Packing your bags and traveling with the family is a wonderful experience, but it does come with its fair share of challenges. One of the trickiest parts of a family vacation is often dinner time. From choosing a restaurant that satisfies everyone (even the pickiest of eaters) to finding an eatery that is kid-friendly, dining out with your little ones can be a daunting prospect.
But it really doesn’t have to be, particularly if your vacation is taking you to the south coast of England! Southampton offers an array of family-friendly experiences, and kids are equally well-catered for when it comes to dining options. From all-you-can-eat buffets to wonderful family pubs, this corner of England is one of the best places to visit with children.
So if you are planning to leave Southampton on a cruise and are looking for a few places to eat before you set sail, here are seven family-friendly restaurants which are guaranteed not to disappoint!
Bill’s
Bill’s is one of the UK’s great family restaurant chains and the Southampton branch is no exception. Thanks to its charming decor, wonderful space, excellent menu, and welcoming and friendly staff, Bill’s Southampton is the perfect venue for families. An all-day breakfast menu is always a favorite, with a specially-designed kids’ breakfast menu guaranteed to tantalize tiny tastebuds. It is also great value for money, with affordable prices and generous portions making it one of the best dining options for families in Southampton.
Byron
Byron was one of the first ‘posh’ burger restaurants in the UK and remains a family favorite thanks to its innovative and imaginative burger combinations. Most importantly, they have an entire menu specifically dedicated to dinosaurs, which your little gourmands will adore! The Mini Byron menu is incredibly affordable and gives your kids a burger, a side, and a drink, along with a dinosaur-themed coloring-in sheet with crayons to keep them occupied once they’ve finished their meal.
Gusto Lounge
The Gusto Lounge has been a local hangout for years and is one of the best spots in town for authentic Italian food. Located right next to the Mayflower Theater it makes a great choice for an early dinner before catching a show (particularly at panto season!), or at any time for a reasonably-priced pizza or pasta! Boasting an excellent children’s menu which offers handmade pizza and tasty fresh pasta, it is a wonderful choice with a good variety of kids’ favorites that will satisfy the pickiest of eaters.
Wahaca
Thomasina Miers’ classic Mexican chain is a great choice for families looking for somewhere to try a slightly more adventurous cuisine while still pleasing their tiny travelers. Kids will love the playful menu options, like Build Your Own Tacos, and the entire menu, with its focus on fresh, delicious ingredients and hands-on eating, is great for kids too.
The Stable
Another wonderful spot for pizza lovers, the Stable is laid-back, relaxed, and delicious, which makes it a perfect lunch destination for families with kids. The excellent children’s menu offers a kid-sized pizza, or the works including a pizza, salad, drink, and dessert. The pizzas are made on-site and freshly cooked, and the space is warm, welcoming, and chilled out, making it the ideal spot for a long, leisurely lunch that won’t break the bank.
Saltwater
Stepping out of Southampton itself, Saltwater, in Milford-on-Sea, is one of the best cafes in the New Forest, and a brilliant choice for lunch while exploring this delightful landscape. An interesting and varied menu never fails to impress, while its charming location means that it is a wonderful inclusion to a day spent exploring the New Forest, spotting ponies, and wandering through the woods.
Daisy B’s Kitchen
Titchfield is an ancient village just down the Solent from Southampton and is almost always high up on family itineraries thanks to its beautiful abbey and an impressive castle, as well as the delightful Bronwich Beach nearby. Daisy B’s Kitchen is without a doubt the best eatery in the area for families, an exquisite little cafe that serves up delicious homemade cakes and scones, fresh sandwiches, and an exceptional kids’ lunch box that is perfect for tiny explorers!