Where to take the children

Just because you've got kids doesn't mean you have to hide them indoors until they can behave themselves. Edward Sullivan comes up with a list of places that'll be happy to provide a meal for the little'uns while you tuck into mighty fine food and drink.

Giraffe, 7 Kensington High Street, W8 (020-7938 1221). Designed with kids in mind.

The latest branch of this outstandingly successful chain of bar-cum-eateries which cater for kids has just opened in Kensington High Street. Each branch has high chairs and nappy-changing facilities and their staff seem genuinely delighted when, kicking and screaming, the little ones are dragged in. There's a proper grownup menu of international dishes, and they all serve some seriously good cocktails. The children's menu includes crunchy chicken and chips and fishcake and chips, and their fantastic smoothies should keep the kids happy. Other branches of Giraffe can be found on Battersea Rise; Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead; Essex Road, Islington; Blandford Street, Marylebone; Chiswick High Road and Hill Street, Richmond.

Bread & Roses, 68 Clapham Manor Street, SW4 (020-7498 1779). Beers and babies.

Babies and children are admitted until 9pm, and they have high chairs and nappy-changing facilities. This contemporary pub is a terrific place to go during the day to meet up with all the other lactating mums who live in what is locally known as 'Nappy Valley'. Beer-loving mums are in for a real treat - this place is home to the Workers Beer Company, who brew Workers Ale. Also on offer is a good range of changing guest ales and an eclectic list of global wines.

Waterstone's, Fifth Floor, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1 (020-7851 2400). Browse the drinks list.

Europe's largest bookstore, in the premises previously occupied by Simpson's, makes for a great escape from the hullabaloo that is Piccadilly. And with more than 200,000 titles in stock at any one time, it should keep kids of all ages amused for hours. Adults can sneak off for a crafty ciggie and some hard drinks in the the Studio Bar on the fifth floor, where there's an excellent range of 12 international bottled beers including Schneiderweiss, Sapporo and St Peter's Ale. Children are allowed in the bar, but only until 5pm, and apart from the usual fruit juices, they offer three non-alcoholic cocktails so that the kids can play at being grown up.

TGI Friday's, 702-704 Purley Way, Croydon (020-8681 1313). Cocktails and colouring books.

Although TGI considers itself to be a serious cocktail bar, the bibbedandbraces staff are adept at handling children. Colouring books, crayons and balloons are provided, there's a face painter on Sundays, and hunting down the five 'items of significance' hidden in every bar will keep the kids amused for hours. There's the silver trophy (for excellence), the giant Mars Bar (for enjoyment), an Abraham Lincoln plaque (for integrity), a circus elephant (for balance), and a huge pair of spectacles (for recognition). Other branches include Guildford, Enfield, Basildon, Kingston-Upon-Thames, High Wycombe, Covent Garden and Bayswater.

Bank Aldwych, 1 Kingsway, WC2 (020-7379 9797). A stylish venue.

Just because you have the kids in tow doesn't mean that you can't go to stylish venues, and the smart Bank restaurant and bar operation actively encourages children. There's a children's table with colouring books and games, and high chairs and nappy-changing facilities in the loos. Excellent milk shakes are popular, as is the children's menu, which includes burgers and chips, pasta dishes, sticky toffee pudding and ice creams. Adults can enjoy some fabulous cocktails, or choose from an excellent wine selection. Bank is especially popular at weekends with family gatherings.