Keeping tiny humans fuelled while on tour is a breeze thanks to the best family-friendly restaurants in Sydney.
Sydneysiders love eating out, but when kids come into the equation it isn’t always easy. Luckily, short attention spans and fussy appetites are worries for another day thanks to a far-reaching collection of family-friendly restaurants in Sydney. From extravagant high teas to tables flanked by natural wonders and play equipment, dining out with little ones is easier than ever.
1. Centennial Homestead
Nothing speaks to parents more than a restaurant with space to play, and Centennial Homestead in the green heart of Centennial Parklands has it in spades.
With expansive lawns surrounding its wraparound deck, the kitchen offers a dedicated kids’ menu featuring beer-battered fish and chips, linguine with Napoli sauce and more. But even better are the picnic hampers, which the whole family can enjoy anywhere in the parklands (just remember to pre-order).
Address: 1 Grand Drive, Centennial Park
Price: $$$
Best for: Celebrations with extended family.
2. Outfield
What we love as parents is when a venue is a win-win for both parties. Kids are entertained by running, jumping, and general energy expulsion, while adults are equally occupied by strong coffee and delicious morsels to help cope with aforementioned energy. So, Outfield, which perches in a quaint 1950s brick building on the lip of Yeo Park’s green field, elicits an audible sigh of relief from all when suggested as a meeting place. Come along, let them run, order a picnic platter and unfurl a rug or take a seat and keep a lazy eye on the kids as they roam, whack balls and play within your set boundaries. Pleasingly, there’s a distinct lack of fried things on the kids’ menu, instead, they’ll tuck into a nourishing picnic plate of cheese, ham, boiled egg and fruit. Bribes come in the form of Pure Pops ice blocks and a Milo frappe.
Address: 230 Victoria Street, Ashfield
Price: $$
Best for: Parking it for a while you let the kids run down their batteries.
3. The Boathouse
The Boathouse Group ’s roster of restaurants provides the last word in laidback Sydney dining vibes. Think beach and waterfront locations, bright interiors you can take home with you and classic family-friendly fare such as ricotta hotcakes and buckets of prawns. There’s also always a kids’ menu with fish and chips, pasta and other classic hits. If you can’t find the time on your trip to Sydney to make it to the original Boathouse at Palm Beach, choose from Shelly Beach in Manly, Balmoral on the North Shore, Rose Bay in the East and more.
Address: Various locations across Sydney
Price: $$$
Best for: A sun-soaked get-together by the water.
4. Spice Alley
When you can’t get to Asia, Spice Alley brings it to you. This atmospheric laneway in the inner-city neighbourhood of Chippendale, a short walk from Central Station, is inspired by the hawker-style food markets of the East and children run rife, exploring its delights.
It offers a variety of Asian cuisines to choose from, meaning all fussy tastes are catered to – Singaporean, Thai, Malaysian, Japanese, Cantonese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian and beyond. Savour succulent Singaporean chilli prawns, flavourful fried rice or a piping hot pho in the al fresco courtyard festooned with lanterns at night, and, bonus, it’s BYO.
Address: 18-20 Kensington Street, Chippendale
Price: $-$$
Best for: Budget bites in the city.
5. Fratelli Fresh, Various locations
Fratelli Fresh is a Sydney institution with several restaurants across the city, from Manly to Miranda, serving excellent Italian fare, and its Darling Harbour venue is a stand-out. Located underneath the International Convention Centre (ICC) near the bustling Darling Quarter (which has an awesome kids’ playground), this large and lively family-friendly restaurant in Sydney has a range of stations serving up hand-tossed pizza, fresh pasta, rotisserie meats, and gelato.
Address: Various locations across Sydney.
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Hearty Italian in a rowdy setting.
6. Ichiban Teppanyaki, Haymarket
Ichiban Teppanyaki in Haymarket has been throwing food at its patrons for more than 20 years, and while the decor hasn’t really changed, you can always expect to have a good time at this family-friendly restaurant in Sydney. They also have a dedicated kids’ set menu featuring kid-approved hits of spring rolls and teriyaki chicken priced at $35 for children aged 10 years old and under.
Address: 355 Sussex Street, Haymarket.
Price: $$$
Best for: Traditional Japanese dining filled with laughs.
7. High Tea at the InterContinental
High tea is not all cucumber sandwiches and Earl Grey, with many places now catering to kids, including the beautiful InterContinental Sydney . Its Children’s High Tea menu features Aussie-style treats – chicken sandwiches, vanilla cupcakes, chocolate chip star cookies and, of course, fluffy scones with jam and cream. Plus, there’s a mocktail, orange or apple juice to wash it all down with. Housed within the historical Treasury Building built in 1851, this is an endlessly sweet special day out with the little ones.
Address: 117 Macquarie St, Sydney
Price: $$$
Best for: Your little one’s birthday.
8. Garcon
Pair chic French cuisine with spacious lawns, a playground and a giant sand pit at Garcon in Lane Cove’s The Canopy dining area. Situated on the end of the lawn that’s closest to the kids’ attractions, this popular al fresco spot lures families keen to let their kids eat and run amok, while keeping a close eye on them. For the adults, the menu includes a traditional mussels pot, cordon bleu and croque monsieur and madame, while littlies can choose from fish and chips, burgers and more all paired with ice cream at this family-friendly restaurant in Sydney. There’s also a second Garcon at Tramsheds in Forest Lodge, set conveniently close to the large green and kids’ playground.
Address: Shop 5, The Canopy, 2 Rosenthal Avenue
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Letting kids run free while you put up your feet (momentarily).
9. Bar Italia
Your fam bam hasn’t done Norton Street right until you’ve ticked off a meal at Bar Italia .
Scooping up some of the most famous gelato in town up front and dishing up cheap and cheerful pizza and pasta out back, the Leichardt eatery has been nailing early dinner bookings for decades.
The food is fresh and comes by the truckload so make sure you’ve saved plenty of stomach space come chow time. Ankle biters will also love the penne Bolognese on the dedicated kids’ menu and there are mini veal and chicken schnitzels for refined young palettes.
Address: 171 Norton Street, Leichhardt
Price: $-$$
Best for: Traditional Italian with good vibes.
10. The Greens, North Sydney
Keep boredom at bay with a side of lawn balls next mealtime. The Greens is just the ticket for kids who tire of grown-up chat easily (aka all of them), so get an adult to accompany them in a game while everyone else cheers them on.
It’ll help kids burn off energy after indulging in a kids’ menu filled with burgers, fish and chips and ice-cream sundaes. There’s an excellent outdoor dining space right next to the lawn plus a beautiful room flooded with natural sunlight at this restaurant.
Address: 50 Ridge Street, North Sydney.
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: A relaxed weekend session with friends.
11. The Grounds of Alexandria
While its cafe queues are notoriously long, there are two other family-friendly experiences to be had at The Grounds of Alexandria . If you’re feeling formal, opt for a pre-reserved table at The Potting Shed, or go casual and pluck a spot in The Garden and select off its barbecue menu. Two separate kids’ menus have also been designed and feature classic burgers, chips and ice-cream, as well as chocolate fondue and banana splits on The Potting Shed’s offering.
The best thing about this family-friendly restaurant in Sydney is the maze of farm animals, water features and artisan stalls to be explored once you’re done feasting.
Address: Building 7A, 2 Huntley Street, Alexandria
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: A meal immersed in entertainment.
12. Cook at Kurnell, Kurnell
Watch the kids bop along to great tunes as you bask in laidback vibes at Cook at Kurnell , a beachside haven in Sydney’s south. Food and drinks come out of an Airstream right on Silver Beach so there’s plenty of sand for the kids to get messy with from the moment you find it.
Choose from tacos, a smoked salmon salad and burgers, while the kids stuff themselves on fish and chips or cheeseburgers. Best of all, there’s a great mix of classic cocktails on the menu to help dial up the party even more at this family-friendly restaurant in Sydney.
Address: 308 Prince Charles Parade, Kurnell.
Price: $$
Best for: A chilled-out feed right on the sand.
13. Dunes
It doesn’t get any more wonderful than a family meal at Dunes . Set right on Palm Beach, this much-loved restaurant is a great option for those with little ones because satisfied bellies can tumble right onto spacious lawns as grown-ups sit back and savour the warm, trend-driven interiors. Dunes’ Dining Room nails modern Australian fare splashed with the flavours of Europe and features a menu filled with classic crowd-pleasers and desserts.
Address: 1193 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach
Price: $$$-$$$$
Best for: Seaside dining and elegant fare.
14. Zushi, Barangaroo
Who says Sydney’s business district is exclusively for grown-ups? Zushi at Barangaroo is a family-friendly restaurant dishing up ultra-fresh Japanese in the sleekest of settings.
The space is light-filled and bustling at all hours as guests drop in for their sushi fix. Kids get their own dedicated menu, which includes chicken karaage and fries, wagyu beef rice and salmon rolls. There’s also honey prawn and chips and a bunch of other options if you’re tending to fussier eaters.
Address: Shop 10/33 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo South.
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: The freshest of sushi with water views.
15. Three Blue Ducks
Follow your nose to the scent of slow-cooked and grilled meats and you’ll land at Three Blue Ducks ’ inner west outpost. The gorgeous warehouse space is a hit with families for its seasonal dishes packed with fresh and ethically sourced produce that trickle right down to its ‘Ducklings’ menu. On it, you’ll find snags, classic pasta, plus an especially delightful ice cream sundae with popcorn. If the outdoor rotisserie is going, don’t leave without showing your little ones what’s cooking.
Address: 1/85 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery.
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Farm-to-fork dining in an urban oasis.
16. Pancakes On The Rocks
You might recall this place lighting up your own dining-out dreams when you were little — that’s how long Pancakes On The Rocks has been putting smiles on families’ dials. Famed for dishes such as Devil’s Delight and Strawberry Patch, these guys know their pancakes and treat them right. Kids get their own signature creations including Alice in Wonderland’s speckled, choc-drizzled decadence, the Butterfly’s jam-winged genius and the Funny Face’s marshmallow eyes. Best of all, it’s remained mostly affordable over the years, however, you can lift the bar a little by ordering from the meat-filled grill menu (but who does that?).
Address: 22 Playfair Street, The Rocks
Price: $$
Best for: The name says it all – pancakes!
17. The Tea Cosy
While we’re playing in The Rocks, don’t miss The Tea Cosy for the sweetest of treats in one of the most family-friendly restaurants in Sydney. Home of the popular Kids’ Devonshire Tea consisting of a plain scone, strawberry jam, double thickened cream and a babycino for just $12 a pop, this hot spot attracts crowds from the moment its doors open. The treats are baked right on-site daily and you’ll find baskets of knitting needles and wool on hand to keep budding crafters entertained.
Address: 7 Atherden Street, The Rocks
Price: $$
Best for: Devonshire Tea for the whole family.
18. Hawker Lane
Don’t be fooled by its shopping centre surroundings. There isn’t anything pedestrian about the food you’ll stumble across down Hawker Lane . Attracting locals thick and fast for its quality edit of Asian-inspired dining, the ever-busy cluster of market stalls offers something for taste buds of all varieties. Dumplings, rice bowls, noodles, stir-fries, bubble teas, desserts – there’s no shortage of indulgences and there’s plenty of highchairs on hand for the littlest of fans.
Address: Westfield Chatswood, 1 Anderson Street, Chatswood.
Price: $-$$
Best for: On-the-go meals to recharge your retail therapy.
19. The Tasting Deck
An extension of the Polistina family’s Forestway Fresh grocery business, The Tasting Deck in Terrey Hills opens out onto a playground, providing moments of respite for parents who could use a good, uninterrupted coffee. Sit in the sun for breakfast or lunch then let the kids loose in the playground to work off their babycino and accompanying sweet treat.
Address: 2 Myoora Road, Terrey Hills
Price: $$
Best for: A cuppa and the groceries in one place.
20. Bistro On The Greens, South Coogee
An easy-going Eastern Suburbs favourite for its relaxed dining inside a bowls club, Bistro On The Greens is located right next to the lawn itself, so you’ve got a clear line of sight if your kids want to play bowls with an adult.
Additionally, there’s a kids’ $14 menu offering steady hits and authentic Italian classics including nuggets, fish and chips, pizzas and pasta. There’s also a kids’ room to help fend off tantrums when boredom comes knocking.
Address: South Coogee Bowling Club, Corner of Henning Avenue and Moverley Road, South Coogee.
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Get-togethers over woodfire pizzas.
21. Harbord Diggers
Dine as you gaze across shimmering Freshwater Beach at this wide-open community club and social hub. Sprawling indoors and outdoors with bars, restaurants and an outdoor cafe, there’s somewhere to fit your mood no matter what the weather is doing at this family-friendly venue. When the sun is out to play, pop yourselves under an umbrella on the Ocean Terrace and order from the kids’ menu. You’ll also find indoor play centre Major Fun within Harbord Diggers and while supervision is usually required, Major Fun hosts dedicated Drop & Dine sessions every Friday and Saturday night from 6pm-9.30pm. This means you can leave (yes, leave!) your small charges to enjoy dinner and a play, while you relish one of those mystical date nights minus any extra wheels ruining the romance.
Address: 88 Evans Street, Freshwater
Price: $-$$$
Best for: Dropping kids and running (don’t look back!).
22. Bondi Bowlo
Easy-going Bondi Bowlo is all about barefoot roaming and laid-back sessions where the kids can entertain themselves by throwing a few balls across the green. This frees you up to enjoy a drink and a bite in the sun and when their game is done, push a plate of chicken tenders and chips their way and buy more time with a bowl of ice cream. Dating back to 1933, this historic bowlo is all charm and welcoming vibes.
Address: 1A Warners Avenue, Bondi
Price: $$
Best for: Early dinners and sunset drinks.
23. The Yard at Camperdown Commons
An urban space that provides a patch of agrarian life in the city, Camperdown Commons welcomes small charges to roam among the vegetable gardens, flower beds and sunken play pit. Dining outdoors in The Yard is perfect for kids who can’t sit still. Let them free-range and return for bites of their selection from the Little Ones menu, which includes ham and cheese pizza, chicken and chips and a cheeseburger. Time your visit to dovetail with the live music sessions held between 1pm and 5pm on Sundays and 5pm to 9pm on Friday nights.
Address: 31A Mallett street, Camperdown
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Garden vibes and farm life fantasies.
Originally written by Kristie Lau Adams with updates by Lara Picone
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