If you live in Sydney or are just visiting the Emerald City on the harbour, and you’ve got the kids in tow, you’ll want to know the top spots to take your little ones when they want a feed.
The places where you can eat good food without worrying too much about fine dining. The eateries where a pail of crayons arrives quicker than you can say, “Make mine a G&T” and where there’s a play area that busy bodies can be as fidgety as they please without disturbing other diners.
Well, you’re in luck. Because we’ve rounded up our pick of the 10 best child-friendly restaurants in Sydney that will please you and your tiny terrors!
WATCH: Tips for dining out with toddlers in the player above
1. The Grounds of Alexandria, Alexandria
The Grounds Garden at the famous restaurant complex The Grounds of Alexandria, is bursting with things to see, opening into a courtyard festooned with grapevines and greenery, garden beds of florals, vegetables and herbs, and is home to the resident pig, Harry Trotter, and his friendly farm animal crew. Kids love this place and it’s easy to see why!
Location:
Building 7A, 2 Huntley Street
Alexandria, 2015.
Find out more here.
The Garden at The Grounds of Alexandria. Home to good food and Harry Trotter, the resident pig. (Image: The Grounds of Alexandria)
2. The Newport, Newport
Set on the stunning shores of Pittwater and nestled among idyllic gardens with a variety of outdoor dining spaces and bars, The Newport is a children’s heaven and a parents’ paradise.
The Newport’s diverse menus include Australian grass-fed beef burgers, ever-classic fish and chips, wood-fired pizzas, and a wide range of fresh salads but the kid appeal really lies in their ability and freedom to run around as well as play with one of the many games on offer.
Think badminton, ping pong and a giant magnetic Scrabble board and you’ll have just one of the many reasons families flock here to enjoy the relaxed vibe.
Location:
2 Kalinya Street,
Newport, 2106
Find out more here.
Lots of space to run around at The Newport on the beautiful Northern Beaches. (Image: The Newport)
3. Acre Eatery, Camperdown
Acre Eatery at Camperdown Commons is where foodies who also happen to be parents can indulge their dreams while still feeding the kids and educating them in the restaurant’s philosophy of paddock-to-plate at the same time.
Relax in the indoor Hamptons-style dining room or work up an appetite in the fresh air of the outdoor garden terrace which has plenty of room for the little ones to run around too.
Location:
31A Mallett St,
Camperdown, 2050
Find out more here.
Acre gets much of its fresh supplies from the neighbouring Pocket City Farm. (Image: Acre Eatery)
4. The Ettamogah, Kellyville Ridge
The Ettamogah Bistro is open seven days a week with an extensive menu and indoor/outdoor dining facilities that make eating out with the family a breeze. There’s an outdoor playground plus a jumping castle, rock climbing wall and an arcade so you get to carry on enjoying your meal long after the kids have had enough of sitting still.
Location:
Cnr Merriville & Windsor Rds
Kellyville Ridge, 2155
Find out more here.
The outdoor climbing wall is a huge hit with families at The Ettamogha. (Image: The Ettamogah)
5. The Golden Star Palace, Cabramatta
A huge and impressive restaurant that caters heavily to families with pram spaces, plenty of high chairs and a menu that understands tiny tastes. This is definitely a place to go if you fancy a fantastic range of yum cha to share with your little ones. The peking duck and the salt and pepper calamari both come highly recommended!
Location:
24- 32 Hughes St
Cabramatta, 2166
Find out more here.
Kids love trying the different flavours and textures of Asian food. (Image: Getty)
6. The Backyard at Briars, Concord
Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and situated in a bowls club, this is not your average bowlo fare. What’s more there’s an enormous astroturf play area with basket ball hoops and balls which is entirely fenced so you can kick back and relax without wondering where the kids have got to. And if it rains, there’s an undercover soft play area too!
Location:
14 Ian Parade,
Concord, 2137
Find out more here.
Eating outside where there’s plenty of space to run around is a huge drawcard for families. (Image: Getty)
7. Plonk!, Mosman
Boasting a picture perfect view from The Spit bridge across to Clontarf, clear turquoise water and a white sandy beach, you would be hard pressed to find a more stunning location on Sydney Harbour than this. The sun-soaked deck, brightly coloured furnishings and a casual menu make for a relaxed dining experience, particularly when you’re just metres away from dipping your toes in the ocean while your children dig for buried treasure!
Location:
Ferguson’s Marina, 83 Parriwi Road,
Mosman, 2088
Find out more here.
Head next door to hire a kayak if you want to continue the fun after your meal. (Image: Plonk!)
8. Gourmet Pizza Kitchen, Castle Hill
You can’t really go wrong when it comes to pizza restaurants and kids. This one is a Castle Hill favourite with a fine child-friendly menu and a family-orientated atmosphere. Leave room for the dessert pizza if you want to round off your meal in a delicious fashion!
Location:
Castle St,
Castle Hill, 2154
Find out more here.
What child doesn’t perk up at the mention of pizza? (Image: Getty)
9. The Henson, Marrickville
The Henson Park Hotel (as it was formerly known) has a rich and wonderful history with the folk of Sydney’s inner-west. The front bar is an honest working class bar, while the back area has undergone a recent transformation, paying homage to its art deco roots.
Best of all, the leafy beer garden has a large adjoining children’s area for families and children of all ages. The menus are pretty good too with almost everything made in house or sourced from local suppliers making this a real Sydney institution.
Location:
91 Illawarra Road
Marrickville, 2204
Find out more here.
The Henson has a family play area that’s perfect for little ones. (Image: Fiona Morris)
10. Butcher and the Farmer, Forest Lodge
This quirky dining space boasts a variety of eating areas to take the family but our firm favourites are The Tram – 1995 and The Terrace.
The Tram – 1995 is, as its name suggests, a tram looking just like it did in its heyday but refurbished for cool and casual entertaining while The Terrace doesn’t need much explanation either, other than to say that it’s great for sharing platters which (as every parent will tell you) is perfect for little people who like sampling food from the adults’ plates!
Location:
Tramsheds Harold Park,
Shop 7, 1 Dalgal Way,
Forest Lodge, 2037
Find out more here.
Who can resist making a meal out of it in a refurbished tram? (Image: Butcher and the Farmer)
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