Eating out as a family
There’s a big difference between restaurants that welcome children and those that simply ‘allow’ them. So how can you be sure of a warm reception along with your hot dinner?
We may moan about chains and the fact that all British high streets are starting to look the same, but there are upsides for families. Don’t dismiss the big names (with their special menus, ready supply of high chairs, kid-friendly staff and fun packs...) until you’ve given them a try.
Here are some of the best high street options for affordable meals with kids.
Family friendly chains
Pizza Hut
With kids’ menus starting at £3.99 for two courses and £4.99 for three courses, this is a great value option for families. Plus there are some clever touches – such as the option to add a smiley face to your pizza. The absolute winner here however, is the Ice Cream Factory, offering unlimited ice cream with a choice of sweetie toppings – although be aware, this isn’t available in every branch.
Check out menus and offers at www.pizzahut.co.uk
Pizza Express
The Pizza Express ‘Piccolo’ menu includes a starter of dough balls, a side salad, a pizza or pasta dish, an ice cream sundae and a ‘bambinoccino’ (warm frothy milk dusted with chocolate) – all for £6.10. There’s also a great range of pizza and pasta dishes for Mum and Dad including regular new additions to a popular tried-and-tested menu.
Check out menus and offers at www.pizzaexpress.com
Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK)
GBK is the place to go for undeniably delicious burgers - at ‘treat me’ prices. Adult burgers clock in at up to £8.35 (without sides and drinks...), but the quality is exceptional. For example, all beef burgers are made from 100% Aberdeen Angus – although buffalo (yes, buffalo) is also on the menu if you’re feeling adventurous. Younger burger fans can tuck into the ‘Junior’ set menu, which includes a juice, pop, or milkshake for £5.95 - although you will pay extra for chips.
Check out menus and offers at www.gbk.co.uk
Giraffe
A great place for breakfast, Giraffe offers a full kids ‘brunch’ for £3.95 and ‘mini’ versions of a wide range of main courses all day long – from £3.75. A big hit here are the fresh fruit smoothies, which come with a colourful mini giraffe. Grown-ups will enjoy the diverse menu and laid back vibe, eased along by a soundtrack of funky world music and a decent wine list.
Check out menus and offers at www.giraffe.net
Nandos
As The Sunday Times’ Best Big Company to Work For 2010, Nandos knows a thing or two about making people happy – and that extends to junior customers. The ‘Nandinos’ menu includes a main dish, a side dish and frozen yoghurt or fresh fruit lolly for a hard-to-beat £4.15. Soft drinks are extra – but ‘bottom-less’, which means you can refill your glass as often as you like. This can be a real money-saver, given that the kids’ drinks tend to bump up the overall bill considerably. Kids also love the help-yourself approach to sauces – and challenging Mum or Dad to try the XX Hot...
Check out menus and offers at www.nandos.co.uk
Carluccios
Italians are famed for their love of children and this grown-up chain makes a special effort to welcome younger diners. The set ‘Piccoli’ menu includes Italian breadsticks (known as grissini), a soft drink, a choice of mains and an individual tub of ice cream for £6.25, and many adult dishes are also available in smaller sizes for smaller guests.
Check out menus and offers at www.carluccios.com
SAVVY TIPS
• Wherever you go, it’s always worth asking; ‘do you have any kids’ packs?’ In many restaurants, you’ll find a colour-in menu and pot of crayons arrives at your table un-asked-for. Chains may go the extra mile. For example, some branches of Pizza Express have cute little pizza boxes containing coloured pencils and puzzles and some branches of Nandos have mini folders with stickers and simple press-out board games.
• Free toppings- There are other ways to top off the whole eating-out experience that don’t cost a penny. Increasingly, chain websites are staring to develop their own kids’ pages, where you’ll find puzzles, games and colouring pictures to download for free. For example www.pizzahut.co.uk/restaurants/families/kidszone
All prices correct as at 03/09/10