Kid-Friendly Restaurants in South Bank

Packed with kid-friendly attractions such as Shrek's Adventure! and the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, and featuring one of the largest pedestrianised sections of river embankment in central London, South Bank is one of the city's most popular areas for families.

After you've taken in the sights and the kids have had a run around in the Jubilee Gardens adventure playground, here's a look at the best family-friendly places to eat out in South Bank.

* Please note prices are subject to change. For the most up-to-date children's menu prices we recommend double-checking with the restaurant beforehand.

OXO TOWER BRASSERIE

The gorgeous rooftop brasserie at OXO, known for its spectacular rooftop views and classy cuisine, also has a special menu for all the little foodies. The upmarket three-course kid's menu includes options like fish finger butties, tempura veggies, mozzarella sticks, spaghetti and meatballs and for dessert brownies, milkshakes and ice-cream. Perfect for a destination lunch that the kids can also be involved in, the kids menu costs £15 for a snack, main, pudding and juice.

WHERE: 8th floor, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street. Find out more here.

GIRAFFE

The branch of the popular family-friendly restaurant Giraffe at Southbank Centre is the brand's biggest and although there is sometimes on the busiest days there is a queue, it moves quickly. There are great views over the river and the Queen's Walk from the terrace and the Southbank Centre's many attractions are just upstairs. Open from 9am there's a dedicated kids' breakfast and lunch/dinner menu (for kids under 10) featuring no-fuss classics like fish fingers and sausage and beans. Presenting excellent value the kids menu starts at £6 for a main and two sides, you can add in a drink and dessert at just £1.50 a pop.

WHERE: Southbank Centre, Queen's Walk. Find out more.

BREWDOG WATERLOO

The massive BrewDog at The Sidings at Waterloo Station is famously a place where adults who haven't forgotten the child inside can have fun, with duckpin bowling lanes and a huge indoor slide. A family-friendly spot, kids are allowed inside the pub until 8pm and the kid's menu includes classics like cheese toasties, mac and cheese and breaded chicken strips.

WHERE: The Sidings at Waterloo Station. Entrances via Waterloo Station or on York Road (corner Leake Street). Find out more.

MAMUSKA!

You can't go wrong with Polish bar and restaurant Mamuska's kids menu. It sticks firmly to the standards and does them well! Choose from fish fingers and chips, chicken and chips or Polish pierogi, all of which also come with Mamuśka salads. Make sure to head around the corner after lunch to explore the colourful graffiti in the Leake Street tunnel.

WHERE: 9 Addington Street (off Leake Street). Find out more here.

ART YARD BAR & KITCHEN

Art Yard is the bar and restaurant at South Bank’s art-focused Bankside boutique hotel. An informal all-day restaurant serving fresh seasonal food, from the décor to the dishes, there’s an emphasis on creativity. Art Yard's children's menu (for kids under 12) offers up two courses for £10, options include salmon and green beans, pizzette, chicken goujons and penne pasta, served with an interactive lesson in colour theory for kids.

WHERE: Bankside Hotel, corner Blackfriars Road and Upper Ground. Find out more here.

BRASSERIE BLANC

Brasserie Blanc is an elegant bistro favourite in South Bank, located on Belvedere Road just behind Southbank Centre. While evenings are a more formal affair, it's a great option for lunch with a kid's menu that includes mini burgers, penne with pesto or chicken goujons for mains and for dessert a delicious banana sundae, plus crayons and colouring sheets to keep the little ones busy.

WHERE: 9 Belvedere Road. Find out more here.

LOCALE

Situated on a quiet public square right behind County Hall, Locale is ideally located for lunch after a visit to County Hall's many attractions such as the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, Shrek's Adventure or The London Dungeon. There's a neatly contained pavement terrace for sunny days and a good value 'Bambini Menu' that offers a choice of kids' pizza or pasta followed by a scoop of ice cream for £9.50.

WHERE: 3B Belvedere Road (opposite County Hall). Find out more here.

PIZZAEXPRESS

Another family-friendly chain that never fails, South Bank's branch of PizzaExpress is located right behind the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall, just a short walk from the London Eye and Jubilee Gardens playground. The Piccolo Kids menu offers dough balls, a choice of kids' pizza or pasta and a dessert plus a 'bambinoccino' (frothed milk) for £7.95. Kid's meals also come with activity packs to keep the kids busy while you enjoy lunch.

WHERE: The White House (opposite Royal Festival Hall), 9c Belvedere Road. Find out more here.

GOURMET PIZZA COMPANY

This small pizzeria at Gabriel's Wharf looks right onto the river and has been serving up award-winning pizzas for over 25 years. There's a three-course set menu for kids or for smaller appetites you can order individual items such as a kids' pizza or dough balls. Just in front of the pizzeria are the steps that lead down to Ernie's Beach, one of the few places in central London where (during low tide), you can actually get down to the water.

WHERE: Gabriel's Wharf (next to OXO Tower), Queen's Walk. Find out more.

SOUTHBANK CENTRE FOOD MARKET

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays the piazza behind the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall is transformed into a lively street food market. There’s a huge choice of cuisine on offer from all over the world from Mauritian curries to Venezuelan bowls and lots of tasty snacks such as samoosas or falafel. Delicious sweet treats on sale include traditional French crêpes, homebaked cookies, brownies and pasteis de nata and Choco Fruit’s decadent bananas and strawberries smothered in melted Belgian chocolate (a good one for sharing).

WHERE: Southbank Centre. Open Fri 12 noon–8pm, Sat 11am–8pm, Sun and bank holiday Mon 12 noon–6pm. Note the market is closed in January. Find out more.

NANDO'S

You can't go wrong with everybody's favourite Portuguese chicken chain Nando's. Nando's offers a Nandino's menu designed for kids under 10. Choose from a chicken burger, fillet or wings plus two sides and a drink for just £5.95. There are also meat-free beanie patty options. Big families can also opt for the full chicken sharing platters. As is de rigeur with Nando's there are plentiful high chairs and space to park a buggy next to your table.

WHERE: There are two branches of Nando's in South Bank. One at The Sidings next to Waterloo Station, and one at 108 Stamford Street.

GREAT BRITISH FISH AND CHIPS

A tourist crowd-pleaser house in the historic County Hall building right next to the London Eye – you can’t go wrong when it comes to classic fish and chips! Here they serve all the usual favourites like chicken nuggets, fish cakes, sausage and of course mushy peas. There’s no children’s menu although as is standard with a fish and chip shop it’s very easy to share, and for dessert a soft-serve ice cream always goes down well with the kids. There is seating inside, or get your fish and chips wrapped up to go and find a scenic spot to sit in the Jubilee Gardens on the Queen’s Walk.

WHERE: County Hall, Queen's Walk (next to Lastminute.com London Eye). Find out more here.

STRADA

The flagship branch of the Italian restaurant chain Strada at Southbank Centre is ideally situated for families visiting South Bank's biggest attractions and like the neighbouring restaurants it has a large terrace looking over the river. Strada serves a crowd-pleasing kids' menu that costs £8.75 for a starter (vegetable or bread sticks and dips), a main, dessert and a drink.

WHERE: Southbank Centre, Queen's Walk. Find out more.