Thanks to its eye-catching sights, buzzing atmosphere and enchanting activities, London is a must-visit city for the whole family. Yet finding a restaurant that will keep everyone happy can be a challenge. There’s plenty of places with a children’s menu, but will they keep the food lover in you satisfied? With this selection of restaurants from our MICHELIN Guide Inspectors – each one offering a different kind of family-friendly appeal – you’ll never have to worry again.
1. AGORA, Borough Market: The Magical Walk-In Souvla Bar
Anybody with young children will know that a day out doesn’t always go perfectly to schedule. Whether it’s someone getting hungry earlier than expected or plans getting sidetracked by the kids’ youthful curiosity, sometimes it’s handy not to have your itinerary set in stone. That makes the mostly walk-ins policy at AGORA all the more appealing – just be prepared to queue, as it's a deservedly busy place. Situated in the heart of Borough Market (itself a feast for the senses to keep everyone entertained), its menu of skewers, flatbreads and more Greek treats is designed for sharing, ideal for a family with a range of appetites.
2. Apricity, Mayfair: For the Young Future Foodies
For a certain kind of child, Apricity is like a gift from the gods. If your offspring is an adventurous eater who would rather try something new and exciting than be offered turkey dinosaurs for the 100th time, then Apricity’s ‘Culinary Kids’ tasting menu is the answer. A five-course experience, it aims to broaden children’s palates whilst keeping the dishes accessible and enjoyable – imagine the likes of Flourish courgette with ajo blanco and smoked mushroom. The menu also teaches children important lessons about where their food comes from.
3. Bancone, Covent Garden: Pasta, Pasta and More Pasta
If we were to put a bet on which food would be most likely to satisfy diners from ages 5 to 85, we’d go for a delicious bowl of pasta. London’s full of great Italian restaurants, but Bancone might be the best for a family outing. The menu is almost entirely pasta dishes, plus they all come at sensible prices, so paying for a group of six isn’t too overwhelming. Its original branch in Covent Garden is ideal for a family day out too, close to a host of landmarks, shops, street performers and theatres. If you find yourself elsewhere, they also have spots in Kensington, Soho and Borough Yards.
4. Brasserie Zédel, Soho: The Familiar Face for Every Occasion
There are very few things the long-standing Brasserie Zédel isn’t good for. A large, lively brasserie that’s more French than France, it has a certain panache and glitzy décor that will catch the eye of younger children, while the menu offers an ideal mix of dishes for those who either want something familiar (steak frites) or more adventurous (tripe sausage). With the menu coming in both French and English versions, it's also a great opportunity for tricking your moody teenager into doing their exam revision. And if you’re in a hurry, the kitchen can serve two courses in 45 minutes.
5. Farang, Highbury: Thai Treats for All Ages
A top-quality, well-priced Thai restaurant is worth its weight in gold for fans of the cuisine’s famously vibrant, lip-smacking flavours. One that you can take the kids to is even better – so worth its weight in diamonds, maybe? At Farang, the children’s menu offers younger diners a taste of Thailand with options such as red-curried fishcakes with sweet chilli dipping sauce and sticky rice. Other reasons to visit include its proximity to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, as well as the curry pastes and sauces sold in the restaurant, which will help you take family dinnertime to the next level.Love all things MICHELIN?
Sign up to our newsletter to hear from the MICHELIN Guide Inspectors
Get the Guide on the go with the free app
Set up an account to create lists & manage bookings
6. Hawksmoor, Spitalfields: Straightforward Steaks and Sunday Roasts
More often than not, a steakhouse is a crowd-pleaser, the kind of unpretentious place that appeals to a range of ages. Hawksmoor is one of Britain’s best, run by a team with palpable pride in the quality of their ingredients. Adding to its appeal is a brilliant £19 steak and chips lunch deal and the fact they serve a proper Sunday roast. For visitors to the UK, it’s a great opportunity to try this quintessential British family meal, where roasted meat is accompanied by roast potatoes, vegetables and gravy (the British kind). You can find other branches of Hawksmoor throughout London.
7. Kanishka, Mayfair: Indian Cuisine for All Appetites
If you and the family are in the mood for Indian food, then London has no shortage of options: including Gunpowder Spitalfields, whose name alone may be enticing to younger diners, and Brigadiers, which shows live sport. Kanishka is one of the few Indian restaurants with a dedicated children’s menu however, featuring the likes of paneer tikka and Old Delhi butter chicken. On the broader à la carte, look out for founder Atul Kochhar’s signature chicken tikka pie, and if your table has a mixture of appetites, consider the flexible Small Bites menu.
8. Langan’s Brasserie: Perfect for Visitors
If you and your family have come from abroad to explore the best of British across the capital, then Langan’s is ideal. Firstly, it’s situated within walking distance of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Piccadilly Circus, as well as a short Tube ride away from The London Dungeon, one of the city’s most popular family experiences. On top of being so close to these London icons, you could argue that Langan’s is an icon in itself, a one-time celebrity haunt founded in 1976 by, among others, the actor Michael Caine. Finally, its dedicated children’s menu offers a taste of traditional British dishes, including sausage & mash and fish & chips.
9. Le Pont de la Tour, Tower Bridge: Top-Tier Terrace Views
Any restaurant by the River Thames is a great choice, with the comings and goings of boats on the water providing something for little ones to marvel at and a view for everyone to admire. The view from the terrace at Le Pont de la Tour is particularly special, offering a front-row seat to the stunning Tower Bridge. That means the Tower of London is within walking distance too, ideal for families keen on sightseeing. Sweetening the deal is the restaurant’s children’s menu, which retains the French feel of the main offering, in dishes like goujonettes of sole with French fries and tartare sauce.
10. Roe, Canary Wharf: Room for all the Family
Standing out as a culinary beacon in Canary Wharf, an area not known for its restaurants, Roe is the ideal stop for a family enjoying a day out to the Cutty Sark or fresh from seeing a show at The O2 arena. A frankly huge restaurant, this bustling operation is far better suited to relaxed family dining than an intimate six-table tasting menu would be. More importantly, it has a dedicated children’s menu including the likes of a cheeseburger or venison sausage with gravy. It comes from the team behind Fallow in St James’s, which also has a menu for little ones.Related Articles:
Hero Image: Brasserie Zédel, one of the best family-friendly restaurants in London. © Andrew Burton
