Where To Eat In Dublin With Children

We struggle to understand why so many Irish restaurants are unwelcome to tiny diners - if they don't get the chance to eat out, how can they learn how to behave in those spaces. Plus food-loving parents are the perfect early evening table-filler, back out the door before 7pm to tackle bedtime. We have a way to go to compete with places like Malaga, Milan or Madrid, where young diners are often welcomed with more fanfare than their parents, and everywhere from corner cafés to Michelin-stars, well-behaved children sit calmly for meals, their parents enjoy a carafe of wine, families get together, all is right in the world...

The good news is there are plenty of Dublin restaurants choosing not to freeze out the next generation (and their tired caretakers), trusting parents not to let their child run riot, throw food, or ask for chicken nuggets when they're not on the menu. We have our favourites, but also periodically ask you guys where you and your little ones feel welcomed and looked after. This article isn't about places serving margherita pizzas and chicken goujons, it's about where we want to eat, where taking kids doesn't make you feel like a pariah, with places that have high chairs, and either changing facilities or enough space to change a nappy without baby/Mum/Dad having a claustrophobic meltdown on the floor...

GOOD FOOD FAST

Caribou, Stephen's Street Lower

You might not think of one of Dublin's most modish bars as the ideal place for a family meal, but the daytime food menu in Caribou is a dream for people who love fast food done the right way. Everyone will love the smash burgers, fish sandwiches and steak frites with peppercorn sauce, and there's loads of space for buggies, bags and whatever else you're dragging around with you. You'd be advised to avoid Sundays when the roast draws the hungriest of crowds and can make for a squeeze.

Bujo, Sandymount

Neighbourhood burger joint BuJo cook their grass fed, chargrilled burgers fresh to order, and it's one of the best burgers in the city. They're the only fast food restaurant in Ireland and the UK to hold a 3 Star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association, they take their environmental responsibility for the local community and the planet very seriously. It might be more expensive than Maccy D's, but it's worth every cent. There's a great kids menu, and it's counter-service so no need to book.

Gaillot et Gray, Dublin 8

Wood fired French style sourdough pizzeria, with an outdoor terrace, and a bookshelf bursting with kids books, colouring pencils and paper. Serving artisan breads, pizzas, speciality coffee, indigenous herbal teas, wine and beer, Gaillot et Gray is one of the most kid friendly restaurants in Dublin.

Chimac, Aungier Street

Korean-fried chicken draws the crowds to Chimac, either in a loaded burger or on generous plates of wings and drumsticks. There's frosé and beer for Mum and Dad, and the whole family will dive on the ice-cream cookie sandwiches for dessert.

Pi, George's Street

Pi, with its super stylish decor and queues often seen down the street at weekends, is very child-friendly - both in atmosphere and food. Pizza toppings are exceptional, with a mix of Italian and Irish ingredients, and with a limited menu it's the perfect fast casual stop in town.

Lucky Tortoise, Temple Bar

Lucky Tortoise's €26 all in menu featuring dumplings, okonomiyaki, kimchi and more is perfect when you don't want to make a decision, and children are equally well catered for. Their kids menu isn't online but features three dumplings and rice for €8, kid's happy noodles for €9.50, and a bao burger with cheese for €7 among the options.

Overends Kitchen, Dundrum

Overends Kitchen, on the grounds of Airfield Estate, is the ideal place for helping the next generation make the connection between farm and fork. Order the garden greens shakshuka, then go outside and see where they're grown.

Five Points, Harold's Cross

Five Points was another place that you guys raved about when eating out with your kids, for the food, atmosphere and general welcome. With pancakes, toasties and house made granola on the menu, there shouldn't be any issues about finishing their food either.

Cluck Chicken, Tallaght & Walkinstown

Fried chicken and chips, but with free-range chicken and all the flavour. Parents can pick from hun buns, tenders and loaded fries at Cluck Chicken, while the little ones can get tenders, fries and gravy for €7. As if that's not already good enough value, ATF Insiders can get 20% off the bill in both locations Tuesday and Thursday.

As One, Dublin 2

As One is ideal for nipping into when baby is asleep in the buggy and you're in search of sustenance. Loads of space means you can manoeuvre your contraption with ease, while great coffee and a menu focused on making you feel good will refuel you for the rest of the day.

Neon, Camden Street

Neon is fast food with flavour at affordable prices. Serving fresh, Asian street food, wine and beer, it's relaxed, very kid friendly and totally informal. The free ice cream cone policy goes down a treat with the little ones, and they've got baby changing facilities.

THE FUN FACTOR

Reggie's, Rathmines

What child won't be enthralled with mozzarella sticks that stretch wider than their arms, a double tier of pizzas landing on their table, and the ultimate ice-cream sundae for dessert. Add to this the possibility of seeing main man Reggie and his crew mixing dough around the corner, shaping pizzas and shoving them in the pizza oven; colouring pencils and pictures arriving on the table as soon as they sit down; and the best changing facilities (complete with nappies and wipes) we've seen in ages, Reggie's is the ultimate family restaurant on every level.

Andhra Bhavan, Marlborough Place and Abbey Street

Give up on lecturing the smallies on how to use their knife and fork and take them to Andhra Bhavan, where the majority of diners use their hands to tear parata, dip into chutneys, and scoop up Malabar fish curry. It's a great place to take adventurous kids who are up for a lunch that doesn't involve chicken nuggets, chips or freezer pizza, and they'll have great fun popping pani puris into their mouth and chewing on doughnut shaped medu vada.

Grano, Stoneybatter

Walking into Grano in Stoneybatter is like walking into Sicily, so it's no surprise that they're just as welcoming to younger diners as they are to the older ones. Curious children staring over at the pasta making station are often welcomed over to make their own, with owner Roberto sending them home with their creations. Bonus points if you manage to visit while Roberto's Mama is visiting from home, overseeing pasta operations.

Ka Shing, Wicklow Street

Dim sum tends to be over-looked in great family restaurant lists, but little portions of loads of different tastes is an ideal set up for little diners. They'll love the rotating lazy Susan set up if you can get one of the big tables in Ka Shing, and you can give them some ownership over dinner by letting them order a few dishes of their choice from the picture-led menu.

Good World, George's Street

It's the same dim sum situation in Good World on George's Street, but they also specialise in Hong Kong roast meats - if you're going to introduce them to their first roast duck, char siu or pork belly, may as well make it a good one.

Shouk, Drumcondra

Shouk is our favourite Middle Eastern restaurant in Dublin. They love to see children, we love to see their mezze, their chicken shawarma, their arayes, and it's all perfect for sharing. The multi-taste mezze is also great for exposing tiny taste buds to new flavours, with all the options for picking and mixing. The terrace is a dream for outdoor dining.

Krewe, Capel Street

When we asked where our readers have had great experiences eating with their children, Krewe came up again and again. Accommodating staff, the type of food kids love, and a buzzy, music-filled atmosphere so no hiding under the table if your little darlings are a little too vocal.

Yoi Izakaya, Dublin 4

If you want to introduce your mini-me to sushi and get in some chopstick practice, head for Yoi Izakaya in Dublin 4. There's plenty of space of buggies, a long dining room to pace with wobblers, and lots of food made for eating with your fingers.

Flower & Bean, Dublin 8

All parents, but especially parents of young children, need great places to go for coffee and cake, and Flower & Bean surpasses all expectations when it comes to catering for kids in cafés. There's a children's corner with books, games and a blackboard to draw on, and even a children's toilet set in the bathroom, so no possibility of falling into the bowl while toilet training. You're guaranteed at least ten minutes peace.

A THREE-COURSE AFFAIR

Crudo, Sandymount

Crudo is the neighbourhood Italian we all wish we had in the neighbourhood. The food tastes more like you're in San Remo than Sandymount (we loved the arancini, scampi risotto, and the chocolate tart with mandarin olive oil), and the €10 kid's menu is the cherry on top for tired parents who don't want to cook. Your little diners will be given a drink, plate of pasta and dessert of ice-cream and chocolate biscuits, while Mum and Dad can sip on an Amalfi spritz and snack on coppa di parma while choosing their dinner.

Hawksmoor, College Green

There's no children's menu in Hawksmoor so you'll have to share your steak with older eaters, but it's a great place to bring a baby with loads of space for buggies and maternity leave meet ups. There's a lovely wine and cocktail list too, which is probably on the agenda. The lunch and early evening menu of three courses for €36 is great value.

Osteria Lucio, Grand Canal Dock

The constantly heaving Osteria Lucio at Grand Canal Dock opens at 17:00, perfect for an early evening bite with the family (although you'll have to fight the dockland workers for tables). The predominantly pizza/pasta based menu is made for sharing, there's high chairs, and it's so buzzy that any outdoor voices at the table will be nicely drowned out.

Nightmarket, Ranelagh

Nightmarket have always been the ideal setting to introduce younger diners to the spice, sweet and sour of Thai food, with amazing prices of €4 for a starter, €6 for mains, and €4 for dessert. Their children's menu contains the most minor of compromises with zero dumbing down or freezer food, and there's always a nice picture to colour in on the back.

China Sichuan, Sandyford

Despite being closer to the fine dining category than most Chinese restaurants in Dublin, loads of you told us you love taking your children to China Sichuan, praising staff's happiness to adjust dishes to cater for them, and make sure younger diner leave as happy as the older ones.

Bar Italia, Dublin 1

An Italian that will welcome your little ones with open arms is Bar Italia on Ormond Quay. The giant pinsas (Roman pizzas), pasta specials and steaks shouldn't elicit any cries of "I'm not eating that", and it's spacious and busy enough so that any mini tantrums shouldn't make you want the ground to swallow you in one bite.

Daata, Blackrock & Glasthule

The kids menu at Daata is a mini version of the main menu, but at €15 for three courses, plus drawing challenges, a questionnaire and a word search, this is pretty unbeatable value. Samosas, chicken tikka skewers and coconut curry all feature, with a brownie and ice-cream for dessert.

Ristorante Romano, Capel Street

Romano's on Capel Street looks like it hasn't changed a beat since opening in the 1980's, complete with crispy paper tablecloths, a gauche colour scheme and terrible wine glasses. It's Italian through and through, and that includes their attitude to younger diners, who will be fawned over and treated like the real VIPs. The pizzas and pastas are good (if not the best in town) and the prices are low - especially the early bird.

FX Buckley, Various Locations

Steak loving parents have told us that FXB is the place to be with kids, with accommodating staff, extra sauces (what sane children wouldn't try to drink the béarnaise) and never being made to feel guilty for bringing a child out to eat. We've also been told they don't rush slow eaters, and if necessary will move families to the bar or garden for dessert.

Charlotte Quay, Grand Canal Dock

Charlotte Quay serves Mediterranean small plates and mains, and sitting outside on their terrace on a warm day with a glass of fizz in hand (and baby firmly strapped into high chair as there's water everywhere), is maternity leave lunch goals.

Sprezzatura, Dublin 8

What's cuter than a baby eating spaghetti and meatballs? A baby eating cacio e pepe. Sprezzatura's casual atmosphere, small plates and carb heavy menu makes it an ideal choice for families, and a step up from the Italian chains frequented by most families.

Las Tapas De Lola, Dublin 2

Las Tapas De Lola is Spanish in food, and Spanish in attitude, so expect babies to be fawned over by the lovely staff. Tapas are also the perfect way to introduce your mini-gourmet to loads of different flavours.

Full Moon, Temple Bar

Full Moon is the perfect casual spot when you've got a craving for papaya salad, laab moo and whole deep-fried fish. They have baby seats which fasten onto regular chairs, but just beware blowing baby's head off with anything too spicy - they don't hold back in here.

Riba, Stillorgan

Southside neighbourhood restaurant Riba know the importance of catering for families, and even have children's cutlery - that's next level effort. With fritti, arancini and chicken wings, there's plenty to put into little hands to keep them busy. Their kids menu is €11.90 for a main and two scoops of ice-cream.

Balfe's, Dublin 2

Somewhere mentioned by you guys a lot was Balfe's beside The Westbury, whose staff seem to go over and above to cater for younger diners and their parents. The all day menu covers a lot of bases, and there's breakfast and brunch too.

Soup, Dun Laoghaire

We love Soup for little ones, and they love it back. Let them lift the bowl to drink the last of the delicious ramen broth, or get their hands sticky in the deep-fried kimchi. The long table is ideal for books and toys on the table, and it's noisy enough that you won't feel self-conscious if anyone's using their elevated pitch.

Achara, Aston Quay

Achara is the bright, spacious room you need when dining out with children, buddies and nappy bags. There's an accessible toilet with plenty of space for changing nappies, and the Thai-inspired menu is a brilliant chance to introduce them to what might be a brand new cuisine. There's no kids menu but the crispy kale fritters, chicken skewers and beef cheek curry should satisfy a wide range of tastes.

Hera, Drumcondra

Sister restaurant of Crudo and Achara, this brilliant bar serving way above average bar food aren't out to exclude younger diners from lunch and dinner. Hera's menu has loads of familiar dishes like meatballs, pork chops and fish pie, and it's a chance to try some new foods like wild boar salami or torched oysters.

Dunne & Crescenzi, South Frederick Street

Dunne & Crescenzi serve simple Italian food with quality ingredients, authentically Italian hospitality and excellent wines. There's lots of buggy space, highchairs and they'll serve half portions for kids from the main menu. It's the perfect spot for a decent family lunch or dinner in town.

The Woollen Mills, Dublin 1

Quintessially Irish, local and of its locale. Overlooking the Ha'penny Bridge and the River Liffey, The Woollen Mills a great place to grab everything from coffee and cake, to multiple courses of potted Lambay crab, crispy Howth mackerel and spicy pork meatballs with coconut harissa. There's a children's menu with mains like burgers; fish and chips; or pasta, with ice-cream for dessert and a drink of milk or cordial for €12, and it's a great choice if you need somewhere on the Northside.

Press Up/Eclective Venues

Press Up get a lot of stick for the quality of their food, but their venues were mentioned over and over by you guys when it came to eating out with kids. You mentioned welcoming, adaptable staff, excellent facilities, crayons and paper, and plenty of space for buggies in Angelina's, Mackenzie's, Union Café and more.

Did we miss your favourite place for eating with children? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.