Neapolitan · Manchester
Neapolitan pizza is the draw here, and it lives up to the queue — properly blistered bases, the classic tomato and mozzarella, the prosciutto and rocket, a Portobello worth ordering with the garlic aioli dip. The garlic bread is essentially a garlic pizza and it's enormous, easily shared between two children. Food arrives fast and hot, which matters when someone's patience is running out, and the buzz sits at a level where you can still hear each other across the table. There's a heated terrace if you'd rather be outside with a pram, plus high chairs, a kids' menu and vegan options. Prices are gentle for the quality and one parent found the staff "treated us so well" with a toddler in tow. Worth booking ahead — it fills up, especially pre-theatre.
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.
Huge Bavarian portions, kids' menu and high chairs in a lively, loud beer-hall room — book ahead and expect two-hour tables.
Japanese-Mexican sharing plates in the Edwardian Hotel — warm staff, real vegan and kids' menus, but loud and pricey at night.
A proper chophouse roast — beef, lamb and pork with bottomless gravy — with a kids' menu and high chairs, though it gets loud and busy.