This is the worst advice I have ever seen . Do not under any circumstances eat at anything called Garfunkels, Aberdeen/Scotch Steak House or anywhere around Leicester Square. They are truly dreadful restaurants, set up to snare unwitting tourists, and are a source of embarrasment to any Londoner. The Pizza Express chain is a good standby (not the vastly inferior Pizza Hut). Pret a Manger sell (expensive) good sandwiches, and some allow you to eat in. Somewhere called Hamburger Union in the West End is recommended by FT'ers on the BA board, but I have not been there myself. The Texas Embassy Cantina has a poor reputation for food, but is probably a place children will enjoy. Pubs are a little difficult with children - I'm not sure what the licensing laws are now - but many central London pubs will not be child friendly. Children over 15? can be served alcohol with a meal if accompanied by an adult. Many London restaurants are expensive. Indian restaurants are often good value and can be excellent if you choose carefully. You may be able to pick up a copy of Hardens London Restaurant Guide, which is very helpful and IMHO the most accurate of all the restaurant guides. There are several restaurants and pubs in Shepherd Market, but IIRC they tend to be pricey (Boudin Blanc) or fairly ordinary pubs. It is worth a look because you are close by. Some of the best value for food in London comes not from traditional pubs which serve notoriously bad food (and anything advertising itself as "Olde Worlde" or traditional is invariably crap) but "gastropubs", which tend to be nasty old unsucessful pubs, bought cheaply and decorated in a basic manner, but which concentrate on serving very good food at reasonable (for London) prices. I can't think of any in the West End, however, but someone else may be able to make a suggestion.