Eddie Rockets
23 Bold Street, Liverpool, 0151-707 2500
If, like my young nieces and nephews, your little ones love the musical Grease, take them to this 1950s American diner in Liverpool city centre. Sandy and Danny wouldn't look out of place here, what with the retro red leather sofas, black-and-white checked flooring and chrome finishings. Classic rock'n'roll background music adds to the 50s vibe. The menu has a choice of eight burgers, but if they're not your thing there are salads, sandwiches, nachos and hot dogs. If you have room for dessert, classic American treats such as fudge brownie, knickerbocker glory and banana split are well worth a try. And if you're a fan of milkshakes, this is the place to go. Staff are really friendly and welcoming to families with young children.
Linda Kelly
Liverpool
San Rocco
796 Bury Old Road, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, 0161-795 5300
OK, so it's not in the most scenic part of town - boarded-up shops, window grilles, gangsters' paradise - but San Rocco is a pizza-pasta sanctuary. They do all the regulars, and are great with kids. Half-portions, cake and a sparkler for birthdays (invariably the whole restaurant joins in with Happy Birthday), high-chairs, ice cream, the works. And the parrot by the front door is a welcome diversion, too. If you want the kids' food served instantly, they'll do it. My grandchildren are the most dreadful eaters - don't like this, don't like that - but they'll wolf down the spaghetti bolognaise. Best thing is, the waiting staff don't care about the children splashing their food around - or at least they don't appear to. They're good with adults, too.
Alice Radcliffe
Manchester
Simply Heathcotes
Beatham Plaza, 25 The Strand, Liverpool, 0151-236 3536
Great food, service and location; names and favourite dishes are remembered on repeat visits; a bowl of olives and some fresh bread can appear almost instantly to quieten ravenous little 'uns too hungry to endure adult dallying over the (excellent) menu; and the childrens' list is entirely free of the cheap and nasty - fresh pasta, handmade burgers, fresh cooked fish and chunky chips are all winners, as are the mini-knickerbocker glories. Not an eye is raised, by staff or fellow customers alike, at 'mobile eating', while the enclosed Plaza outside, complete with water feature on the other side of wall-to-ceiling windows, allows time for a little adult peace from refuelled kids.
Paul Natton
Birkenhead
The Three Fishes
Mitton Road, Mitton, near Whalley, Lancashire, 01254 826888
Not so much a gastropub, more a child-friendly bistro. We go with our three children, aged between six and 11. We love the cheerful atmosphere and the food, while they love being able to play around much as they please without anyone minding. There are plenty of other families about, too. The food makes a point of local ingredients - on our visit, there were treacle-baked free-range Middlewhite ribs from Garstange with devilled black peas, and warm pickled brisket from the Trough of Bowland with cress and homemade piccalilli. The beer's not bad, either.
Robert Arthur
London SW2
