We are staying on Trafalgar Square and need restaurant recommendations for 3 adults and 2 children aged 10 and 9. Mid-priced or good value, pub, Indian, Italian. Would prefer 10 min walk or less. Trip is Sept 24-29. Thank you!
Posted by
Singapore
590 posts
With the qualification that "mid-priced" means different things to different people, I'd recommend The Ivy Market Grill in Covent Garden as a good start, but note it can get noisy.
That said, there are literally hundreds of restauants within a 10 min walk of Trafalgar Square.
If you're looking for somewhere cheap with a wide menu, the Caffe Concerto chain has outlets all over London, include two just off Trafalgar Square - one in Northumberland Ave, and another in Whitehall. They're not going to win any culinary awards, but are perfectly OK if you are stuck.
More upmarket but with a kids menu is the Great British Restaurant in Duke's (St James' Place, near St James' Palace (a 15 min walk). Nice.and quiet and cosy.
Pubs - I like the Golden Lion in St James' (King Street). Like many pubs it gets busy in the evening with outdoor drinking, but should still have tables for dinner.
Posted by
Cornwall
378 posts
Cote Brasserie on St Martin’s Lane may fit the bill
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
496 posts
I like the Time Out online magazine for all things London. Here is a recent article. https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/the-best-child-friendly-restaurants-in-london
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
8157 posts
I love Cafe in the Crypt, located underneath (in the crypt) at St. Martin's in the Field church, right off Trafalgar Square. It's one of my favorite eating places in London. Good food, reasonable prices, and you get to eat amongst many very old floor tombs. It's such a lovely spot! I always go here when I am in London, and it's been around for ages. The kids would probably be interested in the tombs in the floor, and they have really good food. Food is served cafeteria style, so you can get in and start eating pretty quickly (always a plus with kids).
ETA: Just realized you are the OP on the breakfast post as well, so my info is also there. :-)
Posted by
UK
769 posts
St Martin’s Lane off Trafalgar Square near the Pret is full of restaurants and cafes of every sort, and you can follow it up towards Covent Garden where you’ll find still more. Worth a browse to see what’s there.
Posted by
UK (London - Chelsea Harbour)
176 posts
The Golden Union fish and chips shop is under a mile from Trafalgar Square and is, IMHO, hands down the best fish and chips in London. The address is 38 Poland Street. The portions are massive, the fish is impeccably fresh, the chips are on point, the restaurant is cute and very clean, the service is sweet and gracious, and they have a spacious loo. When there, you are steps from Liberty London and Carnaby Street. Cannot recommend more highly. Oh! And the jukebox is free! :-)
That said, a Pret a Manger is always close, and the food is clean, fresh, and inexpensive. Wagamama and Itsu are Asian-inspired chains with tasty, affordable choices, and they are everywhere. Byron Burger and Honest Burger are quality burger joints sure to please kids.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you, everyone! These are much appreciated suggestions>
Posted by
London
1308 posts
LEON can be a tasty alternative to Pret for a snack on the go in town. They're everywhere too.
Posted by
San Francisco area
1891 posts
Not sure if it meets your budget requirements. Cicchetti just off Piccadilly Circus. There is also a location at Covent Garden. Mostly small plates but perfect for sharing as you can try a number of things.
Edit. Reservations highly suggested for dinner.
Posted by
Central Coast CA, USA
164 posts
Hobson's fish & chips on Villiers St between Charing Cross and Embankment. Lot of other options along the street - including a Pret.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33992 posts
do you get Hobson's choice of fish? (see what I did there?)
Posted by
Central Coast CA, USA
164 posts
Nice one, Nigel :-) I am guilty of getting cod & chips every single time....
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17560 posts
Cote Brasserie has a nice menu and moderate prices. Their Prix Fixe menu is a particularly good value—-2 courses (appetizer and main, several choices for each) is £19, a bit more for 3 courses (with dessert). Here is the Prix Fixe menu for their Covent Garden location.
This should be the Prix Fixe menu; you can choose a different on from here.
https://www.cote.co.uk/restaurant/covent-garden/menus/
For Indian, we like Masala Zone. Their Covent Gqarden and Piccadilly locations are very close to you. The latter is new and we have not dined there yet.
I advise making reservations for either of these places.