Where To Eat In Dublin With Children

Harsh truth check. Irish restaurants as a whole are not as welcoming to children as our continental cousins (and we're including London in that). The why is complicated, and most likely linked to our lack of a distinct food culture, and therefore something to include the little ones in from birth. It's painfully obvious (and just generally painful for parents) going on holidays to Sorrento, Seville or San Sebastian and seeing how welcome and prevalent younger diners are. Everywhere from corner cafés to Michelin-stars, well-behaved children sit calmly for meals, their parents enjoy a carafe of wine, families catch up, all is well in the world.

While we still have a way to go to let the barriers down, there are plenty of restaurants that have realised the importance of not freezing out the next generation, trusting parents not to let their child run amok, throw food across the room, or ask for chicken nuggets and chips when that is definitely not on the menu. We have our own favourites, but also asked you guys where you and your little ones feel welcomed and looked after, so this is a mixture of both. We aren't mentioning chains because you know about them and we don't eat in them (sorry not sorry). We also hate kids menus because they're generally awful afterthoughts full of frozen food (half portions of regular dishes or sharing Mum & Dad's food all the way), so this article is not focused on those either. 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 so that you can change a nappy without baby and/or Mum/Dad having a breakdown.

Bastible, Dublin 8

Any parent that's bashfully booked Bastible for an early dinner with baby in tow, hoping the room ambience will be loud enough to drown out any high pitched shouts, has probably been floored to find that high chairs, baby changing facilities and even nappies are standard here. Owners Barry Fitzgerald and Claire-Marie Thomas have two children of their own so know what it's like to love both your kids and eating out, and don't think the two should be mutually exclusive. Your only problem is going to be getting a booking now that they've got a Michelin star.

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.

Hen's Teeth, Dublin 8

Chef Killian Walsh's menu at Hen's Teeth is the talk of the town right now, with butter crumpets and smoked roe, and sticky shortrib with lardo, horseradish and herb emulsion bringing all the boys and girls to D8. The good news is that they can bring their little boys and girls with them, as the lovely team are more than happy to wheel out the highchairs and move things around for hungry parents.

Charlotte Quay, Grand Canal Dock

Chef Gareth Naughton's been livening up Charlotte Quay with a new menu of 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 & Rathmines

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 monumental 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.

Old Street, Malahide

Old Street in Malahide have made welcoming children a cornerstone of the business since day one. They've long offered half portions of adult dishes, high chairs and baby changing, and on Sundays there's a kids size roast, and activity books to keep them busy at the table.

Full Moon Thai

Full Moon Thai is the perfect casual spot when you've got a craving for papaya salad, laab moo and whole deep-fried fish. Just beware blowing baby's head off with anything too spicy.

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 pork croquettes, arancini and fritto misto, there's plenty to put into little hands to keep them busy.

Balfe's, Dublin 2

Somewhere mentioned by you guys a lot was Balfe's beside The Westbury, whose staff went 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.

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.

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, bacon avocado toast and house made granola on the menu, there shouldn't be any issues about finishing their food either.

Loretta's, Phibsboro

Sundays at neighbourhood restaurant Loretta's are all about snacks and sharing plates, which we think is the best way to eat with mini diners. Try them on Boston prawn tostadas with avocado, or house-cured trout pastrami on brown bread, before moving onto whole roast lamb leg with mint sauce or wood-grilled chicken with Hunter sauce and chanterelles.

Soup, Dun Laoghaire & Smithfield

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. There's plenty of space in Smithfield in particular for buggies/books/toys on the table, and it's noisy enough that you won't feel self-conscious if anyone's using their outdoor voices.

Lock's, Portobello

Sunday lunch at Lock's in Portobello is what childhood culinary memories are made of. Introduce them to the Locks waffle with ox tongue and pickled mushroom, or go big with Hannan’s Delmonico steak for two, with smoked crispy mash, truffle emulsion, 24-month Comté, tempura onion, malt vinegar and sauce bordelaise. Can you think of a better way to end a week?

Glas, Dublin 2

Glas has been manna from heaven for fine dining loving vegans and vegetarians in Dublin, and they're just as happy to introduce children to the joys of goat's cheese bonbons and broccoli fritters as adults. A warning though, carnivorous kids may struggle with the sheer quantity of veg everywhere, but worst comes to worst the chips with tarragon aioli are always a winner.

Taco Libre, Dublin 1

Laid back Taco Libre is the perfect spot for finger food in a relaxed environment. Let them get their mitts around homemade tortilla chips, prawn and cod cakes and chunks of pork belly, or prepare for carnage with the tacos, and there's a really good craft beer list if it's been a tough day.

Bread 41, Dublin 2

The upstairs eatery in Bread 41 has been jammed with brunch bookings since opening, so you'll need to plan your visit (and reserve your highchair) in advance, but once you get there you'll find brioche French toast with homemade ice-cream, breakfast naans, and croissant benedict.

Yoi Izakaya, Dublin 4

If you want to introduce your mini-me to sushi, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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, and it's a great choice if you need somewhere on the Northside.

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.

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, arayes... and it's all perfect for sharing. The terrace is a dream for outdoor dining.

Press Up 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 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.