is the Wolseley, on Picadilly. It is grand room, and wonderfully child friendly. It is a bit pricey, but great for a special treat.

Here is a link: www.thewolseley.com/

ooh MG - I didn't know the Wolseley was child friendly.. I went there pre-children but would never have thought of going there since. One to note - thanks !