Xin Li 88
By Rhonda Carrier
There's no reason to duck into a McDonald's while vacationing in London. Check out these 10 can't-miss places to eat as a family in the British capital.
Photo Caption: Apple & Blackberry Crumble at Café 2 at London's Tate Modern
This famous department store's chic-meets-kitsch second-floor restaurant specializes in ice creams and sundaes, many in flavors found uniquely within these walls (stem ginger with borage honey -- the latter made by the store's own bees -- or frosted strawberry and shortbread). This Fortnum & Mason restaurant also serves authentic Viennese strudels and cakes, open sandwiches and savory treats. Parents can perk up with espresso-based coffees, a glass of wine, or a decadent cocktail with a sorbet "float."
Where: 181 Piccadilly, W1
More Info: www.fortnumandmason.com
Photo Caption: The ice cream selection at The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason in London
A full-on family experience in every sense -- beware that some very young kids find the animatronic animals and associated noises here a little frightening -- this jungle-themed extravaganza just off Piccadilly Circus isn't really about the food. But despite the tacky names (Leaping Lizard Mezze, Bronto Plant Sandwich …), dishes are actually very decent. Many of the ingredients on the two-course kids' menu are organic.
Where: 20 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1
More Info: www.therainforestcafe.co.uk
Photo Caption: The Rainforest Café in London
The best of several family-friendly museum eateries in London, this riverside restaurant has long received accolades for the welcome it extends to kids. The restaurant at Tate Modern offers views across the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul's Cathedral. At lunch, under-12s get a free main course with each adult ordering a main; the two-course kids' menu might include Cornish haddock fingers with fries, and chocolate and hazelnut brownies with chocolate sauce. The same deal and kids' menu are on offer in the more formal Tate Modern Restaurant on Level 7, which is also a great spot for afternoon teas.
Where: Bankside, SE1
More Info: www.tate.org.uk
Photo Caption: Café 2 at Tate Modern in London
A little off-the-beaten track but good for escaping the Oxford Street hordes, this all-day café, bistro, and food store is best visited with kids on Saturday afternoons, when cookie-making classes take place. Any time of the week, though, younger diners get to decorate their own dessert of a vanilla ice-cream face with chocolate and strawberry "paints." That's after filling up on dishes such as macaroni cheese with crispy bacon or grilled chicken breast strips with zucchini fries. But if the weather's fine, order a gourmet picnic hamper to take up to Regent's Park, a five-minute walk away. Or you can always just stock up in the food-store and construct your own picnic for less.
Where: 170 Great Portland St, W1
More Info: www.villandry.com
Photo Caption: Villandry French Restaurant and Bar in London, England
One of London's most innovative buildings, this wooden turf-roofed restaurant blends beautifully into St. James's Park with its lawns and ponds. Both the dining room and terrace offer views over Duck Island to the surrounding royal parks. The restaurant is renowned for its cutting-edge British Modern fare, which might include Maldon rock oysters with pickled cucumber and horseradish, fried scampi and wild garlic mayo, and Kent cherries with dark chocolate sauce. The kids' menu offers simple fare such as sausage and mash, or there's a self-service café area with snacks.
Where: St. James's Park, SW1
More Info: www.peytonandbyrne.co.uk
Photo Caption: Inn the Park restaurant in St. James's Park, London
Bustling and casual, this small chain serves up Indian street food and thali platters in cheerful canteen-style surroundings -- this Covent Garden branch is probably the best for kids. Not only is it in a central location beside the Royal Opera House, the restaurant's ceiling is festooned with hundred of colorful Rajasthani puppets. This is great sharing food, although younger children can also get Western or Westernized dishes, including chicken wraps, chicken noodles, and fish fingers with fries.
Where: 48 Floral St, WC2
More Info: www.masalazone.com
Photo Caption: Masala Zone restaurant in the Covent Garden section of London, England
Another very sociable haunt -- a favorite of the monied Chelsea set -- Tom's is named for its founder Tom Aikens, who earned two Michelin stars when he was only 26. A relaxed brasserie, it's especially worth visiting as a family for its weekday breakfasts and weekend brunches, which feature everything from homemade granola to grilled open steak sandwiches with onion relish, watercress, and big fries. Kids will be delighted by such comfort-food stalwarts as baked beans on hot buttered toast, or brioche French toast with caramelized apples, cinnamon cream and maple syrup.
Where: 27 Cale St, SW3
More Info: www.tomskitchen.co.uk
Photo Caption: Tom's Kitchen in London, England
Uniquely set in the heart of a city farm on the fringes of Islington in north London, this eco-friendly café was built by farm volunteers from green oak with straw-bale insulated walls and a green roof. All profits are reinvested in the farm, which provides training and work experience for local kids. Worthy as it is, the café serves up fantastic vegetarian food, including daily chalkboard specials, soups, salads, cakes, and kids' dishes. Outdoor seating in a garden overlooks the animal enclosures and vegetable plots.
Where: Freightliners Farm, Sheringham Rd, N7
Photo Caption: The solar dome at Freightliners Farm outside of London helps supply the Strawbale Café with fresh produce.
Perfect for those on their way to or from Hyde Park, this wonderful Art Deco dining room presided over by chef and food writer Rowley Leigh offers one of London's very best menus for kids, who can feast on the likes of salami platters, roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, and chocolate and hazelnut sundaes. Sunday lunches are decadent, with dishes such as roast shoulder of pork with fennel, marjoram, and apple. A magician rounds the tables to keep younger diners entertained. Alternatively, there's a café and oyster bar with imaginative snacks such as parmesan custard and anchovy toast.
Where: 8 Porchester Gardens, W2
More Info: www.lecafeanglais.co.uk
Photo Caption: Le Café Anglais in London, England
There's no reason to duck into a McDonald's while vacationing in London. Check out these 10 can't-miss places to eat as a family in the British capital.
Photo Caption: Apple & Blackberry Crumble at Café 2 at London's Tate Modern
Where: 181 Piccadilly, W1
More Info: www.fortnumandmason.com
Photo Caption: The ice cream selection at The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason in London
Where: 20 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1
More Info: www.therainforestcafe.co.uk
Photo Caption: The Rainforest Café in London
Where: Bankside, SE1
More Info: www.tate.org.uk
Photo Caption: Café 2 at Tate Modern in London
Where: 170 Great Portland St, W1
More Info: www.villandry.com
Photo Caption: Villandry French Restaurant and Bar in London, England
Where: St. James's Park, SW1
More Info: www.peytonandbyrne.co.uk
Photo Caption: Inn the Park restaurant in St. James's Park, London
Where: 48 Floral St, WC2
More Info: www.masalazone.com
Photo Caption: Masala Zone restaurant in the Covent Garden section of London, England
Where: 27 Cale St, SW3
More Info: www.tomskitchen.co.uk
Photo Caption: Tom's Kitchen in London, England
Where: Freightliners Farm, Sheringham Rd, N7
Photo Caption: The solar dome at Freightliners Farm outside of London helps supply the Strawbale Café with fresh produce.
Where: 8 Porchester Gardens, W2
More Info: www.lecafeanglais.co.uk
Photo Caption: Le Café Anglais in London, England