If you’ve got children, you’ll know that taking them out to a restaurant can be hit or miss. Not every eatery accommodates little ones, so when you find one with great food that does, it’s almost like discovering a gold mine.

Sorting the kid-friendly restaurants from the rest can be tricky, but there are a few rules of thumb that can help to guide you. Firstly, check the menu. If they’ve got a section separated out just for kiddos, you can be sure they’re family-friendly. Another hint? If the venue has high-chairs, a play area or something to keep your kids occupied at the table (like colouring kits), you’re sorted. If all else fails, a quick call or even an Instagram DM can sort it out for you quickly. Or, you can skip the hassle and keep reading on.

Burger night

Possibly the easiest sell, getting the kids to sign off on burgers shouldn’t be hard. Check the menu before you head out to make sure their favourites – from sliders and fries to crispy nuggets – are covered. Some places also have mini-me desserts if you’re feeling extra generous.

At TGI Fridays, kids eat free between Monday and Thursday. Yep, for every adult main meal purchased (minimum $25), you can score one free kids’ meal. Plus, their delicious range of $4 kids’ desserts is guaranteed to buy you a few minutes of peace and quiet.

Grill’d has a big variety of Mini Me burger packs, including vego options. Each pack includes a mini burger, a mini serve of chips, tomato sauce for dipping, and water or juice. Best of all, they’re packed in a cute box with a 3D puzzle.

Groove Train has a huge kids’ menu full of family faves including pancakes, burgers, pizza, chicken tenders, spaghetti and more.

Around the world

Let your little ones enjoy the tastes of the world without breaking the bank on flights! Mexican is a great choice if you’re keen to keep the menu healthy. Italian is one of the most kid-friendly cuisines on the planet, and sushi is a good one to introduce kids to something new but delicious.

Guzman Y Gomez serves up kid-friendly Mexican with GYG’s Little Guy burritos, pint-sized tacos and kids’ nachos. Everything on the menu is low on spice, but big on flavour.

Criniti’s Italian Restaurant kids can enjoy all the Criniti’s classics on their Bambini menu like margherita pizza, spaghetti, burgers and more on a mini scale! Kids also receive a free drink with their meal. Free drink AND a satisfied child? Sign us up!

Sushi Hub is a crowd favourite when it comes to Japanese catering for little tummies. Bite sized maki rolls make for a healthy and delicious food option, and fussy eaters can pick from tonnes of flavour combos. Worried that raw fish will cause noses to scrunch? Opt for yummy veggie tempura or crispy chicken options instead.

Kid-friendly cafes

If your kids tend to be fussy about their food, a cafe can be a stress-free option. Many offer all-day breakfast menus, which are easy to mix and match from. Junior isn’t feeling bacon today? More often than not it’ll be no problem to swap it out for another side. Cafes are also great for light supper options. See: anything on toast.

Café 63 is known for its well-priced menu and the kid’s section is no exception! We recommend the Minnie Mouse pancakes or the Sail Boat (bacon, sausages and toast). The food is made fun at Café 63 and is affordably priced from just $6.

The Coffee Club has a huge kids’ menu. Better yet, the menu features helpful icons that indicate toddler friendly options. We can’t go past the rainbow pancakes or the Mini Bene.

Sweet Treats

Keen on an after-dinner sugar hit? There are options galore. Whether you dine in somewhere with both savoury and sweet menus, or head straight for dessert, the kids will go wild over pancakes, gelato and cake. Some restaurants offer sweet menus especially for kiddos, so you can rest easy knowing they won’t overindulge.

Gelare lets you savour a delicious coffee while the kids get thoroughly sugared up with waffles, pancakes, sundaes and more. It's the ultimate family-friendly dessert destination.