Food has a way of bringing people together and connecting you to a place and its customs and traditions when traveling — whether it’s a father and child bonding over ramen or being invited into someone's home to try their cooking.
Not every destination is family-friendly, though. A nine-course tasting menu or silent omakase might be off the table (at least until they are teens). But a hands-on cooking class? A street-food crawl through a lively neighborhood? That’s a different story. These city breaks deliver big on flavor as well as fun — for curious kids and well-traveled grownups alike. Just don’t forget to pack a spare shirt or two.
1. Centuries-Old Buildings and Pasta in Rome, Italy
No kid needs to be convinced to polish off pizza and pasta. In that regard, Italy is one of the best family-friendly food destinations. In Rome, there are chefs committed to the classics, churning out saltimbocca (veal wrapped with prosciutto and sage and then marinated in wine, oil or salt water) that would make Nonna proud, as well as innovators turning centuries of tradition on their head.
The sheer volume of delicious dining destinations means families don’t have to stress out about not fitting into a cramped haunt that’s limited on seating. In a single day, crews can kick things off with a cornetto (Italian croissant) at a standing bar or casual sidewalk café, share cacio e pepe (simple cheese-and-pepper pasta) at Hosteria Grappolo d’Oro, and cap things off with crispy Roman artichokes carbonara at a lively trattoria in Trastevere, where the sound of clinking glasses and chatter is guaranteed to drown out even overtired whining. After many hours of dragging kids around to the ancient sights, gelato at Otaleg is the sweet treat everyone needs to have on their list for their traditional flavors but also creative conconctions.
Where to stay: At first glance, Bvlgari Hotel Roma (1 MICHELIN Key) doesn’t scream "family stay." But that’s part of the beauty. It’s elegant and refined while still offering stress-mitigating perks like arranging a stroller and complimentary airport transfers complete with age-appropriate car seats.
2. Museums and Sunday Roasts in London, UK
London is one of the most family-friendly cities in Europe. Besides the obvious appeal of its larger-than-life attractions, green parks and the toy section at Harrods department store, kids will love digging into a plate of fish and chips at one of the many local joints. Pubs are so much more than just drinking dens: They’re neighborhood gathering places and an important part of British social life.
There are heaps of food-focused gastropubs with hearty, kid-approved menu items, a relaxed atmosphere and friendly service, making them perfect for a classic Sunday roast or a casual midweek supper. The Ampersand Hotel (which, it’s worth noting, is down the street from both the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum) hosts a kid-oriented, Jurassic-themed tea that trades caffeinated stuff for hot cocoa for the littles, plus plenty of dino-shaped treats and a miniature dig site made of chocolate.
Where to stay: Anything but a stodgy stay with heirlooms at elbow-swinging height, Brown's Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel (2 MICHELIN Keys) loves kids — and it shows, from the in-room tents to the Paddington turndown service with jam sandwiches and stuffed bears.
3. A Market for Big and Little Ones in Tokyo, Japan
Most people associate Tokyo with MICHELIN-Starred omakase counters. But that’s just one piece of the vast epicurean landscape. Hungry travelers will find plenty of more casual places to get nigiri around the city — including the sushi restaurants at Toyosu Market.
Unagi (freshwater eel) and ebi maki (cooked sweet shrimp) are excellent choices for diners a few years shy of feasting on raw fish. Crews can also slurp warm, comforting bowls of noodles at Yakumo, a Bib Gourmand great-value pick for wonton ramen near Komazawa Olympic Park, and Osobano Kouga, a casual soba shop with sake for the parents. Tonkatsu (breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet) from Tonkatsu Nanaido is an all-ages crowd-pleaser near the popular Meiji Jingu Gaien park.
Just 15 minutes from the landmark Tokyo Tower (a must for sweeping views and sky-high family photos) sits Tempura Kakiage Yukimura, a Bib Gourmand known for kakiage don (a rice bowl topped with crispy tempura shrimp and vegetables) and friendly service. When in doubt, onigiri is a tasty — and ubiquitous — snack to ward off hunger until the next meal.
Where to stay: Conveniently located right next to Tokyo Station, the One-Key Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi provides spacious suites overlooking the train tracks, adorable amenities for little ones (including mini pajamas and toys), and even has a Shinkansen service to help families navigate and transport luggage.
4. Food — in Museums and on Your Plate — in New York City, USA
New York City is the ultimate cultural melting pot — and its food field reflects that. While some might get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of options, it’s important to remember that the magnitude means plenty of choices for even picky eaters to find something to satisfy: burgers, dim sum, tacos, you name it!
Pizza is an important part of the culinary and cultural fabric. Whether you’re grabbing a slice as a walking snack (no one wants a hangry kiddo) or sitting down at See No Evil Pizza to share a few pies, it’s a must when in the Big Apple. The Union Square Greenmarket is always a culinary adventure for cuties with farm-fresh apples, baked goods and mushrooms galore.
For a sugar rush the kiddos will devour, venture to the Museum of Ice Cream, the sweetest spot in Soho, to frolic in the famous pool of (faux) sprinkles and eat unlimited frozen treats. Sure, everyone will probably crash after, but it’s worth it for the beaming smiles and drippy, happy faces.
Where to stay: Leave it to UK-based Firmdale Hotels to turn family travel into a fashionable affair with the One-Key Warren Street Hotel featuring kid-friendly amenities such as coloring books and connecting rooms, plus a prime Tribeca location that puts you steps from riverside playgrounds and green spaces.
5. Meals Between Sights in Paris, France
Escargots (snails) and coq au vin (a chicken dish braised with wine) might seem like a hard sell for youngsters. Though, stick around Paris long enough and you’re bound to see small children gobbling both with gusto.
Of course, there’s more to French cuisine than the refined classics you might have trouble marketing to tots. More important than just what’s on the menu, the experience of dining out with children in the French capital doesn’t mean a 5 p.m. reservation, skipping the appetizers and hurrying to finish before the dinner rush. Many of the city’s most beloved brasseries are great spots to bring kiddos for palate-pleasing croque monsieurs, steak frites and quiche — plus prime people-watching.
The abundance of all-day cafés and bouillon restaurants (affordable all-day canteens often in an Art Nouveau setting) makes it easy to find something to tide tykes over between meals. Families will also find a boulangerie on nearly every corner to combat hangry spells. When in doubt, a croissant or pain au chocolat will almost always mitigate a meltdown.
Where to stay: When families check in, the Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris stocks suites with tents, stuffed animals and canine confections made by the in-house chocolatiers. It’s also a short walk to the playground and carousel in the Jardin du Luxembourg.
6. Farmers Market Foodie Fixes in San Diego, California, USA
San Diego’s sunny weather, laid-back surf culture and proximity to the border with Mexico shape its culinary scene, which radiates ease and takes advantage of the abundant natural resources available in the sea and on the land.
As one of the most family-friendly city breaks in the United States, it’s the perfect spot to punctuate a day of museum-hopping in Balboa Park with some great meals. For breakfast, Morning Glory whips up classic flapjacks and French toast.
Looking for a portable and satisfying lunch to bring for a day at the beach? California burritos (a combination of carne asada, fries, cheese, salsa and sour cream born in San Diego in the 1980s) make the ideal grab-and-go grub. Dinner doesn’t need to be fancy either.
Head to Lola 55 for crowd-pleasing tacos or get your comfort food fix at Great Maple. For more food-focused family fun, be sure to hit the Little Italy Mercato Farmers Market. Held every Wednesday and Saturday, it brings together dozens of vendors selling everything from seasonal produce to fresh-baked vegan cookies.
Where to stay: With green lawns and plant-studded gardens for kids to wander, a heated saltwater pool and connecting rooms tucked inside Spanish colonial-style buildings, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is a great pick for families.
7. Aztecs and Tacos in Mexico City, Mexico
A rising gastronomic star, Mexico City is, at its core, a street food mecca. There, centuries-old traditions thrive, surrounded by vestiges of the ancient Aztecs in Bosque de Chapultepec and modern cultural institutions.
On a trip to Mexico’s exciting capital, crews can do a makeshift taco crawl, hitting popular spots such as the Bib Gourmand Taqueria Los Cocuyos and Ricos Tacos Toluca (try the handmade Toluca-style chorizo) in Centro Histórico, or Barbacoa Gonzalitos, Tacos Los Alexis and Taquería El Jarocho in Roma Norte. That’s not to say families can’t find exemplary sit-down restaurants.
While dinner at the world-famous, Two-Star Pujol is better reserved for parents or well-behaved teens with refined palates, it’s far from the only MICHELIN-rated option for families. Fan-favorites Contramar and Molino El Pujol welcome little gourmets. Or for a memorable foodie experience that’s fun for the whole family, book a traditional cooking class that begins with shopping at one of the local markets.
Where to stay: Set inside a sleek glass skyscraper on Paseo de la Reforma, The St. Regis Mexico City is a family-friendly luxury hotel that supplies skyline views, connecting rooms and two-bedroom suites, a kids club and easy access to one of the city’s largest parks.
8. Gardens and Pastéis in Lisbon, Portugal
A stroller may not fare well on the cobbled lanes and hills that wind around Lisbon, but once kids can hoof it or hit the age when graffiti-clad trams start to seem exciting, it’s a standout for families, with charm, history and many places to chow down.
Pigmeu, a short walk from tree-lined Jardim da Parada, excels at snout-to-tail cooking that kiddos will gobble up with glee. Families with tweens and above would be well served to include the kids in a lunch reservation at One-Starred farm-to-table favorite Prado.
If you’re traveling with youngsters or just prefer something more casual, sample local products like canned fish, cheese and olives at the team’s laid-back wine bar next door.
Sweet tooth? There are hundreds of places to get pastel de nata (classic Portuguese custard tarts) but Pastéis de Belém and Manteigaria should be at the top of the list. In between the ambling and eating, be sure to snap some frame-worthy family photos at the many scenic viewpoints, such as Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.
Where to stay: Families can kick back at Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites, a townhouse hotel with bunk rooms, a well-equipped kids club and a dedicated baby concierge to help the tiniest travelers (and parents) have a stress-free holiday.
9. Multicultural Delights in Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver is one of the most multicultural cities in Canada — which makes for really good eating. The first stop on any family trip to the West Coast port? Granville Island Public Market to sample seasonal produce, fresh-baked bread, doughnuts and prepared foods. Energetic offspring will also enjoy the Kids Market, a fun zone with a multilevel play area, arcade games and an outdoor cube-shaped climbing structure.
Continue the family-friendly gastronomic adventures with a global food tour to taste the diversity of the dining offerings in a matter of hours. Start with Persian at Delara, munch on Moroccan at Moltaqa, move onto Vietnamese at Anh and Chi and finish with dumplings at Little Bird Dim Sum & Craft Beer. The city is a hotbed of neighborhood eateries that give families a better sense of the substantial talent pool and local vibe. Bib Gourmand picks Farmer's Apprentice and Gary’s are known for delicious dishes at a great price.
Where to stay: For a swish family-friendly stay in the heart of downtown, check into the luxurious Rosewood Hotel Georgia. The revamped Two-Key property offers perks like in-room baby-proofing, kid-sized bathrobes and a concierge to answer questions and arrange babysitting.
Hero Image: Lisbon has lots to keep families with kids big and small entertained, from tram rides to easy-to-eat bites. © (L) Yellow vintage tram on the street in Lisbon, Portugal, Olga_Gavrilova / iStock ; (R) Joana Freitas/Pigmeu
