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Moo Gourmet Burgers, Bondi Beach: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bondi, Sydney

November 15, 2015 / Bondi, Eastern Suburbs, Sydney, Sydney Food / 2 Comments

I love a good burger! Being vegetarian makes it hard to find good burgers, so I was very excited when walking past Moo Gourmet Burgers in Bondi to see their menu out front listed three different types of vegetarian burgers.

Moo Gourmet Burgers is a small chain of burger stores focusing on producing great burgers, amazing shakes, and addictive chips. Moo Gourmet Burgers only uses ethically farmed, free range, free to roam, sustainable products free from hormone growth promotants and antibiotic treatments. Their menu includes 20 different gourmet burgers.

All beef burgers are made with 100% Australian Grasslands Premium Beef. As well as the 3 vegetarian options there is a selection of premium burgers including the double Wagyu beef “Deluxe Moo®”, Duck & Bacon, Greek Lamb, and Grilled Salmon.

Kids under 12 can choose from the “Little Cow®” menu which includes a choice of 3 menu options (including a vegetarian burger), a drink, and a dessert.

Multigrain and gluten free buns are on offer.

You know a restaurant is kid-friendly when you sit down and a box of crayons and drawing paper appears immediately on your table. The walls are covered with the drawings of Moo’s kiddie customers too – another good sign.

We ordered the kids’ Mini Falafel Burger with Hummus and a chocolate milkshake, $10.95, a Vanilla Malt Milkshake, $6, the Grilled Haloumi vegetarian burger, $14.50, Kangaroo Burger, $16.50 and a side of Sweet Potato Chips, $5.50. All in all, a bit expensive for burgers, but I guess you’re paying for the view, too.

The kids’ milkshake came in the cutest cup – a miniature version of the adult one. Both shakes were classic, old school Aussie shakes.

The Bondi branch of Moo Gourmet Burgers overlooks Bondi Beach.

The kids’ burger came with a small side of chips and a little side salad. It was the perfect size for little kids – and still way too much food for my little Cheese to be able to finish.

My haloumi burger was delicious: pureed avocado, haloumi, tomato, rocket and cucumber on a fluffy fresh bun. Hubbie’s kangaroo burger was “great”. He loves word economy.

We thoroughly enjoyed our burgers at Moo Gourmet. A great easy dining option with plenty for everyone to eat and a laidback atmosphere perfect for families.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Minimal.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

Moo Gourmet Burgers
70A Campbell Parade,
Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Phone: (02) 9300 8898
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily 11am-9:30pm
Get Directions

Paradise Road Diner: Bondi’s Best Kid-Friendly Cafes

September 27, 2015 / Bondi, Eastern Suburbs, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

There are plenty of cafes in Bondi, usually super busy, over run with tourists, and serving very average food. We discovered a new cafe recently called Paradise Road Diner, which is on its way to becoming a new local favourite breakfast and lunch spot, particularly for families.

The diner evokes the feel of 1950s America, with its vintage interiors and classic menu. Plenty of burgers, shakes and eggs your way – all at very affordable prices.

We ordered a classic cheese and tomato omelette ($16, served with a half ruby grapefruit), bagel with cream cheese ($6), and a classic chocolate shake, $6.

The food came quickly and was spot on. The perfect size for breakfast on our way down to the beach. The shake was truly a classic, served in a stainless steel cup for the small one. No gimmicks here, just really simple, good food and shakes.

The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful, to us and all of the other families who were dining at the same time. Crayons were brought for toddlers to scribble with, furniture was moved to accommodate strollers, and welcoming smiles greeted every one at the door. The delicious food with no waiting, combined with the staffs’ welcoming attitude, ensured we will be back again soon.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Black Star Pastry and Cafe
296 Campbell Parade
North Bondi Beach
Phone: (02) 9557 8656
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily 7am-10pm
Get Directions

Best Sydney Day Trips: Bondi Beach With Kids

September 13, 2015 / Bondi, Eastern Suburbs, Sydney / 2 Comments

I usually say that Bondi Beach is for tourists and avoid it like the plague. The massive crowds make me super frustrated and trying to find somewhere to park makes my husband homicidal. Bondi does, however, have a lot going for it – there’s a reason it’s the most popular beach in Sydney, after all. If you’re prepared to brave the crowds, you’re in for a bit of a treat.

Getting there
You have two options – drive or catch the bus. Driving is faster and pretty easy, but parking is crazy, particularly on weekends. We’ve never not found somewhere to park, but it can often be a good 20 minutes walk from the beach. Catching the bus obviously means no parking, but the queues to catch the bus out of Bondi can get out of control. Either way, be prepared and allow lots of time on both ends.

Where to eat
This is always my first thought when I go basically anywhere: “What is there to eat?”. Bondi is full of great dining options, depending what you’re in the mood for.

Something fancy: Bills
Bills has the most mazing ricotta hotcakes. They are also super kid friendly, but a bit on the pricer side. Read the full review here.
Bills Bondi: 79 Hall St, Bondi Beach

Something fast: Harry’s Cafe de Wheels
Makers of delicious pies, this is my favourite option when we want to grab something and keep walking. Their pies with potato and mushy peas are legendary, and also make for a cheap lunch.
Harry’s Cafe de Wheels: 2/152 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

Something away from the crowds: Paradise Road Diner
This is a new place that just opened. They serve basic bagels, burgers and breakfast dishes, with old school milkshakes. Reasonable prices and far from the tourist crowd. The vibe is relaxed, the staff friendly and welcoming to small children.
Paradise Road Diner: 296 Campbell Pde, North Bondi

Something with a view: Lamrock Cafe
Lamrock Cafe serves really solid breakfast and lunch meals with a killer view. They have a big menu with all the brekkie dishes you’d expect (think pancakes, eggs and “big breakfasts”). Friendly staff, a bit squishy and service can be a bit slow. The price you pay for breakfast with a view. Read the full review here.
Lamrock Cafe: 72-76 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

Something sweet: Gelato Messina
There are lots of choices for ice cream in Bondi, but our favourite is Gelato Messina for their busting-with-flavour inventive creations. A “tiny” scoop is the perfect size for kids ($4). My favourite flavours are Salted Caramel with White Chocolate Chip and Yogurt Berry.
Gelato Messina: 6/61 Hall St, Bondi Beach

Where to swim
If you have older kids, head to the flagged section where the life guards are on patrol. Bondi gets big rips so it’s not safe to swim in the surf outside of this area.

Smaller kids will love splashing in the waves in the north end of the beach as they roll onto the shore. The area is partially protected by Ben Buckler headland, making the waves smaller. Kids can sit on the sand banks with small waves rolling up to their feet.

At the very north end of Bondi Beach is a free, outdoor children’s pool The graduated pool has no waves, so is very safe for children to swim. The shallow end is particularly great for young toddlers and preschoolers.

Where to play
Bondi Beach Playground is right behind the beach promenade, giving it one of the best views of any playground in Sydney. It’s fenced and gated, with decent shade. Nearby is the Bondi Pavillion where you’ll find toilets and change tables.

Kids will also love climbing the rocks behind the Bondi Beach Children’s Pool, scooting up and down the promenade, and, if they’re either in strollers or strong enough to scoot or walk longer distances, attempt the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk (picture above of Tamarama Beach, along the walk). Note: the coastal walk has lots of stairs.

Enjoy your trip to Bondi! Where are you planning to visit now the weather is warming up?

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids here.

Find things to do in Sydney for free here.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney here.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day here.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney here.

Brekkie On The Beach: Lamrock Cafe, Bondi Beach

May 14, 2015 / Bondi, Eastern Suburbs, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Bondi Beach is a favourite playground of ours on a winter day. It’s a lot quieter and we can play for hours outdoors without worrying about sunburn. It also mean the cafes are a bit quieter, so it’s easier to get a table.

We chose Lamrock so we could look at the gorgeous beach while we ate. While it was quite busy and bustling, we were still shown to a table straight away, and had a super friendly staff member immediately come over and take care of us.

Little E was pretty antsy already when we sat, so we ordered her a babyccino and breakfast straight away. While they don’t have a specific kids’ menu, Lamrock will make a kid-sized version of the adult meals for your little one. We asked for one scrambled egg and one piece of toast. Five minutes later it arrived on our table. Talk about fast service!

We admired the view while waiting for our meals to arrive. E’s babyccino cam soon after and was piping hot. Instead of being a cup of foam, it was actually scalding hot milk with foam on top, and E swilled a big sip of it before we could try it first. Cue extremely sad toddler with a burned mouth 🙁

My Vegetarian Breakfast ($16.50; sourdough toast, hash brown, haloumi, spinach, roast tomato, two poached eggs and mushrooms) was delicious. Perfectly cooked eggs, and a great variety of elements that contributed to a filling, nutritious and wonderfully tasting meal.

Alec’s Big Bondi Brekkie ($14.50) was pretty similar to mine. Two slices of sourdough, two fried eggs, hashbrown, sausage, bacon, roasted tomato, mushrooms. His was devoured within about 30 seconds and declared delicious.

Our table was optimal for great view while being within the cafe for a bit of wind protection. Plenty of space, and lots of chilled out diners who didn’t mind a crazy toddler refusing to stay put in her seat.

Last bite: A delicious meal with a killer view.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Outside.
Easy access: Once step.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Lamrock Cafe
72-76 Campbell Parade,
Bondi Beach
Phone: (02) 9130 6313
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily 6:30am-6:30pm
Get Directions

Gelato Messina: In Search Of Sydney’s Best Gelato

November 25, 2014 / Bondi, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

While I was happily eating delicious ice cream in New York from Ample Hills, rumblings were reaching me across the globe of delicious gelato, so amazing that people were lining up down the street for is. The gelato is, of course, Gelato Messina, only the most delicious gelato I’ve every tasted, and my new obsession.

So what makes Messina so mind-blowingly good? Firstly, Messina use ingredients in their raw and most natural form and make everything from scratch. For example, they roast and grind their own pistachios, and bake their own apple pies and brownies in-house, before smashing them up in the gelato.

Secondly, Messina have a wild range of over 40 flavours at any one time. Regular flavours include the popular Salted Caramel and White Chocolate, Apple Pie, Tirasimu, Gianduia, Pannacotta with Fig Jam and Amaretti Biscuit and, my personal favourite, Chocolate Chip. Weekly specials are creative mashups like Have A Gay Old Time (swirls of caramel in milk gelato with bits of chocolate covered biscuit crumbs) and Nicpic (milk chocolate gelato with rice crisps, peanuts, wafers and caramel).

Price wise, Messina is reasonable too. A tiny scoop for kids costs $3, a single scoop $4 and a double is $6.

DARLINGHURST STORE
Shop 1/241 Victoria St,
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Hours: Sun-Thur 12pm-11pm, Fri & Sat 12pm-11.30pm

MESSINA DESSERT BAR & CAKE SHOP
243 Victoria St,
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Cake Shop hours: Mon-Thur 12pm-11pm, Fri 12pm-11.30pm, Sat 12pm-11.30pm, Sun 12pm-11pm
Dessert Bar hours: Mon-Thur 5pm-11pm, Fri 5pm-11.30pm, Sat 12pm-11.30pm, Sun 12pm-11pm

THE STAR STORE
Cafe Court, Level G,
80 Pyrmont Street,
Pyrmont NSW 2009
Hours: Mon-Thur 11am-11pm, Fri & Sat 11am-11.30pm, Sun 11am-11pm

SURRY HILLS STORE
389 Crown St,
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Sun-Thur 12pm-11pm, Fri & Sat 12pm-11.30pm

BONDI STORE
G6/61 Hall Street,
Bondi NSW 2026
Hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-11pm, Sun 12pm-10pm

PARRAMATTA STORE
283 Church Street,
Parramatta NSW 2150
Hours: Sun-Thur 12pm-11pm, Fri & Sat 12pm-11.30pm

Bills at Bondi: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bondi, Sydney

November 20, 2014 / Bondi, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

When you want hotcakes, you go to Bills. With the newest Bills recently opening in Bondi, you can now get a top brunch before pigging out on your Gelato Messina which is next door.

What I really enjoy about Bills is happy and easy-going vibe. Despite rocking up with a 3-year-old who insisted she did not want lunch at all, we were swiftly shown to a table and a friendly staff member quickly brought coloured pencils and paper for our lunch-hating child to enjoy. The colouring page they brought us was especially produced by Bills to entertain kids, with an intricate design that kept E busy for whole minutes (this is actually a good thing, believe it or not).

The very friendly staff remarked on several occasions how well behaved (!!) she was, and also how adorable (ok, I can see that), making us feel relaxed and welcome.

We ordered the Scrambled Eggs and Sourdough, $14.50, with additional sides of bacon, tomato and mushroom, a side of fries, and the famous Ricotta Hotcakes, $19. The scrambled eggs were really delicious. My husband’s only complaint was that the butter was delivered cold and hard, making it difficult to spread. My hotcakes were moist, light and fluffy, with huge pieces of banana hidden underneath. They were so delicious that even the child wanted some, and devoured a large portion all on her own.

Bills Bondi
79 Hall St,
Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Ph: (02) 8412 0700
Prices: $$$
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Sat & Sun 7:30am-10pm
Get Directions

Ice Skating on the Beach at Bondi Winter Magic

July 6, 2014 / Bondi, Eastern Suburbs, Outdoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

A gorgeous, sunny winter day calls for … ice skating, of course! We tried one of the many pop up ice skating rinks over the weekend at Bondi Beach as part of their Winter Magic event. We had a fantastic time, and little E took to ice skating like a natural. The penguin aid that we rented certainly helped her confidence.

Thinking of trying a pop up rink this winter? Here are our tips:

Book in advance (the sessions usually sell out).
Rent a penguin aid for littlies where possible — they only have limited numbers and they go fast.
Arrive at least 30 minutes early to ensure you are able to secure a pair of kid-sized skates (only limited double-bladed kid skates are available).

That’s it! We all had so much fun, and would absolutely go again if it wasn’t quite so expensive ($22 for adults, $10 for kids under 5 and $8 penguin aid hire).

The Bondi Winter Magic ice skating rink is located in front of the Bondi Beach Pavillion, and is open from 27 June to 13 July, between 10am to 9pm each day. Skating sessions start on the hour and each skating session is 45 mins long. Book tickets online.