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.

YOMG
(pronounced "yo-em-gee"), Australia's BEST burgers, shakes and frozen yogurt! With meals for the whole family, after you finish dinner dessert is right there, with their exclusive frozen yogurt bar.

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!

The Sporting Globe has free kids’ meals all day on Monday and Tuesday. Even better, kids can grab a free ice-cream sundae or a mini football with each meal purchased! What a winner.

Betty's Burgers Enjoy all their crowd-pleasing classics... but mini! Whilst the little one's dig into their choice of kids meal deals, the rest of the family can enjoy their iconic burgers, fries and shakes. There's something for everyone!

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.

Casa Cibo offers an authentic Italian dining experience without the mega-long flight! Everything is made in house daily with the best ingredients, delivering Italian food that is accessible, authentic and inspiring. Plus, if you can visit on a Sunday, your kids eat free!

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.

Schnitz is committed to creating the best schnitzels in the world: crumbed and pan cooked to a delicious, crispy golden brown finish.

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.

Cafe 63 The ‘Genius Menu’ for kids includes smaller serves - smarter choices. Nothing is over $14 and every meal includes a free Einstein Loop: A 63-style scrunchie – a soft, stretchy hair tie with a twist of genius!

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.

Table 26 is enticing families with their kid-friendly menu, and their gated play area. Parents, sit back, relax and enjoy your meal while your kids safely explore and play in sight. As if that wasn't enough? You can bring your furry friends too!

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.

Yo-Bar indulge in self-serve frozen yoghurt and açaí, and let the kids go crazy with topping that rangees from fresh fruits, granolas, and rich chocolate, to all the lollies you can dream of!

Gelatissimo has bite-sized bambino gelato cones filled with delicious gelato and topped with chocolate. The perfect post-dinner treat (after they’ve eaten all their veggies of course!).

Brooklyn Donut & Coffee Co. serves up fresh, fluffy donuts with decadent, fun flavours. Perfect for a the kids quick sweet fix.