Hickory's Smokehouse Leicester
A relaxed Leicester barbecue spot with a kids' menu, high chairs, and outdoor seating for easy family meals.

Cafés · Leicester
There's a working farm behind this café, so goats, chickens and pigs to look at before or after eating — which buys you a good twenty minutes with a restless toddler. Inside is clean and roomy in a modern-countryside way, with a proper mix of seating, air conditioning that keeps it bearable in a heatwave, and a big free car park that takes the stress out of arriving. Staff are good with young children, and breakfast tends to come out fast and hot; families walking in mid-morning for a table for two don't usually need to book. The lemon curd and meringue pancakes get the loudest praise, along with the shakshuka, steak sandwich and generous veggie breakfast. Two honest snags: drinks can be slow to arrive, and one parent found it genuinely cold in winter — worth keeping coats handy.

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 relaxed Leicester barbecue spot with a kids' menu, high chairs, and outdoor seating for easy family meals.
Kids' menu, high chairs and free parking in Leicester, with step-free access, outdoor seating and a lively room that forgives noise.
A budget-friendly Leicester pub with outdoor seating for a relaxed, low-key family visit.