When you're travelling with children there's nothing worse than having a snooty waiter tell you that you and your little angels aren't welcome or finding you've wandered into somewhere smoke-filled, with a thoroughly grown-up menu and no highchairs.   Obviously you've got the usual Pizza Huts, MacDonalds, Burger Kings etc but this list keeps in mind that parents like to eat real food!

Oscars, Little Stonegate.  Easy accessible down an alley into the heated courtyard.  Although the courtyard is a smoking area it doesn't feel that way as it is essentially outdoors.  There is however, a non-smoking area inside on the ground floor.  Childrens menu and highchairs available.  Baby changing in the ladies toilets on the first floor.  On a quiet day you should be able to fit a buggy between the tables.

Melton's 'Too', Walmgate.  The most informal and friendly of York's genuine restaurants, which doubles as a easy going daytime cafe.  Easy ground floor access with the staff happy to park buggies in the bar.  High chairs, children's toys, crayons and an interesting mess-less waxy string game.  Kids Art board at the back on the way to good baby changing and disabled toilet.  Wide ranging menu which they are happy to serve in small portions.

Tuscany, Coney Street.  Good access with ramp from the street.  A non-smoking area is provided.  High chairs available but again you should often be able to fit a buggy between the tables.  Small portions available and staff are happy to either heat your baby food or provide hot water for you to do it yourself.  Changing facilities in disabled toilet.

Ha! Ha! Bar and Canteen, New Street.  Easy access, lots of space between the tables in the canteen area which is non-smoking.  High chairs available and ground floor changing facilities in the disabled toilet.  No kids menu but small portions are available.  Kids have to leave by 6pm.

The Treasurers House, Minster Yard.  The cafe is in the basement but you can leave buggys by the entrance.  Kids menu.  High chair, crockery and cutlery available.  Baby changing that is accessible to fathers too.

El Piano, Grape Lane.  Vegetarian, vegan and organic food.  Children welcome any time of the day or night.  Baby changing facilities.  They're happy to warm bottles and food, high chairs weren't available but most tables have space for a buggy.  Alternatively it can be fun dining on the first floor which has a Moroccan theme with floor cushions.

Pizza Express, Museum Street (by Lendal Bridge).  Tricky access as its up a couple of stairs and has a heavy door.  Otherwise very child friendly - no smoking, highchairs, lots of space for buggies, kids menu and staff are also happy to heat your own food.  Added bonus of baby changing in both male and female toilets.

Earl Grey Tea Rooms, The Shambles.  Friendly staff who don't mind you keeping a buggy by your table, nice courtyard for summer dining.  Not a lot of room inside but highchairs are available.  Good kids menu with crayons and activities.  Baby changing facilities on the first floor.

Gert and Henrys, Jubbergate.  Historic building with sloping floors and original beams. Non-smoking area is on first floor so bit of a struggle to get a buggy up there but high chairs are available as an alternative.  Friendly staff who are happy to help as much as possible.  No kids menu but they will happily give you a small portion of most things on the menu.

La Tasca, Back Swinegate.  Easy access, room between tables for a pushchair.  Non smoking area.  Highchairs and kids menu available but as this is tapas then kids might prefer a grown-up dish of their own.

Fiesta Mehicana, Clifford Street.  Easy access, during quieter times you should get a pushchair between the tables but highchairs are available.  Small portions are available and staff are very welcoming.  Baby changing facilities downstairs. 

The Spurriergate Centre, Spurriergate.  Not-for-profit café in a medieval church, serving light meals at lunchtimes but not open evenings. Staff (mostly volunteers and students) always friendly, plenty of highchairs and changing facilities for little ones and a play area for slightly bigger ones.