Soho with Kids: A Family Day Out in the Heart of London
Date Published
Find a family-friendly lunch in Soho
Soho has an enormous choice of places to eat, and dining with children is often easier than you might expect. PizzaExpress is a dependable option for families, while Pizza Pilgrims is a relaxed Soho favourite for Neapolitan-style pizza. For something different, Dishoom Carnaby is good fun with children too. Don't be put off if your little ones aren't keen on spice: smaller portions and milder choices make it easier for younger or fussier eaters to join in.
If everyone wants something different, head to Kingly Court. Tucked behind Carnaby Street, restaurants are spread across three levels around a central courtyard, which is particularly handy when the family can't agree on one cuisine. The surrounding pedestrianised streets also make Carnaby an easy place to wander after lunch.
A tip from The Resident Insiders: Most restaurants offer options for children under 12, often with a dedicated children's menu featuring familiar favourites for fussier eaters. They're usually good value too, with children's meals often costing under £10. Bill's is one of our family favourites and, during school holidays, they often run a Kids Eat Free offer with the purchase of an adult main. It's always worth checking what's available when you visit. If you don't see a children's menu, simply ask, as many restaurants can offer smaller portions for younger diners.
Leave room for something sweet
Soho makes it very easy to reward tired feet, and there are a couple of places our team particularly likes. For something a little more memorable than the usual scoop of ice cream, try Chin Chin on Greek Street. Going out for dessert here can easily become part of the day's entertainment rather than simply something that follows lunch. Then there's Buns From Home, where the pastries are baked fresh and you can often see the baking happening in front of you. Our team favourites are the custard buns and cinnamon buns, although choosing just one is easier said than done. Keep an eye out for seasonal limited editions too, with flavours such as rhubarb or Dubai chocolate appearing alongside the favourites.
Step inside Hamleys on Regent Street
Few toy shops do spectacle quite like Hamleys. The fun often begins before you've properly stepped through the door, with entertainers, toy demonstrators and genuinely friendly staff creating a lively atmosphere around the entrance. Inside, several floors of toys and demonstrations can turn what was supposed to be a quick visit into a much longer one. It's also a useful place to keep in mind when the London weather isn't behaving.
A tip from The Resident Insiders: Allow more time than you think you'll need. Children rarely treat Hamleys as somewhere to simply pop into, and that's part of the fun.
Take a breather in Soho Square
After LEGO, M&M’S, Chinatown, lunch and Hamleys, both children and parents may be ready to do absolutely nothing for a little while. Soho Square is useful for exactly that. Pick up a drink or snack nearby, find somewhere to sit and take a breather before deciding what comes next. Staying at The Resident Soho also means you don't have to turn the day into a sightseeing marathon. Head back to the hotel for some downtime and venture out again when everyone has recharged.
One of the advantages of staying in Soho is having London's Theatreland all around you. For a family treat, The Lion King is a wonderful choice, with all the spectacle of a big West End musical and plenty to keep younger theatre-goers captivated. For younger children, a matinee can work particularly well. Spend the morning exploring, stop for lunch and then settle in for an afternoon performance.
For older children and teenagers, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is another great option. The production is at the Palace Theatre, right on the edge of Soho.
If you're heading to an evening show, ask restaurants about their pre-theatre menu. These are often better value than ordering from the full à la carte menu and are usually served in the early evening, roughly between 5pm and 7pm, giving you enough time to enjoy dinner before making your way to the theatre.
A tip from The Resident Insiders: Book your theatre tickets in advance, particularly for weekends and school holidays when popular family performances can fill up quickly. For an evening show, book an early dinner too and ask about the pre-theatre menu. It's a good way to enjoy dinner without having to rush to the theatre afterwards.
Soho with children, at your own pace
Family days rarely go exactly according to plan, and in Soho they don't really need to. You might intend to spend 20 minutes in Hamleys and emerge much later. Choosing a snack in Chinatown could become an adventure of its own, while the LEGO Store might prove considerably harder to leave than expected. With so much nearby, it's easy to change plans, stop when little legs need a rest or spend longer somewhere the children are enjoying.
Staying at The Resident Soho puts Leicester Square, Chinatown, Regent Street and London's Theatreland within easy reach. And if you need another idea, our Resident Insiders are always on hand to share their favourite places for families, whether you're looking for an easy dinner, a sweet treat or something to rescue a rainy afternoon.
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