Chinese · Islington
Hainan House on Upper Street serves light, nourishing Chinese cooking — think delicately flavoured broths and careful touches like deseeded goji berries in the soup — that feels genuinely authentic rather than adapted for Western tastes. It's a quietly charming spot, and while it's compact and there's no dedicated children's menu, highchairs are available and buggies can get in without a struggle, making it a reasonable choice for families with younger ones who are happy to share from the main menu. The lunch menu offers good value, and the vegan options are a handy bonus if you're catering to mixed dietary needs around the table.
The secret to a calmer meal out? Something to do that isn't a phone. Each pack is full of screen-free bits and bobs to keep little hands busy at the table and buy you a proper sit-down. Three printable packs, one for each age (toddler, preschool, primary) — free, straight to your inbox.
Pub in London with outdoor seating — 4.4★ (2,453 Google reviews).
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