Good child-friendly restaurants – the kind with accommodating staff, highchairs, lots of space and yummy food for kids and grownups alike – are hard to find. Even more so in an unfamiliar city. With that in mind, CrossCountry are helping parents who happen to be visiting Cardiff find the best restaurant to suit their family.
Shaam Nights
Little ones will have more than the standard kid-friendly fare at this beloved Syrian restaurant. Dine on hearty portions of grilled and roasted meats, and veggie dishes like moussaka, falafel and fattoush. Ornate tiled walls and ceilings, colourful seats and friendly and accomodating service make Shaam Nights a real experience. The no-alcohol policy keeps everything classy too – wash your meal down with fresh fruit juices and milkshakes instead.
Shaam Nights is a thirty minute walk or a fifteen minute bus ride from Cardiff Central.
The Smoke Haus
Take a trip to the American South at this BBQ restaurant with big portions and plenty of flavour. The Smoke Haus has one essential ingredient and unsurprisingly, it’s smoke! Children can get smaller portions of classics like hot dogs, ribs and crispy chicken strips. While, adults can get stuck into messy plates of BBQ, proper steaks or delicious burgers with all the extras. The laid-back atmosphere here is perfect for a family meal.
The Smoke Haus is located in the St. David’s Shopping Centre, just an eight-minute walk from Cardiff train station.
Cosy Club
The Cardiff branch of Cosy Club is a treat for children and their parents. Expect simple, tasty dishes like spaghetti meatballs and fish fingers for the kids and a selection of burgers, tapas and roast dinners for the grown-ups. True to its name, the interior is the definition of cosy, kids will feel at ease in the Club’s warm lighting and comfy chairs. Plus, there’s plenty to look at with the walls covered in beautiful portraits and landscapes.
Cosy Club is located right in the St. David’s Shopping Centre in Cardiff’s city centre – only an eight-minute walk from Cardiff train station.
The Grazing Shed
Voted the Number one ‘burger joint’ in Wales, visitors can’t go wrong bringing the kids to The Grazing Shed. Hip, independent, and all about the flavour, this small Welsh chain makes showstopping burgers from local ingredients. Try beef, chicken or veggie burgers topped with everything from Gorgonzola and smoky bacon to avocado mash and cider apple chutney. Fast service means no impatient children too!
The Grazing Shed is located a convenient ten-minute walk from Cardiff Central, taking you past Cineworld and Treetop Golf – both ideal spots for a wholesome family day out.
Ciliegino
Pizza Hut is not the only family-friendly place to get your Italian fix. Ciliegino offers authentic, Southern Italian food, especially famous for it’s light as a feather pizza. Kids and adults can get creative with the make your own pizza option or tuck into any of their classic masterpieces. We recommend the Pizza Mortadella and Burrata, for a real taste of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.
Their dessert menu is equally enticing, featuring classics like Cannoli and Tiramisu, as well as their special Ciliegino Cheesecake, available in flavours like chocolate, salted caramel, Sicilian lemon, and strawberry sauce.
Ciliegino is a ten-minute walk from Cardiff Central in St David’s Dewi Sant Shopping Centre. The ideal lunch destination after a back-to-school shopping spree.
Juno Lounge
Juno Lounge began its journey in Bristol and has become a popular lunch spot for parents and young children at its Cardiff branch. Little ones receive a free healthy snack pot of hummus, breadsticks, and carrots with their main meal. The menu includes options like the Lounge Breakfast, complete with bacon, sausage, and more, as well as cheesy pizza. Juno Lounge is also dog-friendly, making it perfect for the whole family!
Reaching Juno Lounge on foot from Cardiff Central is easy, just hop on the number 28 bus to Wellfield Road. The journey takes thirteen minutes and once you’ve arrived, it’s just a couple of steps away.
How to get to Cardiff by Train
Cardiff is well connected to the rest of the UK through various CrossCountry stations, including Newport (South Wales), Chepstow station and Gloucester station. If visiting from further afield, there are direct services from Bristol Parkway, Manchester Piccadilly, Burton-on-Trent and plenty more CrossCountry locations.
Looking to book a Cardiff staycation? Clayton Hotel is a great family-friendly accommodation option. Their family rooms are spacious, with complimentary cots available on request and the restaurant has a colourful selection of food options for even the pickiest of eaters. It’s also a short distance from many famous attractions, including Cardiff Castle and the Wales Millennium Centre.
If you’re planning to take your family out to eat in Cardiff, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
Written by Abby