My great friend Frank has just moved back to Dublin from London’s trendy London, and has a query for us:
Can I ask you a hopeless returned emigrant question? I am now clueless about Dublin. Everything has changed except for old man’s pubs. Any recommendations for kid friendly but still nice for adults early evening food joints in town?
When I bring my young one out for food, it’s generally at lunchtime when there’s loads of options, but early evening is a bit trickier. Many of the popular family lunchtime spots (Market Bar on Fade St, Exchequer Bar) are also pubs, which means that kids are likely to be turned away or drunkenly trodden on in the evening time.
Avoca Cafe is open till 6, has nice grub and their kid’s menu was reasonably priced last time I was there. Neon on Camden St is tasty and kids love it, but they get very busy and their seating policy is a bit shambolic, so you should consider that if heading there with hungry small ones. Italian could be a good bet, as both the Italian food and people are extremely child-friendly. Steps of Rome is open in the evening and has lots more choice on the menu than just pizza, although is a little small and pokey for arriving with a pram.
Where would you recommend for an early evening dinner in Dublin that would keep both the kids and the grown ups happy?
Comments
9 responses to “Query: Early Evening Family Meals in Dublin?”
Wagamama comes to mind…
I noticed a few kids in Pho Viet recently one evening. They were a really nice family and the kids were really well behaved.
We always seem to end up in Milanos when out in the early evening with the kids. It is good for them and food is not bad in fairness, but any other suggestions would be very welcome.
Gotham Cafe is also a good family friendly spot.
A few more suggestions came in on Twitter – The Elephant & Castle, and The Church near the Jervis Centre. Katia, the Twitter tipster, said the food at The Church is ‘nothing you’ll remember, but service is good and kids are welcome!’
We have always been made welcome with a (now) 22 month old in Mao’s, Chatham St. And have brought her little pal in as well so 2 toddlers at once, they loved it & staff very pleasant.
M&S cafe on the top floor at Grafton st has masses of space for prams and staff are kid-friendly. Stays open late-ish a good few nights.
Cafe Bar Deli provide crayons (promptly eaten by mini-maccers) and a colouring page, and high chair. Bit crowded for buggies if yours is not fold up. And Kavangh’s gatro pub thingy on Dorset street for Sunday lunch, although no high chair were welcoming to little people; a good few couples with babies / kids in there, no kids menu but plates provided for her to eat some of mine.
Also, in Chez Max off Dame St I have seen high chairs available, but that is somewhere I prefer to go without kids to just pig out on the food; although might try it for lunch soon with her. Again, possibly not much space for buggies.
I second wagamama. My little fella loves his noodles!
Thanks a lot for posting this, Jean, and thanks a lot to everyone for all the suggestions. Sorry for responding so late.
Gotham no question – they are so nice to kids.
And I was in Dunne & Cressenzi last night with a 5 year old and 3 year old twins at 6. They loved the food and the waiters were really nice to them.
These are my two hands down ‘parent enjoys the night too’ places.
Gotham has colouring sheets which they bring immediately and they always serve the kids quickly.
I do resort to using my phone as entertainment for them after the meal so that I can have a coffee before we leave.