I love that more and more restaurants have started opening up again and now offer a takeaway service. I have to say though, I have been disappointed with the lack of children's menus available. If we order a takeaway, it is generally on a Saturday night and a treat for the whole family, including kids to enjoy.
Yes, we could order the kids a meal to share but my three would rarely choose to order the same meal (especially veggie Heidi). Plus, sometimes they can be fussy and would rather choose a small cheeseburger or plain curry over the more extravagant options you will find on main menus.
Harry will usually order an adult meal now but Heidi and Jack often just do not have the appetite for an adult portion and there is the cost to consider too. I just do not want to spend £12+ on a meal for my child when they won't eat it all.
I am baffled why some restaurants who have welcomed families with kids in the past and curated a fantastic children's menu have not offered this as a takeaway option.
There could be a few reasons for this - many restaurants are struggling now so takeaway menus have been created with dishes which offer the highest profit margins and children's menus are generally not too profitable (although they do usually make a little profit), the kitchen is working with reduced staff and kids meals can be a pain to make, the restaurant may worry that adults start ordering kids meals for themselves, the chef who has designed the takeaway menu doesn't have kids so has just forgotten about them.......
Anyway, I really feel like restaurants are missing a trick with not including kid's menus. If there isn't a smaller portion option / kids meal on offer, I am just likely to look elsewhere for our Saturday night treat. There are 1000s of families across the North East who will be ordering takeaways at the moment and I know they will be looking for the best deals which include meals and treats for kids too.
Why are some restaurants just ignoring this huge section of the takeaway market?
As a side note, if you ask, some restaurants will probably rustle you up a smaller portion for kids. I think it is unlikely they would want to turn customers away at the moment.
So I thought I would big up some of the restaurants who have taken the time to include a children's menu in their take away options - thank you! Let me know if you know of any others.
Please note, the menus in this post may not have been shown in full and are subject to change. As are opening hours and delivery areas. Please check website / social media direct with venue for the most up to date info.
La Torre (Bedlington)
Our first lockdown takeaway was from La Torre in Bedlington. They offer delicious Italian food and Sunday lunches at a fantastic price. I highly recommend their Breaded Mozzarella Starter. 2 courses for £10 for grown ups is amazing value and their kids meals are just £4 including a drink.
- Website: https://www.latorrerestaurant.com/
- Collection or Delivery to NE22, NE61, NE62, NE63, NE23, NE24
- Call 01670 824404 to pre-order. Pay by card over the phone, can pre-order up to seven days in advance
Porkys (Low Fell & Bebside)
Porkys in Low Fell and Bebside offer takeaway pizza, burgers, steaks and smokehouse dishes. They run various bundle deals and offers including a popular £9 deal which includes a main, side and drink. Kids meals are £5, I recommend their kids pizzas.
- https://www.facebook.com/porkysblyth/
- https://www.facebook.com/porkysLF/
- Call/ message their FB pages to order for collection or order via Deliveroo for delivery.
Fat Hippo (Newcastle, Jesmond and Durham)
My kids love Fat Hippo so I am chuffed to see they offer their children's menu for collection. It is super straight forward and each dish can be customised. Fat Hippo is also the only restaurant I could find who order a specific Vegan dish for kids too.
- Available from Durham, Jesmond and Newcastle
- Pre-order online for collection up to 7 days in advance here: https://fathippo.co.uk/
Solomons Newcastle
This restaurant really caught my eye as there are not many Indian restaurants who advertise that they offer smaller portions of plainer curries for kids. Solomons offer three different types and they also offer fish fingers or chicken nuggets for kids who aren't keen on curry. £6.95 for a main, side, drink and ice cream.
- https://www.solomonsrestaurants.org/takeaway-menu
- Local delivery (Denton Burn area) or collection
- Call 0191 274 2323 to order
The Running Fox, Northumberland
The Running Fox is renowned for its Afternoon Teas and I am delighted that they offer a children's version too. We are planning a trip to Northumberland Country Zoo in the summer and think we will order this as a treat to collect on the way home.
- Order online for collection or call for local delivery
- https://runningfoxbakery.co.uk/
- Longframlington, Shilbottle and Felton
Crab & Waltzer, Whitley Bay
- Send a Facebook or Whatsapp message to order. Collection or free delivery within 3 miles
- https://www.facebook.com/crabandwaltzer/
Tea Junction (Greenside)
Children's Meal Deal - Ham or cheese sandwich, Crisps, Sweets, Fruit Shoot, Cup Cake £4
- Just pop in/no need to pre-book
- https://www.facebook.com/TeaJunctionGreenside/
Redheads Mac n Cheese (Newcastle)
I will be honest, we usually buy one adult meal and share it with the kids but if you only have one child, this deal is fab. Includes a drink and chocolate treat. Their website opens for new orders on a Friday evening for delivery the following Friday.
- https://redheadsmacncheese.co.uk/mac-n-cheese-delivered
- Delivery within 10 miles of the Grainger Market
The Keel Row (Seaton Delaval)
The Keel Row offers traditional pub meals and children's meals are priced from just £3. They also offer a kids make your own pizza kit which we have tried - the kids loved it!
- Call 0191 237 0060 to pre-order. Collection or free delivery within a few miles of the pub.
- https://www.facebook.com/keelrow.seatondelaval/
Box Cafe (Cramlington)
Box Cafe in Cramlington offers quite a wide delivery area. We ordered from these guys in half term (a kids meal deal and slushie) and it was a nice little treat to enjoy as a picnic. Slushies delivered in the sun is just the best!
- Call 01670 736630 to order. Free delivery when you spend over £10 within 6 miles of Cramlington (£1 if you do not reach the minimum spend) or free delivery when you spend over £15 within 7-10 miles of Cramlington (£2 if you do not reach the minimum spend). Collection also available.
- https://www.facebook.com/boxcafecakesandcoffee/
The Hastings (Seaton Delaval)
The Hastings Arms is a lush pub in Seaton Delaval offering free delivery within 3 miles or collection. Their kids' meals are a steal at just £3. We are going to order from them soon I think.
- Call 0191 2386868 to order
- https://www.facebook.com/thehastingsarms/
The Blackbird (Ponteland)
The Blackbird is a popular pub in Ponteland. We love the food there! Children's meals are £5.95 for 2 courses which isn't bad.
- Order and pay online here: https://tinyurl.com/BlackbirdPSlots
- Collection only
- http://theblackbirdponteland.co.uk/
The Moorings (Durham)
The children's meals from The Moorings are the most expensive on this list but they do include chocolate cake and a drink. The menu changes regularly with various specials.
- Call 0191 3701597 to order
- Collection only
- https://www.facebook.com/themooringsdurham/
The Red Lion (Earsdon)
I love this main meal deal - £8.95 for a main meal including a free dessert. Bargain! Childrens meals are just £3.95.
- Local delivery or collection
- Call 0191 2532318 or message their Facebook page to order
- https://www.facebook.com/Red-lion-earsdon-498568093546661/
Northumberland Arms, Felton
The Northumberland Arms in Felton is one of our favourite pubs. Their menu is simple, yet brilliant and I love the look of their date night deal. Takeaway drinks and a Sunday lunch menu is also available (see their FB page for details). Kids meals are £4.
- Call 01670 787370 to order
- Collection only
- https://www.facebook.com/TheNorthumberlandArms/
Sorella Sorella (Sunniside)
Sorella Sorella in Sunniside offer takeaway Italian meals, ice creams and Sunday Lunches (see their FB page for Sunday menu). I love that they have the option of mocktails on their children's menu. Cute!
- Call 0191 488 2000 to order
- Collection only
- https://www.facebook.com/Sorella-Sorella-290252751088927/
High Tide (Cullercoats)
High Tide in Cullercoats offers pizza, pasta, chicken dishes and Sunday lunches (see their website for details) alongside a children's menu. I love that they also have a very reasonably priced family DIY pizza kit which makes 4 pizzas and looks fun.
- Call 0191 251 3065 to order
- Collection only
- https://www.hightidecullercoats.co.uk/menus
Stu & Martin (Ashington)
Apologies for the quality of the menu. Children's meals are £4.95 and run alongside traditional pub grub and Sunday lunches (see their FB page for Sunday menu).
- Delivery to Ashington, Pegswood, Blyth, Morpeth, Widdrington (and surrounding areas) or collection.
- Call 01670 854910 to order
Sambucas (Various)
Our local Sambucas in Cramlington does not offer a children's menu but I have received a few messages to say that others do - check out your local branch for details.
Namaste Indian Restaurant (South Shields)
I love this menu! There are lots of deals for grown ups and kids meals too.
- Order online for delivery or collection.
- https://www.namasteandkingsproseccolounge.co.uk/
- Delivery to South Shields, Boldon, Jarrow, Whitburn and Roker
The Anglers Arms (Sheepwash)
The Anglers Arms at Sheepwash is a lovely traditional Northumberland pub. They offer various deals for home-cooked meals and Sunday lunches (see their pinned FB post for today's menu) including a popular 2 meals for £15 deal.
- Call 01670 825 795 to order
- Local delivery or collection
- https://www.facebook.com/anglersarmssheepwashbank
Most Fish & Chip Restaurants seem to still include a kids menu. Yeah! Here are three of my favourites:
Trenchers (Whitley Bay)
- Call to pre-order or join the socially distanced queue
- Collection only
- https://spanishcity.co.uk/trenchers-fish-chips/
Colmans Seafood Temple (South Shields)
Longsands Fish Kitchen (Tynemouth)
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Phew! Quite a list for us to work our way through. Please remember to visit each restaurant's social media channels for full up-to-date menus and opening times.
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If you know of anywhere else, please leave a comment on this blog post.
Mantra Thai In Newcastle is another to add to the list.
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