Where do kids eat for free in London and the UK?

Remember the feeling of breaking up for the holidays as a kid? The blissful feeling of walking out of school, knowing you wouldn’t be back for at least a week or two - six if it's summer. There would be so much ahead of you: sleepovers, trudging around museums, maybe a beach holiday and a sandcastle if you’re lucky. Being out and about is all well and good but finding decent, well-priced food for multiple hungry kids isn’t always easy. If you’re looking for places to eat with kids, you’ve come to the right place - we’ve rounded up a whole host of reliable restaurants and cafes where kids can eat free, or for the lowly price of £1.

There are lots of big UK-wide restaurant chains that offer free meals for children. The beauty of large chains and multisites is that you know what you get, for the most part, and they almost always have children’s menus of easy-going favourites, so even the fussier eaters in your family are catered for.

The tricky bit comes with timings and dates - some chains only offer kids discounts during school holidays, whilst others keep their deals going for longer. There are also some that only offer free kids meals in certain stores or outlets, so make sure to read the details under each deal as we’ve done our best to elaborate on any need-to-know details.

London is a whole different beast, of course, so we’ve created a separate section for London restaurants and groups that offer discounted and free meals for kids. Bear in mind that if you’re looking for free kids meals in London, many of the UK-wide groups also have multiple sites in London, so in truth, you’re especially blessed with options if you’re in the capital.

Where can kids eat for free UK?

These reliable cafes and restaurants all have special deals on, both over the holidays and all year round, where kids can eat for free (usually alongside a paying adult). 

The Real Greek

What: The Real Greek has sites in lots of major cities around the country, offering fresh, authentic Greek cooking at pretty reasonable prices. It offers a kids eat free deal on Sundays in all branches.
Book now: The Real Greek Covent Garden, The Real Greek Bristol, The Real Greek Bournemouth and more

Bill’s

What: Once a beloved Brighton hangout, Bill’s has become a nationwide powerhouse thanks to an easy-going menu of all-day delights. When one adult orders any main dish, up to two kids can eat for free from the children’s menu. The deal is valid Monday to Friday at selected times, and includes dishes like buttermilk pancakes, fish fingers and chips, and mac & cheese.
Book now: Bill's Birmingham, Bill's Manchester, Bill's Bath, Bill's Borough and more

Yo! Sushi

What: Up to three kids can enjoy a free kids bento box at Yo! Sushi from 6-10 May 2024 alongside a paying adult. The offer is valid Monday to Friday, but it excludes the following sites: Bath, Heathrow T2, Heathrow T3, Manchester Piccadilly Station, St Pancras Station, York Outlet and London Luton Airport. 
Book now: Yo! Sushi Brighton, Yo! Sushi Birmingham, Yo! Sushi Bristol, Yo! Sushi Cambridge and more

Morrisons

What: Every Morrisons cafe has this kids eat for free deal, which is especially good as it covers kids up to 16 years old (where most others usually stretch to 10). The kids eat free Morrisons deal gets you a free meal from the kids menu for every adult meal you buy (you must spend £4.50 or over).

Purezza

What: Pizzas are always a good shout if you’re looking for easy, delicious kids food - what kid doesn’t love pizza? Purezza’s deal is a good’un too - for every adult pizza, you get a free kids pizza. Simple. This offer applies to children under 10 years old.
Book now: Purezza Brighton, Purezza Camden and Purezza Manchester

Tesco

What: Kids eat free at Tesco cafes nationwide between 27-31 May 2024. The offer applies when an adult makes any purchase in The Cafe, and includes both breakfast and lunch meals. Think little crumpets, chicken goujons and tomato pasta shells. 

Where can kids eat for £1 UK?

Some restaurants have similar deals but have you pay a nominal £1 for your kids' meals, rather than handing them out for free. As above, this often requires an adult to buy a standard meal as well, in order to qualify for a discounted kids meal.

Hungry Horse

What: Kids eat for £1 every Monday at Hungry Horses all over the country, and the kids menu includes family favourites like sausage and mash, chicken nuggets, beef burger and tomato pasta, as well as plant-based options.

Bella Italia

What: Good news! Kids eat for free all day on Thursdays at Bella Italia, or for just £1 between 4-6pm, Sunday to Wednesday. It's a greal deal too. The meal includes three courses and a drink for anyone aged between two and 11 years old.
Book now: Bella Italia Birmingham, Bella Italia Brighton, Bella Italia Bristol, Bella Italia Lancaster and more

Asda

What: Asda’s deal works similarly to other supermarkets - it’s active across every single Asda UK-wide and gets you a kids meal for just £1 when you’re buying an adult meal at the same time. Perfect if you’re out doing a big shop and you have a hangry child that needs feeding.

IKEA

What: IKEA is offering 95p kids meals across many of its branches, which includes a full meal with mac n cheese or tomato pasta, a soft drink and a piece of fruit for less than a pound. Adults don’t need to buy anything to redeem it either, so once you’re done shopping you can just go straight to the restaurant to grab cheap meals for your little ones. Alternatively, you can purchase any other kid's meal for £1.50.

Where can kids eat for free in London?

It can seem nearly impossible to eat out in London on the cheap, especially with families, but these killer kids-eat-free deals make that dream a reality. 

The Hoxton, Various London locations

What: From Saturday 18 May, kids under 10 can dine for free at any of the four Hoxton hotels in London. The offer is available 12-5pm every Saturday and Sunday, and includes a free kid's meal with any dining adult. Hop on over to its sites in Shoreditch, Holborn, Southwark and Shepherd's Bush to let little ones tuck into the likes of fish goujons, cheeseburgers, mac 'n' cheese or a tuna melt - all completely free. This offer is valid at Albie, Chet’s, Hox Grill and Rondo.
Where: Various London locations
Book now: Albie, Chet's, Rondo

Cinnamon Collection, Various London locations

What: Kids eat for free at all the restaurants under the Cinnamon Collection umbrella during the May half term (see below for all sites). Perfect for little ones with more adventurous palates, children under eight years old can tuck into modern Indian mains, from naan and cheesy peas pizza to pan-fried sea bream with creamy coconut sauce. Follow it up with a glass of fruit juice and a scoop of vanilla ice cream! 
Where: Various London locations
Book now: Cinnamon Bazaar Covent Garden, Cinnamon Bazaar Richmond, Cinnamon Kitchen City, Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea

Padella, Shoreditch

What: You can't go wrong with a plate of pasta for kids and adults alike! This May half term, children can eat for free at Padella Shoreditch with dishes like tagliarini with slow-cooked tomato sauce, and a smaller portion of its famous eight-hour beef shin ragu. The offer will run for lunch and dinner from 27-31 May. 
Where: 1 Phipp Street, EC2A 4PS
Book now: Padella Shoreditch

Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Café, Knightsbridge

What: Planning to visit a few west London attractions - Hyde Park, or the Natural History Museum, perhaps - consider booking lunch at the excellent Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Cafe in nearby Knightsbridge. Kids under 12 eat free here all day on Sundays with a paying adult, with a complimentary meal from the kids menu.
Where: 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ
Book now: Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Café

Barbican Kitchen, Barbican

What: The Barbican Centre is home to an array of dining destinations, but Barbican Kitchen is its most casual offering and a great option for families. Plus, children under 10 years old receive a free meal from the kids' menu with every adult meal over £10. A useful hack if you're doing some sightseeing in this part of town.  
Where: Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS

Kricket, White City

What: During the holidays, kids dining with an adult at Kricket eat for free. And this offer is especially delicious, with dishes like butter chicken served alongside rice, cheesy naan and broccoli up for grabs. Families can take advantage of the deal in the holidays, between 22 May and 1 June, and 22 July to 31 August. Take note: this offer is only available at its White City location. 
Where: 101 Wood Lane, W12 7FR
Book now: Kricket White City

Babur, Brockley

What: South East London gem Babur is offering free kids' meals throughout the whole of half term (27-31 May 2024) for children under the age of 10 years old. Receive a complimentary kids' dish for every adult one ordered, with options including subtly spiced chicken tikka and a tasty Indian platter. 
Where: 119 Brockley Rise, SE23 1JP
Book now: Babur

If you want to browse some more options, we’ve picked out a handy list of the best children-friendly restaurants in London, where your little connoisseurs couldn’t possibly turn their noses up at the menu!