Dining Out in London at Every Age & Stage - Babies

When my husband and I moved to London as newlyweds in 2016, we never imagined we’d stay for eight years, or that we’d welcome both of our nuggets there.

Life had other plans. We became parents far from family, learning in real time which parts of the city truly worked for families and which didn’t. I often found myself wondering: Where can I go with a baby? What about a toddler? And later, two little kids with big opinions?

That frustration (and curiosity) is what led me to build The Nugget, a way to help families quickly find places where dining out feels easier, more welcoming, and more enjoyable.

Below are some of my favourite ways to dine out in London, broken down by age and stage.

👶 Baby Stage: When the Buggy Is Your Best Friend

When my son was a baby, we got lucky, he would sleep in his buggy almost anywhere. We leaned into that phase while it lasted, heading out for meals while he snoozed peacefully in the pram.

I know not every baby sleeps on the go, but if yours does, it’s worth taking advantage. For us, timing and location mattered most.

The Local Pub (Quiet Weekdays)

Our local pub was just a seven‑minute walk from our flat, the perfect distance post C‑section and ideal for new parents who inevitably forget something on the way out.

Weekday lunches were calm, welcoming, and forgiving. Staff were used to buggies, and no one blinked at a mid‑meal nappy change emergency.

Baby‑stage must‑haves:

Space for a pram
Baby changing facilities
Friendly, patient staff
Flexible seating

👉 Tip: Always pack a spare outfit. Nappy blowouts wait for no one.

Our Local Hero Adina is a big fan of the Village Pub with ample outdoor seating too!

🍼 Starting Solids: Around 6 Months

Once solids entered the picture, we started thinking differently. High chairs became essential, and we often brought food pouches along so we knew there’d be something he would eat.

We were also figuring out our rhythm, learning when to go out, how long we could stay, and what environments felt manageable.

Dishoom, Carnaby Street (Central London)

A surprising win with a baby. Dishoom offers:

High chairs
Baby‑changing facilities
A kids’ menu
Outdoor seating

It worked beautifully for visiting friends and family, relaxed enough for parents, delicious enough to feel like a treat.

👩‍👩‍👦 Baby Groups & Easy Meet‑Ups

Just before the world shut down, our baby and bump prenatal group started meeting weekly. Those 10am catch‑ups were a lifeline.

Mare Street Market (East London)

This spot became a go‑to for group meetups:

Baby change in women’s and unisex WCs
High chairs
Plenty of space for buggies
A menu that works for coffee, brunch, or lunch

We always went early, before it got busy, and never felt rushed, which matters when time feels blurry with a baby.

👉 Pair it with: A walk through London Fields, where older kids can enjoy playgrounds and open space, or parents can rack up stroller steps.