There’s a fair bit of planning that goes into eating out with children. Parents need to make sure that the menu has enough suitable and satisfying options, and that there are ways to keep the little ones entertained before and after their meals. Dubai’s dynamic restaurant scene provides some excellent choices for families, featuring play areas, kids’ activities, and menus that will appeal to everyone’s taste buds. Below, we take a look at the best child-friendly restaurants in Dubai for you to plan your next weekend outing.
1. Ribambelle
Ribambelle at Bluewaters Island is a vibrant destination designed specifically for children. This lively East European restaurant offers an elegant dining room with splashes of green and orange that is as entertaining as it is inviting. A long tube slide sweeps dramatically along one side of the room, flowing into a ball pit, which is sure to get the attention of the little ones as soon as they walk in. There are dedicated play zones all around the space where they can safely enjoy themselves while parents relax and socialise. Ribambelle also has a separate space where arts and crafts classes are held, providing a creative outlet for children aged three and up. Activities include coconut candle making, sand art, and culinary workshops where kids can learn to make volcano cakes, gingerbread, and healthy energy balls.
The menu at Ribambelle offers everything from healthy breakfast options and salads to hearty mains. Popular dishes include skirt steak bruschetta, cauliflower popcorn, and miso-marinated black cod. The children’s menu features favorites like chicken piccata and lamb meatballs.
2. Shvili and Osteria Mario
Experience two delicious and very different cuisines under the same roof at this twin dining concept in Dubai Hills Mall. With separate entrances but interconnected on the inside, the restaurants provide a cosy setting for families where they can enjoy Shvili’s hearty Georgian dishes like khinkhali dumplings and khachapuri flatbreads, alongside Osteria Mario’s Italian classics such as pizza and risotto.
The restaurants feature an indoor play area equipped with a life-size teepee, a wooden climbing deck, and a variety of toys and books. There is also a face-painting artist to add an extra touch of fun. Both restaurants offer menus that cater to younger diners, with kid-friendly versions of their regular dishes, such as cheesy khachapuri and pizzas.
3. Kasibeyaz
Another fantastic option in Dubai Hills Mall, Kasibeyaz originally hails from Istanbul and brings its delectable take on Anatolian cuisine to Dubai. The restaurant offers an indoor play area for children that’s filled with toys and books, and there are child-sized tables and chairs to make dining comfortable for the little ones.
The menu at Kasibeyaz features a generous selection of Turkish specialties like sarma (stuffed grape leaves), lahmacun (Turkish pizza), and a delicious Turkish breakfast with kashkaval cheese and sucuk omelette. Desserts such as katmer and baklava are perfect for a sweet finish. The kids’ menu includes dishes like chicken fingers and mini meatballs, packing that same wonderful flavour into bite-sized packages.
4. Phileas Fogg
Inspired by Jules Verne’s "Around the World in 80 Days," Phileas Fogg offers a family-friendly atmosphere with an air-conditioned tent that includes swings, slides, and climbing apparatus. Located at the Montgomerie Golf Academy in Emirates Hills, the restaurant is a popular venue for birthday parties and large family gatherings.
The tented play area features swings, slides, and coloring books to keep children entertained while the adults enjoy food and drink with panoramic views of the golf course and the city skyline. The menu includes finger foods, bar snacks, and pan-European dishes such as pasta, fish & chips, and grills. There are also dishes inspired by global flavours, including Thai curry and chow mein. For kids, there are smaller portions of the popular mains, as well as a selection of pizzas. On weekdays, Phileas Fogg also offers ‘lunchboxes’, with health-packed meals for children.
5. The Greenroom
The Greenroom is located in the Els Club at Victory Heights, another of Dubai’s famous golfing venues. The main dining space is designed like an elegant pub with checkerboard floors and plush seating. There’s also a sizeable terrace on the first floor and a large swimming pool with deck seating on the ground level. For more all-ages entertainment, The Greenroom has an arcade with games like giant Tetris and racing, as well as a golf simulator for older children and adults.
The restaurant serves British classics such as fish and chips and bangers and mash, alongside a menu of pies, roasts, and curries. While there is no dedicated kids’ menu, all dishes are ideal for sharing in groups and are enjoyed by all ages.
6. Cafe Confetti
Situated in the heart of Jumeirah Lake Towers, Cafe Confetti is a cosy spot that has been purposefully designed to be a space where children can have fun. It is a particular favourite for birthday parties and a beloved destination for families living in JLT. The cafe’s playful pastel interiors include a lovely dining room with wood furniture, a play area, a mini jungle gym, a playhouse, and a shelf that’s overflowing with toys and games.
The menu includes a selection of sandwiches, pastas, breakfast items, and beverages like coffee, tea, and healthy smoothies. There is a German menu with classics like flammkuchen (German pizza) and bratwurst sausages. The special ‘bambini’ menu for children is quite extensive and offers dairy-free options as well.
7. Lime Tree Café
A popular homegrown brand that can be found with a few different branches in various residential communities, Lime Tree Café is known for its delicious desserts and welcoming environment. All of its branches have dedicated indoor play areas for children, making it a great spot for a family meal.
The menu has a large range of dishes from hearty breakfast options to sandwiches, light salads, and pizzas. The desserts, such as meringue and lemon curd cheesecake, are particularly popular. There is also a separate kids’ menu and breakfast menu. Catering options are available for parties and events, and there is a separate kids’ party menu as well.
8. Baker’s Kitchen
Founded by Sven and Heike Montegl, Baker’s Kitchen is inspired by Sven’s roots in Germany, where his family has been running bakeries for many generations. A trained nutritionist, Sven focuses on clean eating and using healthy varieties of flour to create breads and baked goods that are wholesome and full of flavour.
The restaurant, located in Dubai Marina, includes a soft play area with a wooden jungle gym, slides, and swings – a fun space for kids to play. Lots of healthy options are on offer including breakfast bowls, fluffy pancakes, vegan burritos, sausages, and steak. There is a special menu for children, aptly named the ‘kiddos’ menu, featuring delicious bite-sized options that incorporate Sven’s freshly baked breads.
9. Masha and the Bear
A theme restaurant named after a very popular Russian cartoon, itself inspired by a children’s folk tale, Masha and the Bear enjoys a prime location on the JBR boardwalk and is just a short stroll away from the beach. This has become a beloved spot for children’s birthday parties, featuring a multilevel soft-play area and character meet-and-greets.
The play area is packed with toys and soft play equipment, and there are regular chocolate and pizza-making workshops for kids. The restaurant offers a variety of breakfast options, including eggs and pancakes, as well as mains like pasta, pizza, and burgers. Kids can enjoy pasta and meatballs, mac and cheese, salads packed full of flavour, and special meal boxes that give them a nutritional lunch option during the week.
10. Mondoux
Mondoux welcomes children with a charming environment and dedicated play areas in several locations across Dubai. The restaurant features a play corner with soft and wooden toys, a kitchenette with mini chairs and tables, books, and drawing materials. There are also occasional culinary classes for kids.
Mondoux’s French-inspired menu includes an elaborate breakfast selection with acai bowls and avocado toast, as well as mains such as quesadillas, burgers, and hearty salads.
Final Take
Dubai’s child-friendly restaurants are designed to provide an entertaining experience for every member of the family. These venues invest a great deal of care on specially crafted menus that balance flavour and nutrition and also have a variety of fun activities to keep the little ones entertained for hours.
