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 runs daily Kids Afternoon Tea (€15 child, €25 adult) featuring sandwiches, scones, hot chocolate, and the famous Bewley’s biscuits. The first-floor seating area welcomes families with high chairs and patient staff. The Harry Clarke stained glass windows entertain even fidgety kids. Open daily 7am–9pm. 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. Kids’ menu €9–12, adult mains €14–22. Open daily 12pm–10pm.
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 €7–9 with toy included. Weekday Kids Eat Free promotions with adult mains. Open daily 12pm–late.
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. Kids’ Piccolo menu (€7) includes pizza, side, and dessert. Excellent value for family meals. Open daily 11:30am–10pm.
Bella Italia (College Green)
Family-friendly Italian chain with kids’ menus (€8) including pasta, pizza, and ice cream. Crayons and activity packs for younger kids. Weekday Kids Eat Free promotions with adult mains. Open daily 12pm–10pm.
Carluccio’s (Dawson Street and Dundrum)
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. Kids’ menu €9–11. Open daily 8am–10pm.
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. Kids’ pizza €9–12. Open daily, dinner only Sundays.
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. Burgers €9–13. Open daily 12pm–9pm.
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. Kids’ mini-burger meal €8. Open daily 12pm–10pm.
Five Guys (Multiple Locations)
The American chain at Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre and Liffey Valley. Burgers built to order, fries, milkshakes. Kids welcome but no specific kids’ menu. Burgers €10–14. Open daily 11am–11pm.
Asian Family Restaurants
Wagamama (Wexford Street, Stephen’s Green)
The Asian noodle chain particularly welcoming to families. Kids’ menus include mini chicken katsu, mini noodles, and Wagamama’s signature jellies. Kids’ menu €8–10. Open daily 12pm–10pm.
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. Adult mains €12–15. Kids’ menu €8. Open daily.
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. Burritos €9–11. Open daily 11:30am–10pm.
Sichuan House (Capel Street)
Family-style Chinese restaurant with shared platters that work well for varied family appetites. Dim sum during weekday lunches. Kids enjoy the dumplings and noodle dishes. Mains €13–18, dim sum €4–6 per dish. Open daily 12pm–10:30pm.
Family-Friendly Pubs
Irish law allows children in pubs until 9pm unless the pub has posted an over-18 policy. Sunday lunch at family-friendly pubs is a Dublin tradition spanning generations.
The Brazen Head (Lower Bridge Street)
Ireland’s oldest pub (1198) is family-welcoming during the day with traditional Irish food, weekly storytelling sessions, and a casual atmosphere. Kids’ menus available. Live music in the evening (older kids OK). Mains €15–22. 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. Kids’ meals €7–9. Open daily.
Hartigan’s (Lower Leeson Street)
Family-friendly south Dublin pub with Sunday roast (3 courses €18 adult, €9 child). Quiet weekday lunch venue suitable for families. Open daily.
The Merrion Inn (Merrion Road)
Quality Ballsbridge pub with strong family Sunday lunch programme. Kids’ menu (€9), high chairs, family booth seating. Mains €14–22. Open daily.
Kavanagh’s (Gravediggers’ Pub, Glasnevin)
The legendary Glasnevin pub next to the cemetery offers Sunday roasts at €17 adult, €8 child. Famous food alongside trad music sessions. Children welcome until 8pm. 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.
- Bella Italia — Sunday-Thursday: kids’ menu 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 can keep family eating costs to €40–60 for 2 adults + 2 children.
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) — Daily Kids Afternoon Tea (€15 child, €25 adult). The iconic Dublin experience.
- The Westbury Hotel — Premium afternoon tea (€55 adult, €25 child) with kid-sized sandwiches and pastries.
- The Shelbourne — Five-star afternoon tea (€65 adult, €30 child) in the historic Lord Mayor’s Lounge.
- The Merrion Hotel — Art Tea (€75 adult, €35 child) inspired by paintings in the hotel collection.
- The Conrad Dublin — Modern afternoon tea with kid-friendly options.
Most afternoon tea experiences require booking 1–2 weeks ahead, especially weekend slots. 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, Bella Italia, 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 mid-range meals at €8–12 per person.
- 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 the highest concentration of family restaurants. Bewley’s Café (the family classic), Pizza Express (Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre), Eddie Rocket’s (Stephen’s Green), Bella Italia (College Green), Carluccio’s (Dawson Street), Wagamama (Wexford Street), and Boojum (multiple locations) all sit within 10 minutes’ walk of 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 Cliff Townhouse on St Stephen’s Green offers premium family Sunday lunches at €45 adult, €25 child. The Shelbourne Hotel runs special occasion family afternoon teas where staff bring out birthday surprises. Restaurant 41 at the Marker Hotel runs five-star family Sunday brunches with kids’ cooking demonstrations at the chef’s table. Books well in advance for special occasions.
Family-Friendly Food Tours and Experiences
The Dublin Tasting Trail (a 3-hour walking food tour) accepts children aged 8+ and includes Bewley’s, Sheridans Cheese, Murphy’s Ice Cream, and 3 other stops. €65 adult, €45 child. The Brazen Head’s Family Folklore and Fairies Dinner show combines storytelling with traditional Irish food (€55 adult, €28 child, 3-course meal plus performance). The Howth Food Tour combines fish and chips at Beshoffs with a pier walk and seafood tasting (€55 adult, €30 child). For older kids (12+), the Irish Whiskey Museum offers family tours where adults sample whiskey and kids get soft drinks and historical context.
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 Honest 2 Goodness Market in Glasnevin runs Saturday mornings 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.
Eatyard at Bernard Shaw Pub (Phibsborough) operated as a major street food market with family-friendly atmosphere — check current operating status. For year-round daily indoor food markets, the Powerscourt Townhouse food hall combines multiple food vendors in a covered Georgian setting. 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, the surrounding cafes typically open by 8am with kids’ breakfast options for €6–9. 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. The Brazen Head Folklore and Fairies Dinner Show includes traditional Irish food in a theatrical family setting.
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. Pubs serve children during the day until 9pm unless they have an over-18 policy posted. The Irish hospitality tradition extends to genuinely welcoming kids in restaurants.
Can children go into Irish pubs?
Yes — Irish law allows children in pubs until 9pm unless the pub has posted an over-18 policy. 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, Bella Italia, 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 runs daily Kids Afternoon Tea (€15 child, €25 adult) with sandwiches, scones, hot chocolate, and Bewley’s biscuits. The first-floor seating area has high chairs and patient staff. 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 — most Temple Bar pubs welcome families until 7–9pm. 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?
Family meals typically cost €40–80 for 2 adults + 2 children at casual family restaurants like Eddie Rocket’s, Pizza Express, or family-friendly pubs. Mid-range family restaurants like Carluccio’s or Wagamama run €70–100 for the same family. Premium afternoon tea experiences at the Westbury or Shelbourne Hotel run €160–220 for a family.
Keep Reading
- Dublin Day Trips with Kids — Cliff walks, castles and theme parks within 90 minutes 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.
