Best family restaurants in London

Give the little ones a taste of America’s Deep South at this Forrest Gump-themed restaurant in London Trocadero. Bubba Gump Shrimp serves kids’ favourites such as popcorn shrimp, chicken strips and macaroni cheese as part of its children’s menu; plus they can build their own sundaes for dessert!

Let the kids go wild watching waterfalls, lightning, rain, animals and real tropical fish at the Rainforest Cafe. Close to the West End's many theatres and attractions, this London family restaurant offers a Total Kids Adventure menu with two courses, a soft drink and an activity pack.

Dare your kids to try crickets, crocodile and python as part of the unusual menu at Archipelago, which describes itself as a “portal to world cuisine” – one of the most fun restaurants in London, it's sure to create an experience to brag about to their friends.

Stick your neck out and head to Giraffe, which has plenty of healthy options at outlets across London. Whether porridge, fresh fruit or pancakes for breakfast; or teriyaki salmon or colourful salads for lunch, your kids will love the fresh fare at this London restaurant. Make sure to take advantage of "kids eat free" deal at weekends, with every main meal purchased.

Which kid doesn’t love a hot dog? Herman Ze German has a menu crammed full of Bavarian bites, including bratwurst, schnitzel and vegan alternatives, all topped with all sorts of deliciousness. After all, what’s the wurst that can happen? Try its locations in Charing Cross, Fitzrovia and Soho.

Work up an appetite with bowling, arcade games and thrilling virtual reality tests, before feasting on pizzas, hot dogs and milkshakes at Hollywood Bowl at The O2. The all-American diner also has a special menu for under-10s featuring nuggets and spaghetti bolognese.

Keep teenagers and older kids entertained with fun, interactive tables at Inamo. Let them order their food, play games and even watch the chefs preparing the pan-Asian fare: think sushi, yakitori and tempura, which are perfect for sharing with the whole family. Choose from outlets in Covent Garden, Camden and Soho.

Grab a pizza from Pizza Pilgrims & Frigittoria and eat it gloriously, slice by slice, outside in pretty Kingly Court. This trendy pizzeria will have the kids drooling over its deep fried mac‘n’cheese balls and sweet treats, including pizza dough stuffed with Nutella.

Let the kids soak up 1950s vibes as they’re transported back to a bygone era at Poppie's Fish and Chips' shops. Cod, fishcakes and sausage all feature on the kids menu, or they can opt for haddock, scampi and even jellied eels (now there’s one for adventurous kids) from the main options.

Let the kids go crazy over frozen custard at Covent Garden’s Shake Shack. Pick up burgers, hot dogs and crinkly fries to enjoy alongside a dense “concrete” or hand-spun frozen custard shake with the likes of peanut butter mixed in. Utterly indulgent!

Pasta-loving kids will adore the food at Spaghetti House restaurants across London, especially in the Soho, Haymarket and Oxford Street areas. The kids' menu features Italian dishes such as spaghetti bolognese and pizza with tomato and mozzarella. There's even chocolate pizza for dessert!

Put some Mexican zing into lunch with the kids at one of Wahaca’s locations across London. Build your own tacos or munch on cheesy quesadilla sandwiches as part of a kids menu, or go large and tuck into spicy tacos, flavour-packed enchiladas and hearty burritos.

Definitely one for your teens to share on Instagram, Wild Food Café serves up plant-based delights that are as colourful as its exteriors in Neal’s Yard. Lively salads, BBQ jackfruit sandwiches and vegan-friendly burgers combine for a healthy and picture-pretty meal.