The lowdown on London’s Bib Gourmands for families

Hang on a minute, mama. What even is a bib gourmand? Well, it’s the award that Michelin gives to restaurants that are a bit cheaper than ones with stars. Less white table cloths and more regional cuisines. Not quite so stuffy but still delicious and perfect to bring your future foodies along to.

London currently has 50 bib gourmand awarded restaurants and to be honest, I don’t need to review them because you can trust Michelin to know what they’re talking about. So, instead of eating my way all over town, for this listicle I’ve emailed every single bib restaurant in London to find out where your small fry is welcome too.

Brasserie Zedel – Piccadilly

This grand continental brasserie has a wonderfully affordable set lunch menu and everything you need to survive a meal with a small fry. Ample space, a lift, highchairs and baby change facilities.

Brawn – Colombia Road

Hip as hell Brawn, have both high chairs and a changing area available. They don’t offer a official children menu, but they are always prepared with a variety of child friendly pastas. 

Blixen – Spitalfields

The glamorous Blixen offers a children’s menu, colouring, highchairs and baby change facilities along with their modern European brasserie fare.

Canton Arms – Stockwell

A gorgeous Gastropub with a family focus, Canton Arms have highchairs and a baby change and do many sharing dishes which are suitable for children.

Comptoir Gascon – Farringdon

High end Comptoir Gascon do not have a children menu but are happy to adapt their dishes as much as possible to suit younger customers; they like to give them a chance to try something different. Highchairs are available but no baby change facilities.

Dehesa – Carnaby Street

Family friendly tapas restaurant Dehesa has a booster seat available on request as well as small plates which can be adapted for smaller palates. Space is tight thought so sling or yoyo are the way forward.

Farang – Islington

The lovely Thai restaurant Farang welcome children of ages. Their ‘Little Farang’ kids’ menu is popular with some kids, whilst others like to go for some of their grown up options like the Belly Pork Salad. Highchairs available but no baby change.

The Frog – Hoxton

The very trendy Frog in Hoxton welcomes children. They have highchairs available but no specific children’s menu or baby change facilities. Quite fancy tbh.

Hereford Road – Bayswater

Modern British neighbourhood restaurant Hereford Road are very happy to have children along for your meal, they have highchairs available but no baby change and every single one of their dishes comes in a smaller portion for smaller people.

Kudu – Peckham

The wonderful South African restaurant Kudu welcome children, although the space is a little tight, they have highchairs available but no baby change facilities or children’s menu.

Padella – London Bridge

The infamous pasta spot is casual enough that you can get away with bringing kids here. No baby change and limited highchairs but worth it for the pasta.

Upstairs at Trinity – Clapham

The upscale Upstairs at Trinity welcomes children. They don’t have a children’s menu but can offer half portions and create plain pasta dishes. Highchairs are available but no baby change facilities.

Plaquemine Lock – Angel

Deep South restaurant Plaquemine Lock have both highchairs and baby change and event arts classes available for over 3s once a week. And beer on tap. Win.

Polpetto – Soho

The sweet Italian small plate restaurant Polpetto are more than happy to welcome families and have both high chairs and baby changing facilities. They don’t have a dedicated children’s menu, but as the dishes come either as small plates, or larger sharing plates, they’re perfect for those with smaller appetites.

Smokestak – Shoreditch

Look, the meat at this place is indecent. There’s space for buggies but no other kit at Smokestak, having personally frequented the place more than once, you’re going to be ok here with kiddos. I swear.

Sorella – Clapham

Sorella used to be The Manor. The people are facilities are all the same as before. They just rebranded because they’re into Southern Italian cooking now. Highchairs and baby change both available, no kids menu but pasta.

Trullo – Islington

The more formal big brother of Padella welcomes children, has highchairs, baby change and a menu of adaptable pasta dishes that kids love. Yum.

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