From brownie cafes to juicy steak bars, there's so much fabulous food for families in Gloucester.
SoGlos takes a tasty tour of the city to uncover the best spots for families to enjoy a delicious bite to eat, just in time for February half term.
Hetty's Place at Gloucester Food Dock
With colourful and playful decor, Hetty's Place is the perfect spot for brunch with little ones but there other very tasty child-friendly options, too.
House sausage rolls go down a storm with kids as well as Hetty's famous (and award-winning) brownies. There are hot chocolate options for little lips as well as warm or chilled babyccinos.
Spago at Bakers Quay
If you love sweet or savory pancakes (and who doesn't?) this is the place to put a big smile on little ones' faces. Spago has great views over the canal from outdoor benches at its sunny spot at Bakers Quay.
It's also known for its terrific tapas which is perfect for little appetites. Crispy breadcrumb chicken served with homemade sweet chilli sauce, anyone?
Bella Mia Pizza at Gloucester Food Dock
With a warm and welcoming team, Bella Mia Pizza is a relaxed and friendly spot for families to enjoy delicious, fresh dishes together.
Children can watch pizza going into the flaming pizza oven. And once it's ready, it can be sliced up easily for little ones to hold and, of course, there's everyone's favourite — Nutella calzone!
National Waterways Museum Gloucester cafe at Gloucester Docks
Light, bright, airy and full of curiosity for the treasures within the museum just beyond, this cute little cafe housed in National Waterways Museum Gloucester has plenty of treats to keep kids happy.
The cafe is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 3pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm and is open to all — not just museum visitors. Why not take a stroll along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal afterwards?
Strip Steak Bar at Gloucester Food Dock
With high quality food, served quickly, Strip Steak Bar is great if you’re in a hurry. There are kids' menu options and tasty fresh doughnuts served daily.
From Tuesday to Friday, £10 lunch boxes are served until 4pm. Jam packed with fries or salad, you can choose chicken or steak to top them with along with four different sauce flavour choices.
Greek on the Docks
Full of fun and friendliness, Greek on the Docks offers families the warmest of welcomes with plenty of colourful and healthy options on the menu for food fans of all sizes.
Its dishes are often on the generous side, so be sure to come with a healthy appetite to match the plentiful plates. The view over the Docks is a stunning setting for everyone to soak up and savour.
Daikoku ramen at Gloucester Food Dock
With a cosy interior, kind and attentive staff, the authentic Japanese cuisine served at Daikoku is a sweet little retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.
A kids' menu offers mini noodles and rice bowls alongside a tasty choice of toppings. Let little ones pick between chicken, pork or vegan hakata ramen to give them a scrumptious lunch or supper — and they're sure to love a Japanese pancake sandwich with either chocolate or strawberry ice cream for pudding!
PuttPutt Social in Gloucester city centre
With epic Pan Asian themed crazy golf combined with Asian street food, this is a place to keep kids as well entertained as they are fed and watered!
The PuttPutt Social menu features chicken noodle bowls, cheese burgers and chicken strips for children, along with a variety of Korean burgers and smaller dishes for adults. There are meal deals to be had too, with a game of golf added into the mix.
Chuck Burger Bar at Gloucester Food Dock
This buzzing burger bar offers a special children's menu from 'Kids Chuck Club' with a variety of slides and sides to choose from.
Little ones will love Chuck Burger Bar's moreish halloumi fries, or perhaps they'll plump for buttermilk fried chicken strips to go alongside their bean burger, chicken fillet or chuck 'n' cheese burger.
Hickory's Smokehouse in Quedgeley
This Southern American inspired restaurant serves up authentic Texas style barbecue dishes and not only does it deliver punchy personality, it also has a cinema and 'help yourself' frozen custard ice cream on the menu too.
Think pretzels, corn dogs, pancakes, churros, waffles along with an array of burgers and you've found yourself a firm favourite for families. Hickory's Smokehouse is a tasty hot spot that shouldn't be missed!
Elote tacos at Gloucester Food Dock
For independent youngsters, the DIY 'build your own taco kits' on the kids' menu should prove a hit! Children can have plenty of fun assembling their own tacos with fresh, colourful ingredients bursting with the flavours of Mexico.
The kids' menu at Elote tacos also includes a word search, taco quiz and a 'match the numbers in Spanish' game to keep them well entertained.
The Monk's Kitchen at Gloucester Cathedral
With lovely lunch bags for little ones for a fiver, ploughman's platters, homemade quiches, fluffy jacket potatoes and moreish cakes and cream teas too, a visit to Gloucester Cathedral's cafe, tucked away in the cloisters like a hidden secret, is a real treat.
Combining the chance to fuel up with the opportunity to soak up the serenity of the stunning setting, The Monk's Kitchen is a great family winner for a bite to eat.
Wholly Gelato Bar at Gloucester Food Dock
Perfect for sweet treat lovers, this colourful gelato selection, that also includes milkshakes, is a treasure trove of delights and offers vibrant views across Gloucester Docks.
Wholly Gelato is a family-owned business with welcoming smiley staff. Since launching the firm in 2018, they have produced more than 200 different flavours, so whenever you pop in, you'll be spoilt for choice.
Coal Kitchen at Gloucester Quays
With a dedicated kids' menu packed with healthy food choices, there's a chance for children to build their own breakfast and tuck into fresh fruit galore at Gloucester Quays.
Coal Kitchen has colouring activities for children and a great value set menu for adults who can enjoy three courses for £17.50.
Scandinavian Coffee Pod at Gloucester Food Dock
With tasty pastries, cookies and hot chocolate, this spacious cafe has plenty of room for pushchairs to pull up to the table.
Scandinavian Coffee Pod sources its coffee beans from some of the best roasters in the UK and Europe and has a heartwarming ethos to warm, sustain and rejuvenate its customers — and what family wouldn't welcome that?
Dr Foster at Gloucester Docks
With moreish mains and sweet treats too, everyone in the family is well catered for at Dr Foster and there's plenty of space in a variety of stylish areas for big family gatherings.
Youngsters have their own little brunch menu with dishes served up alongside a juice, babyccino or glass of milk until 3pm every day.
