Because it’s the start of a new year and because a lot of us adults have set ourselves goals to eat more healthily, we thought, what about the kids too?
There are plenty of great restaurants out there with cool kids’ menus, but for this month, at least, we are saying: “out with the hot dogs and in with the grilled fish”. We can but try.
And here are five places that will make ‘but trying’ an enjoyable experience for everyone in the family.
1 Arrows and Sparrows Café
It’s no secret that we are big fans of this neighbourhood café in The Greens and the laidback ambiance and delicious adults menu are just a couple of reasons. Our main reason for ending up here on a Saturday evening (who wants to cook after a long weekend with the kids? Not us) is the nutritious kids’ menu that little ones love. While burgers and cheesy toast do make an appearance on the menu, there are super healthy options on offer to. Take the grilled chicken with mash, chicken Milanese pasta and grilled salmon fillet as perfect examples of tasty food that even fussy eaters will wolf down. Plus if your crew have intolerances, ask for their food to be gluten, dairy or nut free. As an added bonus, this cool restaurant serves up free kids’ meals to those up to 12 years old every weekday from 3pm until 7pm. So if you’re looking to refuel post-school, this is a top choice.
Daily 8am-1pm. 4a Street, Emaar Business Park, The Greens www.arrowssparrows.com (04 558 8141).
2 Brambles
Who doesn’t love eating breakfast all day? Exactly. So this healthy spot in Barsha Heights will be right up your street. Not only does it cater for a range of diets and tastes, including for vegans and coeliacs, the menu for diddy diners gets it spot on. Dishes include pasta, chicken and peanut butter and banana toast, ensuring your kids don’t binge on junk food. The setting is cute too.
Auris Metro Central Hotel, Barsha Heights (04 452 9529).
3 Carluccios
A firm favourite with little ones, thanks to the always-welcoming staff for a start and the colouring books are always a hit too.
When it comes to the menu, freshly-made, baked pizza and pasta are on the cards, and each child’s meal comes with a pot of vegetable crudités to start – that’s the five-a-day ticked off before the main event has even arrived, perfect. You can even request for some hidden veg, extra cheese or more protein to be added if you wish. All of this is washed down with a glass of fresh juice, or – our preference – a glass of cold milk. Yum.
Times vary. Various locations across the UAE including Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi and Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai www.carlucciosme.com.
4 Sanderson’s Café
Sanderson’s has launched a hearty new kids’ menu filled with delicious meals that little ones will wolf down.
All the dishes are homemade and full of goodness including an updated macaroni cheese dish and some tasty-sounding Nutella and strawberry pancakes. Desserts such as home-made ice creams with healthy toppings and fruit sticks dipped in dark chocolate will satisfy their sweet tooth, but won’t mean a crazy sugar rush once they’ve polished it off – breathe a sigh of relief mums and dads. And the best time to enjoy the new kiddie dishes is on a Friday when Family Fridays mean face-painting, balloons and fun games to keep the little ones entertained so parents can enjoy a leisurely Friday lunch where a number of gluten free and vegan options are available for those with dietary requirements.
Daily 8am-10pm. Andalus Al Seef Resort, Khalifa Park area, www.wearesandersons.com (02 222 1142).
5 White and the Bear
With a world famous children’s nutritionist overseeing all the dishes at this cute, kiddie eatery you’re never going to see anything deep fried or processed here – thank goodness. In addition to giving children a fun-filled experience, the main aim of White and the Bear is to make healthy eating fun. The world’s first children’s restaurant in partnership with Annabel Karmel is all about healthy eating for little ones. But, not only does it serve up healthy grub, it runs workshops and seminars focusing on teaching kids about nutrition and cooking. Highlights on the menu include no-sugar energy balls, burgers made using apples and carrots, a spaghetti bolognese packed full of hidden vegetables and nice cream (made using frozen fruit).
Open daily 8am-9pm. Villa 11, Al Athar Street, Dubai www.whiteandthebear.com (04 339 5911).
