Child Friendly Restaurants

On a shopping trip with my sister-in-law and her gorgeous 6 month old, I was reminded of the extra planning that needed to go into these everyday activities when my own children were that little. Battling with the pushchair, keeping up supplies for impromptu feeds, and the inevitable outfit changes and spare nappies that even a short trip would require – it’s a wonder I ever left the house sometimes! One thing that seems to be getting easier however, is finding baby and children-friendly venues for lunch. As little as 5 years ago, I remember this being one of the most off-putting aspects of a shopping trip, but a quick spot of research undertaken ahead of our trip revealed a number of restaurants at Festival Place that aim to be as welcoming to your little ones as they are to you.

Baby and children-friendly restaurant run-down

Ask Italian

Pushchair accessible - Yes

Baby-changing facilities - Yes

High chair availability - Yes

Baby food reheating - Yes

Children’s menu – They do a great meal deal with a starter, main, dessert and babyccino for £5.95, plus they donate 25p of every child’s meal to Great Ormand Street Hospital.

Coal Grill and Bar

Pushchair accessible - Yes

Baby-changing facilities - Yes

High chair availability - Yes

Baby food reheating - Yes

Children’s menu - £4.95 will buy under-10s a main meal and a soft drink and they can add a dessert for just £1 more. If they eat it all up they get a free lolly pop and balloon as a reward. Even better, under-2s get free sausage, mash and beans when you buy an adult main course.

Giraffe

Pushchair accessible - Yes

Baby-changing facilities - Yes

High chair availability - Yes

Baby food reheating - Yes

Children’s menu – Their kids’ meal deal offers a main and drink for £4.95 and dessert options include lovely locally-produced ice cream from Jude’s.

Wagamama

Pushchair accessible - Yes

Baby-changing facilities - Yes

High chair availability – Yes, plus booster seats for young children

Baby food reheating - Yes

Children’s menu – No meal deals, but they have an extensive children’s menu and a main and drink will cost around £6. They also offer their ‘cococino’ (hot frothed milk with a sprinkle of chocolate powder) to younger guests for free.

If you have a little one under 36 months, make sure you enter Festival Place’s Cute Kids Competition! Cut out the voucher in the Basingstoke Gazette and take it to Festival Place from 21^st – 27^th January to have their photo taken by Fraser Portraits.

Happy nibbling!

Fiona B x