Chinese · Edinburgh
Tucked away on the first floor near St James Quarter, this is the sort of Chinese place that rewards ignoring the star rating — the food is genuinely good and the portions are enormous, which makes it easy to feed a table of children from a few shared dishes. The staff are the real find: they'll tell you upfront if there's a twenty-minute wait so you can decide before everyone's hungry, top up rice without being asked, and have been known to sit a poorly diner down with tea until they felt better. That kind of patience matters with small children. High chairs, a kids' menu and vegan options are all there. Crispy duck and sweet and sour pork are safe bets; the chilli dishes are seriously hot, so order carefully. The toilets could be fresher.
A little something creative for your next meal out. Filled with colouring, simple drawing prompts for cute animals, origami and conversation starters designed to bring more play, laughter and connection to the table. 3 free printable packs for toddlers, preschoolers and primary-aged children.
A lively Playhouse-side bar and grill with kids' menu, high chairs and warm staff — though portions are small and drinks pricey.
Lively Edinburgh brunch spot with generous portions, patient staff, window tables and a legendary sticky toffee pudding — expect a wait at weekends.
Bagels worth the queue and genuinely good coffee, though it's small and service can feel brisk when the breakfast rush hits.