Kid-friendly cafés & restaurants
Gelato, churros & crêpes: a sweet guide to summer in Europe with kids
Every European country has its signature sweet treat, and family-friendly cafés are the best places to try them with kids. In peak summer, gelato in Italy, churros in Spain, crêpes in France and waffles in Belgium are part of the holiday. Here are 13 sweet stops by city, plus tips to keep the treat happy and calm.
Why kid-friendly matters for sweet stops
A sweet break is often the highlight of a hot summer day, so a café that welcomes children makes it even better. In August, tourist centres are crowded and hot. A café with shade, high chairs and a toilet nearby means you can sit down, cool off and enjoy the moment instead of eating on the run.
What makes family-friendly cafés stand out
Good family-friendly cafés have high chairs, room for a pram, a baby-changing table and small portions for little appetites. Bonus points for a play corner or a terrace near a square where kids can move.
- Small sizes: a child-size cone or a mini portion avoids waste.
- Seating: many gelaterias are standing-only, so look for a bench or park nearby.
- Toilets and baby change: not every small café has them, so plan your stop near a museum or park.
- Water: ask for tap water; it is free in many countries.
- Kids eat free deals: rare for sweets, but some family restaurants include a dessert in the kids' menu.
13 sweet picks by city
Italy and Spain lead for summer treats, but Belgium, Austria and France are just as tempting. Check opening hours and prices on the official website before you go.
| City | Treat | Where | Seating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rome | gelato | Giolitti | yes | budget |
| Florence | gelato | Vivoli | limited | budget |
| near Bologna | gelato history and tasting | Carpigiani Gelato Museum | yes | mid-range |
| Sicily | granita with brioche | local cafés | yes | budget |
| Madrid | churros with chocolate | Chocolatería San Ginés | yes | budget |
| Valencia | horchata and fartons | Horchatería Santa Catalina | yes | budget |
| Brussels | waffles and speculoos | Maison Dandoy | yes | budget |
| Vienna | ice cream | Zanoni & Zanoni | yes | budget |
| Paris | crêpes | street stands and crêperies | varies | budget |
| Brittany | crêpes and galettes | crêperies | yes | budget |
| Amsterdam | poffertjes | market stalls | varies | budget |
| Athens | loukoumades | bakeries | varies | budget |
| Lisbon | pastéis de nata | bakeries | yes | budget |
Price per person for a sweet treat: budget = under about €6, mid-range = about €6–15, premium = over €15. Approximate values, prices change.
See family-friendly cafés in Rome on the Kid.ooo map
Italy
Giolitti near the Pantheon in Rome has been serving gelato since 1900 and is a must for many families. In Florence, Vivoli is one of the oldest gelaterias in the city, tucked away near Santa Croce. For gelato fans, the Carpigiani Gelato Museum near Bologna explains how gelato is made and offers tastings and workshops. In Sicily, try granita with a soft brioche for breakfast, a summer tradition.
Spain
Chocolatería San Ginés in Madrid is famous for churros dipped in thick hot chocolate. In Valencia, Horchatería Santa Catalina serves cold horchata, a sweet tiger nut drink, with long soft pastries called fartons.
Find kid-friendly restaurants in Madrid on the Kid.ooo map
Belgium, Austria and France
Maison Dandoy in Brussels is known for its waffles and speculoos biscuits. In Vienna, Zanoni & Zanoni near Stephansplatz has a big choice of ice cream flavours and seating inside. In France, crêpes are everywhere, but the home of crêpes and galettes is Brittany, where almost every village has a crêperie.
More sweet stops
In Amsterdam, children love poffertjes, tiny fluffy pancakes with butter and powdered sugar. In Athens, loukoumades are small doughnuts with honey. And in Lisbon, a warm pastel de nata is never far away.
Seasonal treats this month
August is the month for cold treats: gelato, granita, horchata and fruit ice lollies. In Italy, many towns hold celebrations around Ferragosto on 15 August, and some shops close for a summer break, so do not be surprised by a "chiuso per ferie" sign. In Spain, horchata is at its best in the summer heat.
For a beach day with an ice cream at the end, see our guide to shallow-water beaches for little kids. If you enjoyed our Easter treats guide, this is the summer version.
Tips for a calm sweet break with kids
Plan the treat after lunch, choose a shady spot and keep portions small.
- Agree before you arrive: one treat each, or one to share.
- Bring wet wipes, because gelato melts fast in August.
- Pick a café near a playground or park, so kids can play afterwards.
- Avoid the busiest tourist squares in the late afternoon.
For more family travel ideas, follow @globetotting on Instagram.
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Kid.ooo is a free family-friendly restaurants map where parents share and rate cafés, ice cream shops and playgrounds across Europe. Find kid-friendly cafés near me on your holiday and save the best gelato stop for tomorrow.
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Missing a place you loved? Add it to Kid.ooo and rate it, so the next family finds the sweetest stop in town.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best gelato in Italy for families?
What time do people eat churros in Spain?
Churros with thick hot chocolate are traditionally a breakfast or afternoon snack, and in Madrid also a late-night treat. With kids, a mid-afternoon merienda is the perfect time.
How can I avoid a sugar crash on holiday?
Pair sweets with a proper meal, offer water instead of soft drinks and share one big portion instead of ordering one each. A sweet treat after lunch is easier than one just before dinner.
How do I find family-friendly cafés when travelling in Europe?
Look for cafés with high chairs, space for a pram and a toilet with baby change. The Kid.ooo map shows family-friendly cafés and kid-friendly restaurants added by other parents.
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