Top 5 Family Friendly Food Favourites
- baba-ganosh
- Feb 10, 2016
- 4 min read
Having previously been a reviewer for a well known website my weekends used to be all about the food and drink, (for professional purposes only of course you understand!) The cocktail list and if there was a seafood option!
The last few years it's been less about the cocktails, more about the buggy space and whether or not they serve mini bites - as it's so often referred to on menus and, if the establishment is child friendly, which means really, will people be tsking under their breath if the dude decides he wants to start singing his favourite song at the top of his voice ... "Who let the dogs out" closely followed by "Shake it off" thanks for asking.
So I thought it only polite to share with you my top 5 favourites for family friendly food for your brood, or tfffffffyb, which, it turns out isn't that much quicker to say! So without further ado, and in the words of Mr Letterman himself (although now the lovely James Corden)
Number Five
So this is one of my absolute favourite places in Edinburgh and the best bakery in Edinburgh hands down, if you want a cupcake there is no other option. (though there is quite a few really amazing bakeries in Edinburgh, but I will go into that another time.) Gorgeous cakes and lovely sandwiches choc a block with lovely fillings and a great price too, although these are often forgotten about once you see the cakes on display. They even have babycakes which are mini cupcakes in a box perfect for little fingers. Lovely staff and a relaxed, quirky shop, the only reason Cuckoo's is so far down my list is simply because there isnt a lot of room with a buggy or boisterous children.
Number Four
This is a no brainer really, huge seating area both upstairs and downstairs, relaxed atmosphere. (If you close your eyes you can almost imagine you are back in your wild student days, lounging on mismatched sofas, drinking cider.) Good brunch / lunch options, friendly, helpful staff, great childrens menu, oh and have I mentioned the KICK ARSE toy section upstairs with loads of toys little dudes can sit on the floor and play with whilst you get on with your lunch.
Number Three
Again loads of room for buggies, helpful, friendly staff, the sofas at the front are great for little dudes and dudettes, fantastic menu which always takes ages to choose from - the spring rolls are LUSH! Just a relaxed, friendly welcoming, vibe about it and they are always happy to accomodate buggy people (as we're probably known as.)
Number Two
So this is so tricky cause there is literally a dust mites difference between 1 & 2 they are so close! Cafe Tartine is relatively new on the scene but they have made a big impact in such a short time. Firstly, I have to say they have the best kids menu EVER! You can get baked beans on artisan bread, or crepes with lemon, sugar or nutella amongst many other things - and their crepes, well, let me say what I said about Cuckoos and their cupcakes goes double for Cafe Tartine and their crepes, gorgeous!!! In fact, its the only thing I've ever ordered here because as gorgeous as everything else looks the crepes are divine! The other things I should point out about CT are that the staff are really friendly and there's LOADS of room for buggies and rampaging children. Though I would never advocate this, I know sometimes rampaging is just what ends up happening. The last time I was there on a Sunday with friends for brunch they had a pianist - (which is a regular occurance at CT they often have live music) who, upon noticing my dude began to play the theme tune from "In the night garden" and then onto "If your happy and you know it " much to said dudes delight, as well, I might add as the other diners. I mean really, who doesn't love a bit of iggle piggle on a Sunday morning, its makka pakka you really have to watch, everyone knows that! They also recently had a free coffee or tea campaign in the month of July for all breastfeeding mothers, which shows amazing support and only emphasizes my child friendly theme.
And Number One .... drum roll please......
This cute little Bill Murray loving cafe is quite close to me which not only makes it handy for little legs, but they do THE BEST FRENCH TOAST IN EDINBURGH! I have tried others, they do not compare, they are still good but they are simply not RN french toast. It is also worth mentioning here that the Roamin Nose does the most immense scrambled eggs also! It is THE place for breakfast. They have lovely staff who are SO helpful and so lovely and attentive to little dudes and dudettes, they have thought of pretty much everything, even lovely touches like coloured plastic cutlery for little fingers. As far as I can remember they don't have a specific childrens menu but they are most happy to help accomodate with pretty much most things on the menu in smaller sizes - keeping in mind I've only ever been for breakfast. They have ample room for buggies - though its not a huge place, there always seems to be room. It's also worth mentioning they have a toy basket for children and live music sunday afternoons, though you might want to leave the little ones at home for that.
So there you have it, my top picks of the top places for the little people in your life... I should say honourable mentions go to The Pantry in Stockbridge - who have recently allocated a gated play area for little ones to go crazy in whilst you sip your latte. Secondly, The Cross & Corner in Canonmills is a cool little bar with a relaxed vibe, fab menu and again plenty of welcoming room for dudes / dudettes with lovely staff and another little toy box.
Is anyone else hungry? I could really go some french toast .....
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