Family-Friendly Restaurants in Dublin (2026 Guide)
Ar an gComhartha Seo — On this sign
- Best Family Restaurants in Dublin
- Italian Family Restaurants
- Burgers and American
- Asian Family Restaurants
- Family-Friendly Pubs
- Kids Eat Free Restaurants in Dublin
- Family Brunch Spots
- Family Afternoon Tea Experiences
- Ice Cream and Treats
- Family Restaurants with Dietary Options
- Practical Tips for Family Dining in Dublin
- Family Restaurants by Dublin Neighbourhood
- Special Occasion Family Restaurants
- Family-Friendly Food Tours and Experiences
- Family-Friendly Food Markets
- Food Logistics for Travelling Families
- Trying Traditional Irish Food with Kids
- Family Restaurants Dublin: FAQ
- Keep Reading
Dublin is an exceptionally family-friendly dining city. Most restaurants offer kids’ menus, high chairs, baby change facilities, and patient service. Irish law allows children in pubs during the day, making the city’s rich pub culture accessible to families for daytime meals. Dublin also has dedicated children’s dining experiences including Bewley’s Kids Afternoon Tea and Sunday lunch programmes at suburban pubs. This guide covers the best family restaurants in Dublin organised by cuisine and area, with current prices, kids’ menu details, and practical tips for parents navigating the city’s food scene with children of all ages.
It expands on a section of our complete guide to Dublin for families.
Best Family Restaurants in Dublin
Bewley’s Café (Grafton Street)
The iconic Dublin café established 1840 also serves afternoon tea; the current days, menu and prices are on Bewley’s Grafton Street site. Ask staff about high chairs as you come in. The Harry Clarke stained glass windows entertain even fidgety kids. Open daily 8am–6pm. Walk-up welcome but afternoon tea is best booked.
The Bad Ass Cafe (Crown Alley, Temple Bar)
A Dublin institution for family dining since 1983. Kids’ menus, crayon paper tablecloths, lively atmosphere. Famous for its overhead cash railway. Adults can enjoy steaks, burgers, and Irish stew while kids get pizza, pasta, and chicken goujons.
Eddie Rocket’s
The Irish-owned American-diner-style chain with multiple Dublin locations including Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, Henry Street, and Capel Street. Burgers, milkshakes, fries, and 1950s-styled retro decor. Kids’ menus available. Weekday Kids Eat Free promotions with adult mains. Hours vary by branch: O’Connell Street runs from noon to midnight (1am on Fridays and Saturdays, 11pm on Sundays), and Wexford Street stays open until 4am on Friday and Saturday nights.
Italian Family Restaurants
Pizza Express (Multiple Locations)
The UK chain has multiple Dublin locations including College Green, St Stephen’s Green, and Dundrum. Pizzas, salads, dough balls, and a dedicated kids’ menu. Excellent value for family meals. Opening times differ from branch to branch, so check yours before you set out.
Carluccio’s (Dawson Street)
Italian deli-restaurant with strong family programme. Kids’ menus include pasta options, ice cream, and free babyccinos (frothy warm milk) for under-3s. Adult Italian menu with antipasti, pasta, mains.
Pinocchio (Ranelagh)
Genuine Italian family restaurant in Ranelagh (south Dublin). Authentic pizzas from a wood-fired oven, fresh pasta, and family-style sharing dishes. Particularly welcoming to families with regular visitors.
Burgers and American
Bunsen (Multiple Locations)
The Dublin-based burger specialist with minimal menu (burger, fries, drinks) but consistently excellent quality. Kids welcome but no dedicated kids’ menu — smaller burger portions available. Locations on South Anne Street, Wexford Street, and Temple Bar. A cheeseburger is €10.95 and a double €14.75. Each branch keeps its own hours, listed on bunsen.ie.
Wowburger (Multiple Locations)
The Pierre Lapine-owned chain with locations on Eden Quay, Temple Bar, and Dame Street. Excellent burgers, milkshakes, and fries. Family-friendly atmosphere, with mini burgers on the kids’ menu. Open daily 12pm–10pm.
Five Guys (Multiple Locations)
The American chain, with branches on South Great George’s Street, in Dundrum and in Clondalkin. Burgers, fries and milkshakes. Kids welcome but no specific kids’ menu. Closing times aren’t the same at every branch, so check the one you’re heading to.
Asian Family Restaurants
Wagamama (Dundrum, Liffey Valley)
The Asian noodle chain particularly welcoming to families. Kids’ menus include mini chicken katsu, mini noodles, and Wagamama’s signature jellies. Hours vary by branch: Dundrum opens at 11am every day and closes at 10pm, or 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Camile Thai (Multiple Locations)
The Dublin-founded Thai takeaway and dine-in chain with locations across the city. Mild kids’ portions of pad thai, satay chicken, and rice dishes.
Boojum (Multiple Locations)
The Mexican burrito and quesadilla chain with multiple Dublin locations. Kids welcome but no dedicated kids’ menu — build a smaller burrito with mild chicken, rice, cheese, and beans. Open daily from 11:30am; most branches close at 10pm, but George’s Street shuts at 9pm and Hanover Quay at 9:30pm.
Family-Friendly Pubs
Under Irish licensing law, children under 15 can be in a pub with a parent or guardian but must be out of the bar by 9pm (10pm from May to September). Teenagers aged 15–17 face the same cut-off, and publicans are free to set earlier house rules. Sunday lunch at family-friendly pubs is a Dublin tradition spanning generations.
The Brazen Head (Lower Bridge Street)
Billed as Ireland’s oldest pub (licensed in 1661), the Brazen Head is family-welcoming during the day with traditional Irish food and a casual atmosphere. Kids’ menus available. Live music in the evening (older kids OK). Prices are on the pub’s all-day menu. Open daily 12pm–late.
The Norseman (Smithfield)
The Smithfield pub with enclosed beer garden makes a particularly relaxed family dining choice. Sunday lunches with kids’ menu. Quiz nights, board games available.
Hartigan’s (Lower Leeson Street)
Family-friendly south Dublin pub that works best as a quiet weekday lunch stop for families.
The Merrion Inn (Merrion Road)
Quality Ballsbridge pub with strong family Sunday lunch programme. When you book, ask about high chairs and what the kitchen does for children.
Kavanagh’s (Gravediggers’ Pub, Glasnevin)
The legendary Glasnevin pub on Prospect Square, at the old cemetery entrance, is cash-only, and its kitchen takes Sundays off, so come for food on another day. Famous food alongside trad music sessions. How late children can stay is the pub’s call within the legal limits, so ask at the bar. Open daily.
Kids Eat Free Restaurants in Dublin
Several Dublin restaurants run Kids Eat Free or significantly reduced kids’ meal promotions with adult mains. The deals typically run weekday evenings or Sunday lunch:
- Eddie Rocket’s — Monday-Wednesday evenings: kids’ meals free with adult mains.
- Pizza Express — Periodic kids’ promotions, particularly during school holidays.
- TGI Fridays — Tuesday evenings: kids’ meals free with adult mains.
- Captain Americas (Suffolk Street) — Sunday lunchtime kids’ promotions.
- The Ivy Dawson Street — Family Sunday lunch with kids’ portions included in family booking.
Check restaurant websites for current promotions before booking — they change regularly. Combining a Kids Eat Free promotion with a family-friendly pub Sunday lunch is one of the easiest ways to keep a family’s food bill down.
Family Brunch Spots
- Brother Hubbard (Capel Street, Harrington Street) — Excellent brunch with family-friendly approach. Kids’ portions of pancakes, eggs, French toast.
- The Fumbally (Fumbally Lane) — Hip family-friendly cafe with high chairs and patient staff. Quality coffee for parents, kid-friendly options.
- Bibi’s (Emorville Avenue) — Family-run cafe with weekly storytelling for under-5s.
- Brioche (Aungier Street) — French-style brunch cafe with kids’ menu options.
- Wuff (Benburb Street) — Dog-friendly cafe that also welcomes children. Casual brunch atmosphere.
- Two Pups Coffee (Francis Street) — Small Liberties cafe with kid-friendly brunch.
For broader brunch recommendations see our Dublin Best Brunch Spots guide.
Family Afternoon Tea Experiences
- Bewley’s Café (Grafton Street) — Afternoon tea in the café, best booked. The iconic Dublin experience.
- The Westbury Hotel — Premium afternoon tea (€75 classic, €99 with champagne).
- The Shelbourne — Five-star afternoon tea (€79 classic, €102 with champagne) in the historic Lord Mayor’s Lounge.
- The Merrion Hotel — Art Tea (€79 classic, €99 with champagne) inspired by paintings in the hotel collection.
- The Conrad Dublin — Modern afternoon tea with kid-friendly options.
Book afternoon tea ahead, especially for weekend slots; at the Shelbourne, advance booking is mandatory. Special occasions like birthdays often warrant the premium hotel experiences.
Ice Cream and Treats
- Murphy’s Ice Cream (Wicklow Street) — The Kerry-based artisan ice cream with creative flavours including brown bread, sea salt, and Irish whiskey (kid-safe).
- Gino’s Gelato (Multiple Locations) — Italian gelato with kid-friendly flavours.
- Scoop Gelato (South William Street) — Quality gelato with rotating flavours.
- The Coddle (multiple) — Donut chain with kid-pleasing treats.
- Storyboard Cafe (Lower Camden Street) — Storybook-themed cafe with creative children’s treats.
Family Restaurants with Dietary Options
Most Dublin restaurants accommodate common dietary needs:
Vegetarian and vegan family options
Sova Vegan Butcher (Pleasants Street), Cornucopia (Wicklow Street), and Wagamama (multiple locations) all have strong vegetarian/vegan options with kids’ portions available. Most Italian restaurants offer pizza and pasta vegetarian options. The Happy Pear and Fumbally have family-friendly plant-based menus.
Gluten-free dining
Most major Dublin restaurants now offer gluten-free menus including Pizza Express (gluten-free pizza), Camile Thai (most curries are gluten-free), Brother Hubbard, and the gluten-free dedicated cafe Lemon Crepe on Dawson Street. Look for the GF symbol on menus or ask staff about gluten-free options.
Nut and food allergy considerations
Dublin restaurants are legally required to provide allergen information for all menu items. Most chain restaurants have detailed allergen guides on request. The Coeliac Society of Ireland maintains a list of gluten-free restaurants. For severe allergies, calling ahead to discuss specific needs is recommended.
Practical Tips for Family Dining in Dublin
- Book ahead for weekends and dinner — Even family restaurants fill on weekends. Walk-ups work better at lunch.
- Aim for 5–6pm dinner with kids — Most restaurants are quiet at this time and kids are still energetic.
- Use Sunday lunch for cultural experiences — Suburban Dublin pubs offer the most authentic Sunday lunch tradition.
- Carry snacks for kids between meals — Restaurant service can be slow during peak hours.
- Look for “kids eat free” promotions — Eddie Rocket’s and TGI Fridays run these on specific weekdays.
- Cafe lunches are a good cheap option — Cafes like Brother Hubbard and Two Pups offer family-friendly meals at moderate prices.
- Self-catering reduces food costs — Apart-hotels with kitchens let you cook breakfast and at least one other meal at home.
- Use Deliveroo and Just Eat for hotel evenings — Family deliveries from many Dublin restaurants when you don’t want to leave the hotel.
Family Restaurants by Dublin Neighbourhood
Temple Bar (Daytime Family Dining)
Temple Bar by day welcomes families; by night it becomes a busy adult drinking district. For lunch and early dinners, the Bad Ass Cafe (since 1983, family institution), Elephant & Castle (American comfort food with kids’ menu), Gallagher’s Boxty House (Irish potato pancakes work well as kid food), and the cafes around Meeting House Square all welcome family visits. Avoid Temple Bar from 7pm onwards with children.
Grafton Street and Stephen’s Green Area
Central south Dublin has plenty of family-friendly restaurants. Bewley’s Café (the family classic), Pizza Express (Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre), Eddie Rocket’s (Stephen’s Green), Carluccio’s (Dawson Street), and Boojum (multiple locations) all sit a short walk from Grafton Street. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre’s second-floor food court provides additional cheap family options.
Docklands and Grand Canal Dock
The modern Docklands area welcomes families with restaurants designed for the tech-worker family demographic. The Greenway, The Old Spot, and Charlotte Quay Dock offer family meal options. The Point Square Cinema and surrounding restaurants serve families combining cinema with dinner.
Phibsborough and Drumcondra
Family-friendly suburban Dublin dining clusters around Phibsborough Road, Drumcondra Road, and the Cross Guns Bridge area. Bibi’s (Emorville Avenue), Two Spoons (Phibsborough), and the local pubs (Hedigan’s Bridge House, Doyle’s Corner) all welcome family Sunday lunches.
Ballsbridge and Donnybrook
South Dublin’s upscale suburbs offer family dining at The Merrion Inn, Roly’s Bistro (family-friendly Sunday brunch), and the local cafe scene along Pembroke Road. Higher prices but excellent quality and Sunday lunch traditions.
Special Occasion Family Restaurants
For family birthdays, anniversaries, or trip celebrations, Dublin offers several restaurants that go above standard kids’ menus. The Westbury Grafton Street offers free birthday cakes and personalised birthday menus for families pre-booking. The Bad Ass Cafe specialises in birthday parties with overhead cash railway demonstrations. The Shelbourne Hotel runs special occasion family afternoon teas where staff bring out birthday surprises. Books well in advance for special occasions.
Family-Friendly Food Tours and Experiences
The Dublin Tasting Trail is a walking food tour with several tasting stops; check the minimum age and current price with the operator before you book. The folklore and fairies storytelling evening, now at The Stag’s Head on Dame Court, is a pre-dinner show on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5pm to 6:30pm (€23 adult, €15 for children aged 6–14). The Howth Food Tour pairs a pier walk with seafood tasting. Children can join the Irish Whiskey Museum’s tours too: adults sample whiskey while kids get a soft drink and the historical context, though it’s worth confirming the minimum age with the museum.
For homeschooling families or those interested in food origins, the Bord Bia Food Tours (Irish Food Board) run occasional family farm visits to local producers within day-trip range of Dublin. These programmes often book up quickly — check the Bord Bia website for current programmes.
Family-Friendly Food Markets
Dublin’s outdoor food markets work well for families wanting to try multiple foods in a casual setting. The Temple Bar Food Market (Saturday mornings) offers diverse cooked food and treats with covered seating. The Glasnevin Food Market (formerly Honest 2 Goodness) runs every Saturday 8:30am–2:30pm at 38a Barrow Road, Dublin 11, with quality Irish producers. The Dun Laoghaire Sunday Market combines food stalls with crafts and music — reach by DART. The Howth Sunday Market includes excellent street food alongside crafts. The Phoenix Park Visitor Centre runs occasional food festivals during summer school holidays.
The George’s Street Arcade has several small food vendors. The Liffey Street Lower area near the Halfpenny Bridge has several casual family food options including the Dublin Pizza Company.
Food Logistics for Travelling Families
Carrying snacks for kids between meals is essential in Dublin where restaurant service can be slow during peak hours. Tesco Express, Centra, and Spar shops across the city centre stock basic snacks, fruit, and drinks. The major supermarkets (Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Aldi) have city centre branches for stocking up if you have hotel access. Bottled water is available everywhere but Dublin tap water is high quality and free — bring reusable water bottles.
Hotel breakfasts often include kids’ menus or buffet options that work well for picky eaters. If your hotel doesn’t include breakfast, plenty of nearby cafes serve breakfast with options for kids. Hotel mini-bars typically charge double or triple supermarket prices for the same products — pick up family treats at Tesco or Centra instead. Most Dublin hotels welcome cool boxes for refrigerated snacks — ask reception when checking in.
Trying Traditional Irish Food with Kids
Visitors often want to try traditional Irish food during their family Dublin trip. Most traditional Irish dishes work well for children: Irish stew (lamb, potatoes, vegetables), shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, colcannon (mashed potato with cabbage), and boxty pancakes all suit kid palates. Gallagher’s Boxty House in Temple Bar specialises in these traditional dishes with kid-friendly portions. For myths to go with the meal, the folklore and fairies evening at The Stag’s Head is an early-evening show you can follow with dinner.
Family Restaurants Dublin: FAQ
Are Dublin restaurants family-friendly?
Yes — almost all Dublin restaurants welcome families. Most provide high chairs, kids’ menus, baby change facilities, and crayons. Under-15s can stay in a pub with an adult until 9pm (10pm from May to September), though some pubs set earlier house rules. The Irish hospitality tradition extends to genuinely welcoming kids in restaurants.
Can children go into Irish pubs?
Yes — children under 15 can be in an Irish pub with a parent or guardian until 9pm, or 10pm between May and September, and each publican can set stricter house rules. Most Dublin pubs welcome family visits during the day, especially for Sunday lunch. Family-friendly pubs include The Brazen Head, The Norseman, Hartigan’s, The Merrion Inn, and Kavanagh’s (Gravediggers’ Pub).
Where can we get kids eat free in Dublin?
Eddie Rocket’s, Pizza Express, and TGI Fridays all run Kids Eat Free promotions on specific weekdays. Most Dublin restaurants run school holiday family promotions. Check restaurant websites for current deals before booking.
Is Bewley’s Café family-friendly?
Yes — Bewley’s on Grafton Street opens daily from 8am to 6pm and serves afternoon tea, which is best booked. If you need a high chair, ask when you arrive. The Harry Clarke stained glass windows entertain even fidgety kids.
What’s the best Dublin restaurant for picky eaters?
Eddie Rocket’s (burgers, milkshakes, fries) and Pizza Express (pizza, pasta, salads) are reliable for kids with limited palates. Bewley’s sandwiches, scones, and pastries also work well. Boojum lets you build a mild burrito with chicken, rice, and cheese for less adventurous kids.
Do Dublin restaurants have gluten-free menus?
Most major Dublin restaurants now offer gluten-free menus or marked GF options. Pizza Express has dedicated gluten-free pizzas. Camile Thai marks most curries gluten-free. Lemon Crepe on Dawson Street is fully gluten-free. The Coeliac Society of Ireland maintains an online list of verified gluten-free Dublin restaurants.
Are pubs in Temple Bar family-friendly?
During the day yes — many Temple Bar pubs welcome families, though each sets its own evening cut-off within the legal limits. The Bad Ass Cafe is a Temple Bar family institution. Evening Temple Bar becomes a busy bar district unsuitable for children. For evening dining in central Dublin with children, try Sokito Grafton Street, Eddie Rocket’s, or Pizza Express instead.
How much does eating out with kids cost in Dublin?
Casual family restaurants like Eddie Rocket’s, Pizza Express, or family-friendly pubs are the cheapest way to feed 2 adults + 2 children. Mid-range family restaurants like Carluccio’s or Wagamama cost noticeably more for the same family. Premium afternoon tea is the splurge: the classic tea is €75 at the Westbury and €79 at the Shelbourne.
Keep Reading
- Dublin Day Trips with Kids — Cliff walks, castles and theme parks within easy reach by DART, bus or car.
- Dublin Playgrounds, Parks & Outdoor Spaces for Families — Dozens of free playgrounds across the city, from compact Georgian squares to full suburban facilities.
- Visiting Dublin with a Baby or Toddler — Naps, strollers, changing facilities and feeding — the logistics nobody writes about.
- cheap eats — a related guide from elsewhere on the site.
Lean na Comharthaí — Keep following the signs