Weekends are for slowing down, catching up, and if you’ve got little ones—finding ways to keep everyone entertained without losing your mind. When the sun’s out (or at least not raining sideways), London opens up with loads of family-friendly food options, both indoors and out.
From a stress-free park picnic, to a massive breakfast with plenty of pancake options, to a friendly and cozy spot that won’t give you the stink-eye when the kids knock over chips on the floor, London has got you covered. You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg, and you definitely don’t have to opt for something bland.
Here’s a mix of picnic ideas, casual cafes, and sit-down meals appropriate to help you eat well and enjoy a good weekend together.
Start with a Park Picnic
You don’t need a table to have a decent family meal in London. Some of the best meals are had on a blanket on the grass. If the weather’s okay, head to one of the city’s many green spots, bring some food, and let everyone have a run-around between bites.
Hyde Park is a no-brainer, plenty of open spaces, ducks to feed, and plenty of shady spots under trees. There are food stalls near the Serpentine if you can’t be bothered to prepare ahead of time, or grab pastries at a local bakery on the way.
Greenwich Park is another good bet. You’ve got a view of the city, space to kick a ball, and even deer to spot if you’re willing to walk far enough. You can grab sandwiches from the local market or bring your own lunchboxes with you.
Fast Food Stops for Families on the Move
You don’t always want a full meal, sometimes just something quick and nice in between museum visits or after a playground pitstop.
Look for places with large tables, simple ordering, and decent kids portions.
A dead cert? Food halls. They’re lively (in a positive way), casual, and full of variety. Nobody has to compromise on one kind of food. Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant and Castle is spacious and full of variety—pizza, tacos, noodles, you name it.
Seven Dials Market at Covent Garden is another safe bet. There’s something for everyone and ample seating. It’s inside, so a good place to head when the weather turns.
Sit-Down Meals That Welcome Kids (and Their Noise)
Sometimes you’ll want to sit down, park the stroller, and actually eat with cutlery. The trick is to find somewhere that’s relaxed about kids, but still offers food that everyone will want to eat.
If you’re seeking a family friendly restaurant ,London has more than you’d think. Plenty of restaurants strike a balance, good food, welcoming service, and a children’s menu that doesn’t say chicken nuggets or plain pasta.
The tricky one is picking the perfect spot from all the available options.
Sweet Treat Stops
Let’s be realistic, weekends with kids always seem to revolve around food and treats. And that’s alright. Whether it’s a hot chocolate, an ice cream, or an actual piece of cake, there’s room for something sweet.
Chin Chin Labs in Camden is a thrill for children of all ages, with nitro-frozen ice cream and smoke effects that see the kids pointing. Gail’s Bakery, with branches across the city, provides huge slices of cake and pastry, and enough high chairs to keep younger customers secure and happy.
If you’re near Soho or Marylebone, Rinkoff’s Bakery is worth the detour for one of their signature crodoughs, a croissant-doughnut hybrid that sounds chaotic but tastes brilliant.
Add a Walk or a Museum to the Mix
A good meal often leads into the next part of the day. If you’re not ready to head home after lunch, pick a spot near something walkable or educational.
The Natural History and Science Museum in South Kensington both contain cafés within and tons of room to discover. You could comfortably spend half a day between the two of them, breaking for food midway.
Battersea Power Station is now an entire weekend area—restaurants, river strolls, parks, and even a glass elevator to the top for views of the panorama. It’s tidy, family-friendly, and filled with restaurants with outdoor seating.
Final Thoughts
It is feasible to feed a family in London over the weekend without taking recourse to fast food and packed chains. With a little planning—and a willingness to sit on the grass or go somewhere new—you can turn an everyday meal into a reasonable outing.
So grab the snacks, charge the iPads (just in case), and head into the city. Whether you’re eating pizza in a park or finding a new family friendly restaurant London hasn’t hidden too well, the city’s full of ways to make food the centre of your weekend.
And really, isn’t that what weekends are for?