Eating out with kids doesn’t have to be stressful — you just need to know where to go. If you’re after child friendly eating in Dublin South, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants across the area that welcome families with open arms, offering kids’ menus, high chairs and a relaxed atmosphere where a bit of noise and mess is no big deal.
A quick practical tip before you head out: not every restaurant is buggy-friendly. Some places will happily take your buggy at the door, while smaller spots may not have room for one at all. If you’re dining out with a young baby, it can be easier to bring the car seat instead. For older babies and toddlers, most child-friendly eateries will have high chairs or booster seats on hand.
Here’s our round-up of some family-friendly favourites across Dublin South, organised by breakfast and brunch, lunch and snacks, and dinner.
Breakfast and Brunch
Great spots for a relaxed weekend breakfast or brunch with the kids include:
- Donnybrook Fair Café, Dublin 4 – A lovely all-day option for breakfast, lunch, snacks or dinner, and genuinely family friendly.
- The Village Bistro, Terenure Place, Dublin 6W
- Foodlife, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 – A wide variety of foods and snacks, with a baby corner, baby changing facilities and high chairs.
- Odessa Lounge and Grill, Dame Court, Dublin 2 – A popular choice for Sunday brunch.
- Howards Way, Rathgar & Churchtown – Great breakfasts, plus lunch and evening meals. It’s a small restaurant, so it may suit families without buggies best.
- Café de Provence, Crumlin Crossroads, Dublin 12
- The Dropping Well, Milltown, Dublin 6
Lunch and Snacks
If you’re out and about and need somewhere relaxed for lunch or a snack, these are worth trying:
- Café Bar Deli, Grafton Street, Dublin 2 & Ranelagh, Dublin 6 – A reliable, family-friendly option for lunch or a light bite.
- Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin 14 – A nice coffee shop for cakes and lunch, with a great playground on the grounds to burn off energy afterwards.
- The Dome, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
- Butler’s Café, Dundrum Town Centre – Great for coffee and a babycino, plus chocolate treats the kids will love.
- Marks & Spencer Café, various Dublin South stores – A handy lunch option, often with kids’ lunch bags including a sandwich, juice, raisins, crisps and colouring pencils.
- Frango’s, Level 3, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 16 – A wide variety of foods and snacks, high chairs, self-service microwaves for baby bottles and food, and baby changing facilities.
Dinner
For an evening meal out with the family, these child-friendly restaurants typically offer kids’ menus and high chairs or booster seats:
- Luigi Malone’s, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 – Children’s menu and high chairs.
- Trentuno, Wicklow Street, Dublin
- Pacino’s, Suffolk Street, Dublin 2
- Purty Kitchen, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
- Ashton’s Bar and Grill, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14
- Roly’s Bistro, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
- Roly’s at The Pavilion, Dun Laoghaire
- Milano’s, Temple Bar, Dundrum Town Centre, Haddington Road & Grand Canal Harbour – A particular favourite, with supervised play areas for children on Sundays.
- Joel’s Restaurant, Naas Road, Dublin 22
- Yamamori Noodles, Dublin 2
- Bits and Pizzas, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
- Aya Japanese and Thai Restaurant, Sandyford, Dublin 18 & Clarendon Street, Dublin 2
- Wagamama, Dublin 2
- Mario’s, Terenure, Dublin 6W
- Café Mao, Dublin 2, Dun Laoghaire & Dundrum Town Centre
- TGI Friday’s, St Stephen’s Green – Note there’s a flight of stairs down to this branch, so it’s not the easiest option with a buggy.
Because opening hours, menus and even whether a venue is still trading can change, it’s always worth giving a restaurant a quick call or checking their website or social media before you head out, especially if you’re planning around nap times or fussy eaters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book a table when eating out with kids in Dublin South?
It depends on the venue and the time of day. Smaller cafés are often fine to just walk into, but for weekend brunch spots or larger family groups at dinner, it’s a good idea to call ahead and check.
Are buggies allowed in these restaurants?
It varies. Some family-friendly restaurants are very buggy-friendly and will store it for you at the door, while smaller spots have limited space. If you’re unsure, it’s worth ringing ahead, especially if you’re travelling with a young baby.
What if my child has a food allergy or intolerance?
Always let staff know about any allergies before you order, and ask to see an allergen menu if one is available. Staff should be able to talk you through safe options, but it’s worth double-checking directly with the restaurant rather than relying on general listings like this one.
Do these restaurants have high chairs and kids’ menus?
Most of the dinner venues listed offer both high chairs or booster seats and a kids’ menu, but availability can change over time, so it’s a good idea to check when booking or on arrival.
Related Reads
If you enjoyed this guide, you might also like our other round-ups of family days out and eating out with kids across Dublin, as well as tips for stress-free dining with toddlers and picky eaters.
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