London Family-Friendly Restaurant Ideas?

[Aspire2Iron]

I live in London, for pete's sake, but I can't think.

My single-no-kids trendy friend from school is visiting with her parents and teenage brother. I have a 4yo and a 2yo who is potty training. And I'm 5mo pregnant.

My goal: I want a cool central London place to eat, where kids are definitely welcome. No carpets (just in case for my potty-training DD2). A little room to roam (or at least room to roam immediately post-meal) so that my girls can move about a bit. (Indoor room to roam, that is, since the forecast for this weekend is horrible.) But definitely a cool London-y place since my friend and her family have never been here. (Full disclosure: she and I are from the US, so coming over for them is a big deal.)

I don't want to go to Wagamama... or Giraffe... or any chain, really. What has worked for you?

(I think I feel a bit added pressure since we haven't seen each other in ages, and since our circumstances are so different....)

I guess it's still a chain but Wahaca in Soho is lovely.

I was going to say Wahaca or Massala Zone, but they are both chains. Carluccio's would be another idea. Sorry but I don't really know any independent ones.

www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern/eat-drink-and-shop/level-7-restaurant
www.inamo-stjames.com/pc/

We have been to Opera Tavern (tapas) in Covent Garden, and Smiths of Smithfield in Farringdon with our friends who have a 4 yo and a 2yo (this was when we were young and childless!) and both were very friendly and very cool

How about one of the ones in a museum/gallery? Eg the restaurant at Tate modern (not the cafe, the proper restaurant), it has great views, is child friendly and your Dcs could potter around the galleries, go to the kids play area (my 3yo ds was v impressed with the indoor slide!) etc but also quite 'cool' and 'trendy' I think? (not that I'm either of those anymore )

Opera Tavern is great - but when I went recently it was quite busy and the tables close together

X post with everybodysdoeeyed!

great minds!

Love Wahaca... but they're from LA so get plenty of Mexican food already.

Carluccio's and Massala Zone - yum! Good choices. But surely there's an independent choice out there, though??? I couldn't think of one, either......

our friends from la were very impressed with tate modern

EverybodysDoeEyed & ceeveebee & lindsell: Inamo is child friendly? It looks very chic! So does this thrice-mentioned Opera Tavern.... I'm impressed!

Yes, a museum restaurant/cafe is an option... haven't tried the top floor Tate Modern one. Hm......

Thanks everyone! Will try them this weekend or another time :).

the wolseley
reasonably fashionable, though not in a shoreditch twat way
the key thing is it's quite cavernous and echoey, so the next table can't hear when my one's kids are whingeing. can't remember about the carpet thing though.

or Smiths of Smithfield - either ground floor or second. definitely wipe-clean.

("Kids eat free at Tate." Well, hello!)

Top floor Tate Modern is free for children. Amazing view. The Saatchi gallery in Chelsea has a nice restaurant which does a great tea & there's lots to look at inside & good to run around outside.
Le Caprice are surprisingly child friendly and it's always lovely.
Our favourite is the restaurant in St James' Park - Inn the Park. Chase a few pigeons afterwards.

not wahaca

Wolseley? Seriously? I have wanted to go, but I thought I wouldn't get the chance for another 21 years or so!

And yes, Smiths of Smithfield is a v good option. Have been (long time ago) and really enjoyed it.

yeah, go for saturday brunch, it's crawling with little tarquins and jocastas.

dont go to inn the park right now - "Inn the Park will be closed from 18th June - 7th September to allow the Olympic Beach Volleyball to take over at Horse's Guard Parade. See you in September for an Indian Summer!"

Yes, Opera Tavern is child friendly in the daytime, upstairs it was pretty empty when we went on a Sunday afternoon. Same with Smiths - I remember they had a 'slider platter' which is 3 mini burgers with different toppings which the 4yo loved!

Thanks all, this is great!

Belgo? Or too chain like? (Kids eat free!)

The penthouse in Leicester square. Has a balcony so wouldn't let them out alone but views across London and sofa areas for after meal or a relaxed area to eat

Has no children's menu that I remember but many child friendly optiond that you can just ask for half portions off for the children