Kid Friendly Cafes
Here's what's for lunch or dinner and everything in between! Melbourne City family-friendly spots with great food and a buzzing atmosphere to go with it.
We're interested in eating where children are welcome and where us adults actually WANT to go. If there’s a kid’s menu, great. If not, we’ll work with what they've got.
So we bring you our family’s (& our contributors) experiences eating out in Melbourne! Let the fun begin....
CBD/CITY EATING OUT
Port Phillip Arcade, Shop 13, 228 Flinders Street Melbourne
Alice is real, alive and well; drinking delicately crafted coffee and baking sweet fantasies in her kitchen. Perfect cosy indoors cafe for a sweet bite.
Corner of Swanston Street and Little Collins Street, opposite the Melbourne Town Hall or Creperie Le Triskel is found at 32 Hardware Lane, Melbourne
Melbournes' smallest yet sweetest authentic French creperie! It is a take-away kiosk where passers by can stop and try a delicious sweet crepe in a take away cone and experience something unique in Melbourne on a day out in the city, every day of the week. Crepes are authentic and freshly cooked on the spot made with many yummy toppings including nutella, sugar lemon, salted caramel (our home made recipe) and many more. They are easy to eat and very affordable.
Children and families will experience something culturally different and can have a go at ordering in French too!
83 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Argh, you know what to expect every time, afterall they serve up noodles the world over! Wagamama is modeled on the ramen noodle bars that have been popular in Japan for many decades. They have a special where kids eat free! One free kids meal and one kids size fresh juice when you purchase any main meal, valid for kids under 12 years. Check out the Menu for mini noodlers!
Ground Floor, Clarendon Street Entrance Crown Casino 8 Whiteman Street Southbank
One of the 'better' all-you-can-eat Restaurants. There's a big (though pretty average, not Good Food Guide quality!) selection of food from pasta, patties, stir-fry, crumbed fish etc. the better part of the buffet would be the desert bar packed with pavlova, mousses, cakes and an ice-cream machine. It represents good value for money.
Melbourne Museum 11 Nicholson St Carlton
Visit the Museum then take the family to the Museum Café for some fun and fast lunchtime food or relax with a glass of wine and take in the view of the Royal Exhibition Building.
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PICNICS
Picnic in the garden at NGV International or grab some take-away treats and coffee from inside the NGV at Gallery Kitchen.
At the back of Federation Square is a kids paradise. If you're not heading to ArtPlay, the Birrarung Marr Playground is tops for a picnic. They've got picnic tables and chairs smackbang in the middle of the park with adequate shade coverage.
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WITHIN CLOSE RANGE TO THE CITY
Royal Botanic Gardens Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra
Don't let the cost put you off! It does cater for the masses of tourists afterall. They have all your usual suspects covered from baguettes, mains, treats (smartie biscuits/muffins/slices), ice-creams and milkshakes. The redeeming feature of this cafe is that it's spacious; indoor/outdoor dining and it's a skip and a hop to the temptation of the Ian Potter Children's Garden - a must on any visit to the RBG.
130-132 Ormond Rd, Elwood
We are huge fans of Jimmi Jamz in Elwood. This spacious, family-friendly eatery hits the spots with its pizzas, pasta, desserts and salads. Lots of Gluten Free options available too. The kids are welcomed with colouring pencils and a special kids club and the play area is the big saviour out the back.
745 Nicholson Street, North Carlton
Relaxed and family orientated, Birdies offers a kid haven. A large outdoor courtyard that boasts a sandpit, toys, change table and room for prams (if you can navigate the tiny doorway out to the courtyard). Free babycino refills, big hearty breakfasts and simple service make this spot a Mums group hangout or weekend family and friends catch up.
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TREAT STOP
Melba Restaurant on Southbank
The Langham on Southbank might be famous for their High Tea but they also hold School Holiday Morning Tea themed tiffins for Children. Call it a special occassion and be spoilt beyond your wildest dreams. Previous themes have included Barbie, Teddy Bears Picnic, Under the Sea and the next School Holidays sees Minnie Mouse dish up some creative treats.
7 Degraves Street & 4/118-126 Queen Street Melbourne
Tucked up in Degraves Street, Little Cupcakes is a Little Melbourne favourite. Grab some takeaway mini cupcakes (Elmo, tiny teddies, belgian chocolate and strawberry are top pickings for our family) or stop by their Queen Street location. The coffee is good, the staff are sweet and one cupcake just won't do! They also offer gluten free cupcakes.
Level 3, Myer Melbourne Bourke Street
You can't go past trusted Brunetti on the 3rd level of Myer. Situated on the same level as Children's Clothes and Toys makes it a winner too! Serving up good food, decadent cakes/slices, coffee and free babycino's.
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For more City eats visit Hey Bambini 'City Eats for Little Peeps' for lots of tips and ideas.
