9 GREAT PLACES TO EAT OUT WITH YOUR CHILDREN

Here's the thing: trying to find places to take your smaller kids to eat out as a family in Abu Dhabi, especially in the hotter months, can be a frustrating exercise. Either the kids menus are poor or expensive, or there's absolutely nothing for small kids to do - and it's worth noting that face painting keeps a kid busy for around 5 minutes and not all kids like colouring.

With the vast spaces that so many of our restaurants occupy, you'd think everyone would be jumping on the bandwagon and whacking in little kids corners because, if you provide for the kids, parents can stay longer and enjoy more. Is it not a no-brainer?

CENTRAL

YAS BAY

Central is a go-to destination for family dining: not only is there a great kids menu, featuring burgers, pizza and a couple of vege options, the arcade is doable for children from age 4, with air hockey, motorbike rides, fun claw games with the cutest stuffed animals to win, and bowling.

Parents can enjoy happy hour from 12PM-8PM and there's an amazing BB+ menu which gives you gaming credit with food and drinks too:

Adults: AED150 includes 2 courses, 2 house drinks and AED50 gaming credit

Kids: AED100 includes a main, an ice cream and a drink and AED50 gaming credit

Timing: Monday - Thursday 4PM - 11.30PM, Friday-Sunday 12PM - 11.30PM

Bookings: 04 423 8311

BLACK TAP

MAMSHA AL SAADIYAT

We love Black Tap for kids. Not only is the place completely fabulous to dine in, but at this time of year it's a great place to sit outside and watch the world go by on the Mamsha promenade.

The kids menu is one of the strongest in town, with a mini burger, a kid-size hot dog complete with a fantastic cheese sauce, a lovely chicken sandwich, fish and chips and a very cool grilled cheese, all coming in from AED35.

There are some great organic drinks options but the child-eyes may boggle and demand a crazy shake - not cheap at AED62 but definitely a big draw for kids.

You can't book Black Tap, it runs on a first come, first served basis.

Timing: 12PM - 12AM

Bookings: 02 446 5128

STOUFF BEIRUT

THE HUB AT WTC MALL

Stouff Beirut is one of the success stories of 2022 and is set to be equally as popular in 2023. How have they swooped the pool? Not only is the menu full of incredible Levantine dishes, with some excellent food theatre in the form of open-fire cooking, but they have a built in, kids soft-play area. Genius! It's suitable for children between 2 and 9, and is completely supervised. This leaves parents free to enjoy the incredible Lebanese food on offer, knowing their children are happy and busy. It's the biggest win-win in Abu Dhabi!

Timing: 12PM - 1AM

Bookings:056 688 4042

THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY

YAS MALL, THE GALLERIA

The Cheesecake Factory is a hugely popular family friendly dining destination in Abu Dhabi. First of all, they get it. Kids meals always come out first, knowing that by the time the family sits down, the children are already at the end of their tethers and just need to eat. Second, all the kids meals come with a soft drink, milk, apple juice or lemonade and your choice of either fries or fruit. And the menu itself is exciting: little corn dogs, burgers, pasta with white or red sauce, mac n cheese, quesadilla ... the list goes on and probably makes it the most extensive kids menu in Abu Dhabi.

That gets the tick from us too!

Timing: 10AM - 11PM

Bookings: 2 492 6822

ANTONIA

MAMSHA AL SAADIYAT

We like Antonia for families, especially in the cooler months because the promenade at Mamsha is scooter heaven for little ones. What to order? They can have a plain pizza, spaghetti with meatballs or, our top choice, suppli either just with cheese or with ragu - cheese pull for miles and sooo good! Finish with the Chef Simone special, gelato either in a cone or a cup and bang - happy kids!

You can't book Antonia, they operate on a first come, first served basis.

Timing: 10AM - 12PM

Bookings: 02 667 2554

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YAS ISLAND ROTANA KIDS CLUB

This one's perfect for parents who want their children entertained while they eat ...

It's a little-known fact that if you dine at any of the restaurants at Yas Island Rotana, your kids over age 4 can go into the kids club there for a couple of hours while parents relax. It features an active soft play zone with a soft adventure playground, and soft building blocks, meaning kids can run and jump till they can't run and jump any more!

For older children, there's an interactive play zone which includes Playstations, iPads, playtouch computers, and a virtual wall tag that allows them to enjoy learning and get digitally entertained.

That means parents can enjoy Blue Grill, Y Bar, Choices or Rangoli while the younger children are supervised and busy.

Booking: 02 656 4000

TEXAS ROADHOUSE

YAS MALL

Texas Roadhouse is a Best Bites community favourite for feeding hungry kids and not-so-hungry teens. The sirloin bites are the perfect size for smaller tummies, the chicken wings are great for kids and the mac and cheese is a hit too. All the meals come in at around AED25 and you can order ice-cream with chocolate sauce for a further AED12. With so many child-friendly options, this is a great choice for both lunch and dinner.

Timing: 11AM - 10PM

Booking: 24926650

WAGAMAMA

ABU DHABI MALL

Wagamama is an amazing place for families to dine out. The Japanese menu is healthy, and uses fresh ingredients, making for a superb experience for all. For kids, choose from mini chicken katsu, katsu curry, ramen, noodle and rice dishes, all the perfect size for smaller appetites. Finish with a natural fruit lolly or vanilla pod ice-cream.

Timing: 11AM - 11PM

Booking: 26797466

ART HOUSE CAFE

AL BATEEN, AL ZEINA

Arthouse Cafe is great for kids, young and old. Not only can you paint plates or bottles to suit your mood (AED25) - or your favourite Paw Patrol character! - but there's a great menu with something to suit everyone. Decor is really funky and if you need inspiration, the walls are covered with plates painted by people just like you. It's really fun and casual, making for stress-free family dining.

Timing: 9AM - 11AM

Booking: 02 546 6876