The best kid-friendly cafes In Brisbane you’ll both love
List
By Danielle Reckless
A lot changes when it comes to eating out as a parent: rather than looking for the hottest new menu in town, you’re searching for one that’ll please the kids. All of a sudden, a strong cup of coffee comes second to finding a place that doesn't send them stir crazy.
But the host of kid-friendly cafes in Brisbane means you can have the best of both worlds: a quality cuppa and an outing that gets two thumbs up from your crew.
These Brisbane cafes and restaurants (and even bars) go the extra mile when it comes to keeping young minds and bodies entertained. A step above a simple milkshake, at these beloved kid-friendly spots you’ll find games, dedicated play areas, delicious menus and more.
Make your next outing easier with a visit to one of these kid-friendly cafes in Brisbane.
Best kid-friendly cafes in Brisbane City and inner suburbs
Felons Brewing, Brisbane City
Felons Brewing Co
A brewery might not be the first place you think of when it comes to kid-friendly places to eat, but the casual crown-jewel of Howard Smith Wharves welcomes all ages. The riverside location and Story Bridge views tick all the boxes for parents and kids, with great drinks on tap, great food (including affordable kids meals), indoor and outdoor seating and a big playground to run off energy.
Come for Sunday ‘Family Fun Day’ and kids eat free from 11am-3pm, plus there’s face painting, balloon twisting and family trivia to keep the good times rolling.
Where: 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City
Southbeach, South Bank
Heading for a day out in South Bank or a dip at Streets Beach? Fill hungry tummies at Southbeach, just steps away from the splash zone. The huge menu covers even the fussiest eaters, and there’s high chairs for the little ones.
Where: 153 Stanley Street Plaza, South Brisbane
Zeus Street Greek, South Bank
Fast, casual, and super-tempting, Zeus Street Greek offers traditional souvlas as well as a kids menu of mini pitas, calamari or chicken tenderloins – ask at the counter for fun kids activities they can do while they wait.
Where: 13/14 Little Stanley St South Brisbane
Jugar Eat Play Drink, West End
Photo by @JugarEatPlayDrink
Order at the counter and head straight to the high-tempo kids area (with slides and climbing zones), at one of the best kid-friendly cafes in West End. There’s a table for littlies with toys aplenty, including rock-climbing frame for the older kids.
Jugar’s fresh, seasonal menu choices ensures something for everyone. Known for its organic goodness (the menu is also loaded with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options), there’s something to keep every kid happy, from waffles to mini cheeseburgers or fish and chips.
For adults, there’s a rainbow of choice. Everything looks pretty as a picture, from tacos to Spanish-style meatballs and risotto. Wash it down with a cold pressed juice or espresso, or for something stronger, there’s an extensive cocktail menu that will tickle your fancy.
Jugar is now also open for dinner service Wednesday – Saturday.
Where: 71 Jane Street, West End
Chapter IV, Paddington
This neighbourhood spot is a firm favourite for weekend brunchers, the Instagram crowd and families. Housed in an iconic Queenslander that overlooks the city, Chapter IV is one of Brisbane’s best kid-friendly cafes thanks to its gated toy-filled play area and epic all-day brekkie menu that means parents can take the kids out without having to end up with just a standard eggs on toast. The kids will love the milkshakes too.
Chapter IV is also a dog-friendly café.
Where: 180 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington
Best kid-friendly cafes in Brisbane’s north
Tiddlywinks Dance and Play Cafe, Nundah
Photo by @TiddlywinksNundah
More of an indoor play centre than a specialist café, Tiddlywinks features a three-storey playground and toddler area, plus daily disco for kids aged 0 to 11 to dance away their built-up energy. Parents can even join in the fun on the dance floor, or leave it to the little ones and chill out with a coffee at the cafe. For bubs, there are play pens with toys.
To refuel, kids can choose from a range of healthy freshly-prepared meals and fruit from the cafe (gluten-free, vegan and nut-free options available), while parents sip on coffee and dine on the full menu of pizzas, salads, wraps, pasta and more.
Where: 264 Melton Road, Nundah
The Soul Pantry Kitchen & Bar, Stafford
The Soul Pantry Kitchen & Bar is a shopping hub for locally-sourced food, plants and homewares, including a kid-friendly café boasting loads of vegetarian and gluten-free breakfast and lunch options. Little bellies can be filled with avo toast and French toast, while bigger ones can choose from the likes of wild mushroom bruschetta and benedict-style stuffed croissants – alongside coffee, smoothies, and mango mimosas.
Even better: the large warehouse space has a workshop out the back and a great indoor area for kids to play. Look out for kids workshops during school holidays too.
Where: 31 Wolverhampton St, Stafford
Victoria Park Bistro, Herston
Photo by @victoriapark
Victoria Park is a wonderland for kids, from the 18-hole putt-putt golf course to wooden playground, cubby, and even more family-oriented activities during school holidays. Be sure to stop for a feed at the bistro while you’re here. With a dedicated kids menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner, everyone will be satisfied.
Where: 309 Herston Road, Herston
Willow & Spoon, Wilston
Ask Northside mums where they go and you’ll probably be told ‘Willow & Spoon’. The grassed outdoor play area is more like a family backyard, filled with games and toys, and the ever-changing brunch menu gives more insight into why it has a fan club. Think cured pork belly with truffle scrambled eggs, vegan bowls, or southern fried chicken hot cakes.
As for the kids? They can fill up on toasties, pancakes, museli, hot chocolates, milkshaes and even babycinos.
Willow & Spoon is also pet-friendly.
Where: 190 Newmarket Road, Wilston
Everton Park Hotel, Everton Park
Photo by @evertonpark.hotel
This joint raises the bar on family-friendly restaurants in Brisbane, thanks to a million-dollar Children’s Playcentre – complete with its own carousel - that turns a meal out into a day of fun and laughter. The bistro is open for lunch and dinner daily, so order from the kids menu that includes meals like chicken tenders, burgers, battered fish and pasta, with a drink and ice cream.
Parents should expect all the pub classics plus bites with a little flair, like black truffle gnocchi and lamb tikka skewers.
Where: 101 Flockton St Everton Park
Eat Street Northshore, Hamilton
No list of kid-friendly cafés in Brisbane would be complete without a special mention of Eat Street – even if it’s technically not a café. This global street food market is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening, with over 50 food vendors, five bars, live entertainment on the main stage, roving performers and artists, and every child’s favourite: Kombi Alley, dedicated to desserts.
It’s so massive we’ve even put together a dedicated guide.
Catch the ferry here to really impress the kids with a night out.
Entry is $5pp, children under 13 get in free.
Where: 221D Macarthur Ave, Hamilton
Best kid-friendly cafes on Brisbane’s south side
Carport Cafe, Cannon Hill
Photo by @carportcafe
You’d be forgiven for driving by this hidden kid-heaven without noticing it. Keep an eye out for the colourful sign at the front, and find yourself a spot near the kids’ table and leafy garden out the back. Here, you’ll find tonnes of books, chalk, toys and even a doll’s house to keep your little people busy while you try a sweet treat or something more serious from the Carport Cafe menu.
The brekkie stack is a must-have if you’re into honey-roasted pumpkin, spinach, grilled tomato and haloumi. For chilled drinks, try Carport’s cold-pressed juices, smoothies and milkshakes.
As well as being one of the best kid-friendly cafes in Brisbane, Carport is dog-friendly too.
Where: 3 Pickwick St, Cannon Hill
Pinwheel Island Cafe, Macgregor
Completely indoors and air-conditioned, this café puts the kids first. There’s a two-storey play area with a slide, tunnels, a ball pit and trampoline to cater to those under the age of six. The toddlers get their own space (and ball pit) and there’s a “real life” city-themed play area with cars, roads, a store, petrol station and car wash!
For the adults, grab yourself a coffee and pop down in the dining area where you’ll have a clear view of the kids as they run around.
Pinwheel Island also specialises in themed birthday parties.
Where: 583/585 Kessels Road, Macgregor
Monkey Bar Cafe, Greenslopes
Sometimes it’s all about location. This cafe is besties with its next-door neighbour, aka a huge playground, which makes it a perfect spot for sunny days. Your kids will love the breakfast menu choices like mini pancake stacks or sourdough toast, while the grown-up menu is sure to satisfy too.
Where: 98 Victoria Terrace, Greenslopes
Best kid-friendly cafes in Brisbane’s west
Walkabout Creek Café, The Gap
If you love to spend the weekends outdoors or have a future wildlife warrior in the family, don’t miss a visit to Walkabout Creek Café at D’Aguilar National Park. Not only can you tuck into breakfast, lunch or weekend brunch at the café (with the kids offering including fresh toasties, baked goodies and old-fashioned milkshakes), you’ll be surrounded by the sounds and sights of the rainforest. Plus, there’s often wildlife shows in the alfresco area.
Make the most of your visit and explore the Discovery Centre, home to reptiles, amphibians, fish and mammals, then run off some energy on the many hiking trails found nearby.
Where: Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre, 60 Mount Nebo Rd, The Gap
Forty West Café, South Ripley
The only danger of coming to this café is it might be difficult to convince your kids to leave. This family-owned café is a treasured community hangout, located next to South Ripley Splash 'n' Play Adventure Park. Fully licensed, open 7 days a week, and with a dedicated kids café and seasonal offerings for the adults, everyone will leave with a smile on their face.
Where: 6 Amity Way, South Ripley
Home Café, Ashgrove
Photo by @homecafeashgrove
You’ll be greeted like family at this neighbourhood café. Home Café serves all day breakfast, lunch and great coffee – with the ‘Under 12s’ breakfast and lunch options for kids coming in at just $8. Don’t think it’s just vegemite toast. Here, your kids can tuck into corn and zucchini fritters with avocado and pancakes with fruit and maple syrup.
There’s a kids playroom to keep them entertained, and it’s dog-friendly too.
Where: 20 Stewart Rd, Ashgrove
Need more inspiration? Here are even more kid-friendly cafes around Brisbane:
- Towri Sheep Cheeses, Allenview: Well worth the hour’s drive outside Brisbane, it’s open to the public on the first Saturday of each month from 10am – 2pm. Watch milking demonstrations, learn about farm life, and create your own cheese platters from their offering.
- Cafe Lagarto, Samford
- Slipstream Brewing, Yeerongpilly
- Lil Gypsy, Paddington
- Huskk Cafe, Grange
- Nodo, Camp Hill
- Birds and the Bees Cafe, Everton Park
- The Talking Toucan, New Farm
- Raw Squeeze: locations in Greenslopes, Clayfield, Ashgrove, Clontarf, North Lakes, Morningside and Wynnum West
