Emily’s Formby With Kids Review: The Liverpool Brunch Spot Mums Will Love

There are two types of “Instagrammable” restaurants when you become a mum.

The first kind are the ones you think you’ll visit with kids… until you arrive and realise there’s nowhere to park a pram, every table is made of white marble, and the staff look like they’d rather perish than watch a toddler drop a chip on the floor.

And then there’s Emily’s.

Somehow, this famously beautiful Formby brunch spot manages to feel luxurious without making families feel unwelcome – which honestly feels like a rare talent these days.

We visited on a Sunday morning at 9:15am after weeks of my seven-year-old begging to go ever since she spotted the giant butterflies outside on the way to swimming lessons.

And if you’re currently deep in the newborn trenches, carrying approximately 47 bags just to leave the house for a coffee… let me tell you something important: one day, you’ll be able to go for brunch with your little best mate at one of the nicest places in town and it’ll feel genuinely relaxing.

Honestly? Unreal.

First Impressions: Why Everyone Photographs Emily’s Formby

If you’ve spent any time on Liverpool Instagram or TikTok, chances are you’ve already seen Emily’s.

The seasonal displays outside are kind of iconic at this point – beautifully done without tipping into tacky – and there’s always some sort of gorgeous themed installation complete with a photo opportunity.

But what I loved most is that the effort doesn’t stop at the front door.

The entire restaurant feels incredibly intentional. Bright glass ceiling panels flood the place with natural light, there are gorgeous greenery-filled spaces everywhere, and even though it’s visually stunning, it still somehow feels relaxed enough that you’re not panicking every time your child moves a glass two centimetres.

The upstairs toilets even deserve a mention – mirrored tiles, beautifully decorated cubicles, massive selfie-worthy mirrors. It’s basically the kind of bathroom where every woman immediately checks her hair for no reason.

Is Emily’s Formby Good With Kids?

Genuinely yes.

And not in the “we tolerate children because legally we have to” way.

There were loads of families in there when we visited, including younger children and prams, and the atmosphere felt really welcoming. I also spotted an accessible toilet downstairs which I’d assume doubles up as the baby changing facility, although I didn’t personally check.

What stood out most to me though was that the kids menu actually feels like it was designed for children, rather than being a sad afterthought involving frozen chicken nuggets and existential disappointment.

The Kids Menu At Emily’s Formby

One thing parents are constantly searching for in Liverpool is places with a genuinely good kids brunch menu – and Emily’s absolutely delivers on that front.

The menu includes healthier options alongside the fun stuff, and of course the famous pancakes which my daughter had already decided she was ordering before we’d even sat down.

And to be fair to her… they were unreal.

She gave them a solid 10/10.

The staff were brilliant too and happily swapped the usual Nutella and strawberries topping for Bueno and banana instead, which instantly won her over for life.

For parents wondering about price, the kids menu sits pretty much where you’d expect for a premium brunch restaurant in Formby – not cheap-cheap, but absolutely reasonable considering the quality, portion sizes and overall experience.

My spinach and mushroom eggs benedict was gorgeous too, and they kindly swapped the croissant base for sourdough toast because – respectfully – I am apparently still not sophisticated enough for a croissant Benedict situation.

Give me bread I can aggressively butter and we’re all happier.

A Few Things Parents Should Know Before You Go

Because this is The Daily Struggle and not a “everything is perfect all the time” blog, there are a couple of small things worth mentioning.

Our table was on the smaller side and already had glasses and tableware set out, so if you’re bringing multiple very young kids who enjoy windmilling their limbs around like inflatable car dealership men… maybe just request a bigger table if possible.

Personally, I think Emily’s is at its absolute sweet spot for kids aged around five and up. Younger children are definitely welcome, but older kids will appreciate the atmosphere, food and whole experience a bit more — and you might actually get to enjoy your coffee while it’s still warm.

The Unexpected Detail I Absolutely Loved

One of my favourite things in the entire restaurant was actually the contactless wishing well raising money for The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.

You tap your card for a £2 donation and the entire wishing well lights up while little magical twinkling sounds play around it.

It sounds tiny, but it was such a lovely touch – especially for kids because it turns donating into an actual little experience rather than just throwing spare coins into a bucket and forgetting about it.

My daughter was obsessed with it.

How Much Does Emily’s Formby Cost?

For the two of us, brunch and drinks came to around £35.

So yes — it’s definitely more of a treat brunch than a quick greasy spoon breakfast.

But honestly, for the quality of the food, the service, the atmosphere and the whole experience, it felt exactly in line with what you’d expect from somewhere this lovely.

This isn’t just paying for pancakes. You’re paying for the whole vibe.

And sometimes, as a mum, sitting somewhere beautiful with a good coffee while your child happily demolishes a stack of pancakes is self care.

Final Thoughts: Is Emily’s Formby Worth Visiting With Kids?

Absolutely.

Whether you’re planning a girls brunch, a family breakfast, a relaxed date morning, or just want somewhere that feels a bit special without being completely inaccessible with children — Emily’s really nails it.

It’s beautiful without feeling pretentious, family-friendly without feeling chaotic, and stylish without sacrificing comfort.

Which, honestly, is probably why everybody keeps photographing it.