Out to lunch restaurant league table 2024

Our secret diner families surveyed some of the UK's biggest and most popular restaurant chains. They scored them on the food and service they are offering our children.

Click a restaurant name to expand and see the results. 

1. Wahaca: 71/100

   Compared to 2021: +1

   Food you can trust: 3/5

   Healthy choices: 3/5

   Family-friendly: 4/5

   Top marks

   • The most family friendly restaurant.
   • All kids’ meals come with 2 portions of veg. Parents were impressed with the variety of veg available, making the meals colourful and appealing.
   • All meat and eggs on the menu are free range. Fish is sustainably sourced.
   • Parents liked the kids’ activity sheets which prompted discussion about diets around the world.
   • A variety of protein is offered, including some plant-based protein from whole foods (e.g. black beans)

   Could do better

   • Could have more dietary information on menus, e.g. five-a-day or sugar, fat and salt.
   • Serve meals with healthier baked alternative to the standard deep-fried tortilla chips. 
   • Have a stronger antibiotics policy restricting highest-priority critically important antibiotics

   "The variety and flavour of food was great. The taco meal came with 5 vegetables"

2. JD Wetherspoon: 66/100

   Compared to 2021: -1

   Food you can trust: 2.5/5

   Healthy choices: 4/5

   Family-friendly: 3/5

   Top marks

   • They’ve come out on top in the ‘healthy choice’ category. All kids’ meals come with two portions of veg, and clear five-a-day, salt, and sugar information.
   • All meat is farm assured, guaranteeing traceability. All eggs are RSPCA free range.Wetherspoon is one of the few chains displaying country of origin information for some meat items on the menu.
   • Kids’ activities are themed around health and sustainability.
   • Wetherspoon has a policy in place to restrict highest-priority critically important antibiotics.

   Could do better

   • Strawberry Bear Yoyo fruit snacks are processed. They shouldn't be included in the fruit options alongside apples and bananas.
   • Most of the protein on the kids’ menu (bacon, Bolognese, chicken, vegan sausages) is bought in already made.

   "Good variety of children’s meal options and portion sizes to suit different age ranges and appetites."

3. Harvester: 57/100

   Compared to 2021 league table: +2

   Food you can trust: 2/5

   Healthy choices: 3/5

   Family-friendly: 2.5/5

   Top marks

   • Parents enjoyed liked the different portion sizes and the range of veg sides and menu options.
   • Unlimited salad and 2 portions of veg come with every kids’ meal. Fresh fruit is available. More than half of the fruit and veg comes from the UK.
   • 5-a-day information makes it easy to pick meal options with more fruit and veg.
   • A variety of non-meat options are available – making up over half of the children’s menu.
   • They offer organic drinks and lollies on the menu 

   Could do better

   • Harvester don’t track whether unsustainable soya is used in their supply chain (e.g. for animal feed).
   • Half the puddings exceed the NHS-recommended daily sugar intake for children aged 7 to 10.

   "Quite a variety and not just your usual burger and chips. Unlimited salad was a bonus. At least one portion of veg with every main meal."

4. Nando's: 53/100

   Compared to 2021 league table: +2

   Food you can trust: 3.5/5

   Healthy choices: 2/5

   Family-friendly: 2/5

   Top marks

   • Scored highly on sourcing and sustainability – all chicken is from the UK and farm assured. 90 percent of the soy in Nando’s supply chain is bought from UK Soy Manifesto signatories. This means it is deforestation and conversion free
   • Nando’s have signed up to the WRAP Food Waste Reduction Roadmap. They commit to cutting food waste by half by 2030.
   • All chicken on the menu (plus some of the sides) is fresh and cooked on site.

   Could do better

   • Nando's chicken only meets Red Tractor welfare standards. Higher welfare accreditation would ensure the animals have a better and healthier life.
   • The vanilla ice cream, high in sugar, is available as a bottomless option.  
   • There could be more meat-free protein options to suit more diet choices.

   "Sides were a good choice of veggies"

5. Frankie & Benny’s: 51/100

   Compared to 2019 league table: +7

   Food you can trust: 2/5

   Healthy choices: 3/5

   Family-friendly: 3/5

   Top marks

   • All meals are served with a veggie pot of cherry tomato, cucumber and pepper sticks. Veg is included in lots of different meal options
   • They serve oily fish, a source of essential vitamins and minerals.
   • Good choice of meal sizes.

   Could do better

   • The Small Eaters menu has deep fried and processed meat options, like nuggets and fish fingers. It would be great to see less processed food on the menu.
   • Most of the meat is not farm assured or welfare accredited.

   "Good variety and you could choose different options within each dish"

6. Wagamama: 50/100

   Compared to 2021 league table: -2

   Food you can trust: 2/5

   Healthy choices: 3/5

   Family-friendly: 3/5

   Top marks

   • A variety of healthy options. Meals come with 2 portions of veg and all options are balanced as standard, with protein, veg and a starchy food.
   • Over half of Wagamama's menu is vegetarian or vegan, and meals can easily be made gluten-free.
   • All drinks have no added sugar or sweeteners – with options like freshly squeezed apple and orange juice.

   Could do better

   • They are signed up to the Better Chicken Commitment, but they should switch to welfare accredited meat and have a stronger policy to restrict antibiotic use.
   • Many of the menu options are deep fried – it would be good to see some alternatives.
   • Parents might be surprised to learn that some children's meals include MSG.

   "Plenty of meat and veggie options"

7. Zizzi: 50/100

   Compared to 2019 league table: -4

   Food you can trust: 1/5

   Healthy choices: 3/5

   Family-friendly: 3/5

   Top marks

   • There is no deep fried food on the children’s menu.
   • They offer a good variety of veg.
   • There is at least one healthy option for every course.
   • Some of the plant-based protein options are made from whole foods, for example, their lentil ragu.

   Could do better

   • More than half of the meat is bought in, already made. Most meat isn't farm assured or welfare accredited. 

   "Good range of options on kids menu, were helpful with allergies"

8. Carluccio's: 49/100

   Compared to 2021 league table: New

   Food you can trust: 1.5/5

   Healthy choices: 2.5/5

   Family-friendly: 2.5/5

   Top marks

   • There is a variety of meat-free options on the menu and two portions of veg or salad with some meals.
   • More than half of their fruit and veg comes from the UK. A lot of it is LEAF certified, which supports more sustainable farming practices.

   Could do better

   • Offer more balanced meals, ideally with two portions of veg or salad, and a portion of protein from whole foods. 
   • Include five-a-day information on the menu to help families make informed choices.
   • They should have a policy to minimise plate waste.

   "Very good range of options, including a healthy dessert."

9. Toby Carvery: 48/100

   Compared to 2021 league table: New

   Food you can trust: 1.5/5

   Healthy choices: 3/5

   Family-friendly: 1.5/5

   Top marks

   • Veg or salad comes with every meal, fresh fruit is available, and no meals have chips or deep-fried ingredients with them.
   • A good variety of protein is available. Most of it is prepared from fresh ingredients in the restaurant.
   • All drinks have no added sugar. 
   • 5-a-day information on menus
   • Unlimited veggies and potatoes available from the carvery deck.

   Could do better

   • Meat isn’t high welfare (e.g. Freedom Food, Free Range, Organic), despite being such a prominent part of the menu
   • They should have a stronger policy to restrict antibiotic use. They also aren’t collecting information on whether the soy in their supply chain is 100% deforestation-free.
   • Most puddings are above the NHS recommended sugar intake for 4-6 year-olds (19g per day). One of the pudding options is more than three times over the guidelines, at 58.5g sugar.

   "It’s self service for all the veggie sides"

10. Leon: 47/100

    Compared to 2021 league table: +3

    Food you can trust: 2/5

    Healthy choices: 2.5/5

    Family-friendly: 2/5

    Top marks

    • All their meat is farm assured, they only use free range eggs and their milk and oats are organic.
    • The menu is 50 percent vegetarian and contains plant-based protein from healthy whole foods, such as beans.
    • Leon now have a policy on using antibiotics responsibly within their supply chain.
    • They use spinach, cherry tomatoes and peas for their kids’ menu – when in season, these are purchased from the UK.

    Could do better

    • A limited menu. Half the options contain fried foods like chips and nuggets.
    • Our secret diners reported lots of single use packaging being used.

    "Children were happy enough with their meals, but there were only 4 options (2 chicken and 2 vegetarian)."

11. Hungry Horse: 47/100

     Compared to 2021 league table: +8

    Food you can trust: 1.5/5

    Healthy choices: 3/5

    Family-friendly: 3/5

    Top marks

    • Hungry Horse have moved up eight places since 2021.
    • Their kids’ menu has lots of choice, with a portion of veg served with every meal.
    • More than half the menu is meat-free.
    • As signatories of WRAP Food Waste Reduction Roadmap, Hungry Horse are working to reduce their waste.
    • There’s lots of useful information on the menu, including where ingredients are from, five-a-day, and sugar and salt content. They also include information on sustainability, welfare and their breastfeeding policy.
    • Hungry Horse no longer serve food containing E133 brilliant blue, which is linked to hyperactivity.

    Could do better

    • A minority of the meat is farm assured and none is high welfare (Freedom Food, Free Range, Organic).
    • Almost none of the protein is prepared on site from fresh ingredients – it would be great to see less processed options on the menu.

    "9 different options off the 'larger meal' menu, with a good selection of vegetarian options."

12. Prezzo: 47/100

    Compared to 2021 league table: -1

    Food you can trust: 2/5

    Healthy choices: 2.5/5

    Family-friendly: 3/5

    Top marks

    • More than half the menu is meat-free.
    • Half the protein on the menu is prepared on-site from fresh ingredients. 

    Could do better

    • It would be good to see two portions of veg served with every meal. Some mains don’t come with any veg at all.
    • Prezzo still aren't taking any steps to reduce antibiotic use in their supply chains.
    • Some of the meat isn’t farm assured and none is high welfare (Freedom Food, Free Range, Organic). 

    "A second veg would have been good"

13. Brewers Fayre: 46/100

    Compared to 2021 league table: -3

    Food you can trust: 1.5/5

    Healthy choices: 3/5

    Family-friendly: 2.5/5

    Top marks

    • All meals come with at least two portions of veg. A few options have ‘hidden’ veg, like their 10-Veg Tomato Pasta and Mac & Cheese with butternut squash and broccoli.
    • The menu is designed to help parents make informed choices, with information on five-a-day, nutrition, sustainability and welfare practices.
    • All meat on the menu is farm assured, helping ensure traceability. 

    Could do better

    • It would be good for all their eggs to be free range.
    • One of the puddings contains more sugar than advised by the NHS for 7-10 year-olds.
    • Brewers Fayre no longer serve organic products.
    • A minority of the protein offered is prepared on site from fresh ingredients.
    • They still use some palm oil not certified sustainable.

    "It's really easy to get something kids will eat and include two portions of veg!"

14. TGI Fridays: 43/100

    Compared to 2021 league table: -5

    Food you can trust: 1.5/5

    Healthy choices: 2.5/5

    Family-friendly: 2/5

    Top marks

    • All meat is farm assured, so you know it meets minimum welfare standards.
    • They are the only chain to have an antibiotics policy that restricts the use of highest-priority critically important antibiotics and to collect data on antibiotic use in their supply chain.
    • All dishes are served with apple, cucumber and carrot sticks.
    • They cater to different age groups and offer smaller portions on some mains. Free baby food is also available.

    Could do better

    • Less than half the menu is currently meat-free. It would be good to see some more healthy vegetarian and vegan options.
    • Nearly half the menu includes fried food.
15. Bella Italia: 39/100

    Compared to 2021 league table: no change

    Food you can trust: 1.5/5

    Healthy choices: 2.5/5

    Family-friendly: 2.5/5

    Top marks

    • There are plenty of plant-based options. 75 percent of the menu is meat-free.
    • Gluten free options are clearly indicated on the menu. You can get full nutritional information via a QR code.
    • All main dishes contain less than 1.71g of salt, meeting the 2024 Salt Reduction target.

    Could do better

    • None of the protein on the menu is prepared on-site from fresh ingredients. It would be great to see less processed options, including plant-based protein from whole foods like beans and pulses.
    • None of the meat is farm assured or high welfare. It would be good to see better traceability as a first step.

    "The activities were really good."

16. McDonald's: 38/100

    Compared to 2021 league table: +2

    Food you can trust: 2/5

    Healthy choices: 1.5/5

    Family-friendly: 3/5

    Top marks

    • They only serve farm-assured meat and some of the meat is from the UK.
    • McDonald's ensure responsible use of antibiotics, which helps stop antimicrobial resistance.
    • The vegetarian option contains healthy plant-based protein from whole foods (split peas).
    • All Happy Meal milk bottles are organic and sourced from UK dairies. All eggs are free range.

    Could do better

    • Meals should be more balanced. This includes offering more fruit and veg portions as standard and less fried options.
    • It would be great to see higher welfare accredited meat on their menu.
    • Nearly none of the protein on the menu is prepared on-site from fresh ingredients. It would be good to see less processed options available.
17. Pizza Express: 37/100

    Compared to 2021 league table: -3

    Food you can trust: 1.5/5

    Healthy choices: 2/5

    Family-friendly: 2.5/5

    Top marks

    • Many items on the menu can be changed to suit dietary requirements, such as vegan or gluten-free.
    • One of the only restaurants offering similar options on the adult and children’s menus.
    • They offer a variety of non-fried options.
    • Pizza Express is a signatory of the WRAP Food Waste Reduction Roadmap, and they work with Too Good To Go to stop food going to waste.

    Could do better

    • None of the meat on the menu (except for chicken breasts) is currently farm assured or high welfare. None of the protein is prepared from fresh ingredients on-site.
    • Animal feed is not certified sustainable, which means that it could be contributing to deforestation.
    • Few meals included two or more of your five-a-day. It would be good to see more veg portions and fresh fruit as standard in meals.

    "Many of the options on the kids menus are the same as the adult menu"

18. KFC: 35/100

    Compared to 2021 league table: New

    Food you can trust: 1.5/5

    Healthy choices: 2/5

    Family-friendly: 2/5

    Top marks

    • Fresh fruit is part of the kids’ menu. All meat is farm assured and they don’t use any palm oil.
    • 5-a-day information is available on menus. Full nutritional information is shown at kiosks and on the KFC app.

    Could do better

    • It would be good to see healthier and more varied main meal options. The only protein option is chicken. All meals contain fried ingredients, either hand-breaded or bought in pre-breaded
    • There are no meat-free main meal options in the kids’ menu, despite having a vegan option on the adult menu.
    • It would be good to see a stricter antibiotics policy as a lot of meat is featured on the menu.

    "There are about 3 main options with varying sides. Sides were baked beans, sweetcorn or coleslaw"

19. Pizza Hut: 34/100

    Compared to 2021 league table: +1

    Food you can trust: 1/5

    Healthy choices: 1.5/5

    Family-friendly: 3.5/5

    Top marks

    • More than half of the menu is meat-free. There is a good variety of vegetables available to add as toppings to the pizzas and at the salad bar.
    • Children loved choosing from the variety of salad, and different portions are great to accommodate different appetites.

    Could do better

    • It would be good to see more plant-based protein on the menu, especially from whole foods. For example, lentils could be used in the spaghetti bolognese.
    • Most dessert options are high in sugar and calories. The chocolate brownie contains 43g of sugar. This is almost twice the NHS's recommended daily allowance for 7-10 year olds.
    • Artificially sweetened bottomless fizzy drinks are available.
    • The menu should come with more information on five-a-day and nutrition, helping families make informed choices.

    "Good variety of choice including both veggie and meat. The salad bar is a great idea."

20. Franco Manca: 15/100

    Compared to 2021 league table: New

    Food you can trust: 0.5/5

    Healthy choices: 0.5/5

    Family-friendly: 2/5

    Top marks

    • Half the menu is meat-free.
    • No meals have chips with them.
    • They provide activities for children.  

    Could do better

    • Franco Manca didn’t respond to our restaurant survey. We don’t know how their food is prepared or what their sourcing policies are.
    • Other than calories, there is no indication on menu of what is better for you. It would be good to see five-a-day information included as a start.
    • The majority of meals aren’t balanced. All meals could include a starchy food, a portion of protein, and ideally two portions of veg or salad.
    • With only four main meal options and no sides or starters, there’s a lack of variety on the kids’ menu. Other dishes are available on the adult menu and could be made available for kids.

    "Only option available is pizza. None served with a salad or side portion of veg."