Top 20 Cafes for Kids

by Lucy (subscribe)

Update July 20th 2016

Scene 1: Cabin fever
The kids are picking on each other, parents nerves are fraying and everyone just needs a change of scene.

Scene 2: Child friendly Cafe
The kids are sipping babycinos and playing together peacefully in the designated play area, while the parents relax. Ahh.

We are so lucky here in Brisbane to have a large number of cafes that genuinely welcome children and their parents or carers. The following list of 20 cafes all belong to Scene 2, having a kids corner or actual kids play area to keep youngsters and attending adults happy.

NORTH:

1. Cafe Auchenflower: 97 Haig Rd, Auchenflower

With a shady park out the window, and a well stocked kid's corner, many parents frequent this wonderful cafe. The kid's menu is sensible and served on colourful trays to make them feel very special. Adults will just love the coffee and food here too.

2. Botanical Cafe: Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, 152 Mt Coot-tha Rd, Toowong

The location is the drawcard for this cafe. You can wander through the Japanese Garden or rainforest, pop into Botanical Cafe for lunch, then search for ducks and maybe visit the Planetarium all in one day. They have well presented kid's meals and you can watch them play out on the grass while you read the paper.


3. Home Store and Cafe: 20 Stewart Rd, Ashgrove

Kids will love poking their head through the tiny doorway into their own private playroom here. In fact, they are made to feel right at "home". The kid's meals are served on bright plates and trays with pretty cups, while adults will be totally satisfied with the fresh, modern menu on offer. Worth a visit just to see the kids play area.

4. Willow And Spoon: 2/28 Samford Rd, Alderley

If you venture to the courtyard garden at the back of the rather popular Willow and Spoon, you will find a selection of toys to keep kids busy, and some green space to stretch their legs. There are lots of little nooks and corners to read books and they do very good smoothies too.

5. Bowerbird Cafe: 199 Bilsen Rd, Wavell Heights

Any parents near this place will probably be regulars. They cater very well for children with a room full of toys and imaginative touches throughout. Bowerbird Cafe is a nurturing, nest-like place and rates high on the A-list of cafes for kids.

6. Dragonfly Cafe: 1657 Gympie Rd, Carseldine

Set amidst the palms and plants at Eden Gardens, you will find this lovely cafe. The tables overlook a large duck pond with Eastern Water Dragons to spot. The separate kids playground is a major drawcard for this venue as well. They can draw on the giant chalk board while you enjoy your meal, then you can buy something special for the garden.

7. Cobblestone Teahouse: 27 Lamington St, New Farm

Although this place is only tiny, they cater very well for children. The Kid's High Tea ($18) is great and they have a wonderful kid's play corner complete with a high tea set, of course. Highly recommended as a morning tea treat for mum or grandma, with the kids in tow.


SOUTH:

8. Watermall Cafe: Queensland Art Gallery, Southbank

This is the best place to chill out at Southbank with kids. They can explore the sculpture garden while you sip and eat. It is just a peaceful and soothing venue to let children and adults absorb their surroundings.

9. La Linea Caffe: 200 Old Cleveland Rd, Coorparoo

La Linea Caffe is designed with parents in mind - you will love the fenced play area here, where the kids can play and enjoy their own time while you enjoy yours. They have their own menu and you have yours. Relax and enjoy.

10. Urban Harmony: 189 Cavendish Rd, Coorparoo

With a name like Urban Harmony, you can expect it to be a pretty relaxing place. This is a cafe/shop to visit if you need to do some specialty shopping, but be prepared to be tempted. The cafe provides activities to keep little ones busy along with excellent gourmet pies, cakes, salads and coffee.

11. Avid Reader: 193 Boundary St, West End

Tucked out the back of this happening bookshop is a courtyard cafe with boxes of toys and dress ups for kids. They'll love it and there are also fun Wednesday morning storytime sessions for kids.


EAST:

12. Ooniverse Cafe: 261 Hawthorne Rd, Hawthorne

Nothing compares to this place - it really doesn't get more child friendly than this. "Nicky Noo and the OO Crew" cater completely for parents/carers and children. Whilst good manners are paramount, they are allowed to draw on the tables, mold shapes in clay, and listen to stories while eating an excellent selection of healthy food designed for little fingers. Ooniverse Cafe is well worth a visit.

13. Cafe on the Park: 6 - 8 Park Pde, Shorncliffe

After a big play at Moora Park, and maybe a swim at Shorncliffe, Cafe on the Park is the perfect spot to unwind with children. They have a separate kid's room full of lego, doll's houses and books to keep them busy. They specialize in fish and chips and milkshakes, but the sandwiches and cakes are very tasty too.

14. Reef Point Cafe: 2 Reef Point Esplanade, Scarborough

You can sit in Reef Point Cafe overlooking Moreton Bay, while the kids play in the park or even on the beach. This is a very relaxed seaside cafe with walking tracks and bike tracks stretching from its doors.

15. Northshore Riverside Cafe: 297 Macarthur Ave, Hamilton

Take the kids on the Citycat to Northshore and spend the afternoon enjoying the "playscape" here. The Riverside Cafe has excellent views of the watercraft plying the Brisbane River, so this is a sure winner for any children with a passion for boats. There is a beach to explore and interesting parklands next door.

WEST:

16. Cafe Tara: 988 Waterworks Rd, The Gap

There is a whole outdoor area dedicated to children at Cafe Tara. There are several "cars" to drive up and down, a fenced playpen and a cubbyhouse all in the one cafe. They have a fun kid's menu too, with "Happy Face" (cheese on toast) being my kids' menu item of choice. They do a good adults coffee and meal there too.

17. Cafe Boombana: 1863 Mt Nebo Rd, Mt Nebo

If you drive west of Brisbane up into D'Aguilar National Park for some lovely bushwalks and fresh air, you must stop in at Cafe Boombana. The cafe overlooks a bushy valley, serves excellent food and stocks a fabulous toy basket. Listen out for the Bellbirds while you sip "the best milkshakes in the world".

18. The Rare Pear Cafe: Lifestyles Centre, 225 Samford Rd, Samford Valley

Situated within the nursery, you can sit in this cafe safe in the knowledge that the kids are having fun in the enclosed playground. We reckon they do the best babycinos in Brisbane and you can always justify your visit by buying plants for the garden. They serve great food too.

19. Green Tree Frog Cafe: 60 Mt Nebo Rd, The Gap

This cafe is part of the Walkabout Creek complex, and a visit to The South East Queensland Wildlife Center next door is highly recommended. They have many unusual native animals to feed and spot, and you can take a walk in the neighboring bushland after your meal. Every Weekend, they have a family Wild Encounters program which is well worth attending.

20. Open Book Cafe: 77 Camelia Ave, Everton Hills

This is a low key cafe with amazingly colorful wall murals and an imaginative kid's corner, including bongo drums, ukuleles and even a Space Invaders Game for older children (and adults). Great food and coffee too.


I know there are plenty more child friendly cafes out there, so please leave a comment if you have one nearby that deserves a mention.

PS. Enjoy those babycinos - they won't last forever.

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Why? Treat the kids to something special

Where: Cafes across Brisbane

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