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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Special meal in London with children

23 replies

RunningGirl · 17/02/2009 09:51

Can anyone recommend a restaurant in London or thereabouts which is child friendly but not too cafe / zoo like. We're wanting to go out for my dads 70th birthday but have 5 under 5's (there will be 8 adults). Don't just want to go to giraffe type place but also not anywhere too stuffy or where our children will annoy other diners! many thanks

OP posts:

LadyMuck · 17/02/2009 10:50

What is your budget?

How about going somewhere nice, which has a private dining room or function room? Then your kids won't disturb others.

The advantage of giraffe, TGIs, Rainforest is that whilst they are overpriced for what they give you, they do cater for kids.

scienceteacher · 17/02/2009 11:00

We went to a good child-friendly restaurant yesterday - Blubeckers. I'm not sure how far into London they go (there is one at Hampton Court).

They have a lovely menu, large tables, and decent children's food.

blueshoes · 17/02/2009 11:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

blueshoes · 17/02/2009 11:40

I like the Trafalgar Tavern, a nice riverside family pub in Greenwich. Near Cutty Sark DLR.

Proper adults menu, loads of space for the buggies, nice river views. Child-friendly - Greenwich is buggy central, after all. I know they hold weddings upstairs but not sure if they have smaller private rooms.

Give them a shout.

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 17/02/2009 11:49

I went on my first date with my DH there Blueshoes! I love Greenwich.

blueshoes · 17/02/2009 11:52

Me too! What a coincidence, glencora.

MollieO · 17/02/2009 11:54

Boxwood Cafe in the Berkeley Hotel, Knightsbridge. Very child friendly but also very elegant.

BecauseImWorthIt · 17/02/2009 12:12

Are you going out for dinner or for lunch? And are there any kinds of foods that you want to avoid?

And whereabouts in London are you/will you be going?

Original poster

RunningGirl · 17/02/2009 18:49

Thanks for your suggestions so far. I'll check them all out, much appreciated.
We'll be going out for lunch and we all eat pretty much anything! Budget I guess would be reasonable - £50-100 per adult?

OP posts:

Miyazaki · 17/02/2009 18:59

That's a huge budget! I would go to the Wolsey with that kind of money...

BecauseImWorthIt · 17/02/2009 19:03

Wow! Can I come?!

I had been thinking of suggesting Chinatown, but with your kind of budget you may want something a bit more special.

If a Chinese is up your street, I can recommend Fung Shing on Lisle Street - a cut above most of the restaurants there.

nkf · 17/02/2009 19:03

I'd go to Claridges with that kind of money. If they're charging that, they can put up with the kids.

On a more helpful note, there are some good places in Smithfield. Smith has three floors and each restaurant has a different feel. One of them might suit.

MollieO · 17/02/2009 19:39

I've done afternoon tea with ds at Claridges. Lovely and very friendly staff, can't say the same for some of the other guests though.

paddingtonbore · 17/02/2009 19:48

the staff at J sheekey are wonderful with DD.

I also agree that Smiths of is good, and has highchairs, nappy changing tables, and lifts for buggy users. But the food at J Sheekey is nicer .

http://www.roast-restaurant.com/home.cfm Roast is lovely as well

paddingtonbore · 17/02/2009 19:49

try again..

roast

paddingtonbore · 17/02/2009 19:52

ooh - I forgot the wolseley. there's always lots of family groups there, and it's quite lively compared to the hushed atmosphere of some places, but it's a beautiful dining room so works well for a special occasion.

charitygirl · 17/02/2009 19:58

Roast IS lovely, but am not convinced they love kids in there!

I wonder if 32 Great Queen Street might be the right kind of place. Larvely posh British food (just totally mouthwatering), and relaxed, rustic atmosphere (wooden tables, wine in tumblers etc), v near Covent Garden. You could phone and ask how they would feel about 5 under 5s!

But on a Sunday they only do roasts which might be a bit dull.

The Wolseley is THE place for a special occasion but just can't see kids there really...

charitygirl · 17/02/2009 19:59

But if others disagree then go there - love the Wolseley.

[drool]

nkf · 17/02/2009 20:02

What sort of food is The Wolsely? I can't get the menus to come up on the links. I have to plan a family party soon.

paddingtonbore · 17/02/2009 20:05

charity, the wolseley has loads of family groups at the weekends for breakfast and lunch - it becomes rather like giraffe .

roast were also really great with our DD. I guess the individual waiting staff you have really colour your experiences.

paddingtonbore · 17/02/2009 20:07

menu links here - hope this works for you.

nkf · 17/02/2009 20:13

Thank you. It looks delicious.

Original poster

RunningGirl · 18/02/2009 11:18

Thanks again all, loads of suggestions there that I will look into!
£100 per adult was absolute top whack and should include wine, coffee, kids food etc.
I've been to the Wolsey although pre children (in fact was pregnant with DD1) and loved it - hadn't even occurred to me to try anywhere like that!
Many thanks to all of you for being so helpful, we are spoilt for choice now!

OP posts:

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