Where to take the whole family in Manchester

With a simple menu, relaxed atmosphere and three venues in Manchester alone, Rudy’s is an obvious choice to treat all the family on a budget – after all, we challenge you to find a kid that doesn’t love pizza. Sticking closely to the traditions of Naples, the pizzas here are made with fresh dough, top-quality ingredients, and a blast in the wood fire oven. You’re invited to use your hands to tear and fold the soft dough – making it the perfect place for kids to get stuck in. Each pizzeria also has its own special dessert options that are sure to delight the whole family, including several flavours of tartufo, a traditional Italian dessert made from gelato. If you’re planning a visit, we recommend booking a table as there can sometimes be long waiting lists and nobody wants tantrums in the queue!

As the home of fried chicken in Manchester, Yard & Coop promises a fun and enjoyable meal for all the family. Using a secret recipe crumb, the buttermilk chicken comes in every variety under the sun – choose from burgers, loaded fries or build your own chicken feast with a host of signature sauces. With an interior decorated like a chicken coop, it’s no surprise that the team have created some truly original dishes, such as their take on a classic roast dinner with buttery mash and lashings of homemade gravy. For the little ones in the family, they can choose a main and a dessert for a mere fiver and you’ll be met with crayons to colour in the adorable menus.

Most family-friendly spots tend to veer towards the safe territory of crowd-pleasing dishes. If you want to test the waters with something more adventurous, Mowgli offers an approachable route into Indian cuisine with its ‘Mini Mowgli’ menu and sharing approach to dining. Created to celebrate how Indians authentically eat street food, the restaurant invites guests to munch their way through a vibrant menu of homestyle small plates, from ‘street meats’ to tiffin trays. Much like the main menu, kids can enjoy the likes of butter chicken, paneer and temple dahl, accompanied by refreshing mango lassi.

Nestled in Chorlton village, Double Zero might be the second pizzeria on this list but it offers an appealing proposition for any family meal – epic desserts for the kids and a BYOB policy for the adults. Another loyalist to the Neapolitan tradition, these sourdough pizzas deliver on crispy crusts and premium toppings, including buffalo burrata and Calabrese sausage. The customisable kids deal gets those creative juices flowing as children under 12 can create their own meal by adding toppings of their choice onto a margarita base. Still hungry? The Nutella pizza is a chocolate lover’s dream, perfect to be teared and shared amongst the family.

Fittingly located in the People’s History Museum, Open Kitchen is working tirelessly to transform the way we approach food waste. Working with local restaurants to intercept food that would otherwise be binned, repurposing these leftovers into delicious dishes, such as homemade lentil dahl, slow cooked beef stew and freshly prepared sandwiches. Ensuring that the cafe is both welcoming and affordable for all families, there’s also a lunchtime menu for kids, with both hot dishes and sandwiches, starting from just £1. The museum upstairs is full of interactive activities, while children can discover the importance of eating sustainability in the cafe, making for an educational day out for all the family.

When it comes to entertaining the family, you can’t go far wrong with an activity bar – especially one with a loveable canine mascot. Although it’s from the same team behind the late-night Black Dog Ballroom, Dog Bowl offers a family-friendly bowling experience, with ten-pin lanes complete with buffers and ramps if required. When everyone has bowled up an appetite, the New-York inspired diner serves a menu from fried chicken connoisseurs Kong’s Diner, including burgers, poutine and waffles. If that wasn’t enough fun for one day, there’s also a residency from popular arcade bar NQ64, with a selection of arcade games and retro consoles.

If you are a family of fussy eaters, you will love Grub, Manchester’s biggest street food venue. Here, you can please everyone as there are plenty of options from authentic Neapolitan pizza and giant burgers to vegan kebabs and tasty tacos. It’s also the perfect place to take the kids, as there is a dedicated play area, where they can run around to burn off some energy. They also host a plethora of events including food fairs, family nights and sports events, so make sure you keep an eye out on the Grub’s calendar. 

Located right on the Curry Mile, MyLahore is the go-to spot in a hotspot of curry competition. From Yorkshire to Birmingham to Manchester, they’re spreading their love for British Asian food far and wide. Their menu is a unique and delicious mix of samosas, Sindhi biryani, shepherd’s pie, baked Parmesan pasta, and more, reflecting the diverse cultural influences on their cuisine. It’s a colourful, friendly spot perfect for families. And for the little ones, there’s a fun kids’ menu with fish fingers, pizza baguettes, chicken nuggets, and a bunch of ice cream flavours to choose from.

From Sheffield to Hertford and now Manchester, Proove has solidified its reputation as a top-notch eatery across all three locations. With a fantastic kids’ menu and one of the best vegan pizza selections around, it’s a hit for families and foodies alike. For just £7.50 (with the purchase of three kids’ meals), children can enjoy a starter, main, and dessert. Options like bruschetta, dough balls, and mini antipasti kick off the meal, followed by the fun of building their own pizza from a variety of ingredients. Proove doesn’t stop there—they also offer a range of child-friendly milkshakes and mocktails to make little ones feel grown-up. Don’t worry they also offer an excellent range of classic cocktails and a selection of great quality wine, which pairs perfectly with Proove’s pizzas. 

Dimitris prides itself on catering to families, providing a diverse menu that satisfies both adults and children alike. From traditional Greek souvlaki and moussaka to flavourful Mediterranean salads and fresh seafood dishes, there’s something to tantalise every palate. What sets Dimitris apart is its commitment to accommodating little diners. The kids’ menu features a range of tasty and nutritious options, ensuring even the pickiest eaters find something they love. From hummus and pitta to keftedes pasta and Greek pitza, children are treated to a culinary journey of their own.