London Restaurant with Outdoor Seating & Kids Can Run Around?

[Anonymous]

Where in the city are you? Piccolino Exchange Square is right on the plaza with a huge outdoor seating area and lots of space in the square / plaza itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a specific site but I would try to do lunch at a Pret a Manger with outdoor seating (this is London's version of Panera) OR I would review indoor museum cafeterias to see which would work.

Possibly try Kensington Palace area? Holyrood Palace in Scotland had open air informal seating in the sandwich bar area.

Is it always the same poster who is enamored with Pret? If Pret is London’s version of Panera than Pret is DC’s version of Cafe Nero. There are like 10 Prets in DC. We may have a higher pret per capita than London has. Drop it with the Pret obsession like it’s something uniquely London.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a specific site but I would try to do lunch at a Pret a Manger with outdoor seating (this is London's version of Panera) OR I would review indoor museum cafeterias to see which would work.

Possibly try Kensington Palace area? Holyrood Palace in Scotland had open air informal seating in the sandwich bar area.

Is it always the same poster who is enamored with Pret? If Pret is London’s version of Panera than Pret is DC’s version of Cafe Nero. There are like 10 Prets in DC. We may have a higher pret per capita than London has. Drop it with the Pret obsession like it’s something uniquely London.

I didn’t get the impression it was being recommended because it was uniquely London but because Prets are ubiquitous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi, could you please recommend a restaurant in London where it's casual, with outdoor seating (weather permitting) where kids can get up and run around for a bit? I am trying to meet up with a friend and she said her kids can hardly sit through a dinner. Ideally near a subway station and easy to get to and not a long ride from city center. Thank you so much!

If near Regent’s Park, there are a few cafes in the park itself. There are definitely a few playgrounds. I met friends there when my kids were little. I remember going to one which had pedal boats and my friend and I took my two kids out in one which they still remember.

I also regularly met up with friends with small children at a pizza cafe in the middle of Clapham Common right next to the bandstand. Lots of space to run around and playgrounds nearby. Looks like there’s now a rather chichi café. Excellent for kids to run around.

https://www.peartreecafe.co.uk/clapham-common

This article might be useful. Less than 12 months old.

https://www.timeout.com/london/news/an-expert-guide-to-the-best-restaurants-near-playgrounds-082824

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a specific site but I would try to do lunch at a Pret a Manger with outdoor seating (this is London's version of Panera) OR I would review indoor museum cafeterias to see which would work.

Possibly try Kensington Palace area? Holyrood Palace in Scotland had open air informal seating in the sandwich bar area.

Is it always the same poster who is enamored with Pret? If Pret is London’s version of Panera than Pret is DC’s version of Cafe Nero. There are like 10 Prets in DC. We may have a higher pret per capita than London has. Drop it with the Pret obsession like it’s something uniquely London.

I admit to being a Pret superfan because it solves a lot of kid problems efficiently while still offering decent food for grownups. I was vaguely aware they had some in the US but I no longer live in the DMV. And there aren't any of them anywhere near me now. So I enjoy the convenience when in London. Where they are everywhere.

Because PP was so rude, and probably works at Farragut North where a lot of suburban parents rarely take their kid to dine, I looked up the actual stats. There are 270+ locations in London and 8 in DC. It literally is a London thing and you are lucky to have some.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pret_a_Manger#:~:text=London%20is%20Pret's%20biggest%20market,and%201%20in%20Northern%20Ireland)

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/apr/03/we-introduced-avocado-to-the-high-street-how-pret-conquered-london-and-began-eyeing-the-rest-of-the-world

[Anonymous]

This indoor restaurant (several locations) gets namechecked as good for kids.

https://www.giraffe.net/restaurants/victoria

If you want to have tea and money is no object you could get a dome and order tea for the moms and a la carte for the kids.

https://www.londonsecretgarden.co.uk/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Inn the Park in St James still open? Seems like that might work well.

This, or eat at the Princess Di pirate ship playground. Both places you can chill at an outdoor table while kids safely play within sight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a specific site but I would try to do lunch at a Pret a Manger with outdoor seating (this is London's version of Panera) OR I would review indoor museum cafeterias to see which would work.

Possibly try Kensington Palace area? Holyrood Palace in Scotland had open air informal seating in the sandwich bar area.

Is it always the same poster who is enamored with Pret? If Pret is London’s version of Panera than Pret is DC’s version of Cafe Nero. There are like 10 Prets in DC. We may have a higher pret per capita than London has. Drop it with the Pret obsession like it’s something uniquely London.

I admit to being a Pret superfan because it solves a lot of kid problems efficiently while still offering decent food for grownups. I was vaguely aware they had some in the US but I no longer live in the DMV. And there aren't any of them anywhere near me now. So I enjoy the convenience when in London. Where they are everywhere.

Because PP was so rude, and probably works at Farragut North where a lot of suburban parents rarely take their kid to dine, I looked up the actual stats. There are 270+ locations in London and 8 in DC. It literally is a London thing and you are lucky to have some.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pret_a_Manger#:~:text=London%20is%20Pret's%20biggest%20market,and%201%20in%20Northern%20Ireland)

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/apr/03/we-introduced-avocado-to-the-high-street-how-pret-conquered-london-and-began-eyeing-the-rest-of-the-world

NP but there are even Pret's at rest stops on 95 now - for sure one at the DE rest stop and some along the Jersey Turnpike as well. So pretty common these days. I will say the London Pret's are better than the ones in the US. They are great for casual dining, but not sure I would recommend them for kids running around. The ones I've seen in London with outdoor seating usually just have a couple of tables with 2 chairs along the sidewalk. The sidewalks in the tourist areas are crazy crowded right now so not ideal for kids wandering.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, relax OP. I think the pret recommendation was offhand like a 'macdonalds' recommendation is. Just take them to playland; they won't bother anyone. Not because it's particularly even good. It is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a specific site but I would try to do lunch at a Pret a Manger with outdoor seating (this is London's version of Panera) OR I would review indoor museum cafeterias to see which would work.

Possibly try Kensington Palace area? Holyrood Palace in Scotland had open air informal seating in the sandwich bar area.

Is it always the same poster who is enamored with Pret? If Pret is London’s version of Panera than Pret is DC’s version of Cafe Nero. There are like 10 Prets in DC. We may have a higher pret per capita than London has. Drop it with the Pret obsession like it’s something uniquely London.

DP. What are you talking about? Pret a manger originated in London. They have expanded but it is a London thing.
I agree with PP that they are a godsend for kids like my DS who had multiple food allergies. Fast but healthier food than McDs etc.

Agree with others to pick up food and go to a park. Kids running around in a restaurant or pub is really annoying. Please don’t do it.

[Anonymous]

I was in London with a elementary age kid just last week. I don't think it's realistic to have a place you can sit down AND the kids can run around in London. There are large playgrounds with cafes nearby so you can have a drink or snack while watching them run around. But not a full on restaurant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, relax OP. I think the pret recommendation was offhand like a 'macdonalds' recommendation is. Just take them to playland; they won't bother anyone. Not because it's particularly even good. It is not.

Exactly. That was the spirit. Nobody will complain that their Pret visit was ruined by running children. And it could be a source of takeout.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a specific site but I would try to do lunch at a Pret a Manger with outdoor seating (this is London's version of Panera) OR I would review indoor museum cafeterias to see which would work.

Possibly try Kensington Palace area? Holyrood Palace in Scotland had open air informal seating in the sandwich bar area.

Is it always the same poster who is enamored with Pret? If Pret is London’s version of Panera than Pret is DC’s version of Cafe Nero. There are like 10 Prets in DC. We may have a higher pret per capita than London has. Drop it with the Pret obsession like it’s something uniquely London.

I didn’t get the impression it was being recommended because it was uniquely London but because Prets are ubiquitous.

But then you can't be snide about your sophisticated taste and style.

[Anonymous]

The Garden Cafe at the V&A. Enclosed courtyard, open air, with tons of little kids running around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a specific site but I would try to do lunch at a Pret a Manger with outdoor seating (this is London's version of Panera) OR I would review indoor museum cafeterias to see which would work.

Possibly try Kensington Palace area? Holyrood Palace in Scotland had open air informal seating in the sandwich bar area.

Is it always the same poster who is enamored with Pret? If Pret is London’s version of Panera than Pret is DC’s version of Cafe Nero. There are like 10 Prets in DC. We may have a higher pret per capita than London has. Drop it with the Pret obsession like it’s something uniquely London.

DP. What are you talking about? Pret a manger originated in London. They have expanded but it is a London thing.
I agree with PP that they are a godsend for kids like my DS who had multiple food allergies. Fast but healthier food than McDs etc.

Agree with others to pick up food and go to a park. Kids running around in a restaurant or pub is really annoying. Please don’t do it.

Yes, of course, Pret is a London thing. You simply must go to the McDonalds in San Bernardino… and the Starbucks in Seattle… it’s a “thing”