- Children are very welcome
- Well laid-out space: Room for buggies around the edge of the room or in outside dining area
- Crayons and paper placements for the kids + books available
- Friendly staff
- Plenty of highchairs and children given free balloons
- Babycino costs £1.25!
- Gets very busy at lunch and dinner times
- Lunch menu starts from 12pm
- Can get cold dining outside
- Address:
Giraffe
1 Crispin Square
Spitalfields
London
E1 6DW - Nearest Tube Station:
Liverpool Street - Telephone Number:
020 3116 2000 - Official Web Site:
www.giraffe.net - Opening Times:
Mon – Fri: 8am - 11pm
Sat: 9am - 11pm
Sun: 9am - 10:30pm
Open all bank holidays: 9am - 10:30pm - Funky and colorful interior.
World music plays all day which is normally upbeat and at the right volume to mask the kid's noise but not too loud for conversations. CDs are for sale.
The kid's meals are priced around £4 and are a really good size. I was able to share with my daughter and we both had plenty to eat. We had Falafel Burger and Fries and my friend's son had Salmon Fingers and Veg. The 'fishfingers' weren't covered in breadcrumbs but were good 'steak' pieces. The veg was broccoli, carrots, and baby sweetcorn where were all popular with the 18 month old.
As a main course my friend enjoyed Spicy Thai Prawns which was pleasingly quite hot and the prawns were big and juicy.
As the restaurant gets so busy they have provided stools along the sides and a 'surf bar' (shaped like a surfboard) for having a "quick bite".
I was impressed by the choice on offer for vegetarians but not by the cost of a Babycino (hot frothy milk in an espresso coffee cup) for the kids at £1.25! It wasn't on the menu but it was on the till PC as it's a popular drink for the little ones. I've paid 50p elsewhere but they are usually given free so I thought this price was extortionate.
Be aware a 12.5% service charge is added so there's no need to add a tip.
The one thing that would improve Giraffe would be a children's play area for when they get fidgety and you would like to eat your meal but all space is limited in London and they are running a commercial enterprise so I'm not complaining.
All in all, Giraffe is recommended for families, but also for everyone else as the food is fresh and delicious.
