18 of the best child-friendly restaurants in London

London is definitely a great place for a family day out. However, a long day of dragging your kids around the endless attractions is going to lead to some hungry stomachs, big and small. But where can you safely take the little darlings without having to go to Nando's yet again? We're here to share the good news that there are plenty of terrific places to eat around London that will be just as accommodating to your child as they would to any adult.

Our pick of the best family restaurants in London includes places you’d probably choose to go even without kids, because you deserve a treat too. We’ve rounded up the best fancy restaurants that are still child-friendly, as well as some more casual places to grab a slice of pizza or enjoy a burger should the craving for a junk food hit come the half term holidays.

Some of our choices below have special set-ups to help your meal go as smoothly as possible. While a handful of the best child-friendly restaurants provide entertainment via the likes of colouring in equipment, almost all of them provide specially selected kids menus with your mini me(s) in mind. These selections of dedicated dishes are carefully prepared to appeal to little taste buds so are often kept simple and delicious. On many menus you’ll find pasta options, while things like mini burgers and chips are also a popular choice. An additional bonus of taking your gang to a kids restaurant in London is the cost-factor. Everything is expertly portioned to allow for as little waste as possible, and with that you get cheaper eats for the kids – plus menus often come with a drink and a dessert thrown in for good measure.

So, whether you’re after something casual and easy or somewhere more formal where your kids will feel just as much of a grown-up as the person footing the bill, here’s our pick of the best child-friendly restaurants in London.

The best casual child-friendly family restaurants in London

If posh nosh isn't what you or the family are looking for, then there are plenty of laid-back joints to bring your little ones to in London. A casual bite to eat will allow you to fully relax knowing that nobody is going to get upset if there's a bit of noise coming from your table. Plus, there’s sure to be options on the menus that your children will enjoy. From pizza places to burger restaurants, these are the best tried-and-tested child-friendly restaurants to take your gang to. 

Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus

Why: The first and last work in rock and roll family fun, Hard Rock Cafe is absolutely ideal if you're looking for somewhere fun and easy-going to entertain the kids for an hour or two, with a menu packed with family favourites that even the pickiest child wouldn't turn their nose up at. Burgers, wings, nachos, fajitas, and the obligatory Hard Rock chocolate brownie all come in generous portions and afterwards you can check out the 7500 square foot 'Rock Shop' - the largest memorabilia store in the world. 
Where: Criterion Building, 225-229 Piccadilly, W1J 9HR
What's nearby: Piccadilly Circus, Soho, Leicester Square
Book now: Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus

Rosa’s Thai, Soho

Why: This popular Thai chain has restaurants all over London so you’re never too far away from a family-friendly meal if you’re stuck in town with hungry littluns. The kid's menu features a range of crowd-pleasing Thai classics, offering a starter, main and drink for just £7.50. Options include crispy chicken, Rosas fried rice or noodle soup, all served with tasty veggies and a glass of fruit juice. You can even add a scoop of ice cream with strawberry bubbles for £1.50 to finish with something sweet.
Where: 23a Ganton Street, WIF 9BW
What’s nearby: Carnaby Street, Oxford Street, Leicester Square
Book now: Rosa’s Thai

Heddon Street Kitchen, Piccadilly Circus

Why: Four words: kids eat for free. That’s right, kids eat for free all day, every weekday at Gordon Ramsay’s relaxed restaurant chain Heddon Street Kitchen, with all its child-friendly main courses on the house. Choose from the likes of meatballs with pasta, macaroni cheese, bangers and mash or burger and chips. Desserts are an extra cost, but for £3.50 you can’t really complain. Treat them to a chocolate brownie, or ice cream with chocolate sauce.
Where: 3-9 Heddon Street, W1B 4BN
What’s nearby: Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Chinatown, Hamleys
Book now: Heddon Street Kitchen

Shoryu Ramen, Soho

Why: Now with nine spots across the capital, and a few more beyond, Shoryu ramen is ideal for when you need a casual space with some pretty tasty food. The kids menu here is available for your little ones aged 11 and under, and offers edamame to start, alongside a selection of ramen or fried chicken with rice, with matcha, miso or mango ice cream to finish. This three course feast comes to a total of only £7.90, which is pretty reasonable too. 
Where: 3 Denman Street, W1D 7HA
What's nearby: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus
Book now: Shoryu Ramen

The Coal Shed, Tower Bridge

Why: The idea of a restaurant that is focused on serving predominantly steak and fish-based dishes probably sounds rather grown up. Luckily, The Coal Shed by Tower Bridge serves a children's menu which offers bite-size versions of the restaurant's signature dishes. Kids can tuck into fish and chips, mac and cheese, or a cheese burger, followed by chocolate brownies or two scoops of ice cream. And all that is only a tenner per head!
Where: 4 Crown Square, SE1 2SE
What’s nearby: The Tower of London, The Shard, Borough Market, HMS Belfast, The London Bridge Experience and Tombs
Book now: The Coal Shed

Americana, St. James's

Why: Along with a specialised kids menu complete with chicken strips and apple pie, Americana is serving up an unmissable Sunday-with-the-kids occasion; a bottomless Southern American roast that’s just £15 for under 12s and completely gratis for little ones under five years old. It's not just any roast, there’s buttermilk and lemon pancakes and infinite apple and berry crumble to get a bit more fruit in. It’s available all day, but if your kids are of the musical variety, be sure to book between 1-4pm for a live saxophone serenade.
Where: 11 Haymarket, SW1Y 4BP
What’s nearby: Trafalgar Square, Somerset House, The London Transport Museum
Book now: Americana

Pizza East, Shoreditch

Why: Pizza is a failsafe when it comes to feeding hungry children and also works perfectly as a treat. The always jam-packed Shoreditch branch of this pizza mini chain means the buzz is kept to a max, allowing rowdy children to roam free. Better still, kids eat for free every weekday! Mains include lasagne, a margherita pizza or a burger with fries, and there's the choice to include a scoop of gelato for an extra £4.
Where: 56 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ
What’s nearby: Museum of the Home, Sky Garden
Book now: Pizza East

Inamo, Covent Garden

Why: Inamo is a no-brainer for any parent dragging kids around London and this Covent Garden location one-ups your average restaurant. Kids will love being able to order food from its extensive menu via its state-of-the-art touch-sensitive tables. Plus, they can entertain themselves by playing games, drawing pictures or changing the design of the interactive table top.
Where: 11-14 Hannover Place, WC2E 9JP
What’s nearby: Covent Garden and Strand theatres, Royal Opera House, London Transport Museum, Trafalgar Square, Somerset House
Book now: Inamo

Where the Pancakes Are, Southwark

Why: Little ones are bound to find the idea of eating pancakes for lunch or dinner boundlessly exciting, and to be honest, so will the parents if you're anything like us. Part of the fun of eating at this pancake-focused restaurant is being able to build your own dish – an option that’s available for both kids and adults alike. The children’s menu invites kids to pick their pancakes (buttermilk or vegan) and add a selection of toppings, from sausage and halloumi to mixed fruit and chocolate sauce.
Where: 85a Southwark Bridge Road, SE1 0NQ
What’s nearby: Borough Market, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, London Bridge
Book now: Where the Pancakes Are

Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, Chelsea

Why: Turning out comfort food for both adults and children alike, this family-friendly restaurant benefits from genial staff, a warm environment and a dedicated kid’s menu. Parents can devour rare-breed steaks, fish and poultry hot off the grill, whereas kids can sit happily with meatballs and pasta, burger and chips or bangers and mash. The best bit? All kids main courses are free, every weekday. Add a dessert for an extra £3.50 such as chocolate brownie, vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce or a sticky toffee pudding.
Where: 11 Park Walk, SW10 0AJ
What’s nearby: National Army Museum, Chelsea Physic Garden, Battersea Park, Purple Dragon
Book now: Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill

All Star Lanes, Holborn

Why: This bowling alley-cum-American diner has the unique advantage of not only being a place you can take the young’uns for dinner, but also giving them something fun to do. At All Star lanes, it’s all about the three B’s: bowling, booze, and burgers. With the exception of the booze, kids are guaranteed to love this place, and parents should too. While there are lanes reserved for walk-ins, it’s definitely worth booking ahead. Better still, there’s a dedicated kids' menu which includes things like chicken and waffles, halloumi wraps, mini fish and chips and vegan pasta. Add a drink for an extra two quid. 
Where: Bloomsbury Place, WC1B 4DA
What’s nearby: British Museum
Book now: All Star Lanes

Franco Manca, Covent Garden 

Why:This unbeatable sourdough pizza chain has a Covent Garden branch that is a perfect pit stop during a day out in the capital. The low prices offer fantastic value for families: the kids’ menu includes a pizza, a drink and ice cream for just £8.25. The fuss-free tables means spills aren't an issue and there's a speedy turnover time to prevent the age-old issue of hanger.
Where: 39 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7LJ
What’s nearby: Covent Garden and Strand theatres, Royal Opera House, London Transport Museum, Trafalgar Square, Somerset House ice rink
Book now: Franco Manca

Granger & Co, King’s Cross

Why: Bill Granger’s relaxed, cool, and seemingly effortless café is well known for its brunch options, especially its ricotta hotcakes. Such sweet treats are bound to be a hit with kids, and at this child-friendly eatery parents can opt for more savoury options including an endless selection of egg dishes. Granger & Co is a great place to head with more adventurous eaters, with the little ones’ menu featuring things like chicken schnitzel with fries and green beans, and linguine with cherry tomatoes and parmesan.
Where: 7 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG
What’s nearby: Platform 9 ¾ and the Harry Potter shop at King’s Cross, St Pancras station
Book now: Granger & Co

Poppie's Fish & Chips, Camden

Why: Over time Poppie's has earnt itself a reputation for serving some of the finest fish and chips in the Capital and the good news is that it doesn't just do vast adult-sized portions. A section of the menu called 'food for kids' includes small portions of favourites including cod bites and sausage with chips, which cost just less than a tenner each. Head to the Camden outpost which has a particularly relaxed vibe, and then head on to the colourful markets which the children will love.
Where: 30 Hawley Crescent, NW1 8NF
What’s nearby: Camden Market, Regent's Park
Book now: Poppie's Fish & Chips

Wahaca, Southbank 

Why: Wahaca’s South Bank outpost is made up of eight recycled shipping containers which are decorated with graffiti and murals, something that should capture younger visitors' attention. An affordable children’s menu at Wahaca gives the choice of building your own tacos or cheesy toasted quesadilla sandwiches with a drink for £6.95. You can also add ice cream (if they've been good!) for an extra £1.75, with options of vanilla, chocolate or salted caramel.
Where: Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
What’s nearby: National Theatre, Royal Festival Hall, IMAX Waterloo, The London Eye, Waterloo station
Book now: Wahaca

The best formal child-friendly family restaurants in London

There's a place and a time for formal dining, and if you have the whole gang with you there's no need to miss out on a special meal. In the capital there are plenty of formal restaurants that are also child-friendly, from Soho to Shoreditch, and make the perfect spot to celebrate a birthday or catch up with friends (big and small).  

OXO Tower Brasserie, Southwark

Why: For a meal with the children which has the bonus of an incredible view across London, the OXO Tower Brasserie is tough to beat. The brasserie sits up on the eighth floor of the famous tower, which overlooks the Thames, and serves a dedicated children's menu which includes a juice, snack, main and pudding. Snacks span sweet and salty popcorn, and vegetable gyoza with sweet chilli sauce, while mains include popular favourites like loaded fries and a fish butty. For dessert, little ones are sure to love the red velvet cheesecake brownie with chocolate sauce.
Where: Barge House Street, SE1 9PH
What’s nearby: The London Eye, Royal Festival Hall, The Southbank Centre, The National Theatre
Book now: OXO Tower Brasserie

Café Murano, Bermondsey

Why: Expect an old-fashioned Italian welcome for families at Angela Hartnett's Café Murano. The restaurant offers a dedicated children's menu which costs just £10 and includes either chicken Milanese or a bowl of pasta, followed by ice ceam or sorbet. The perfect way to bring families together, the menus are deliberately made to the same high standards as the adult a la carte.
Where: 184 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3TQ
What’s nearby: Tanner Street Park, The Shard, Leathermarket Gardens
Book now: Cafe Murano Bermondsey

Nobu London, Mayfair

Why: Nobu is the savvy parent’s secret posh lunch, providing all the necessary amenities, as well as helpful staff happy to warm bottles or recommend child-approved dishes. Although dinner gets booked up well in advance, at lunchtime, same-day bookings are common. The children’s bento box includes the likes of tiger shrimp and squid tempura.
Where: 19 Old Park Lane, W1K 1LB
What’s nearby: Hyde Park and Winter Wonderland, Green Park, Buckingham Palace
Book now: Nobu

Looking for an idea for a weekend or half term treat? Why not check out our round up of the the best Harry Potter afternoon teas across the UK.