The Wick
Spacious, wallet-friendly café with a solid kids' menu and room for buggies.
Café · Hackney
Thingy Cafe is a relaxed, cosy spot in Hackney with an imaginative menu — think sourdough chicken and tarragon sandwiches — and a lovely garden out back that gives the whole place a bit of breathing room. Staff are notably warm and attentive, and the buggy-friendly layout makes it easy to navigate with little ones in tow; highchairs are on hand too, and there are vegan options available if that's useful for your family. There's no dedicated children's menu, but the atmosphere is genuinely welcoming and the outdoor space alone makes it worth a visit on a decent day.

The secret to a calmer meal out? Something to do that isn't a phone. Each pack is full of screen-free bits and bobs to keep little hands busy at the table and buy you a proper sit-down. Three printable packs, one for each age (toddler, preschool, primary) — free, straight to your inbox.
Spacious, wallet-friendly café with a solid kids' menu and room for buggies.
Cosy Hackney brasserie with standout food, highchairs, kids' menu and a lovely outdoor space.
Relaxed canalside brunch spot in the Olympic Park with highchairs, buggy access and vegan options.