Our Top 10 Child-friendly Eateries in Oxfordshire
With Spring half-term looming and the weather not looking particularly on our side, we thought you might be on the lookout for some child-friendly places to take the kids for a bite out.
Opportunities to get out and about and have a change of scenery are always welcome when it comes to kids school holidays, and even better if you can fill their tummies whilst feeling welcome in a child-friendly environment.
So here are our top picks for child-friendly eateries in Oxfordshire. We hope you like them and that you’re able to visit one (or a few!) over the half-term break.
Mollie’s Diner, Buckland
Inspired by a classic American roadside diner this retro foodie joint is a great choice if you’re on the road with the kids and need a roadside stop-over, or as a destination in itself for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There is an impressive menu for ‘Mini Mollies’ visitors including milkshakes and mini burgers with a main, two sides and a drink coming to £7. Each kiddie gets an activity sheet with colouring, word searches and dot-to-dot that will be sure to keep them amused.
The Old Shed, Charlbury
Located on Banbury Hill Farm, this lovely spot is open for breakfast, lunch and homemade cakes all day.
There is a lunchtime kids menu including a special lunch bag for £4 and other warm options such as mac n’ cheese and chicken goujons.
Located on the farm, you can do a walking loop to go and meet some of the farm animals or kids can enjoy the play area right outside the cafe.
If the weather doesn’t allow for fresh-air and outdoor frolics, there is also a corner full of books, games and colouring inside the cafe too.
The Jam Factory, Oxford
This Oxford based restaurant, bar and gallery is a favourite amongst locals for its relaxed atmosphere and great food and is a stone’s throw from Oxford train station.
It has a friendly and homely vibe with plenty of informal seating areas as well as specific areas for dining. For the kids there are various books and games to enjoy as well as a ping pong and football table.
If you have little ones there is also ample space for buggies and baby changing facilities. The food offering is local and organic and the kids menu is £7 for a main and desert.
There is even a colouring competition for kids to enter to be in with a chance of winning a free meal!
The Milk Shed, Weston-on-the-Green
The Milk Shed calls itself a mini food emporium; a one-stop shop for coffee, a lovely lunch, snacks from the deli, and a scoop or tub of one of their famous in-house ice creams that the kids will love.
There is a really family-friendly atmosphere, a special kids menu and delicious food for grown ups too!
Lyall & Co, Witney
This very bright and airy cafe is a welcoming space with an all day brunch menu and counters filled with delicious cakes, buns and sandwiches.
There are high chairs, nappy changing facilities and there’s plenty of space to maneuver your buggy.
Most of all, and the reason we’ve chosen this as one of our top child-friendly spots, is that it shares a home with Jessie’s Art Shed, a creative space running workshops, lessons and drop-in sessions for kids (and adults too!)
Even when classes aren’t running, kids can get creative with a craft bag tailored by age whilst you kick bag and enjoy a latte or natter with friends.
Atomic Burger, Cowley
Which kid wouldn’t say no to a burger and even better when you get to head to this unique restaurant full of wall murals, toys and memorabilia.
No worries if burgers aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other options on the menu including Nachos, Chicken wings and Hot Dogs. The kids will also enjoy the very unique selection of milk and freak-shakes. There is definitely nothing boring about this spot that is about more than just great food!
Mamma Mia Pizzeria, Summertown
A firm family favourite, Mamma Mia Pizzeria is the perfect place for an authentic, Italian pizza out with the kids.
Its rustic setting with chequered tablecloths and exposed brick walls provides a friendly and warm atmosphere for families. There’s no kids menu as such but it’s all about ordering a few options and then sharing slices between you.
If you head there for lunch you can also take advantage of the fixed price menu when you’ll get a main course and a drink for £8.95.
The Upton Firehouse, Burford
The Upton Firehouse is a bit of a hidden gem, located in a huge industrial space filled with bare wooden tables and benches and cosy rugs, and the kids love it.
They are open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (12-4pm) for their iconic Firehouse BBQ Buffet which includes a huge selection of smoked meats and fish along with fresh sides and salads for you to take your pick.
Prices are reasonable at £19.50 for adults and £10 for kids (age 3-10). They also do Pizza Wednesday from 4-9pm when wood-fired pizzas are cooked to order from a menu that changes weekly. Inside they have a kids corner with sofas, games and a big TV showing a film.
Little Amsterdam, Banbury
This charming and relaxed cafe serves traditional Dutch pancakes with a wide variety of creative toppings – both sweet and savoury.
There is a vast children’s menu including pancakes and waffles as well as more savoury options such as omelettes and beef croquettes, and toddlers under 3 even get a free pancake!
There is a little play area in the cafe so you can get a moment to relax whilst the kids are entertained.
The Black Horse, Thame
Our top family-friendly pub is part of the White Brasserie Group and located in the beautiful historic town of Thame. They are very family-friendly, welcoming kids of all ages and four-legged friends.
There is both a junior menu with pub grub for 7-12 year olds with half portions at half the price, as well as as a very vibrant and doggie inspired-children’s menu which offers two courses for £7.25 or three courses for £9.50 and free ‘pup-corn’ to take away.
So there we have it, a round-up of our top 10 child-friendly eateries in the Oxfordshire area. At Goldstar Recruitment we are proud to source the top chefs and hospitality staff for some of the very best foodie establishments across the county, and we hope you’ll get the chance to enjoy what they have to offer too!
If you work in a local restaurant or know of anywhere that has any special half-term offers or things to do for kids, please let us know so we can spread the word.
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