The Best Kid-Friendly Cafes in Sydney

By: Phoebe Ackland, 11 October 2016

By: Phoebe Ackland, ellaslist

As Sydney-siders, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to brunching and dining deliciously! Many of us have a plethora of fresh and tasty spots to chow down right on our doorstep- but the fact is, some are more accommodating to our children than others. Here are some of the most family friendly cafes and restaurants in all the far corners of Sydney. From awesome kids menus to play areas and friendly staff, each is bound to give the whole family a lovely experience eating out.

CBD

The Tea Salon, cnr Pitt Street Mall and Market Street: Kids can enjoy dreamy desserts and milkshakes in this stylish venue inside Westfield Sydney. We recommend the ‘Knickerbocker Glory’ sundae! Check out our full review.

tea salon

Image: The Tea Salon

Bar Luca, Phillip St: If burgers and desserts are what you’re craving, nowhere does it better than Bar Luca. Their recent Willy Wonka themed week made headlines!

Cafe At The Museum of Contemporary Art, George Street: When we checked out the MCA cafe, we were blown away by the spectacular views and large spaces for children to explore.

Radisson Blu, O’Connell Street: Their Kids in the City High Tea Special is simply delightful. An elegant and kid-friendly afternoon of mocktails, scones, sandwiches, fairy bread and more.

Image: Radisson Blu via boy eats world

Papparich Malaysian, Broadway: Even picky eaters love the taste adventure at this Malaysian gem! When we visited Papparich Parramatta, the kids loved how you order by filling out a notepad!

MorSol Cafe at NSW Art Gallery, The Domain: Children will love the ‘kids bag’ containing a ham, cheese and tomato sandwich, apple, homemade muesli slice and a Nudie juice.

The Governor’s Table, Museum of Sydney, Phillip St and Bridge St: Don’t be put off by the fine dining reputation! The weekend brunch is delicious and the children’s ricotta pancakes with honeycomb butter are an absolute hit, and members’ children under 5 dine free.

MAAS Cafe, Powerhouse Museum, Harris Street: The Level 1 Cafe has an adjacent outdoor playground- the perfect museum dining experience!

Yots Cafe, Maritime Museum, Murray Street: Children can enjoy grilled fish or a cheese burger with chips or salad with a fresh fruit milkshake for just $10!

Jamie’s Italian, Pitt Street: The Pitt Street venue has not one, but two kids menus: little kids from $9.50 & big kids from $12.50. Meals are always super delicious and nutritious!

Pancakes On The Rocks, Darling Harbour: Pretty much heaven for children (and mums too!) The smiley-faced and butterfly-shaped pancakes say it all.

p on the rocks Image: Pancakes On The Rocks

Coco Cubano, Broadway: The kids menu ranges from simple toasties to nachos and crispy calamari! Known for their cocktails, kids can instead enjoy milkshakes like the Gummy Bear Shake, Salty Caramel Shake and the Banana Choc Bomb!

Check out our favourite Sydney city kid-friendly cafes here.

East

Queens Park Shed, Queens Park: This is our top pick for the eastern suburbs! Not only do kids eat free on Thursday nights and during school holidays, but the incredible playground adjacent means kids can have fun whilst mums chat and relax! ellaslist checked it out, find out about the delicious time we had.

qp shed

Image: Queens Park Shed

Cafe One Six Nine, Randwick: The outdoor courtyard and children’s play area stocked with toys and games are two major draw cards. The staff are even known to engage in a hide and seek treasure hunt with your kids while you eat!

Coogee Pavilion, Coogee: After a swim at Coogee Beach, kids will love the huge games area stocked with massive Jenga, noughts and crosses, bowling and so much more! The kids menu has all the classic faves.

Tre Pani Cafe, Dover Heights: Indulge in a freshly baked treat, and take the kids to a nearby local park afterwards! There’s puzzles mounted to a wall in a separate space to occupy kids.

M Deli Cafe, Bondi: Families will love the casual, laid back beach vibe, and kids can play with what’s in the toy box and on colouring pads. No kids menu, but friendly staff are happy to make up a little plate of this and that for little ones.

Shuk, North Bondi: A gated children’s play area, high chairs galore, pram accessibility, changing facilities, a kids menu and delicious food make this a perfect eatery for families!

shuk

Image: Shuk North Bondi

Crayz Espresso, Matraville: Check out this Matraville venue for a welcoming ambience, wide selection of jaffles for the kids, and an arts and crafts play area!

Inner West

Hanging Ladder Cafe, Balmain: Popular with mums groups during the week, relax on big couches or sun yourself in the courtyard as kids play with a chalkboard and cabinet stocked with toys! We had an awesome time there recently.

Sideways Cafe, Dulwich Hill: Super friendly staff who’ll remember your child’s name. The baked goods including the teacup cookies and the flourless chocolate cake make for the perfect treat. We had a great time there recently.

Grandma’s at McEvoy, Alexandria: Homestyle cooking and a super family friendly vibe where children are treated like royalty. There’s wide open spaces for prams unlike many cafes in the inner west, and an awesome kids menu. We had a great time there recently!

grandmas Image: Grandma’s at McEvoy

Bitton, Alexandria: Score an outside table to keep an eye on the kids in the kids room, close enough for you to keep an eye on but far enough away to be out of your hair! The French/Australian menu for kids is called the “menu pour enfants” with babycinos and baby smoothies.

Noah’s Cafe, Homebush: After a shopping day at DFO, stop by Noah’s for family friendly service and and a great kids menu with all the classics (and lots of hot chips!).

Newington Armoury Wharf Cafe, Newington: This place has a fun military theme that little boys and adventurous girls will love! Kids menu items include the ‘Little Lieutenant’s soft sub roll’ and the ‘Captain’s crispy chicken torpedo’. We went there, and here’s what we thought.

newington

Image: Newington Armoury Wharf Cafe[

Little Tastes, St Peters: The major highlight is the Kids Corner- with books, toys and puzzles to keep the little ones entertained, and a blackboard to draw on, and on Saturdays, kids are invited to paint the back wall of the cafe!

North West

Little Rock Cafe, Baulkham Hills: The outdoor playground called ‘My Funland’ is gated and shady- and suitable for children of all physical abilities. There’s heaps of kids reading material for older children and their famous Fanta Spiders. We had an awesome experience at Little Rock Cafe.

Image: Little Rock Cafe[/caption]

Baulkham Hills Sports Club, Baulkham Hills: The Gallery Restaurant has plenty of space, a casual vibe- and a gated play area! Sometimes nothing can beat family friendly service like the local club.

Groundskeeper Cafe, Ryde: The kids menu is great, and the location is in the centre of Ryde Park, so a play in the playground or hoop-shooting at the basketball courts is a given after your meal. We went to check it out, here’s what we thought!

Baker And Builder Cafe, North Parramatta: Cool industrial design, and awesome FREE activities for children most Saturday mornings, including pony rides, magic shows, treasure hunts and arts and craft, and their famous face painting.

baker and builder

Source: The Baker And Builder Cafe

Chicken & Fishhead, Beecroft: A beautifully crafted kids store and cafe combination! Children can feast on the ‘kids pack’ which contains a small roll, popcorn, chocolate crackle, apple and juice. You have to check out the wide selection of books and incredible toys after your meal.

The Ranch Hotel, North Ryde: Cowboys and cowgirls welcome! Kids eat free on Sundays, as well as enjoying a playground, and on special days they will find a jumping castle, offer face painting, colouring competitions, and hermit crab races!

The Ettamogah Hotel, Kellyville Ridge: Not only is there a kids menu, but also rock climbing, pool tables, a play gym and an arcade room! On ‘Feed My Mob’ Mondays get 25% off your bill when 2 parents and 2 kids dine.

Source: Ettamogah Hotel[/caption]

Leaf Cafe, Stanhope: Inside the shopping village, kids can play in the playland after devouring the fantastic deal for kids: only $4.95 for a croissant or muffin + an orange juice or milkshake!

Dragonfly Cafe, Macquarie Park: The gardens are incredible to explore with the family, and the playground with its hidden nooks and crannies encourages use of kids’ imagination! The service was super fast too- our verdict was two thumbs up!

IKEA, Marsden Park: A day of shopping calls for the fantastic self serve cafeteria, where you can get a main meal, bread, snack, dessert & a soft drink for around the $15 mark! Hint: you have to try their world famous meatballs.

Pages Cafe, West Ryde: Part of the Koorong bookshop at West Ryde, children can play in an enclosed playground after enjoying a great value-for-money menu.

Check out our favourite kid friendly cafes in the Hills.

Northern Beaches

Avalon On The Beach, Avalon: Definitely a local pick! The views are spectacular and it’s super bright and airy! The Little Nippers kids’ menu is seasonal, simple, fresh and locally sourced. Check out the time we had when we visited recently- it’ll make you want to drive over there now!

Image: Avalon On The Beach

Flying Fox Cafe, Mona Vale: This gem is conveniently adjacent to the flying fox playground. It’s open, and the kids menu is perfect for quick bite before more playtime. We absolutely love it.

North Shore

Boathouse Balmoral, Balmoral: Whilst it doesn’t have a playground and we wouldn’t call it cheap, this takes the cake for location and delicious food! After a swim, kids can order half portions of all the scrumptious options on the menu.

Vertical Espresso, Turramurra: This funky cafe has a kids menu which includes the ‘nutella rabbit’ and milkshakes served in bear shaped jars! It backs on to Balmaringa Reserve, a fenced playground that can be seen from the outdoor seating.

Stain @ The Cove, Lane Cove West: There’s a small but quaint play area with kids menu and kids sized drinks.

Incinerator Cafe, Willoughby: The spacious interior and extensive outdoor seating at this Willoughby venue are pram-friendly, and opposite a playground and bike track.

Sprout Wholefood Cafe and Grocer, Naremburn: Enjoy a nutritious and delicious meal (like buckwkheat pancakes or sugar free ice cream) and sit outside whilst the kids play on the large grassy area, cubby house and play car.

sprout

Source: Sprout Wholefood Cafe And Grocer

Check out our favourite kid-friendly cafes in the Northern Suburbs.

Greater West

The Emporium Parramatta: Super friendly staff and great service, this is a spacious area for prams to get in and out with ease, and for little ones to stretch their legs before their meal arrives without getting in the way.

Sabu Japanese, Parramatta: Despite the stylish and sophisticated decor, this staff is famous for being friendly and accommodating to families. Although a little pricey, the ambience is worth it.

Criniti’s, Parramatta: A fun family night out with 3 metre long pizzas, unlimited pizza and gelato nights on Monday, unlimited pasta and gelato Tuesdays, and always a colouring sheet and pencils for kids.

Ribs and Rumps, Parramatta: Get your bib on and hands messy with delicious ribs, and generous kids sized portions for only $15. You’ll be licking your plate clean.

ribs and rumps

Source: Ribs and Rumps

Lakeside Kiosk, Doonside: Laid back and usually full of locals- a well kept secret! Great hot dogs and old school lollies, and with just a hop, skip & a step you are at the waterside, feeding ducks, guppies & you might even see a few eels lurking at the water’s bottom.

El Jannah, Blacktown: Family run Lebanese at its finest- easy parking at Westpoint, cheap kids meals, and their famous charcoal chicken!

Check put our favourite kid-friendly cafes in Western Sydney.

South West

Teas And Green Cafe, Macarthur: Children’s play areas both inside and outside- including mini golf! Kids menu items priced between just $4-10, what a bargain!

teas and green

Image: Teas and Green Cafe

Wild Dragonfly Cafe, Mt Annan: Inside the Flower Power Garden Centre at Mt Annan- an outdoor playground is the major draw card of this cafe in a tranquil setting.

The Argyle Gourmet: A mecca for all things ice cream and lollies- parents beware, bring your sweet tooth to this one!

Back Galley Cafe, Camden: Friendly staff serving amazing Nutella thick shakes (drool), and absolutely incredible babycinos!

Juicy Goose, Narellan: They offer kids breakfast and lunch menus, and encourage children to create their own pizzas for just $12! There’s a colouring in area for kids to get crafty whilst mum enjoys her coffee.

juicy goose

Source: Juicy Goose

South Sydney

Bitton Oatley Cafe, Oatley: Head out the back for a spacious, seated area on green grass- plenty of room for prams and kids to explore. There’s a cubby house in the garden too. We really enjoyed having lunch there recently.

Image: Bitton Oatley Cafe

Figgies Cafe, Engadine: Head to this Engadine venue for plenty of pram access, value-for-money kids menus, change tables, high chairs, and a toddler play area. What more could families need?

The Crest Hotel, Sylvania: A family friendly pub in Sylvania with a kids menu, an indoor playground, and free face painting on Sundays!

Taren Point Hotel, Caringbah: A great family friendly pub in Caringbah, with an enclosed playroom, crayons and activity packs for kids, and Sunday family day complete with a jumping castle, a petting zoo and face painting.

Tradies at Caringbah and Gymea: Become a member so kids can play in the super fun Max’s World- staff will lead activities like painting and crafts. Don’t forget to make a booking!

tradies