International Liverpool Restaurants to visit with Kids

In the year and a half that we have been pretend travelling I have realised just how many unique, exciting and independent dining options that there are in my home city of Liverpool. Almost every time I think of a place to visit, we find that there is a restaurant ready to serve us delicious food. As such, this post about Liverpool restaurants with kids is dedicated to our favourite eats, with some links to our original adventures if you want to find out more. I think now, as the world staggers to its feet, that these restaurants would appreciate your custom more than ever.

Mowgli

This restaurant chain started in Liverpool and has a huge heart and a huge soul. The Indian street food is a revelation, the decor makes me want to redecorate my house immediately and the laid back happy vibe makes it the perfect spot to sit, relax and people watch. The chat bombs are highly recommended and need to be eaten in one huge mouthful. Be prepared for the ultimate taste explosion!

The Baltic Market

When we go here (and we go here often) we feel like we are on an adventure! The food selection is so exciting and the street vendors change regularly. The bar is brimming with good cheer and cool cocktails. There’s a dance floor and they have halloumi fries. Frankly, I could live there. Top tip: there’s an upstairs if you can’t find somewhere to sit – it’s quite hidden so look for the stairs. We visited here as part of our Irish adventure on St Patrick’s Day, but honestly you don’t need an excuse.

Caribou Poutine

Poutine is a Canadian dish we discovered when we spent a weekend pretending to be in Canada. Poutine is a uniquely Canadian dish consisting of french fries, cheese curds and gravy. Caribou Poutine makes them as hot and cheesy and sloppy as you could find anywhere in the world. If you are lucky enough to be in Liverpool late at night you can even ‘rescue’ a carton of Poutine at half price through ‘Too good too go‘ an app which is designed to cut down on food waste.

Moose Coffee

Also in pretend Canada we discovered Moose Coffee. Moose Coffee serves the greatest pancakes, bacon and maple syrup this side of the pond and with the delicious coffee and giant portions it’s the best bunch treat I have had for a long time.

Sapporo Teppanyaki

This is probably the most fun we have had in a restaurant as you have the excitement of having your dinner cooked in front of you. Freddie has always loved watching people cook and the chef was so sweet with him and Penny. The food was outstanding too as it was fresh and exciting and, of course, perfectly cooked! No surprise that this restaurant was the highlight of our pretend trip to Japan.

Ayuthaya

This restaurant is about five miles out of central Liverpool, but it is certainly worth the drive. The delicious Thai food is fresh, the atmosphere is super friendly and they always go the extra mile, cooking up a specially invented rice dish for Freddie with all the things he likes in it and none of the things he doesn’t like. I think if it comes to the kids enjoyment of the actual food – this restaurant wins hands down! We may have come here when we visited pretend Thailand, but we have had many takeaways from here since.

Turtle Bay

Turtle Bay is the most beautiful restaurant on our list and I would go for the decor and the cocktails alone! But it’s Caribbean vibe is matched by spicy and fresh Caribbean food, with a bespoke children’s menu and a thousand beautiful things to look at. Our pretend trip to the Caribbean tasted and looked so beautiful thanks to this awesome place. Turtle bay has more restaurants to visit with kids than just the Liverpool one.

Artisane Bakery

There are many fabulous French restaurants in Liverpool, but I’m not so sure that French fine dining is suitable for small children (having said that we had a fab evening here quite recently) but when we were in pretend France on one of our first ever adventures, I discovered this fab little French bakery on Bold Street! It has tables in the back and more cakes than Penny or Freddie could believe! Freddie had his first eclair here and he is still obsessed with them now. Top tip – the quiche is divine.

Kasbah Cafe Bazaar

Our pretend trip to Morocco was largely planned because I love Moroccan food! Couscous is so comforting and the flavours are so interesting without being too much or too spicy. This is probably first on my list for places to go back to! I genuinely think about their Pastillas Fassia a lot (its a creamy, almondy pie). I must warn you that it is a ‘dry’ restaurant (which came as big shock to my husband), but in my opinion that just makes it more authentic.

Roots

This is a nightclub and so was the strangest experience we had as part of our adventures! African restaurants were very hard to find in Liverpool and even then I couldn’t find one that was a specific country – more of a mix of the best bits of sub-Saharan Africa. I include it because it was exciting and an adventure, and even though the food was over priced it felt and tasted very authentic. If you want to have a taste of African music, culture and food then take a trip.

China Town

Liverpool’s China Town is the oldest in Europe and rather than heading to one restaurant, I recommend heading down to the town and having a look at the menus. TripAdvisor may offer direction if you are seeking something specific, but if not then I suggest soaking up the athmosphere and letting your senses guide you. Better still, head there for Chinese New Year and be part of a party there are so many choices of Liverpool Restaurants to visit with kids here!

Top Tips for eating out with kids

Personally I find it easier to go to restaurants with kids during the day – the kids are in a better mood, and usually the restaurants are less full. You are less likely to interrupt a date too!

I order something ‘brave’ for the kids and something not brave (like chips or rice) they have to try the brave to earn a pudding. This has really worked as Penny is willing to try anything now and is always honest about whether she likes it.

Let them have a phone if they are spoiling your good time. You are a person too and if there is a long wait then let them play a game. We have a rule that they can have phones after they’ve ordered until the food arrives.

If the restaurant isn’t too busy and you are allowed then let them watch the food being cooked. Often restaurants have open kitchens. Both my kids love watching the chefs.

This is all about Liverpool Restaurants with kids but i bet every city in the UK has a similar international vibe! And if you want to read all about some Italian adventures then have a read of this.