Eat your Wanderlust
We love fashion, we love food, and we love to travel, sometimes all at once! So naturally, we started thinking: if we’re going to wander the world, why not hunt down the most fun, whimsical, kid-friendly places to eat along the way?
From dinosaur roars in Orlando to magical forests in London, we’ve scoured our favorite cities to find spots where kids can be utterly delighted, parents can sip and relax, and everyone leaves with big smiles (and maybe a little sugar on their noses). This isn’t just a guide to meals, it’s a map to little adventures, playful moments, and memories that stick long after the last bite.
London:
Sketch – Mayfair
Roll clouds for carpets, table legs that grow, and the most giggle worthy toilets ever, that’s Sketch. Each room is a tiny enchanted world, from fairy tale forests to pink plush galleries. Afternoon tea is a proper adventure, desserts are magical, and kids leave buzzing with wonder. One of the most magical family friendly dining experiences in London.
London:
Jellycat Fish & Chips Pop Up – Selfridges
Tiny fish, cuddly chips, and mushy peas with googly smiles! At Jellycat’s Fish & Chips pop up, kids “order” plushies from a retro van, pose for photos, and giggle at every soft toy surprise. It’s a mash-up of playtime and classic British fun, unforgettable! A playful family experience in London that mixes food imagination and fun
https://us.jellycat.com/jellycat-fish-chips-experience-london/
Joshua Tree
Pappy & Harriet’s – Pioneertown
Desert, music, and kitsch! Pappy & Harriet’s is legendary, colorful, and full of life. Kids love the open air spaces, adults enjoy live music, and everyone leaves with stories of desert fun and hearty meals. A unique family friendly stop near Joshua Tree
https://www.pappyandharriets.com
Australia:
The Grounds of Alexandria – Sydney
Bunnies, gardens, and brunch! The Grounds of Alexandria is a sprawling wonderland where kids can visit animals, explore gardens, and enjoy fresh food. Play, eat, repeat, it’s a farmyard adventure in the city. One of the best family friendly dining spots in Australia
https://thegrounds.com.au
Hawaii:
Kawaii Monster Café – Tokyo
Bright, bold, bonkers! Kawaii Monster Café is a rainbow explosion where neon décor, crazy desserts, and larger than life cuteness collide. Kids gape, adults grin, and every corner is a playful art installation waiting to be explored. A top kid friendly restaurant in Tokyo for adventurous families
https://kawaiimonster.jp
Nevada:
Rainforest Café – Las Vegas
Welcome to the jungle! Rainforest Café is like stepping into a leafy, roaring adventure. Animatronic animals peek from the trees, waterfalls trickle in the background, and the sounds of the rainforest make every bite feel wild. Kids love exploring, gasping, and giggling at every corner, and parents get to watch the little explorers’ eyes go HUGE. A classic kid friendly restaurant in Las Vegas where dinner feels like a rainforest expedition
https://www.rainforestcafe.com/location/rainforest-cafe-las-vegas-nv/
New York:
Ellen’s Stardust Diner – Times Square
Sing, twirl, eat! At Ellen’s Stardust Diner, every waiter and waitress bursts into song while you munch your burger. Kids are mesmerized by the show, parents can’t help but clap along, and the whole place feels like stepping into Broadway for dinner. It’s chaotic, sparkly, silly, and one of the most unforgettable kid friendly restaurants in New York City.
https://www.ellensstardustdiner.com
New York:
Serendipity 3 – Upper East Side
Sugar mountains, towering frozen hot chocolate, and a café that feels like a candy-colored dream, that’s Serendipity 3. Kids can peek at quirky décor, giggle at playful details, and taste treats so big they need two hands. A little pause here is like stepping into a fairytale full of chocolatey magic. A must visit family friendly dessert destination in New York City.
Paris:
Le Café des Chats
Purr-fect! At Le Café des Chats, kids can sip hot chocolate and nibble croissants while tiny, friendly cats stroll across the room. It’s cozy, playful, and just a little magical, the kind of Parisian café where tails swish and giggles abound. A gentle playful family friendly café experience in Paris that feels straight out of a storybook
https://www.cafedeschatsparis.com
Tokyo:
Alice in Fantasy Book – Tokyo
Step through the looking glass! Alice in Fantasy Book turns mealtime into a storybook adventure. Topsy turvy rooms, whimsical desserts, and playful surprises make kids feel like they’ve tumbled into Wonderland, where magic spills from every plate. One of the most magical themed restaurants in Tokyo for families.
https://aliceinfantasybook.jp
Palm Springs:
Tropicale – Downtown Palm Springs
Sunshine on your plate! Tropicale serves up bright, tropical dishes in a colorful, cheerful setting. Kids can soak up the lively vibes while munching playful meals, and families feel like lunch or dinner is part of a sunny day adventure. A fantastic kid friendly restaurant in Palm Springs where every meal feels like a holiday.
https://tropicalerestaurant.com
Ireland:
Airfield Estate Café – Dundrum, Dublin
Moo! Cluck! Snuffle! At Airfield Estate Café, kids can meet cows, chickens, and other friendly farm animals while nibbling fresh, casual meals. It’s like a tiny farmyard adventure right on your plate. It feels like a mini countryside adventure right in the city and is one of the best family friendly cafés in Ireland.
www.airfield.ie
Illinois:
Ed Debevic’s – Chicago
Sassy servers, retro flair, and diner classics with a twist, that’s Ed Debevic’s. Kids giggle at playful antics, parents enjoy the kitschy décor, and every meal feels like a mini-show you can taste. A classic family friendly restaurant in Chicago.
www.eddebevics.com
Florida:
T‑Rex Café – Lake Buena Vista, Orlando
Roar! Step inside T‑Rex Café and it’s like having lunch in the middle of a dinosaur adventure. Gigantic animatronic dinos stomp, glowing meteor showers crash above, and hands-on exhibits make you feel like a tiny explorer on a Jurassic quest. One of the most iconic kid friendly restaurants in Orlando and a must visit family dining spot in Florida. Meals are hearty, parents can relax, and kids leave buzzing with dino sized excitement. Don’t forget to book your spot, the dinosaurs get hungry too!
https://www.trexcafe.com
Santa Barbara:
Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach
Sand between your toes, waves chasing your heels, and a table with the ocean practically on it, that’s Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach. Kids can dig, splash, and explore while parents sip and enjoy the relaxed vibe. Eating here feels like part of the beach adventure making it one of the best kid friendly restaurants in Santa Barbara.
Nashville:
The Aquarium Restaurant – Gaylord Opryland
Gulp! At The Aquarium Restaurant, kids dine beside gigantic tanks where sharks, stingrays, and neon fish glide by like underwater friends. It’s part restaurant, part watery playground, and every meal feels like a mini scuba adventure, no wetsuits required! One of the best kid friendly restaurants in Nashville for families who love a little wow with their meal.
https://www.aquariumrestaurant.com
Our own Rita, in "The best toilets in London" at Sketch.