14 places that are perfect to eat in with the family this summer

Families have never been closer after spending months in lockdown and, while there are times we’ve driven one another mad, we realise more than ever just how important they are.

It’s good to spend time together and, now most of the restaurants have re-opened and summer is here, why not make the most of it with a well-earned meal out?

There are loads of family-friendly and focused restaurants in Liverpool – and here’s our pick of just some…

The Interesting Eating Company, Allerton

Not just family-friendly, it’s dog-friendly too, so there’s nothing to stop everyone in the household from enjoying a visit here!

The Interesting Eating Company has developed a range of dishes especially for youngsters, some of which are gluten-free so if you fancy a day out and food with a twist try this unique indie food hub which will keep parents and kids happy.

They have weekly and seasonal specials, and delicious freshly made soups, afternoon teas, homemade cakes and mouthwatering meringues with strawberries and fresh cream.  There are all-day breakfasts, pancakes, Italian hand-made ice cream and fabulous coffees made with love by its independent baristas…do we need to continue?

The Big Zero ice fruit drinks are now available too and they’re the perfect healthy treat for kids containing a whopping 99.9% real fruit

It is also available to hire out for family events and offers children’s pancake parties (restrictions permitting).

Visit the Interesting Eating Company website here.

TGI Fridays, Paradise Street

Back open for dine-in visits between 12pm and 9pm, Fridays is located on the terrace at Liverpool ONE and is ideal for sitting outside and soaking up the sun.

Famous for its signature grills, handcrafted burgers and a great choice of chicken dishes, Fridays’ kid’s menu includes grilled chicken dishes, mini burgers, pasta, and chicken fingers – mini versions of its Fridays Favourites from £4.99 (Little League) and £6.49 (Major League).

Kids can also choose between a range of desserts from £1.49, and there’s FREE baby food available. 

Re-opening has been carefully considered, and it can take bookings for group sizes of up to 6 people with other measures, of course, in place.

Visit the TGI Fridays website here.

The Tavern Co, Smithdown Road

The Tavern Co is perfect for families but be mindful that currently, due to limited table space, each breakfast booking will have the table for 70 minutes, and 90 minutes for evening meals.

The menu is chocka with home-made Mexican chillies, barbecued burgers, ribs and authentic creole and seafood dishes, great comfort food which we still all need right now.

The Tavern Co has the best, chilled out atmosphere and so mums and dads can relax, and there’s even a miniature train that loops around the restaurant overhead as you eat – what’s not to love?!

And the kid’s menu at The Tavern Co includes chicken dippers, burgers, cheesy jacket potatoes, hot dogs, pizza bagels and fish finger sandwiches.

Visit the Tavern Co website here.

The Quarter, Falkner Street

Pop in with the kids for breakfast, lunch or dinner in the Georgian Quarter. 

Situated on the corner of Falkner Street with lots of tables outside, it’s the perfect place to grab a bite to eat if you like sitting out in the sunshine with babes in buggies.

There are superb salads, pasta dishes, grills and pizzas a plenty and The Quarter’s kid’s menu includes pizzas and pasta dishes – and desserts of course – all for £6.50.

Visit The Quarter website here.

Lunya, Liverpool ONE

This Catalonian restaurant and bar run by a husband and wife team Peter and Elaine Kinsella is a real favourite of ours – not least because you’re assured of that warm Mediterranean welcome and the feeling that families have a special place here.

An award-winning restaurant offering the best of Catalan and Spanish food, it’s a ‘labour of love’ for Peter and Elaine and that shows with a menu filled with deli platters, meats and Artisan cheeses and meat, fish and vegetable tapas to truly tempt the tastebuds. 

The extensive children’s menu has the usual chicken strips but also fabulous tapas with chorizo, squid, meatballs and patatas braves to coax little members of the family to try something different and be a little more adventurous. 

Visit the Lunya website here.

La Tasca, Queen Square

With lots of safety measures in place to keep you and your family safe, La Tasca has got a great outside terrace and has recently undergone a refurbishment, so now is the time to try it out again.

A genuine Spanish tapas bar and restaurant, it’s in the heart of the city centre so it’s a great place to head to after a trip into town. 

It serves tapas, paella and loads of lovely desserts and a kids’ menu which includes two tapas dishes plus breadsticks for just a fiver, and there’s often a great deal or offer to make it even more attractive.

Visit the La Tasca website here.

Yo Sushi

Japanese dishes taken from the belt or ordered from the open kitchen at this colourful chain eatery make it a great place to go with the kids because they’ll love watching the food go round. There’s a slightly reduced menu while the team adjusts to working within the new guidelines but it promises lots of mouth-watering classics still and says more favourites will return soon!

The kids’ menu includes a side dish (maki), a main like chicken katsu curry and temaki hand rolls, and a drink from the mini ninja meal deal menu for £6.50 – a dessert can be added for £1.50 – and every kids’ meal comes with a side order of popping edamame beans.

It’s never too early to introduce the kids to more exotic flavours and you also have the knowledge that it’s healthy too: “We’ve worked with nutritionists to make sure that lots of our kids’ dishes help contribute to a balanced diet.”

Visit the Yo Sushi website here.

Tate Liverpool

Sir Peter Blake was specially commissioned to transform Tate Liverpool’s Café so diners can enjoy the same cheerful and bright imagery as displayed on his Everybody Razzle Dazzle, Liverpool’s incredible dazzle ferry currently lighting up the River Mersey. 

Consisting of a new prominent wall installation which brings together the artist’s iconic pop motifs, he’s also designed a special set of maritime signal flags, which adorn the café ceiling, so you can dine in style. 

The Café at Tate Liverpool welcomes families and provides high chairs on request and offers younger visitors an activity sheet and crayons.

And kids aged 12 and under can eat for free in the café at Tate Liverpool at the Albert Dock when an accompanying adult buys a main course from the seasonal menu, which is another great incentive.

Dishes include fish fingers, cucumber sticks, homemade tartare sauce and fries, Longley Farm buttermilk free-range popcorn chicken, cucumber sticks and chips GF and rigatoni, slow cooked tomato and basil sauce with a home-made chocolate brownie, raisins or a fruit salad for dessert and a drink.

As from July 27, the Tate Liverpool galleries will be back open too so you can combine a bite to eat with a spot of family culture.

Visit the Tate Liverpool website here.

Viva Brazil

Kids aged under 10 eat free at Viva Brazil on Castle Street with each full-priced adult meal, so if you’re watching the pennies at the moment – and many of us are – it’s a great place to enjoy a fab family meal out and a enjoy a well-deserved treat.

The kids menu includes include fish goujons and fries or sausage and mash with gravy, as well as a dessert and drink, or from the Rodizio menu with a selection of different BBQ meats. Extra children or children aged 10 to 14 cost £9.95. 

And you can all enjoy a meal that’s a bit of an occasion. Once you are seated, its troop of passadors (meat carvers) move from table to table, offering cuts of succulent meats all slow-roasted over a charcoal barbeque and expertly carved at the table.

You control the service with a small double-sided disc placed on your table. The green side signals the passadors to keep bringing meats, while the red side indicates you’d like to take a break. To accompany the meats, there’s a selection of favourite Brazilian dishes that are brought straight to your table.

Visit the Viva Brazil website here.

Yard & Coop, Hanover Street

“We have missed you and are so excited to welcome you foxy lot back to dine with us,” says the popular fried chicken restaurant on Hanover Street – so how can you possibly let them down after an invitation like that?!

The home of buttermilk fried chicken, it cooks it every which way and there are loads of sides, burgers and other meals to try – and veggie options too.

Kids eat free with every adult main served between 12 noon and 6pm and young members of the family get crayons and LEGO to keep them occupied so adults can sit down …and relax…

Visit the Yard & Coop website here.

The Smugglers Cove, Albert Dock

Kids just love this pirate themed restaurant which means parents can sit back, and enjoy it too.

You’ve got great views of the Albert Dock and a hearty feast to look forward to so, shiver me timbers, when can we go?!!

The menu is packed with favourite dishes like steak and ale pie and beer-battered fish and chips, along with great fish dishes, steaks and, of course, its signature hanging kebabs.

All kids’ meals are £6.95, complete with a main course, mini salad and a dessert and The Smugglers Cove will donate 25p from every kids’ meal sold to Alder Hey Children’s Charity so you’re helping a wonderful cause as well.

Visit The Smugglers Cove website here.

Pizza Express, Monarch Quay

Few children will turn their noses up at pizza so this is a good bet if you want to ensure every family member is going to enjoy it to the full.

It’s close to all the Albert Dock attractions that are reopening and the city centre shops so it’s in the perfect position to fit into a good day out.

There are Pizzas and pasta dishes-a-plenty, including some new menu options, and a good selection for kids too – including gluten free and vegan – and right now there are free dough balls with every main course.

Visit the Pizza Express website here.

Miller & Carter Steakhouse, Albert Dock

Few things come close to a good steak and chips and that’s what Miller and Carter does to perfection with a choice cut of 30-day aged British and Irish beef – ribeye, fillet, sirloin or perhaps a chateaubriand to share.

There’s a two-course menu for younger members of the family for £8.45 with a mains choice of steak, chicken, fish dishes or burgers and more – if they want to they can add a third course for just £10.95.

And there are lots of lovely desserts from the Classic Crème Brulee, to Belgian Chocolate Brownie to a Bramley Apple Tart Tatin.

Visit the Miller and Carter website here.

What’s Cooking Bar & Grill

It’s been a while, but the What’s Cooking Bar & Grill team promise that, although there are a few changes, the dining experience will be as good as ever.

It’s the longest serving restaurant in the Albert Dock which suggests it must be getting something right – which could be the Tex Mex grill menu or the offer of booths with their own TVs! (Hands up kids, would you like this?

House specialities include the tastiest hand-crafted burgers, fall-off-the-bone Barbecued Pork Ribs, and succulent grilled Beef Steaks.

Parents will love the facts that Under 12s can dine from £5.95 for a children’s main course which has a choice of fish fingers, hot dog, sausage and beans, burgers or ribs.

Visit the What’s Cooking website here.

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