Having seen Oregano Bakery scrolls at many cafes dotted around the Sutherland Shire and yet to taste their delicious goodness we decided to head to the source and sample some treats on a gloomy late Sunday morning. Arriving closer to lunch time the savoury menu appealed and with good cause.
The menu is succinct yet varied with plenty of options for kids and adults alike. We opted for a Cheese Pizza ($6.50) for the children, Zaatar Wrap 1 – Sonia’s Special ($9.00) and a Sujuc Pizza with Egg ($9.00) and this was plenty of food for us all.
Oregano Bakery is modern and very popular with the locals, with many people having familiar conversations with the staff — a good sign of repeat customers! Our intention was to stick around and enjoy a sweet end to our lunch — however Miss Isla had other plans so we opted for takeaway scrolls to eat in comfort of our warm home!
Last Bite: Oregano Bakery is a popular cafe, great for a sweet treat and coffee or some tasty Lebanese food in Southern Sydney with children. Easy going, relaxed with friendly service make this a great kid-friendly place to eat.
Highchairs: Yes – only one visible. Stroller storage: Yes. Easy access: Yes. Change tables: No. Kids’ menu: No. But Kids won’t starve.
Oregano Bakery
56 Connells Point Road,
South Hurstville NSW 2221
Phone: 02 9546 3666
Prices: $-$$
Hours: Tue-Sat 7:00am-4pm Sun 7:00am-12pm Get Directions
When friends suggested we meet for breakfast at the Surf lifesaving Clubhouse in Rosebery, my first thought was, “huh?”. Rosebery isn’t known for its beaches but what awaited us at the Clubhouse was a fabulous, kid friendly surprise.
Right on busy Botany Road, the Clubhouse is hard to miss. It’s got an inviting patio with lots of sun-safe umbrellas and comfy cushioned seating. Inside, however, you get more that you expect: a well-appointed wood interior with murals representing the great surf lifesaving traditional in Australia. It’s one of those places that somehow strikes the balance between casual day eating and more sophisticated (but cozy!) night/bar eatery.
Cozy diningInviting lounges, post breakfast
And then there’s the menu. I ordered the B.R.A.T (bacon, rocket, avocado, fresh tomatoes, aioli, $14) which is pretty much the best BLT-esque breakfast sandwich I’ve had in years. Lorin ordered the Smoked ham & eggs Benedict on brioche ($20) and his only comment before he proceeded to devour the dish in under five minutes was that the eggs were poached to perfection. Baby Lukas ordered some banana bread ($4) which also managed to be a knock out being surprisingly light and fluffy. Echo after echo of “yum” from Baby Lukas confirmed this assessment.
B.R.A.T, bacon, rocket, avocado, fresh tomatoes, aioli ($14)Smoked ham & eggs Benedict on brioche ($20)Banana Bread ($4)
Another thing that blew us away was that upon arrival, Baby Lukas was given a “little nippers” goodie bag full of crayons, paper and stickers, which amused him for a good 15 minutes. Which, borrowing the concept of dog years, translates into roughly an hour in restaurant time.
Little Nippers goodie bag for kids
Last bite: If you’re for a kid-friendly place for brunch and are bumping about the far Eastern suburbs, visit the Clubhouse . You and your children will leave happy.
Highchairs: Yes. Stroller storage: Yes. Easy access: Yes. Change tables: Yes. Kids’ menu: No, but kids won’t starve
On a chilly Saturday morning we had a craving for bacon and eggs without much fuss so we decided to head to Hospitality Est. in Caringbah to fulfil our needs. The spacious interior and welcoming staff are the first impressions you get when entering this kid-friendly café. Tables are well laid out, there is a play corner with books, colouring and assorted toys, plus a big comfy lounge to house plenty of children if sitting still at your table isn’t happening.
We made sure we arrived in time for brunch, so the breakfast menu was still available and took our picks from the menu. I chose the Breakfast Panini ($10.50), Ross the Standard Bacon & Eggs ($11.50) and pleasingly Jenson was also well catered for with the ‘Little Est. Menu’ Ham & Cheese Melt ($3). This kid-friendly café has put some thought in to caring for the little ones, with a clever play on their name for the menu and all options under $6. Large coffees warmed up the adults ($4) and the signature milkshake order was not going to be missed. At $2.50 for a small size, this is the most affordable milkshake for kids I have found to date.
Breakfast Panini ($10.50)Standard Bacon & Eggs ($11.50) Photo by Ross BarkerHam & Cheese Melt ($3.00) Photo by Ross Barker
Jenson loves reading, so he selected a book and surprisingly waited quite patiently for our food to arrive. (Although he did nearly take out the waitress running back to our table when he realised his milkshake arrived). Little things like bringing the milkshake out first are the things which really add to a kid-friendly experience.
Patiently waiting for food, for once! Photo by Katia BarkerThe milkshake! Photo by Katia Barker
Hospitality Est. pleasantly surprised us. As soon as you enter you feel like you can relax, and turning up with a big group, or with several spirited children, would not be a problem. It can also accommodate several strollers, just what every family or parents’ group is after in a kid-friendly café!
Last Bite: Hospitality Est. serves good quality, no fuss food for breakfast and lunch in a relaxed atmosphere. Food arrives fast, which is important when dining with little people. We’ll be back soon to try out the lunch menu!
Highchairs: Yes. Stroller storage: Yes Easy access: Yes, although restrooms are located down a small flight of stairs Change tables: No Kids’ menu: Yes
To borrow a phrase from our Kiwi neighbours, the Three Williams café in Redfern is sweet as. Why you, ask? Well, for starters, anyone who gets excited by good grub will appreciate the good quality offerings on serve and the cool, exposed-brick venue. And anyone with kids will appreciate the large interior and dedicated kids’ area. That combination, my friends, is why Three Williams is sweet as. On its second weekend in existence, we decided to try it out for breakfast.
The first thing we noticed was how large Three Williams is: even parents with prams the size of small homes will be able to find an out-of-the-way place to park the mothership. Another luxury not commonly found in Eastern Suburb dining establishments is that the tables are spaced out so that you don’t feel like you’re sitting in the person’s lap at the next table.
Next we noticed Willy’s corner, a large, on-the-wall chalkboard that just beckons kids to it. It took Baby Lukas all of two seconds to gravitate towards it and paint a few artistic strokes. It took him just a few more to start eating the chalk (sorry, Three Williams).
Willy’s (pristine) corner for kids. It didn’t last that way for long! Photo by Emily Staresina.
So impressed were we with the kid-friendly fit-out, that by the time our food came around we felt like that was icing on the cake. I had the Scrambled Eggs on Toast ($10) with Avocado ($3) and a cheeky side of bacon ($4). Lorin ordered the Crunchy BriocheFrench Toast with Roasted Pecans and Maple ($14), which would please even the most discerning French-toastie. Surprisingly crunchy and sweet, it was a total hit with everyone, including Baby Lukas.
Crunchy brioche French toast ($14). Photo by Emily Staresina.Yummy eggs on toast ($10) with avocado ($3) and bacon ($4). Photo by Emily Staresina
Last bite: If you’re looking for a kid-friendly place with great food, look no further than Three Williams. It may be a new establishment, but it’s one to add to the rotation. And do it quickly – it won’t be long before there’s a line for this place!
Sydney’s been dry and dusty for far too long, so we thought we’d take the first rainy day we got as an excuse to saunter over to Marrickville for some fabulous Pho. Marrickville is known for its Vietnamese food, so we knew we’d find something delicious – the trick was finding a kid-friendly restaurant, and walking by Thuy Huong sold us: it was full of kids!
Thuy Huong is a small place, especially when full, which it was on the rainy Sunday we were there. There’s no room for prams and space between tables is limited and I didn’t see a highchair. Baby Lukas was the youngest kid there, but there were at least a dozen children ranging from 2-8 years who were just so into their brightly coloured, steaming plates of food, so we knew this restaurant would be suitable for kids.
We ordered the standard Beef Pho ($8) with vegetarian rice paper rolls ($6) with peanut sauce. The food came quickly (a plus when you have a squirming almost- toddler) and smelled heavenly.
Delicious beef pho ($8). Photo by Emily Staresina.vegetarian rice paper rolls with peanut sauce ($6). Photo by Emily Staresina
Though he was the youngest by a couple years, Baby Lukas also got into his food, slurping his vermicelli noodles and broth like a champion. We thought it was pretty good too. Lunch came with the standard tea you’d expect at most Vietnamese places.
Baby Lukas learning the fine art that is eating noodles off of chopsticks. Photo by Emily Staresina.You can’t get much more into your pho. Photo by Emily Staresina.
Last bite: If you’re in the mood for Pho that the kids will also love, walk no further than Thuy Huong.
Highchairs: No. Stroller storage: Limited. If you don’t need one, don’t bring one. Easy access: Yes. Change tables: No. Kids’ menu: No, but kids won’t starve
There was an ulterior motive when we decided to visit Baked Patisserie for morning tea and it centred on the rumours of magnificent cronuts and macarons to rival the king of macaron – Adriano Zumbo! As a plus, this tucked-away patisserie appeals to kids with a range of sweet delights from an evolving menu.
Being in the industrial side of Kirrawee, Baked Patisserie doesn’t really fit with its surroundings. However they are building up quite a cult following and why wouldn’t they with mouth-watering treats, such as the Raspberry & Vanilla Cronut ($5), Macarons ($2.50) and a reasonable $4.00 for a large coffee.
Jenson didn’t care about which flavour macaron he wanted, he went for the brightest possible colour (green) – which I believe was Pistachio and was devoured with a nod of approval. I savoured my cronut without thinking that J would soon turn his eyes to the remaining half on my plate, and in his usual negotiating style asked that we share the rest as sharing is a nice thing to do. I can’t fault his approach!
Baked Patisserie certainly caters for the little people with a small train set set up alongside one wall to play with, a high chair for the littler ones, which is a good thing, as you want to savour the quality coffee on offer. These little additions, along with the friendly service, make this cafe very kid-friendly.
For the less sweet-tooth inclined, there are gourmet rolls ($7) and a pie warmer for more substantial offerings. (The Moroccan Pie stood out for me which sounded delicious). Another time perhaps!
Last Bite: Baked Patisserie is a place you are going to be adding to your regular café repertoire especially when your sweet tooth is calling and the kids are needing distraction. The constantly evolving menu also means there will be something new each time you visit.
Highchairs: Yes Stroller Storage: Yes Easy Access: Yes, one step inside Change Tables: No Kids Menu: Cakes and treats for all ages!
Sometimes at the end of a long and arduous week, all you want is to drown your sorrows in some comfort food. Chi Chi’s Café, in Waterloo, is just that: a kid-friendly place that offers no-fuss comfort food when you really need it.
Although Danks Street is lined with cafes (more and more everyday it seems), few are open between that awkward time after lunch and before most people consider eating dinner. Feeling a little desperate for calories, Baby Lukas, my husband Lorin and I stumbled upon Chi Chi’s. It was relatively quiet and it looked like it was closing, but much to our delight, the host ushered us in and assured us all options were on the table. At 4:45pm in the afternoon. Total score.
Lorin decided right away on the beef burger with chips ($14.50) and Baby Lukas convinced me to share a cheese and tomato open melt ($8.50). While we waited for our food, the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming or friendly to Baby Lukas. In fact, Baby Lukas ended up behind the counter in the arms of a waitress, helping her ring in a few transactions.
Chi Chi’s beef burger with Chips ($14.50). Chi Chi’s cheese and tomato open melt ($8.50).
Our food came relatively quickly and it was good value: big, unpretentious portions with generous servings of side sauces at no extra charge. Such a relief to find this sort of place amongst all the trendy cafes in the neighbourhood.
Last Bite: the next time you’re craving some serious comfort food that’s good value and welcomes kids with open arms, check out Chi Chi’s Café.
Highchairs: Yes. Stroller storage: Yes. Easy access: Yes. Change tables: No. Kids’ menu: No, but kids won’t starve
Chi Chi’s Cafe
Shp 1a/ 207 Young St
Waterloo NSW 2017
Phone: (02) 9699 3510
Prices: $
A trip to Huskisson is not complete unless you stop at the affectionately known Husky Bakery for something delicious. The draw card is the extensive pie menu where you actually get large chunks of meat in the pie – however we stopped in for a quick morning tea in between visits to the beach and the nearby park.
Husky Bakery Outside, Photo by Katia Barker
On previous visits we got take-out, but today, with nothing much on the agenda we opted for dine in and were surprised at how kid-friendly the Husky Bakery really is! Whilst you can’t really go wrong with a sweets display full of fresh and fun options, the Husky Bakery has really catered towards the younger crowds. There is a long covered eat-in area out the back with several highchairs available for use, but the best bit is the full size playground set – also under cover for the kids to run riot whilst the adults enjoy a coffee or two.
Half of the delights available at Husky Bakery, Photo by Katia Barker
Our food choices were simple but very fresh and the coffee hot and tasty. Ross went savoury, with a Spinach and Fetta Roll ($3.60) but I could not go past the sweets and ordered a Mini Lemon Meringue Tart ($2.80). Cupcakes were right at child eye-level and it worked, Jenson ordered a bright pink Cupcake ($2.80).
Spinach and Fetta roll $3.60, Photo by Katia BarkerLemon Meringue Tart $2.80 and Piccolo Latte $3.00, Photo by Katia BarkerJenson sat sit for just long enough to take this photo with his cupcake $2.80, Photo by Katia Barker
Isla wasn’t in the mood to sit quietly or still for very long, and we’d run out of our emergency supply of food for her so after our last drops of coffee were gone, and Jenson had descended the slide a few more times we made our exit down one of the two handy ramps.
Last Bite: The Huskisson Bakery and Café is a must stop location for anyone visiting Huskisson with kids, even if just passing through town to head further south. They know what kids like and have well-catered towards their needs, especially with the burgeoning camping crowds in summer when there is a freak downpour! Get in early and claim your table near the playground, as this place gets busy!
Highchairs: Yes Stroller Storage: Yes Easy Access: Yes Change Tables: No Kids Menu: Not dedicated, but what kid would turn back a cupcake (or lamington) it’s Un-Australian! Huskisson Bakery & Café
11 Currambene Street, Huskisson, NSW 2540
Phone: 02 4441 5015
Price: $
Hours: Monday – Sunday 6:30am – 5:00pm
We decided to take a cheeky mid-week Spring break down to the sunny holiday spot of Jervis Bay for a few days and Huskisson is a family favourite of ours. Finding kid-friendly cafes beyond fish and chips was a new experience we were willing to take on and Pilgrim’s Wholefood was an excellent start. Tucked along a retail corridor the interior of Pilgrims encapsulates a beach side cantina feel with a little bit of Sydney hipness.
Being a devoted meatatarian I was impressed by the modern menu, which is made up solely of vegetarian options utilizing local fresh produce. The wait staff helpfully offered up the most popular choices (both burgers!). Ross selected the Bliss Burger, $11 (mixed grain pattie with fried onion, avocado, cheese, tabouleh, sprouts, special sauce & peanut sauce on a wholemeal roll) and I opted for the Millenium Burger $11 (Curry lentil pattie, fried onion, avocado, lettuce, beetroot, cucumber, sprouts, tahini sauce & sweet chilli sauce on a toasted wholemeal roll). Jenson had a Kids Burger, $8 (mixed grain pattie, fried onion, cheese, sprouts & special sauce on a toasted wholemeal roll).
The Millenium BurgerThe Bliss Burger $11Kids Burger $8
We all opted for cold drinks and Jensons’ Kids Banana Smoothie, $4.50, was generous in size and arrived first, which is always smart when kids are dining. The adult Thickshakes, $7, each are served in traditional chilled metal cups and hit the spot on a warm day.
Isla enjoying some of Daddy’s Strawberry Thickshake $7
The adult burgers were both delicious and satisfying and didn’t need any accompaniments such as chips, although they were a little messy. Jenson tried his burger but wasn’t really into the non-traditional flavours. It would be more suitable for a child who is either a little more worldly with their eating, or can accept that a burger can be something other than meat, cheese, tomato, lettuce & sauce! Never mind, more for us to snack on!
Jenson and his Banana Smoothie $4.50
Pilgrim’s Wholefood is a little bit of everything with typical breakfast fare in the morning (although still all vegetarian), burgers, wraps, pies & salads and coffee during the day with Mexican cuisine at night. This could allow you to return three times a day and have a different culinary experience each time. The café is spacious with long rustic wood tables built for sharing with a few smaller tables dotted around and has a small retail corner for local designer clothes & art for purchase or browse whilst waiting for your food.
Last Bite: Pilgrim’s Wholefood brings the Sydney vibe to the beachside town with unique vegetarian wholefoods, stylish interior and things to look at and poke around for the kids. Takeaway is also an option if the café is buzzing and you need space with a kid-friendly park directly underneath the shop.
Highchairs: Yes Stroller storage: Yes Easy access: Yes Change tables: No Kids menu: One or two options, might be best to ask for a custom sandwich or wrap if child is a little picky!
As the weather begins to warm up seaside dining options with kids are something we are constantly on the lookout for. The unassuming Silver Beach Café is not much to look at from the outside but ticks all the right boxes for a kid-friendly café.
Arriving on a warm spring lunchtime we knew burgers were the order for the day but were pleasantly surprised to see an extensive menu ranging from typical burger bar fare to more sophisticated café dining such as haloumi and roasted capsicum burger and assorted quiche and slices. Not to be swayed, we stuck with our burger order and as Ross waited for our takeaway (sitting across the road at the beach suits dining with kids perfectly), the kids and I set up our picnic area.
Silver Beach Café – The Local Beach Everything Store. Photo by Katia Barker
The burgers were delicious, with the right amount of meat, salad & sauce ratios, and did not fall apart as we ate them. I ordered the Standard Burger ($6.00) with Cheese (50c extra), Ross the Fish Burger ($6.00) and Jenson not to be left out – the Kids Burger ($5.00). What are burgers without chips? Well unfathomable – and luck was on our side, as we ordered a serve (they only offer one size which is approximately medium) and didn’t get charged for them! WIN!
Standard Burger with Cheese ($6.50). Photo by Katia BarkerFish Burger ($6.00). Photo by Katia BarkerKids Burger ($5.00). Photo by Katia Barker
It was a quick meal today as Jenson was itching to get in to the water and have a swim, and we took delight in introducing Isla to the ocean for the first time. Reflecting on Silver Beach Café we were pleasantly surprised to find a kid-friendly café in this prominent location (Kurnell — birthplace of a modern nation and all that!).
Jenson speeding through his burger, desperate to go for a swim! Photo by Katia Barker
There is a great kids menu (all items around $5.00) and a couple of highchairs should you choose to dine in but personally, on a sunny day like today the only option was beachside dining. We will definitely be back, especially when the more popular Cronulla beaches become too busy to handle!
Last Bite: Silver Beach Café was a pleasant surprise that offers much more than a regular beach burger kiosk which has made the effort to provide for the little people and meets my expectations of a kid-friendly café. Don’t forget to pack your swimmers and sunscreen for the kid-friendly safe beach across the road!
