Kids can be fussy, but there’s lots of choice in Suffolk when it comes to family dining. Here are some of our good bets for eating out over the summer holidays.

“I’m hungry!” There’s not a parent or grandparent

who hasn’t experienced first-hand the wrath of an irritable, summer holiday weary child. Here are a few cafes, pubs and restaurants that will make you all feel right at home with little ones in tow.

The Cookhouse, Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead

After a whirl on the bouncy pillow (mum and dad included) pop over to the food hall’s upstairs eatery where homemade food is the order of the day. The menu for little people is £5 for two courses or £6.50 for three including a drink. They can start with ever-popular cheesy garlic bread, followed by fish and chips, and end with a brownie. Every Friday is family night, with games and prizes to win – except when there’s a quiz on.

The Ice Cream Parlour, Lavenham

Jane Hadley’s award-winning ice creamery is a little delight in this medieval village. You can try any of the ice creams and sorbets before you commit to a flavour. And there are milkshakes and gorgeous hot chocolates too – with homemade marshmallows. Flavours include chocolate, toffee, and mint choc chip.

Brasserie Bleue at The White Lion, Aldeburgh

This hotel is geared up for families and its French-inspired bistro fully welcomes younger diners who can choose two courses for £5.95 or three for £7.95. Start them off with a sophisticated charcuterie board, then perhaps mini moules frites and a little sticky toffee pudding to finish.

Suffolk Stonehouse, Bungay

The pizza dough at this award-winning eatery is made daily, proved in the Georgian cellar and stone baked at 350C. Phew. Children under 12 can order half a St Mary’s pizza, with squash and ice cream for a mere £5.50, or can order any half sized pizza or pasta dish for half price. We like the Blythburgh – pulled pork, red onion jam and barbecue sauce.

Alaturka, Ipswich

Semra and her team go out of their ways to make all customers feel special, and warmly embrace families that visit. Youngsters can sample various mezze to share with you (such as Turkish sausage and falafels) before tucking into grilled chicken or lamb from their own mini menu. For best value go Monday to Thursday when the adults’ evening set menu is £16.95 for two courses or £19.95 for three.

Harriets, Bury St Edmunds

A bit of an institution in the town. The team are really accommodating of children, who even have their own afternoon tea menu. At £6.95, the mini tea includes a half sandwich, fresh scone with cream and jam, squash and their choice of mini cake from the counter. Handily, the tearoom has easy access for buggies and wheelchairs.

Westleton Crown, Westleton

Everything at this pub is homemade from scratch, including bread and ice cream, so you know you’re not giving the kids junk food. Options range from mac and cheese to roast chicken, followed by ice cream or even a mini cheeseboard. And if they colour in one of the sheets from the bar and hand it in, they’ll receive a voucher to eat free on your next visit with one child eating free per paying adult.

Rios, Ipswich

This one’s a little bit of fun. Based on a Brazilian churrascaria, pick what you want from the hot and cold buffet selection, then turn your table marker to green for all you can eat steak, grilled chicken, parmesan coated pork and more. Switch to red when you’ve had enough. Under five’s eat free with a paying adult, and five to 10-year-olds can eat for £9.90.

The White Horse, Easton

Recently revamped to become more family friendly, there’s a play area out the back on a raised lawn, and a brand new pizza oven too. Everything’s made from scratch at the pub (a short drive from Easton Farm Park) and children can eat three courses for less than a tenner. The menu includes garlic bread, pizza, homemade burger and chocolate brownie.

Dolphin Inn, Thorpeness

The enclosed gardens of this pub are a delight, and suitable for dogs and children to play in. Chef Chris makes use of local and seasonal produce to create an appealing menu with something for everyone. Sundays are popular with families, when a roast and crumble is just £14.95.

Sail Loft, Southwold

A short stroll from Gun Hill on Ferry Road, this is a fab place for brunch, which is served every day from 10am to 6pm. Think corn nachos, croque madame and French toast. The under 12s menu includes mac and cheese, sausage and chips, pancakes, brownies and banana splits. All made properly with local ingredients.

Valentino’s, Ipswich

Everything, from pizza to pasta, is handmade to order at this Italian eatery on St Peter’s Street. And children can have anything on the menu, half sized for half price – including steak!

There is handmade fettucine, risottos, chicken in creamy mushroom sauce. Plus delicious desserts such as that classic tiramisu.

Hollow Trees Farm, Semer

Families visit this place in droves for its farm trail (with slides, tyre swings and a new toboggan run). The café is well equipped for all ages and the massive childrens’ menu caters for tiny tots who like playing with food more than eating it, up to teens. Little ones can munch on a ‘tot pot’ at only £2.90 including pitta or bread sticks with cream cheese or hummus, corn puffs, vegetable sticks and fromage frais. While bigger children will love the sausage supper, spaghetti bolognaise or mini sandwiches.

Marlesford Farm Café, Marlesford

A much-loved pit stop on the A12. There’s a verandah and large garden for children to play in while you wait for your breakfast or lunch – all made with local ingredients where possible.

We recommend getting there early as it gets very busy, especially on weekend mornings. The menu includes steak and mushroom pie, burgers, ‘Squashed Goat Pie’, sandwiches and jacket potatoes and more. Children can have smaller portions of main meals and sandwiches.

Love Thy Burger, Ipswich

Proper, hand-pressed gourmet burgers made daily with fresh meat from a local butcher. The interior is rustic (think bright lights and plywood) but the food is really tasty – and you can turn your burger into a meal deal with a drink and fries for £3. Kids burgers are around £4.50 including fries and a fruit drink – much better quality than those big burger chains!

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