No matter where you are in the world, there are some wonderful options for family-friendly eateries. 

NEW YORK

The Standard Grill

Spliced beneath the High Line in the Meatpacking District and a moments walk from Chelsea market, this eatery at the Standard hotel is a sanctum for glamorous diners and their little ones.  The Standard Grill doesn’t shout out as being family-friendly, but it very much is. High chairs materialize at a moment’s notice and, although there’s not a kid’s menu, we’ve never known the likes of buttermilk pancakes with Nutella and cheeseburgers with fries to get a thumb’s down. The dining space is vast, spread between a cosy, banqueted inner room, a sun-soaked bar area, and a patio that’s a people-watching gem. In winter, the hotel sets up a divine mini ice skating rink and parents who don’t have their ice legs can watch, hot chocolate in hand, on any of the complimentary blankets. On warmer days, take the steps up to the High Line for an ice-cream sandwich.

http://www.thestandardgrill.com

LONDON

Verdi, The Royal Albert Hall

Verdi is located in The Royal Albert Hall, one of London’s show-stopping, no-holds-barred beauties. This gorgeous eatery offers up fantastic family-style lunches on Saturdays all accompanied by live blues and jazz performances. There is a wonderful Sunday Brunch series on selected weekends, seeing beautiful family-friendly food accompanied by live jazz music. Little ones will adore the stone-baked pizzas, all of which are made from fine Italian Caputo flour. Perfect pasta is served too – we’re talking cannelloni al cinghiale, which is filled with wild boar meat or tagliatelle all salsicci, which uses Napoli sausages for its meatballs.

Verdi Restaurant mozza

http://www.royalalberthall.com/your-visit/food-and-drink/dining/verdi-italian-kitchen/

PARIS

Cafe Drouant

Cafe Drouant is a historic restaurant, which offers young diners a haute-cuisine experience with an inexpensive kid’s menu that includes three child-sized courses and even an alcohol-free aperitif.  Meanwhile, celebrated chef Antoine Westermann will regale adult diners with his widely acclaimed hors d’oeuvres and unique take on classic French cuisine. The set lunch menu is a particularly good option and this will delight both adults and children, alike.

http://www.drouant.com

ROME

La Pergola, The Rome Cavalieri Hotel

Though it’s part of the Hotel Cavalierri, we recommend La Pergola even if you stay elsewhere (but not with tiny children as it leans on the formal side, despite being family-friendly). The city’s only 3 Michelin Star restaurant has Heinz Beck running the kitchen and, for somewhere with such prestigious accolades, the price of dinner is isn’t as steep as one would expect. As you are likely to go with your little ones we suggest arriving on the earlier side as, though children are welcome, this is as fine dining as you would expect from a three-starred gastronomic leader.To get a proper idea of just what Beck is capable of creating, we highly recommend the tasting menu. Unsurprisingly, the wine list has been crafted to perfection and, if you are there during warmer months, dinner has to be enjoyed on the roof terrace with its panoramic views across Rome. If you can get a babysitter, treat yourselves to a dinner date here.

http://www.romecavalieri.com/lapergola.php

MIAMI

Tongue & Cheek

Claiming to serve “ingredient-driven American fare,” Tongue & Cheek’s owner and chef Jamie DeRosa has tried-and-tested all the children’s menu items on his own daughter. Served with crayons to occupy little ones, there are delectable classics like mini burgers and grilled cheese for bigger kids, or vegetable purees and fresh fruit for babies. The adult menu is mouthwatering: trout, braised beef and even grouper cheeks can be found.

http://www.tandcmiami.com

SYDNEY

Bitton Cafe & Bistro

This gourmet café and bistro has become a hit with Sydney families thanks to its superb French-Australian inspired menu and well-stocked children’s playroom. The café serves breakfast all day, including delicious French crêpes with seasonal fruit and incredible “one pan” bacon and eggs, while lunch includes favourites such as the spicy chicken and leek pie and a range of sandwiches. The Bistro, meanwhile, is open for dinner from 5.30pm (Wednesday to Saturday,) serving a range of elegant, grown-up dishes including beef carpaccio and quail saltimbocca, but served on the earlier side which is perfect if dining out with little ones. In the great Aussie ‘BYO’ tradition, you can even bring your own bottle of wine on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. At the rear of the restaurant sits a sun-filled courtyard and a fantastic playroom for the kids, featuring a floor-to-ceiling chalkboard and countless toys. With a well-crafted children’s menu and ample high chairs and baby changing facilities, this is a surefire family favourite. There’s even a park right across the street.

http://www.bittongourmet.com.au/cafe

We have had the pleasure of recently speaking to the fabulous shopping and retail site Intu to offer our top tips for travelling with the family and why having children should absolutely not prevent you from enjoying gorgeous holidays and fantastic accommodation: not a buffet or all-inclusive in site, unless that’s what you’re after.

If you think it’s all just about restless toddlers running through the airport and screaming newborns strapped into airplane seats for hours on end, you’re wrong (though, of course, how your little ones behave is beyond our control).

Kodomo.com founder Cass Chapman chats to Intu and gives her top tips on what to do when embracing family travel, why there is no need to skimp on luxury accommodation (that’s still absolutely within your reach) and why long-haul travel shouldn’t be avoided. Read the feature here now.

Ok, so a romantic family break with kids in tow doesn’t smack of fun, but if you’re after a last minute break away with the children (and it doesn’t have to be over Valentine’s weekend) that also nourishes an itching for a bit of romance, consider our top picks for luxurious, family-friendly hotels in the most romantic of spots.

Le Bristol, Paris

One of the most famous luxury hotels in Paris, you may recognise its lavish interiors from Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. But here, even the youngest guests get the star treatment with an array of family-friendly goodies available. In the gorgeous 8th arrondissement, you can treat yourself with a visit to the onsite Spa Le Bristol, which comes complete with a beautiful heated indoor pool and has an adjacent kid’s club. The hotel has no less than two Michelin-starred restaurants (Epicure is triple Michelin-starred). Kids will adore Hippolyte, the hotel’s rabbit mascot, who’s likeness can be found on everything from souvenir stuffed animals to the Porthault baby bed linen, while ‘Les Amis d’Hippolyte’ is a space filled for children with a variety of books and activities.

To book this hotel, click here.

For other family-friendly hotels in Paris, click here.

Claridge’s Hotel, London

Jaw-dropping from the second you walk through the front entrance, the level of service at Claridge’s Hotel is utterly exceptional, the accommodation spoilingly luxurious and the family-friendly facilities top notch. Just a stone’s throw from world-class museums, sweeping parks, endless shopping possibilities and bountiful art galleries found only in capital cities like London, this is a fantastic option if you are travelling as a family. The sumptuous decor and Michelin-starred dining facilities may not smack as family-frendly but, take it from us, you’ll be welcomed with open arms and your little ones (unless really tiny), will never forget staying in a hotel of this calibre. All the rooms are as large and luxurious as one can reasonably expect to find in the middle of London and, whether you opt for a room or a suite, you’ll have plenty of space to breath. Luxury family picnics can be made to order and enjoyed in any of the nearby parks, theatre tickets can be arranged, and family-friendly restaurants suggested and booked for you, all thanks to the impeccable concierge service at Claridge’s Hotel. The Petit afternoon tea for young guests is as beautifully ornate as the infamous adult afternoon teas of this capital city grande dame of a hotel and, being such a beautiful place to check in, you’ll be hard pushed to exit its front doors again until check out.

To book this hotel, click here. 

For other family-friendly hotels in the UK, click here. 

The Ritz Carlton, Berlin

The Ritz Carlton Berlin overlooks Berlin’s equivalent to Central Park, Tiergarten, and has really made its mark on Berlin since it opened in 2004. Today, it’s deemed worthy even of a President, with Barack Obama and his family staying there during their visit in June 2013. On one side of the hotel sits the park; on the other side is the busy Potsdamer Platz, where you’ll find fantastic restaurants, shops and even a large Legoland. Utterly spoiling, the Ritz Carlton pays very close attention to big and small guests, alike. Children receive special treatment at the Ritz Carlton from the moment you check-in at reception. They are welcomed with their very own child-size bathrobes and slippers, and invited to bake their own waffles or join a treasure hunt around the building. You’ll find a cosy play area and high chairs at the restaurant, Brasserie Debrosses and, as there are no special pool times for children, they are welcome at anytime. Babysitting, prams, bottle warmers and extra cots are all available for guests on request.

To book this hotel, click here. 

For other family-friendly hotels in the UK, click here.