School holidays carry extra costs for parents and care-givers; You might have to pay for childcare if you work, and if your child gets free school meals during term time, this of course stops for summer.
So, how do you keep the kids entertained over the long summer holidays? First of all check out our low-cost activities page to find budget friendly and free events and things to do in Portsmouth to keep the kids entertained, then read on for an updated list of restaurants and cafes where kids eat free (or for very little) to help you keep the cost of feeding the family to a minimum when you’re out and about.
There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in Portsmouth and across the country where kids can eat free or for around a pound over the summer holidays. So whether you’re visiting other towns or cities, or staying home for the summer, our updated list will point you in the direction of great food for less cost.
It’s worth pointing out though that some of these offers are better than others. When you see ‘kids eat free’ on a menu you will usually have to make a purchase of some kind (often a full adult meal) to claim the offer, this might not always work out to be a cheap option. So definitely check the terms and conditions before you choose where to eat.
We’ll add new offers to our list as and when we get them, so bookmark this page and check back regularly.
The Dolphin pub
The Dolphin pub in High Street, Old Portsmouth is the oldest pub in the city and over the school holidays they’re running a Summer Special where kids eat for £1 with every main meal purchased. The offer applies throughout August, Monday to Friday, 12pm to 5pm.
- Find more details about the offer on The Dolphin Pub & Kitchen Facebook page
Beefeater pubs and restaurants
Sign up to receive Beefeater emails and they’ll give you 25% off your food bill (offer available on first time sign ups only). Also, with a paying adult, up to two kids get FREE breakfast at Beefeater restaurants during the unlimited breakfast service.
Participating Beefeater pubs/restaurants in the Portsmouth area are listed below:
- Harbour Lights – 1 Southampton Road, North Harbour, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 4SA
- Rusty Cutter – 65 Bedhampton Hill Road, Bedhampton, Havant, PO9 3JN
Brewer’s Fayre pubs and restaurants
Under 16s eat breakfast for FREE with every paying adult at Brewers Fayre. The unlimited breakfast is a great way to start the day. There’s also a Value Meal menu where you can get two main meals for £11.99 between 12pm-6pm Monday to Friday.
You’ll find Brewer’s Fayre pubs and restaurants all over the UK and one here in Portsmouth.
- The Clarence Pier Long Curtain Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3XX
Tesco
Kids eat free at Tesco Cafés this summer with the Kids’ Pick ‘N’ Mix Lunch Deal. Your child will get a sandwich, a piece of fruit, two snacks and a drink. An adult just has to buy any item in the Tesco Café. See the Kids Eat Free at Tesco offer and find participating stores
Dobbie’s garden centres
Kids eat FREE at Dobbies garden centres with an adult main meal. The offer includes the kids lunch menu or pick ‘n’ mix’ meal, plus a drink. This offer is available every day from 12pm. This offer is available every day in Dobbie’s restaurants and includes a free child’s drink.
- Dobbies in Havant is at Bartons Road, Havant, PO9 5NA
IKEA
Kids can eat from 95p at participating IKEA stores all year round. See what’s on offer in IKEA restaurants.
Morrisons
Get a free kids meal with any adult meal over £5 from The Breakfasts, The Classics or The Chippy, excluding extras. All day, every day. T&C’s apply. Visit the Morrisons website for more information.
- Victory Retail Park, Flathouse Road, Portsmouth, PO1 4QP
Asda
Asda has loads of great offers to help families all over the UK who are feeling the pinch. The offers aren’t available at every store though so do check first. The offers listed below are available at Havant Asda Larchwood Avenue, Bedhampton, PO9 3QW
- Kids under 16 eat for £1 – all day, every day!
- FREE Ella’s baby food pouches – For children under 18 months old with any purchase.
- FREE WiFi available throughout all their stores.
Bella Italia
Kids eat for £1 from Sunday to Wednesday, 4-6pm and FREE all day on Thursdays! Find out more about Bella Italia’s offers.
Also, if you sign up to the Bella Italia newsletter you get a free main (new subscribers only)
- Bella Italia Portsmouth is at R10, Waterfront, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO1 3TA
Casa Brasil
Casa Brasil in Port Solent has some great offers this summer. Children 0 to 5 eat for free and 6 to 12s eat at half price. They also have some great offers for students and an ‘eat free on your birthday’ offer. Terms and conditions apply so please check these out before going. Find out more.
Hungry Horse pubs and restaurants
Kids eat for £1 every Monday at Hungry Horse. They have selected kids’ meals for just £1 and larger meals for only £1.50 with every full paying adult. Check out what’s on the menu. You’ll find Hungry Horse restaurants at the Portsmouth pubs listed below and also at venues nationwide.
- Sovereigns, Kingston Crescent, Portsmouth, PO2 8AL
- Farmhouse, Burrfields Road, Portsmouth, PO3 5HH
Pizza Express
For a limited time, you can enjoy one free ‘Piccolo’ meal for your little one with every adult main purchased all day, every day. Available until 11 August 2024.
- Gunwharf Quays, North Promenade, Portsmouth, PO1 3TA
Premier Inn
Kids eat breakfast for free and dinner for a £1 at Premier Inn. Up to two under 16s eat breakfast for free when an adult buys a Premier Inn Breakfast or a Meal Deal.
At selected Thyme Restaurants kids eat for £1 from 5th July to 1st September at the Portsmouth Premier Inns listed below.
- Binnacle Way, Ports Solent, Portsmouth, PO6 4FB
- 1 Isambard Brunel Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2TR
Visit the Premier Inn website to find more participating restaurants across the country.