kid friendly cafes sydney Archives

kid friendly cafes sydney

Lab Kitchen Five Dock: Kid-Friendly Cafes in Sydney

November 1, 2019 / Five Dock, Inner West, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Lab Kitchen Five Dock

Lab Kitchen Five Dock serves up delicious, seasonal, modern Western-Eastern dishes at a reasonable price – and has a massive backyard filled with play equipment and toys for kids. What more could you ask for?

This is a top cafe that we will be returning for, for the food alone. Lab Kitchen has a large menu with breakfast served till 3pm and lunch from 11am, plus coffee, smoothies, fresh juice and even Bing-Soo (Korean style shaved ice). The majority of seating is outside under cover and is dog-friendly, so you will find a lot of families with their human and fur kids here.

We chose: Vegetarian Plate (haloumi, smashed avo, asparagus, roasted tomato, portabello mushroom, Persian feta, hash browns, sautéed spinach, bread of choice and eggs of choice, $22), Eggs Benedict (homemade crumpets, poached egg, spinach, hollandaise, smoked salmon, $16.90), the “Whatever” from the kids’ menu (five nuggets and chips, $8.90).

The food was served quickly and was fresh, hot and absolutely delicious. The portions were generous and items well cooked with fresh produce. The crumpets were homemade!

The massive backyard is a huge drawcard for families. Kids are free to wander and play with the equipment or bring toys back to their table. There are plenty of high chairs to use for littles and a decent kids menu with fun names that will give you a giggle.

Lab Kitchen Five Dock
Hours: Daily, 7am-4pm
Prices: $$
108 Great N Rd, Five Dock
labkitchen.com.au
Get Directions

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Restaurant Review: The Galley at Sydney Boathouse

January 12, 2019 / Inner West, Rozelle, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Kick back in the sun and enjoy the waterfront views while dining on super delish food at the Galley at Sydney Boathouse. The rustic, beachy vibes are reminiscent of seaside holiday while the food is fresh, colourful and seriously tasty.

The Galley at Sydney Boathouse has stunning harbour views, while nestled into a little nook near the White Bay Cruise Terminal in Rozelle. It’s a quiet spot, ideal for whiling the morning away with a solid meal and big iced coffee.

Kids and dogs are both welcome at The Galley. Dogs have to stay outside but it’s good to know you can bring your furry friend and grab a pretty harbourside spot to dine with them.

Kids, however, can step inside with their parents and head straight for the toy area that offers a selection of entertainment options for the tiny diners who visit – so very thoughtful and much appreciated. There are also kids’ offerings on both the brekkie and lunch menus.

Brekkie is served 7-11:30am, lunch 11:30am-3pm. We arrived for lunch and were delighted to see how many vegetarian options were on the menu, and also a veggie option for kids.

We highly enjoyed the Avocado and Haloumi Tortilla (with pesto, rocket, roast tomato, spinach, $18) plus Beer Battered Chips ($3), Black Sausage (with spinach, scrambled egg, pomegranate, dill yoghurt, roast tomato, herbs, sourdough, $22), kid’s Corn Omelette (with tomato sauce, $10) and Iced Coffee ($6).

We found the food absolutely delicious, the staff friendly and the atmosphere relaxing. It was a perfect dining experience and we will be returning to try the brekkie menu next.

To find The Galley, take James Craig Road off The Crescent and then right onto Waterways Court at the first roundabout. There’s easy free 1 hour parking.

The Galley at Sydney Boathouse
2 Waterways Court
Rozelle, NSW 2039
Ph: 0455 723 555
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-2:30pm, Sat & Sun 7:30am to 3pm
Online: thegalleycafe.com.au
Get Directions

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: Not seen.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

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.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Sydney Restaurants: Fratelli Fresh Darling Harbour

July 30, 2018 / CBD, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Fratelli Fresh Darling Harbour is the perfect spot for casual dining, particularly with the family. Enjoy vibrant, affordable Italian food and family-friendly menus in a bright, large dining area.

With the tagline: “Fratelli Fresh, A Place For Everyone”, you’d expect no less, and the restaurant offers up delicious food with enough variety to please even the pickiest of eaters.

Located directly underneath the ICC building, Fratelli Fresh Darling Harbour is the ideal location for a meal when seeing a show, or visiting the nearby Darling Quarter playground.

While we were sorely tempted by the hand-tossed Neapolitan pizzas (they looked amazing), we were having a light lunch and chose a build-your-own salad and kids’ pasta.

Fratelli Fresh frequently has excellent deals such as kids eat free on Sundays and school holidays, plus daily deals for the adult menu. On the day I visited, the build-your-own salad was $10 ($15 with soup) and kids ate free as it was school holidays, so our meal cost only $15. Crazy cheap, especially considering the excellent quality and generous portions.

There is a games area that would suit older kids. During the school holidays Fratelli Fresh puts on free kids’ activities too, making it a no-brainer in my opinion!

We loved the gelato and dessert bar and indulged with truly delicious gelato after our meal.

The Darling Quarter playground is only a few steps away, making this our new fave restaurant when visiting the area.

Get more info on the Darling Quarter Playground here.

Fratelli Fresh
2/14 Darling Dr, Darling Harbour
Phone: 02 9259 5600
Hours: Daily, 7am-12am
Website: fratellifresh.com.au/venues/darling-harbour

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.

Sydney’s Best Cafes: Black Star Pastry, Rosebery

November 14, 2017 / Eastern Suburbs, Roseberry, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

The darling of the Sydney pastry world has to be Black Star Pastry owner Christopher Thé. His iconic strawberry-watermelon cake really put Black Star on the map, resulting in a long line out of his original Newtown store that would stretch down the block.

While the Newtown store is filled with character (you can read about it here), it’s also very small with minimal seating. The Rosebery store is like a warehouse: light and bright with plenty of tables.

There are also some toys for kids to play with while their parents are swooning over their cakes and croissants.

We always order the strawberry-watermelon cake because it would be a crime not to. The cake is comprised of two layers of almond dacquoise, fresh whipped cream, watermelon, strawberries and red grapes. It’s light and refreshing and incredibly more-ish.

Fun & Food In #Newtown: #BlackStarPastry via brunchwithmybaby.com

I also love the orange cake with Persian fig. It’s topped with cream-cheese icing, figs, pistachio and rose petals and is delicious.

We usually have lunch when we dine in and enjoy Black Star’s pies and quiches. The coffee, from specialty roaster Little Marionette, gets a big thumbs up from the hubby.

Black Star Pastry Rosebery #Sydney #Australia via christineknight.me

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

Black Star Pastry
C1, 85-113 Dunning Avenue,
Rosebery NSW 2018
Prices: $
Phone: (02) 9700 7686
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-3pm Sat & Sun 8am-4pm
Get Directions

MCA Cafe & Sculpture Terrace: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Sydney

March 12, 2016 / CBD, Circular Quay, Sydney, Sydney Food / 2 Comments

A kid-friendly restaurant in Sydney’s CBD is quite a find. We end up spending a lot of time around Circular Quay at the Sydney Opera House, the AGNSW and the MCA, so are always in search of Sydney’s best kid-friendly cafes in these areas.

On our recent visit to the MCA we tried their rooftop cafe, which I previously didn’t even know existed. To get to the cafe, enter through any of their regular entrances, then take the elevator to the 4th floor. Entrance to the general exhibitions at the MCA is free, so you won’t need to pay if you stop along the way to check out some art.

When you reach the top floor of the MCA, turn right to enter the cafe and sculpture terrace. Dining is casual, so grab menus at the front, choose a table, then order and pay at the counter.

The cafe currently has a British Grayson Perry-inspired menu, running at the same time as the gallery has the Grayson Perry exhibition on downstairs. I love themed menus, so this was a fun, unexpected bonus. The menu was a celebration of all things British, such as Devonshire tea & scones, crumpets, fish & chips, bangers and mash, or their Little Pretty Eton Mess.

I chose the Honeyed Oats, Summer Berries, Elderflower, Yoghurt & Pistachio ($12),
Alec had the Roasted Salmon (with green beans, roast potatoes & lemon, $28), and Cheese selected the Battered Fish & Chips ($14) from the kids’ menu.

While we were waiting for our meals, Cheese amused herself by checking out the giant sculpture on the terrace, while we admired the view. Not too shabby, eh?

My honeyed oats were really delicious, but I did find them to be a tad dry and would have liked more yogurt. I thought the dish was colourful and beautiful, and really tasty. Alec’s salmon was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, and Cheese’s fish and chips were also a winner. The portion was so big it would have done an adult who wanted a smallish-sized lunch.

After our brunch we strolled downstairs to take part in the free drop in craft session for kids. The MCA usually has a kid-friendly component to their major exhibitions where little ones can experiment with different materials in the spirit of the big show, which, in this case, was Grayson Perry’s “My Pretty Little Art Career”.

With the stunning view, free admission to the MCA plus the also-free art-making session, this was one extremely good value restaurant, perfect for kids, right in the heart of Sydney.

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

MCA Cafe
140 George St,
The Rocks
Phone: (02) 9250 8443
Prices: $$$
Hours: Daily 10am–4pm, Thur 10am–9pm
Get Directions

Eden Coffee: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Zetland

March 6, 2016 / Sydney, Sydney Food, Zetland / 0 comment

Eden Coffee used to be our local brekkie joint when we lived nearby. While their focus is on providing the best coffee possible to diners, they also have fantastic food, friendly staff and a very welcome vibe. If you’re after a kid-friendly cafe in Zetland with great coffee and delicious food, Eden is your best bet.

Despite there being nothing particularly kid-friendly at this cafe, like a kid’s menu or play equipment, it’s still really family-friendly, as evidenced by the many families who brunch here every weekend. Mums regularly park their strollers at the tables both outside and indoors, as the cafe is big and roomy, with an upbeat atmosphere that welcomes tiny and perhaps noisy guests.

We dined at Eden on many, many, many occasions. My regular dish was the Avocado Smash plus Haloumi (smashed avocado on sourdough with roasted tomatoes), or the Eve’s Breakfast (eggs your way, house-made baked beans, sauteed mushrooms and kale, roasted tomatoes on sourdough), while Alec loved the Adam’s Breakfast (eggs your way, spinach, bacon, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, baked beans, on sourdough).

We would regularly order a babyccino, kid’s milkshake or smoothie for Cheese, plus either banana bread or toast.

The staff at Eden are fantastic. There’s nothing like your regular cafe knowing you and your order when you walk in (or perhaps it’s a sign that we are boring and should branch out into other menu items?).

Highly recommend our old local. If you’re in the ‘hood, drop by!

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

Eden Coffee
781 Elizabeth St,
Zetland NSW 2017
Phone: (02) 9699 3309
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily 7am-4pm
Get Directions

Tintos: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Balmain, Sydney

January 30, 2016 / Balmain, Inner West, Sydney, Sydney Food / 5 Comments

I do love trying new cafes. This week I stumbled upon Tintos in Balmain – a tiny little hole in the wall that opens up into a reasonably-sized cafe, right off Darling Street. I admit I was seduced by the cronuts in the window …

Lucky I was, as this little cafe is an absolute gem. As we sat down at cable reel that was doubling as a table, I noticed a few big baskets of toys and colouring in supplies. What an amazing find! Cheese was entertained for our entire stay and we had to pry her away from the toys when it was time to leave.

We ordered a light meal – two Avocado Toasts ($11), mine with Haloumi ($5) and Alec’s with a Poached Egg ($3) and Bacon ($4). They were just perfect.

Soy and lindseed bread with smashed avocado in olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon. Just devine.

Cheese devoured a giant Mixed Berry Smoothie ($7.5).

My English Breakfast tea ($4) was by Tea Craft and served in a pot so big I got several cups out of it. Tintos prides itself on having excellent coffee, and it’s always good to be able to try and agree that they deliver what they promise on.

Our table was right next to a giant map that covered most of one wall. On the map were blu-tacked coins placed there, I assumed, by visitors from all over the world. I really enjoyed seeing where people had come from to get to this little cafe in Balmain.

Tintos is a fantastic little cafe that we will be going back to soon, to try more dishes off the menu.

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

Tintos
306 Darling St,
Balmain NSW 2041
Phone: (02) 9810 2962
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Sat 6am-5pm, Sun 7:30-5pm
Get Directions

The Vogue Cafe, Macquarie Centre: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Sydney

May 21, 2015 / Macquarie Park, North-West Sydney, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Rainy days in Sydney just destroy me. Especially when the rain has set in for weeks and we are all getting a serious case of cabin fever. On one such rainy day we head over to the Macquarie Centre for lunch and shopping (along with half of Sydney, it seemed). After the stress of finding a car park was over, we head straight to The Vogue Cafe for lunch.

The Vogue Cafe is such an interesting little place. It sits inside the shopping centre, and even has a seating area that is pretty much in the car park, but it’s an adorable, whimsical place, and it’s hard to remember that you’re actually in a shopping centre.

The staff are all very sweet and assure me that they are very kid-friendly. There are a lot of families having lunch when we arrive, as well as lots of young couples who are possibly big kids at heart.

The Vogue Cafe feels a bit like something out of Wonderland. While the menu is pretty straightforward, they are known for their fantastical shakes. Called “Magical Milkshakes”, they are topped with things like whipped cream, rice bubbles, pop corn and jelly snakes, with a chocolate and sprinkles rim. The weekly specials are even fancier.

The cafe is popular and we have to wait about 10 minutes for a table. The service is fast, and after we order, everything starts to arrive quickly. The kids milkshake arrives first, which is perfect for wriggly kids.

We ordered the TVC Mix Up (scrambled eggs tossed with feta and basil, served with soy and linseed toast, $12.50), sides of grilled tomato ($2) and avocado ($2), Benny Dict (salmon, two poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, chives, served in chiabatta bread, $16.50), BEB (egg and bacon baguette served with BBQ sauce ($8), Kids Sourdough Soldiers (with vegemite, $4), Hot Chips ($7), Kids Magic Milkshake (chocolate, $4), Magic Milkshakes (vanilla and strawberry, $7 each), Nutella Milkshake (8).

The food is great. While they are known for their milkshakes, their food is really delicious and also very well priced. My eggs are a huge serving that I can’t finish. Probably because I also drank that giant Nutella milkshake first.

The Nutella milkshake is what The Vogue Cafe is well known for, and it did not disappoint. The milkshake was creamy and delicious, and I really enjoyed the quirky waffle cone filled with gummy snakes on top.

In early 2018 the Vogue Cafe added a little enclosed play area for small kids, perfect for toddlers or preschoolers.

The Vogue Cafe is a great dining outing, even if you’re not planning on shopping at the Macquarie Centre.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

The Vogue Cafe
109 Waterloo Road,
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Phone: (02) 9887 2570
Prices: $
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30am-6pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-6pm
Get Directions