Top 15 Family Restaurants
Updated March 2026
Reform Social & Grill
The Meadows Town Centre · British · ☎ +971 4 360 7880
Reform is the undisputed champion of family dining in Dubai. Set in The Meadows community, this British pub-restaurant has a sprawling outdoor garden with a proper children's play area — slides, climbing frame, the works. While the kids exhaust themselves, parents can work through a pint and a plate of fish and chips (AED 85) that would stand up anywhere in England. The Sunday roast (AED 140 for adults, AED 65 for children) is a genuine institution: slow-roasted beef or lamb with all the trimmings, Yorkshire pudding big enough to use as a bowl.
What makes Reform truly special for families is the atmosphere. It doesn't feel like you're being shepherded into a corner. Children are running around the terrace, dogs are sniffing everything, and parents are having actual conversations. The fish and chips are brilliant, the chicken pie is enormous, and the brownie sundae (AED 55) will silence even the most demanding five-year-old for ten minutes. Book at least a week ahead for Friday and Saturday evenings.
📅 Book a TableThe outdoor terrace at Reform Social & Grill, The Meadows — playground in the background, gastro-pub food in the foreground.
Ribambelle
Bluewaters Island · International · ☎ +971 4 556 6068
Ribambelle has solved the central challenge of family dining: keeping children genuinely entertained while parents eat in peace. The concept here is a restaurant upstairs and a multi-level soft play area, craft workshop, and creative activity centre downstairs. Kids aged 1–12 are kept busy with slides, ball pits, arts and crafts, and supervised activities, while parents upstairs enjoy a surprisingly accomplished menu of grills, pastas, and sharing plates.
Order the slow-cooked lamb shank (AED 135), the truffle arancini to start (AED 65), and let the staff handle the rest. The kids' menu is better than average — proper mini versions of adult dishes rather than an afterthought. Weekends get very busy; book the first seating at noon if you have toddlers who nap early.
📅 Book a TableRibambelle at Bluewaters Island — where children play and parents actually get to eat a hot meal.
Wavehouse
Atlantis The Palm · Entertainment + Dining · ☎ +971 4 426 2000
Wavehouse at Atlantis The Palm is essentially an entertainment complex that also happens to serve food — and that's exactly its appeal for families. Bowling lanes, a climbing wall, arcade games, and a massive soft play zone keep children aged 3 and up occupied indefinitely, while the menu covers enough ground (American-style burgers AED 95, wood-fired pizzas AED 85, ribs, salads, milkshakes) that adults don't feel like they're suffering through it.
The AED 380 family package (2 adults + 2 children, includes food + 1 hour bowling) represents good value for what you get. Best time to visit: Sunday through Thursday, when it's quieter. On Saturdays it transforms into a thundering chaos that some families love and others find overwhelming.
📅 Book a TableWavehouse at Atlantis The Palm — bowling, arcade, climbing wall, and enough food to keep everyone happy.
Dubai family dining scene — the city is genuinely one of the most child-welcoming dining destinations in the world.
4–10: More Excellent Family Options
Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips
Gordon Ramsay's casual concept at Atlantis does exactly what it says: brilliant fish and chips (AED 95), proper mushy peas, a kids' menu with mini fish and chips (AED 55) that children actually eat, and the glamour of being inside Atlantis without the price tag of Nobu. The setting by the waterfront is beautiful; kids can stare at the aquarium while parents eat in peace.
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Pai Thai
The experience of arriving at Pai Thai by traditional wooden abra through Al Habtoor City's illuminated waterways is worth the trip alone — children are absolutely spellbound. The authentic Thai food is genuinely excellent (pad see ew AED 95, massaman lamb AED 155), and the outdoor terrace along the water is magical at night. This is "special occasion family dining" — more expensive but genuinely memorable.
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Bombay Bungalow
Bombay Bungalow is the ideal family Indian restaurant: loud enough that toddler noise disappears, staff who genuinely seem to enjoy children (colouring sheets and crayons arrive unprompted), large round tables perfect for extended family gatherings, and a menu broad enough that even picky eaters find something. The butter chicken (AED 85) is rich and mild enough for younger children, while adults can go deeper into the regional specials. Great value for groups.
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Shakespeare and Co
The Shakespeare and Co franchise has perfected the all-day family café. The whimsical Victorian-meets-Paris décor charms children, the menu runs from breakfast pancakes (AED 55) through weekend brunch to dinner, and there's almost always something for every dietary restriction. The croque monsieur (AED 65) and the English afternoon tea for two (AED 180) are particularly good. Best for Sunday brunch when time doesn't matter.
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The Cheesecake Factory
Yes, it's a chain. But The Cheesecake Factory's location inside Dubai Mall (with the waterfall view from the terrace) makes it one of the most practical family dining options in the city for tourists. The menu is encyclopedic — 250+ items — which means every family member finds something they want. Portions are American in scale, the kids' menu is genuinely varied, and the cheesecake (AED 65 per slice) is as good as its reputation suggests. Queues on Fridays can be long; arrive before 12:30pm.
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Comptoir Libanais
Comptoir Libanais is the bright, colourful Lebanese café that works brilliantly for families because the food is naturally built for sharing — mezze platters encourage children to try new things, the pita bread arrives hot and fast (hungry-child problem: solved), and the mains (chicken shawarma bowl AED 78, lamb kofta AED 88) are crowd-pleasers. The décor is fun and vibrant, the vibe is relaxed, and the whole meal won't bankrupt you.
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Byron Bathers Club
Byron Bathers Club brings a relaxed Australian beach-club atmosphere to Jumeirah. The menu covers grills, seafood, fish and chips, burgers, pizzas, and salads — broad enough for any family configuration — and the space is genuinely stylish without being uptight about children. Parents can enjoy cocktails (AED 65) while children entertain themselves watching the activity around the outdoor area. The halloumi fries (AED 55) disappear in seconds.
📅 Book a Table🍽️ Insider Family Dining Tip
The golden rule for family dining in Dubai: go early. Most restaurants open for dinner at 7pm, but arriving at 7pm with children means you're eating by 7:30pm and done by 9pm — perfect. By 8:30pm the adult crowd arrives and the atmosphere shifts. For brunches, book the first seating (usually 12–1pm) and you'll always get the best attention from staff and the freshest food.
11–15: Even More Family Picks
Wafi Gourmet
The elaborate Lebanese buffet at Wafi Gourmet is consistently excellent — dozens of hot and cold mezze, outstanding grills, and beautiful desserts. Children can explore the buffet and find things they like, which makes picky eaters surprisingly adventurous. The Friday lunch buffet (AED 150 per adult, children under 12 half price) is a Dubai institution.
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Benjarong
Dubai's most elegant Thai restaurant works surprisingly well for families — the spacious layout means large groups are accommodated comfortably, staff are genuinely warm, and the classic Thai dishes (green curry AED 105, pad thai AED 85) are mild enough for children while offering depth for adults. The set lunch (AED 130 per person) is exceptional value.
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La Mer Beachfront Dining
La Mer's collection of casual restaurants (Urth Caffe, BARE, Catch) along the beachfront is perfect for families who want flexibility. Eat, play on the beach, eat again. Urth Caffe (AED 45–85) for breakfast and desserts, Catch for fish and seafood (AED 80–160), and BARE for healthy bowls. Kids can run on the sand between courses. On weekends the whole area buzzes with families.
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The Noodle House
The Noodle House is one of Dubai's most reliable family restaurants — busy, fun, and very good value. The sharing-plate format (pad thai AED 65, dim sum basket AED 55, beef rendang AED 95) encourages communal eating, the noise level is appropriate for children, and the queues (it's always busy) move quickly. No reservations at most branches; arrive before 7pm for no wait.
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Zaroob
Zaroob is Dubai's most atmospheric Levantine street food experience — designed to look like a busy Arab alley, with clotheslines overhead, hanging lanterns, and vendors-style counters. The food is brilliant and cheap: man'oushe (AED 25), shawarma (AED 35), knafeh (AED 30), and fresh lemonade (AED 20). Children love the atmosphere and the interactive element of watching food being made. The best affordable family meal in Dubai.
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Dubai's restaurant scene is built for families — sharing plates, outdoor terraces, and relaxed atmospheres are the norm, not the exception.
📍 Family Brunch in Dubai
Dubai's Friday brunch culture is a national institution, and the best family brunches include dedicated kids' entertainment areas, face painting, clowns, and supervised play. Try Bubbalicious at The Westin Mina Seyahi (AED 399 adults, children under 12 free), or Friday brunch at Jumeirah Al Qasr (AED 485 adults, AED 195 children aged 6–12) which includes cultural activities and kids' zones. Book 2–3 weeks ahead for Fridays.
