Best Restaurants for Families / Dining with Kids

1. ELEPHANT & CASTLE

WHERE: 18-19 Temple Bar, Dublin 2 | 6 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: American Diner | €€ | TIMES: 9.30am-10pm, Monday to Friday; 11am-10pm, Saturday & Sunday | RESERVATIONS: Call +35315337563, email TempleBarMOD@elephantandcastle.ie or online here | WEBSITE: elephantandcastle.ie

Nothing fancy but good quality and good value. American-style comfort (chicken wings, burgers etc on the menu). Also has good breakfast and brunch menus. There is a separate kids menu for under €10.

2. CAPTAIN AMERICAS

An institution in Dublin having first opened more than 50 years ago, Captain Americas is popular among adults and kids. It's a basic cookhouse restaurant serving burgers (its specialty) but lots more too - chicken wings, nachos, steaks, fish, salads, pizza and pasta. It also has a fun interior that kids get a kick out of.

3. MILANOS

WHERE: 19 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02HW84 | 4 minutes walk from the apartment | WHAT: Italian / Pizzeria | €€ | TIMES: 11.30am-10pm, Sunday to Thursday; 11.30am-11pm, Friday & Saturday | RESERVATIONS: Book a table online here or can order online for collection here | WEBSITE: milano.ie

Fairly standard Italian / pizzeria - pizza and pasta, not much else. You'll see a lot of families there early in the evening, in particular. It has a good kids deal - dough balls, small pizza or pasta, small salad and dessert - for under €10, which is the main attraction. The food isn't amazing but it's fine if you just want somewhere quick and cheap where kids can move around and make noise.

4. TOSCANA

WHERE: 3 Cork Hill, Dame St, Dublin 2, D02DR53 | 2 minutes walk from the apartment | WHAT: Italian | €€ | TIMES: 12pm-10pm, Sunday to Wednesday; 12pm-11pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday | RESERVATIONS: Call +35316709785, email reservations@toscanarestaurant.ie or online here. Can also order for collection here | WEBSITE: toscanarestaurant.ie

A traditional Italian restaurant with traditional Italian fare: from pizza to pasta to meat dishes to risotto. It's good quality and value. It's also traditionally Italian in the genuine welcome they give to kids. And there is a decent kids menu - a main (choose between spaghetti bolognese, pizza or chicken nuggets) and ice cream - for €13.

5. GOTHAM CAFE

Simple cafe/restaurant that does lunch (12pm-4pm, Tue-Sat), brunch (12pm-4pm, Sundays) and dinner (4pm onwards, Tue-Sun). Specialises in pizzas and other casual dining options - burgers, steak, fish and salads, It has a small but good value kids menu.