Dublin family friendly restaurants-top tips

There are a huge range of child friendly restaurants, bars and cafes in Dublin City and suburbs. Our editors are from Dublin and have selected restaurants which we feel offer a welcoming attitude towards children and comfortable surroundings.

None are fine dining and there are lots of cafes and coffee shops for drinks and when you need to rest weary little feet. For evenings and on weekends you should check whether not it is necessary to book a restaurant as Dublin restaurants can be very busy even for early sittings. Have a look at our tips for eating out with kids  and what to bring to entertain the kids as well.

Tribeca, Ranelagh

Tribeca has fast become one of Dublin's most popular neighbourhood restaurants and is a family favourite. They offer a comprehensive menu with something for everyone. Favourites include omelettes, burgers, chicken wings (sinfully good and very shareable), steaks and salads. Reservations are taken on the day for the day on 01 4974174.

Milanos

This pizza chain on Dawson Street, Temple Bar, Dundrum and on the North Quays provides reliable pizzas and in some branches play areas and face painting at the weekends. The children’s menu is good value as a three course menu and activity books and pizza stickers are normal and kids love making their own pizza while they wait.The pizzas are reliably good for adults too so a great option for all the family. 

The Real Gourmet Burger

Families will enjoy the excellent burgers in the Dun Laoghaire and new Ballsbridge branch of this company who provide consistently good quality food at an affordable price. Perfect after a walk on Dun Laoghaire Pier or an event in the RDS. There are mini burgers for kids and fun booklets including puzzles and games as well as colouring to keep the kids entertained.

Mao

These are Asian-based dishes with juices and smoothies in Chatham Row just off Grafton Street, Dundrum and Dun Laoghaire. The Dun Laoghaire branch as an aquarium to fascinate the kids and service is quick.Portions are big though for younger members so get advice when you are ordering as to sharing.

Marios

Mario’s in Ranelagh, Terenure and Sandymount produce fresh food with a distinctly Italian flavour coupled with reasonably priced Italian and new world wines. Food is good and the prices are reasonable.Children are welcome and the pizzas good. 

Yamamori Noodles, South Great Georges Street 

Good value  cooking with lots of flavour and some healthy eating for the kids while you are at it. The only problem is they can be better with chopsticks than us!  Specialities include Yamamori ramen, sushi and sashimi.

Itsa 4, Sandymount 

This smart contemporary restaurant has quality ingredient-led menus.Kids have their own "Junior Bites " menu with top quality ingredients and there are colouring books,pencils and mini thrones for the little people to make them fell really important. The daily dishes are great as well as the homemade burgers for parents. Not a juke box in sight!  

Bewleys Cafe, Grafton Street

This is an institution in Dublin as a legendary coffee shop with Art Deco architecture. It is great for a cup of coffee or a lunch and you will get a real sense of history.

Elephant and Castle, Temple Bar

Children are welcome in this restaurant which serves burgers, Asian and Creole cuisine and fantastic chicken wings.

Gotham Cafe

This lively, youthful café-restaurant just off Grafton Street does quality  food at reasonable prices and is specially noted for its gourmet pizzas, caesar salad, baby calzone and asian chicken noodle salad. As part of a recent major renovation, a baby-changing facility has been created and a children's menu has been introduced too.

Eddie Rockets

American style diner with branches in the city centre and the suburbs including Blackrock, Stillorgan, Dundrum and Donnybrook which provides colouring on menus and generally a free toy to take with you going home.

Captain America's, Grafton St

Children will love the noisy American hard rock style restaurant which provides activity sheets, children's menu and high chairs.

TGI Friday's, St Stephen's Green, Dundrum and Blackrock

This is another hard rock style chain which again children will love and may well be familiar with the menu. Colouring sheets and balloons abound and it does not stray far from the international formula.

We would love to hear from you in our forum if you have any other tips for family friendly restaurants in Dublin or anywhere else for that matter.

You will find lots of family friendly travel tips and advice in our research and advice section to help you book the right family holiday. Check out also the experiences of other parents and travellers in our parents forum and add your own experiences as we are a great believer in real parent's experiences as the best measure of whether somewhere will suit you for your family holiday. 

Sign up for our free newsletter to be kept updated with all of the latest special offers for family holidays and family travel news. Remember to enter our fantastic competitions which have super prizes and best of all are free.