Even if you’re likely to have your say where your work team dines or where you hang out with your BFFs, it’s very likely that your kids cast the deciding vote when it comes to weekend dining or that lazy Sunday brunch with the family. Like most cities in India, Sunday lunches and dinners are usually family bonding time. Trips to the beach or the mall are capped with an indulgent meal where ‘cheat day’ is the theme of the meal. First, it was the international fast food chains that woke up to ‘pester power’ with kid’s friendly menus and spaces. And then it was the Sunday brunches at luxury hotels that featured kids’ activity zones so you could sip your mimosas in peace. Now we’re seeing more restaurants and cafes in Chennai become more conducive for family-friendly dining.
We take you through some of the best spots in the city for a meal with the family and where you can create some endearing memories.
Also Read: 6 Exciting New Restaurants And Bars In Chennai You Must Try In June 2024
Here Are 10 Family-Friendly Restaurants in Chennai That Your Kids Will Love:
1. Seagull, Taj Fisherman’s Cove
Seagull has all the perfect ingredients for that idyllic Sunday family getaway. A drive down the coast (down East Coast Road), a calming afternoon close to the beach and a Sunday brunch full of treats. This one’s not just for your kids but also the kid in you with Cotton candy machines, a live band, loads of desserts, chaats and finger-friendly food loaded with nostalgia value.
- Where: Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa, Off East Coast Road, Kovalam
2. Junior Kuppanna
Junior Kuppanna might be best known for its biryani and fiery flavours but has also cut the clutter in the quick service restaurant space in Chennai with a well-conceived kids zone manned by a dedicated caretaker at their Alwarpet outpost. Junior Kuppanna for Juniors – double the Junior and double the fun, features a playpen with vibrant walls, a collection of children’s books, toys and a whole bunch of weekend activities to keep the kids engaged. The brand also has a kids’ menu with crowd-pleasers like a chicken lollipop and a special sweet bun dosa.
- Where: TTK Road, Alwarpet
3. Brew Room
Brew Room might not be positioned as a kid zone. This is after all one of the city’s most popular coffee spots for conversations. But makes our list for the sheer size of the space and an oasis of sorts in the heart of the CBD. The water bodies, bird cages and gazebos add to its appeal as a ‘chill zone’ where you can unwind with a book or board game for a meal between a meal or over dessert.
- Where: Savera Hotel, RK Salai, Mylapore
4. Twisty Tales
There’s no better antidote after a tough week in the office than entering the confines of a pet-friendly space. Twisty Tales is more than just that. It’s also a pet cafe and pet store with a dedicated area for pets. It’s just where you can take your furry companions for a weekend outing and check out their extensive menu It also has a designated section of food for your pets.
- Where: Khader Nawaz Khan Road
5. Spectra, The Leela Palace Chennai
If there’s one meal experience in Chennai that’s evolved by leaps and bounds, it’s the Sunday brunch experience. Spectra, the massive all-day diner at the Leela is a case in point. First, it’s the unique location with views of the Bay of Bengal and then it’s the wide array of options that includes a specially priced Kids brunch that ticks all the right boxes for the restaurant’s discerning junior guests.
- Where: The Leela Palace Chennai, MRC Nagar
6. Fat Boy
One of Chennai’s home-grown pizza brands that took wings during the pandemic, Fat Boy is a safe bet for the one thing that unites the family – pizza. Their Alwarpet outlet offers a great vibe for a family outing with a menu loaded with comfort food. Your kids can play around with the pizza toppings or just opt for a bowl of nachos or sip on a thick shake.
- Where: Cooperative Colony, Sriram Nagar, Alwarpet
7. The Farm
A working farm located along Chennai’s IT Corridor, The Farm has long been one of Chennai’s favourite weekend dining getaways. It’s a great outdoor option for the kids and a learning experience of sorts. Kids get up and close with ingredients – they can watch how cheese is made and hone their pizza-making skills. They can stroll around the organic food garden and engage with the animals and poultry at the farm.
8. Fabelle, ITC Grand Chola
There’s nothing that brings the family together than chocolate. Fabelle at ITC Grand Chola is the perfect weekend binge stop on a weekend binge day when you leave your calorie counters at home. It’s not just the chocolate and exquisite chocolate desserts but also one of the city’s best spots for a mug of comforting hot chocolate after a late-night drive with the family.
- Where: ITC Grand Chola, Mount Road
Also Read: Chennai Breakfast Trail: 12 Must-Visit Places In The City For Authentic Meals
9. Writer’s Cafe
If books are your kid’s best friend, then this space is paradise. This is the perfect spot for kids to spend hours with the books of their choice – this cafe has a fully functional bookstore. And then there’s the wide range of pastries and square pizzas that are a big draw with kids.
- Where: Peters Road, Gopalapuram
10. Moon Man
Take your kids on a space odyssey this weekend within Chennai city limits. This unique moon-themed restaurant is one of the city’s quirkiest new dining spaces. The decor is almost otherworldly but the food stays quite ‘grounded’. Comfort food comes to the fore and your kids might approve of their Milo thick shake.
- Where: 4th Main Road, Besant Nagar
