Where do kids eat for free in London and the UK?

Remember the feeling of breaking up for the holidays as a kid? The blissful feeling of walking out of school, knowing you wouldn’t be back for at least a week or two - six if it's summer. There would be so much ahead of you: sleepovers, trudging around museums, maybe a beach holiday and a sandcastle if you’re lucky. Being out and about is all well and good but finding decent, well-priced food for multiple hungry kids isn’t always easy. If you’re looking for places to eat with kids, you’ve come to the right place - we’ve rounded up a whole host of reliable restaurants and cafes where kids can eat free, or for the lowly price of £1.

There are lots of big UK-wide restaurant chains that offer free meals for children. The beauty of large chains and multisites is that you know what you get, for the most part, and they almost always have children’s menus of easy-going favourites, so even the fussier eaters in your family are catered for.

The tricky bit comes with timings and dates - some chains only offer kids discounts during school holidays, whilst others keep their deals going for longer. There are also some that only offer free kids meals in certain stores or outlets, so make sure to read the details under each deal as we’ve done our best to elaborate on any need-to-know details.

London is a whole different beast, of course, so we’ve created a separate section for London restaurants and groups that offer discounted and free meals for kids. Bear in mind that if you’re looking for free kids meals in London, many of the UK-wide groups also have multiple sites in London, so in truth, you’re especially blessed with options if you’re in the capital.

Where can kids eat for free UK?

These reliable cafes and restaurants all have special deals on, both over the holidays and all year round, where kids can eat for free (usually alongside a paying adult). 

Burger & Lobster

What: To give your wallet a break over the holidays, Burger & Lobster are offering free meals for kids between 25 June and 1 September. From Monday to Friday, you'll get a free kids meal with every adult main ordered, valid for children under 12 years old. If you've not sampled Burger & Lobster's signature surf 'n' turf, this is a great excuse! Dig into lobster rolls, smash burgers and seafood ravioli while the kids enjoy a mini mac & cheese, crispy chicken bites or 3oz cheeseburger.
Book now: Burger & Lobster Brighton; Brighton & Lobster Soho; Burger & Lobster Oxford Circus, and more

Gordon Ramsay Restaurants

What: Gordon Ramsay Restaurants up and down the country all run an excellent kids eat free deal on weekdays, where kids ten and under get a free main course for every adult who orders two courses from the la carte menu. This is available at Heddon Street Kitchen, all Bread Street Kitchen & Bars, Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, and Pizza East, but it’s recommended that you call ahead to check that the deal is on.
Book now: Heddon Street Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, Pizza East, and more

Fazenda

What: Fazenda’s accessible Brazilian churrasco experience has been a big hit all over the country, with sites in Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham and London. Even better, kids under eight eat completely free in all sites. With grilled meats carved tableside, and a free-flowing selection of sides, the whole dining experience is guaranteed to keep the kids entertained.
Book now: Fazenda London, Fazenda Manchester, Fazenda Birmingham and more

Bill’s Restaurants

What: Once a beloved Brighton hangout, Bill’s has become a nationwide powerhouse thanks to an easy-going menu of all-day delights. When one adult orders any main dish, up to two kids can eat for free from the children’s menu. The deal is valid Monday to Friday at selected times, and includes dishes like buttermilk pancakes, fish fingers and chips, and mac & cheese.
Book now: Bill's Birmingham, Bill's Bath, Bill's Cardiff, Bill's Leeds, Bill's Nottingham, Bill's Milton Keynes, Bill's Reading and more

Comptoir Libanais

What: Nationwide purveyors of ever-reliable Lebanese dishes, we love Comptoir Libanais for the eclectic, colourful interiors and hearty all-day menus. The group regularly runs kids eat free deals across school holidays, offering a free main from the kids menu whenever an accompanying adult spends £13 or more. It’s only available at the following sites, though: Comptoir Libanais Gloucester Road, Manchester, Oxford, Kingston, Exeter, Ealing, Reading Bath, Birmingham, Cheshire Oaks, and Southbank, so check before you book.
Book now: Comptoir Libanais Oxford, Comptoir Libanais Kingston, Comptoir Libanais Bath, Comptoir Libanais Exeter and more

Cote Brasserie

What: Cote tends to run kids eat free offers in the school holidays, which is handy given that the reliable group still has 70 brasseries across the UK. The kids menu has a great range of child-friendly dishes, from omelettes to tomato pasta, haddock goujons, and a burger, and kids aged 12 and under can tuck into two courses for free when an adult orders a main dish. The deal also works on the breakfast menu.
Book now: Cote Brasserie Covent Garden, Cote Brasserie Marylebone, Cote Brasserie Richmond, and more

Franco Manca

What: Pizza is always a reliable option for little ones, and who does it better than Franco Manca? The Franco family have been known to offer free kids pizzas to anyone under the age of 12 years old for every full-priced adult main meal. Kids can tuck into classic Margaritas, with more adventurous options such as cured ham or chorizo also on offer. Do note that this is often limited to certain locations, and it's only valid from Monday to Thursday, so be sure to double check with the venue before visiting.
Book now: Franco Manca Bermondsey, Franco Manca Cambridge, Franco Manca Manchester, Franco Manca Leeds, and more

Bella Italia

What: Good news! Kids eat for free all day from Sunday to Thursday at Bella Italia. It's a great deal too - the meal includes three courses and a drink for anyone aged between two and 11 years old. Choose from cheesy garlic bread, crunchy chicken fillets, vegan nuggets and other tasty plates. Bear in mind that the deal isn't available at all Bella Italia's nationwide so check the website before you go.
Book now: Bella Italia Chester, Bella Italia Brighton, Bella Italia Newcastle, Bella Italia Blackpool, Bella Italia Lancaster and more

Banana Tree

What: This relaxed restaurant chain served Pan-Asian street food at 20 locations across the UK. Better still, children under the age of 12 years old can eat for free at them, with dishes like chicken katsu curry, sweetcorn fritters and coconut ice cream up for grabs. Kids are entitled to a main and dessert for every full price main meal ordered - fun for all the family!
Book now: Banana Tree Chelmsford, Banana Tree Milton Keynes, Banana Tree Angel, Banana Tree Clapham Junction and more

Preto

What: Brazilian restaurant Preto boasts five sites across London and Colchester and offers 'children eat free' vouchers that you can download and present to the restaurant when you dine. The offer is available for kids up to 10 years old and is valid every weekday from 4pm, and all day on weekends. Little ones are bound to love choosing their favourite dishes from the salad bar, while favourites likes cheesy bread, fried banana, chicken croquettes and delicious desserts are all ultra kid-friendly.
Book now: Preto Soho, Preto Colchester, Preto Queensway and more

The Real Greek

What: The Real Greek has sites in lots of major cities around the country, offering fresh, authentic Greek cooking at pretty reasonable prices. It offers a kids eat free deal on Sundays in all branches, with a free kids meal for every adult that spends over £15 - that includes a scoop of sorbet for dessert and a drink too.
Book now: The Real Greek Covent Garden, The Real Greek Southampton and more

Yo! Sushi

What: Yo! Sushi tends to run a kids deal during school holidays, where kids get a free kids bento box for every £10 spent by a paying adult. Choose from chicken katsu, chicken teriyaki, prawn katsu or pumpkin katsu, served with crunchy edamame, maki, veggie rice and a drink. This offer tends to run on Mondays to Fridays during the summer holidays so it's worth checking in with your local site before you book. 
Book now: Yo! Sushi Manchester, Yo! Sushi Liverpool, Yo! Sushi Birmingham, Yo! Sushi Bristol, Yo! Sushi Cheltenham and more

Yard & Coop

What: This beloved Manchester spot has been a long time favourite amongst families, thanks to its relaxed environment and child-friendly menus. During school holidays, kids get a main, dessert and cordial drink for free, with every adult meal ordered. Think chicken bites, or chicken mayo burgers with chips, mac and cheese or salad. The deal excludes Saturdays.
Book now: Yard & Coop Manchester

Morrisons

What: Every Morrisons cafe has this kids eat for free deal, which is especially good as it covers kids up to 16 years old (where most others usually stretch to 10). The kids eat free Morrisons deal gets you a free meal from the kids menu for every adult meal you buy (you must spend £5 or more). Choose from The Breakfasts, The Classics or The Chippy. Plus, the supermarket has a deal with Kellogg's this summer where anyone can get a free bowl of cereal and a piece of fruit! Just go up to the cafe counter and ask for the 'Kellogg's breakfast'. 

Purezza

What: Pizzas are always a good shout if you’re looking for easy, delicious kids food - what kid doesn’t love pizza? Purezza’s deal is a good’un too - for every adult pizza, you get a free kids pizza. Simple. And it's only £5 for every additional child's pizza. This offer applies to children under 10 years old.
Book now: Purezza Brighton, Purezza Camden and Purezza Manchester

Tesco

What: Tesco's kids eat free deal usually runs throughout all the school holidays and half-terms, so if you have to take your little ones on the big shop, you can at least nab a free meal in the cafe! The offer applies when an adult makes any purchase in The Cafe for dine-in only, and includes both breakfast and lunch meals. Think little crumpets, chicken goujons and tomato pasta shells. 

Where can kids eat for £1 UK?

Some restaurants have similar deals but have you pay a nominal £1 for your kids' meals, rather than handing them out for free. As above, this often requires an adult to buy a standard meal as well, in order to qualify for a discounted kids meal.

Hungry Horse

What: Over the school holidays, kids eat for £1 at Hungry Horse's restaurants all over the country. The kids menu includes family favourites like sausage and mash, chicken nuggets, beef burgers and tomato pasta, as well as plant-based options. We'd recommend checking your local restaurant for the exact available dates.

The Banc

What: North Londoners - listen up! The Banc in Tottenham allows kids up to 12 to eat for £1 every Friday and Saturday until 7pm. All you have to do is state the offer when booking. Choose from mains off the kids menu such as a Wagyu beef burger with fries, meatballs with potato puree, and butter and parmesan pasta.
Book now: The Banc

Asda

What: Asda’s deal works similarly to other supermarkets - it’s active across every single Asda UK-wide and gets you a kids hot meal (plus a free piece of fruit) for just £1 when you’re buying an adult meal at the same time. Perfect if you’re out doing a big shop and you have a hangry child that needs feeding. 

IKEA

What: IKEA is offering 95p kids meals across many of its branches, with a plate of pasta and tomato sauce available for this low price. Adults don’t need to buy anything to redeem it either, so once you’re done shopping you can just go straight to the restaurant to grab cheap meals for your little ones. Alternatively, you can purchase plenty more affordable kids meals from just £1.95.

Where can kids eat for free in London?

It can seem nearly impossible to eat out in London on the cheap, especially with families, but these killer kids-eat-free deals make that dream a reality. 

Gallio, Fitzrovia and Canary Wharf

What: This Mediterranean pizza restaurant is one of London's most affordable places to eat, with set menus and killer deals available year round. It's also a warm and welcoming family-friendly spot, where kids eat for free in half term and summer holidays. They can tuck into a two-course meal and a drink from The Little Explorers Menu with a paying adult. Think cheesy pasta, Margherita pizza, and hummus with flatbreads.  
Where: 7 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RF
Book now: Gallio Charlotte Street, Gallio Canary Wharf

Cinnamon Collection, Various London locations

What: Cinnamon Collection is often on hand with great deals for seasonal events, and that includes kids eat free deals during the school holidays. The offer is usually available at both Cinnamon Bazaar and Cinnamon Kitchen restaurants, and includes subtly spiced, child-friendly dishes such as naan and cheesy peas pizza, rice and lentil khichdi with veggies, and pan-fried sea bream with cream coconut sauce. For the upcoming break, the restaurant is offering a free meal for children 12 and under, with an accompanying adult. 
Where: Various London locations
Book now: Cinnamon Bazaar Covent Garden, Cinnamon Bazaar Richmond, Cinnamon Kitchen City and more

Jamie Oliver Catherine Street, Covent Garden

What: Kids eat free at Jamie Oliver’s Covent Garden hotspot for the whole summer! Book in between 12-3pm, Monday-Friday from 25 June to 1 September and your child will get a main, dessert and drink for free, when you purchase a full-priced adult main. Plus, the little ones (and maybe also big ones if you ask nicely) will get colouring crayons and menus to play with.
Where: 6 Catherine Street, WC2B 5JY
Book now: Jamie Oliver Catherine Street

Sam's Waterside and Sam's Kitchen, Brentford and Hammersmith

What: Keeping the kids fed over the summer holidays can feel like a full-time job, but Sam’s has you covered from 2 July to 1 September. Under-11s eat free at Sam’s Waterside and Sam’s Kitchen with a paying adult, while older kids score free ice cream or a £14 smash burger deal.
Where: 3 Kingham Avenue, TW8 8GP; 17 Crisp Road, W6 9RL
Book now: Sam's Waterside; Sam's Kitchen

Kricket, Various London locations

What: Kricket is often packed with families wanting to enjoy the taste of India, but did you know that during the school holidays they offer free meals for kids under ten? With a delicious choice between butter paneer or butter chicken, served with rice, cheese naan and broccoli, the kids can get stuck into some properly satisfying Indian grub, and for dessert, they can gorge themselves on a traditional mango and lime kulfi, which should satisfy the demand for ice cream. 
Where: Various London locations
Book now: Kricket Shoreditch, Kricket Brixton, Kricket Soho, Kricket Canary Wharf 

Padella, Shoreditch

What: You can't go wrong with a plate of pasta for kids and adults alike! Luckily, children can often eat for free at Padella Shoreditch during the school holidays, when they can tuck into dishes like tagliarini with slow-cooked tomato sauce, and a smaller portion of its famous eight-hour beef shin ragu. What a treat. 
Where: 1 Phipp Street, EC2A 4PS
Book now: Padella Shoreditch

INKO NITO, Soho

What: Nestled in the heart of Carnaby, INKO NITO is a relaxed Japanese restaurant that centres around an open robata grill, specialising in dishes like spiced lamb rump and miso black cod. Little diners (kids under the age of seven) are welcome to eat here for free all year round, whether it's a lunchtime nibble or an evening meal. 
Where: 55 Broadwick Street, W1F 9QS
Book now: INKO NITO

Ace Pizza at Pembury Tavern, Hackney

What: Every Sunday, kids eat free at Pembury Tavern, courtesy of Ace Pizza. The popular pizza residency offers kids a free pizzetta (and a free ice cream scoop) for every 12" pizza ordered. What's more, the pub also has The Kids Table - a team of DBS-checked adults who are on hand to entertain the little ones with crafts, games and creative activities, so that you can catch up with your pals in peace. 
Where: 90 Amhurst Road, E8 1JH
Book now: Ace Pizza at Pembury Tavern

Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Café, Knightsbridge

What: If you're planning to visit a few west London attractions - Hyde Park, or the Natural History Museum, perhaps - then consider booking lunch at the excellent Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Cafe in nearby Knightsbridge. Kids under 12 eat free here all day on Sundays with a paying adult, with a complimentary meal from the kids menu.
Where: 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ
Book now: Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Café

Barbican Kitchen, Barbican

What: The Barbican Centre is home to an array of dining destinations, but Barbican Kitchen is its most casual offering and a great option for families. Plus, children under 10 years old receive a free meal from the kids' menu with every adult meal over £10. A useful hack if you're doing some sightseeing in this part of town.  
Where: Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS
Book now: Barbican Kitchen

SOUND Cafe, Marble Arch

What: Tucked away in The Cumberland Hotel, on the corner of Hyde Park, SOUND Cafe is a perfectly central spot for those planning a day out with the little ones. In previous summer holidays, SOUND cafe has run a ‘Kids eat free all day, every day’ deal. All you have to do is pre book the table, and kids under the age of 12 will eat free with every paid adult main. Expect chicken tenders, fish goujons, and cheesy pizzas.
Where: Great Cumberland Place, W1H 7DL
Book now: SOUND Cafe

If you want to browse some more options, we’ve picked out a handy list of the best children-friendly restaurants in London, where your little connoisseurs couldn’t possibly turn their noses up at the menu!

And for more family-friendly fun, check out these children's afternoon teas across London and the UK, plus our guide to the UK's most exciting Harry Potter afternoon teas, for kids who can't get enough wizarding.