Looking to enjoy a meal out with the kids? From giant food courts that are perfect for dinnertime to cafés that are ideal for breakfast and lunch, Bangkok has a serious amount of choice. Here are some of the city’s popular family-friendly dining options.
1. The Square Restaurant, Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit Sukhumvit Hotel
When appetites need to be satisfied in a hurry, The Square’s Sunday brunch is an all-round winner. This venue is particularly good for parents thanks to its ‘Kids Square’ – a fun-packed playroom with entertainment and activities to keep little ones occupied. There’s also a huge choice of international and Asian dishes along with pizzas, pastas and plenty of tempting desserts. Children aged 6 and under also eat for free.
2. Terminal 21 Food Court
This giant indoor shopping centre near Asoke BTS boasts a sprawling food court on its fifth floor. There’s a huge choice of Thai cuisine alongside a decent range of Chinese and Indian options. The food is good and the prices low (30 to 50 baht for most dishes). Terminal 21 essentially gives you the street food experience in a clean, comfortable environment. Tables get filled up fast, so try timing your visit around midday to avoid the lunchtime crush.
3. Mr Jones’ Orphanage
Decorated with teddy bears, wooden trains and other toys, Mr Jones’ Orphanage, with multiple branches across town, is sure-fire hit with the kids (and frankly anyone with a sweet tooth). While savory dishes are also served, everyone will be drawn to the chocolate-filled desserts, sugar-dusted sponge cakes and muffins glazed in icing. Highlights include The Chocky Mud Pie and Mr Jones’ Giant Marshmallow – a huge marshmallow on a biscuit base served in a gooey pool of chocolate sauce!
4. Slappy Cakes
Originating in Portland, Oregon, Slappy Cakes lets you make your own pancakes right at the table — leading to a potentially messy but undeniably fun way to whip up breakfast fare all day long. After picking a favorite flavour of batter, the gooey mixture needs to be shaped then covered with a variety of spreads and toppings ranging from banana and chocolate chips to cheese and bacon. Fully loaded, it’s time to flip and cook up each pancake to perfection. This make-it-yourself approach is a guaranteed hit with kids.
5. Café Tartine
Café Tartine is a French-themed café and ideal breakfast or lunchtime spot for those with toddlers. There’s a huge choice of delicious crusty sandwiches along with fresh salads, burgers, quiche and a small kids menu. Parents will be grateful for the availability of high chairs fitted with safety straps (not always easy to find in Bangkok), along with the colouring crayons and children’s movies that play throughout the day.
6. Melange
Located in Ekamai Soi 10, Melange offers the unique feeling of dining in a comfortable private home. Serving a range of foods, encompassing Thai and Western classics, as well as lovely desserts, coffee and other drinks, this mellow restaurant also offers the use of an outdoor terrace and swimming pool, with shower facilities. Opening at 7am, it is definitely a welcoming spot for families to have a leisurely weekend breakfast or lunch while the kids swim or play on wicker swings.
7. Chomp Café
You’ll find this cozy, hip family-friendly eatery in Samsen Soi 1 in Phranakorn, the old part of Bangkok. Here, kids and adults alike can tuck into Western favourites, from breakfast, brunch and lunch to dinner. Especially famous are the Chomp burgers, steaks, milkshakes and sweet treats. There’s a kid-friendly menu, and the Sunday Roast option features both meat and non-meat entrees. (Temporarily closed, as of early 2017)
Just a short stroll off Sukhumvit, this cozy cafe serves up excellent coffee in a family-friendly atmosphere. Along with a selection of yummy cakes, top savory picks include the eggs Benedict and budget-busting American Breakfast — a steal at 65 baht. Parents can stay connected with great Wi-Fi, and there’s also a small library with magazines, books, games, and a kid’s play area — perfect to keep littles ones entertained while you order your second latte of the morning. After finishing brekkie, peruse the bike shop next door.
9. Steps with Theera
A brave new social enterprise in Ekamai, Steps with Theera trains young adults with special educational needs to develop life skills and gain long-term employment. Aside from supporting a good cause, this health-focused cafe serves up a delicious range of breakfast bites and dishes. Veggie and vegan-friendly options include banana protein pancakes with Greek yoghurt and berries, and poached egg and salmon on toast. Kids can always opt for a sweet treat from the pancake and waffle menu, with soy-free, gluten-free and dairy-free choices available. There’s also a small corner with toys to keep little ones occupied.
10. Gastro 1/6
This cute open-air cafe offers a tucked-away breakfast haven on Sukhumvit Soi 22. Set amid hanging plants and trees, the serene garden courtyard is a chilled spot for long and laid-back family brunches. Popular options here include the tortilla with Spanish ham and the hearty full English breakfast. Young diners can pick from a small menu with classic kid-friendly choices like peanut butter and bananas on toast, and there’s also a mini version of the full-size English breakfast.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated in March 2017.
Register your email address here and we’ll notify you when a new article gets uploaded.
