Kid-friendly cafés & restaurants
Eating out with kids in Spain, Italy and Greece: late dinners & tips
Eating out with kids in Spain, Italy and Greece is easier than many parents expect: children are welcome almost everywhere, even late in the evening. The challenge is the rhythm, with lunch at two and dinner at nine or later. Here is how to adapt in summer, 12 kid-friendly picks by city and simple tips for calm family meals.
Why kid-friendly matters on a summer holiday
In July, heat, late dinners and long days can make tired kids grumpy, so a relaxed, welcoming restaurant makes a big difference. The good news: southern European food culture is very family-friendly. Families eat together, waiters chat with children and kids often play on the square while parents finish their meal.
What makes a restaurant family-friendly
Look for terraces, high chairs, simple dishes and space for kids to move.
- Terrace or square: outdoor tables near a pedestrian square are ideal.
- Simple food: pasta, rice, grilled chicken, fish, potatoes and bread.
- Kids' menu: less common than in the north, but small portions are usually possible on request.
- High chairs and baby change: more common in newer restaurants and chains.
- Kids eat free: rare, but sharing plates and ordering starters keeps costs down.
12 kid-friendly picks by city
Classic places with simple, crowd-pleasing food are the safest bet with kids. Check opening hours and prices on the official website before you go, and book for dinner in high season.
| Place | City | Good for | Kid appeal | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolatería San Ginés | Madrid | churros, afternoon snack | very high | budget |
| Casa Lucio | Madrid | huevos rotos, Spanish classics | medium | mid-range |
| Mercado de San Miguel | Madrid | tapas, choose-your-own | high | mid-range |
| La Pepica | Valencia | paella by the beach | high | mid-range |
| La Boqueria | Barcelona | fruit, juices, tapas | high | budget |
| Pizzeria da Michele | Naples | classic pizza | very high | budget |
| Gino Sorbillo | Naples | pizza | very high | budget |
| Giolitti | Rome | gelato | very high | budget |
| Mercato Centrale | Florence | pasta, pizza, food hall | high | budget |
| Plaka tavernas | Athens | souvlaki, Greek salad | high | budget |
| Lukumades | Athens | Greek doughnuts | very high | budget |
| Island tavernas | Greek islands | grilled fish, chips | high | mid-range |
Price per person for a meal or treat: budget = under about €15, mid-range = about €15–35, premium = over €35. Approximate, prices change.
Find kid-friendly restaurants in Madrid on the Kid.ooo map
Spain
In Madrid, Chocolatería San Ginés is perfect for an afternoon merienda of churros and chocolate. Casa Lucio is famous for huevos rotos, fried eggs over chips that most kids love. The Mercado de San Miguel lets everyone pick small bites. In Valencia, La Pepica has been serving paella on the beachfront since 1898. In Barcelona, La Boqueria is great for fruit cups and juices.
Italy
Naples is the home of pizza: Pizzeria da Michele and Gino Sorbillo are classics, with queues that move fast. In Rome, finish the day with gelato at Giolitti. In Florence, the food hall upstairs at the Mercato Centrale has plenty of seats and choice.
Greece
This is Athens has tips for family dining, and the tavernas of Plaka are easy with kids. For a sweet treat, Lukumades serves warm Greek doughnuts with honey or chocolate. On the islands, Visit Greece lists family-friendly destinations where seaside tavernas serve grilled fish and chips with sand between the tables.
Seasonal treats this month
July is the month of cold treats: gelato, granita, horchata and frozen yoghurt. In Greece, try fresh watermelon and yoghurt with honey. In Spain, cold gazpacho is surprisingly popular with kids. For a full sweet tour, see our gelato, churros and crêpes guide.
Eating out with kids: tips for a calm meal
Shift your rhythm: a late lunch, a siesta, an afternoon snack and dinner at 8 pm is a good compromise.
- Book a table outside, near a square, where kids can move.
- Order bread, olives or a starter straight away.
- Ask for a small portion for children; most kitchens are happy to help.
- Bring crayons or a small game for waiting times.
- Tap water is usually fine; ask for it.
Find kid-friendly cafés for the afternoon snack on the Kid.ooo map.
If you like markets, see Europe's best food markets for families, and for the beach part of your trip, our shallow-water beaches guide.
For family travel guides across Europe, follow @wanderingwagars on Instagram.
Rate your favourite family restaurant in Kid.ooo
Kid.ooo is a free family-friendly restaurants map where parents share and rate restaurants, cafés and playgrounds across Europe. Look up kid-friendly cafés near me on your holiday and save the places where your kids felt welcome.
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Missing a place you loved? Add it to Kid.ooo and rate it, so the next family finds a good table too.
Frequently asked questions
What time is dinner in Spain, Italy and Greece?
In Spain, many restaurants serve dinner from about 8.30 or 9 pm, in Italy from around 7.30 or 8 pm, and in Greece tavernas are busiest after 9 pm. Lunch is the main meal in all three countries, usually between 1 and 3 pm.
Are children welcome in restaurants late in the evening?
Yes. In Spain, Italy and Greece it is normal to see children in restaurants and on squares late in the evening, especially in summer. Families often eat outside, and kids play nearby while adults finish dinner.
Do restaurants in southern Europe have kids' menus?
Fewer than in northern Europe. Instead, staff will often make a small portion of pasta, rice or grilled meat, or you can share dishes. Just ask, especially in family-run places.
How do I find kid-friendly restaurants on holiday?
Look for places with terraces, high chairs and a square or playground nearby. The Kid.ooo map shows family-friendly restaurants and cafés added by other parents.
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