The best places to eat in Queensland with kids

Visiting Queensland with the whole clan? You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to dining out with the most discerning foodies of all – kids!

From the best milkshakes in town and kid-approved menus to conveniently positioned playgrounds for youngsters with boundless energy, here are some top spots to eat across Queensland with kids.

Where to eat with kids in Brisbane

Whether you’ve got tots or teens, there’s no shortage of family-friendly things to do in the Brisbane. And with a bounty of cafes and restaurants to choose from, eating out with kids in Brisbane is a breeze.

Nestled beneath the Story Bridge, Felons Brewing Co. not only serves up some of the best views of the iconic Brisbane River, it’s also perfect for parents looking to enjoy a delicious bite and locally brewed beer with the kids in tow. A table near the crowd-favourite pirate ship on the grassed area is a prime spot for families to soak up the Felons vibe.

Exploring South Bank with the kids? After splashing in the sandy inner-city lagoon pool at Streets Beach, grab a quick lunch at Nodo, where the junior toasties are always a hit, as are the famed gluten-free doughnuts. For dinner, check out family-friendly restaurants like Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers and Zeus Street Greek. Save room for an ice-cream at Happy Pops!

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Victoria Park Bistro in Herston is perfect for dining out with kids. No need to whip out the iPads – there’s a huge playground right next door to the bistro for little adventurers, and you can toddle over for a few holes of putt-putt afterwards.

Parents looking for a bit of pizzazz in the AM can dine on next-level eats like soft-shell-crab Benedict at Chapter IV in Paddington while their minis keep busy in the indoor playroom. At popular Brisbane brunch spot Industry Beans in Newstead, there’s quality coffee and lobster rolls for adults, and kids are treated to bites like cheesy egg soldiers off the ‘junior brunchers’ menu.

When dinner time rolls around, Eat Street Northshore takes the guesswork out of dining out with kids in Brisbane. Open from 4:00pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the street-food precinct features 70-plus micro-restaurants, bars and shops, so you’re guaranteed full bellies and ear-to-ear smiles.

Hungry for more? Check out the rest of Brisbane’s best kid-friendly cafes.

Where to eat with kids on the Gold Coast

Luckily for those tiny tastebuds, the sunny Gold Coast is packed with places to eat.

A few sandy footsteps from the sparkling Tallebudgera Creek you’ll find Custard Canteen, where families can perch on picnic tables and slurp milkshakes, snack on crispy hot chips and indulge in freshly baked cookies.

A couple of clicks south at Sanctuary Cafe, located at the entrance to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, lunch is served daily overlooking the famed Lorikeet Arena. Visitors can kick back with a round of burgers and ice-creams and enjoy the free Lorikeet feeding sessions without having to venture into the Sanctuary itself.

On the hunt for Gold Coast cafes with a playground? Get your caffeine hit at Dune Cafe, which sits opposite the popular ‘pirate park’ playground overlooking Currumbin Creek or wake up to avocado on toast at Canvas Espresso in Palm Beach and let the jungle gym on the lawn do the babysitting.

Further north at Nobby Beach institution BSKT Cafe, there’s a healthy kids menu with fruit bowls and plant-based snack boards (bonus – there’s an undercover play area), while over at Gold Coast breakfast icon Paddock Bakery, old-school dippy eggs and eye-popping milkshakes make mornings with your minis extra special. A stone’s throw from Surfers Paradise in the coastal hamlet of Budds Beach (a haven for SUPs), Bumbles Café dishes up a dedicated food and drink menu just for the kids. Be warned – the cabinet of house-baked treats will catch their eye!

If you don’t associate ‘good’ food with kids play centres, one-of-a-kind concept Bella’s Wonderland in Southport, will flip the script for you. The colour-soaked wonderland doubles as a café – think bites like fried-chicken croissants (for you) and dino nuggets (for the kids). 

Families wanting to explore the Gold Coast after dark can head to Miami Marketta – from pizzas to dumplings, Greek eats and dessert bars, tiny palates are easily pleased by the bustling precinct’s street-food stalls.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg! Check out this list of the Gold Coast’s kid-friendly cafes and restaurants for more.

Where to eat with kids on the Sunshine Coast

A trip to The Doonan, on the fringe of the lush Noosa hinterland, is the ultimate family-friendly day out on the Sunshine Coast. The stunning two-hectare venue is complete with indoor-outdoor dining, a beer garden, a pizzeria, an ice-creamery and a tree-lined outdoor playground.

Food meets fun at the aptly named Mummy’s Café, a 15-minute cruise from Caloundra and Moffat Beach. The local gem is one of the most popular kid-friendly cafes on the Sunshine Coast, with its own action-packed playground, dedicated bike track and enclosed toddler area, alongside brunch, lunch, cakes and more.

Families holidaying in Noosa will find plenty of kid-friendly food options at Noosa Boathouse, aka ‘The Boaty’, or for something more casual, there’s a takeaway fish and chip window for a DIY riverside picnic with the pelicans.

Keen for breakfast on the beach? Coffee Cat on Kings Beach serves a fun junior's menu with tiny acai bowls and choc-chip waffles, while White Picket Fence offers a tantalising menu for all ages a block back from Bulcock Beach. In Mooloolaba, The Velo Project has youngsters covered with a range of toasties, kid-friendly smoothies and mini serves of cafe’s specialty crepes. For dinner, try the ‘Little Nippers’ menu at the Mooloolaba’s The Beach Bar & Grill, while over at The Peregian Beach Hotel, kids can finish their dinner with scoops of local gelato, churned nearby in Maleny.

Heading to the Sunshine Coast hinterland? The farm-to-fork fare at the Mapleton Pub is a must-try, and there’s pint-sized servings of its seasonal dishes to satisfy tiny appetites.

Salivating? Dive into the full list of where to eat on the Sunshine Coast with kids.

Where to eat with kids in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Families exploring Cairns before setting sail for the Great Barrier Reef or lacing up to explore the Wet Tropics Rainforest can follow the locals to Muddy’s Café, located on the Cairns Esplanade. It’s armed with crowd-pleasing breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, an outdoor playground and sensational waterfront views.

Parents can dine on the water and watch the boats pass through Trinity Inlet at Wharf One Cafe – and the little ones can chow down on bites like green eggs and ham before making a beeline to the playground. Local and native ingredients are woven throughout the menu at cutting-edge café Guyala in Cairns North, and there’s a menu of familiar snacks and old-school milkshakes just for the kids.

There are plenty of family-friendly restaurants and cafes to choose from within waterside precinct The Pier, including $12 kids meals at The Pier Bar. Nearby at The Backyard, parents can enjoy views of the Marlin Marina while hungry youngsters devour the $15 kids menu, or you can opt for grab-and-go bites from the kiosk.

The Boardwalk Social by Crystalbrook (beneath the luxurious Crystalbrook Flynn) is ideal for families on the hunt for easy eats like pizzas and burgers. If the kids aren’t in the mood to sit, grab takeaway from the Chicken Shop below and relax on the lawn while the minis dip in the Cairns Lagoon.

For a bite with the kids in Port Douglas (an hour north of Cairns) check out converted railway station St Crispins Cafe where there’s a moreish menu for both big and little appetites, alongside spectacular views toward the mountain ranges. For a family-friendly lunch by the beach, join the locals at the Cairns Surf Club Palm Cove.

For more ideas, check out this list of Cairns’ best kid-friendly cafes and restaurants, and this guide to the best cheap eats in Cairns.

Where to eat with kids in The Whitsundays

Families exploring Airlie Beach can make the most of the tranquil seaside views at local hotspot, Fat Frog Beach Cafe. Parents can enjoy a hearty breakfast and strong coffee while the youngsters wolf down pancakes and sip the best baby chinos in town.

For lunch or dinner, catch views of The Whitsundays at Anchor Bar – the kids can count the islands (there’s 74 of them!) while enjoying burgers off the ‘little people’ menu. The Jubilee Tavern is also popular for its huge, enclosed playground, which allows parents to enjoy a well-earned drink and keep an eye on the kids. 

Families can dine right on the sand at Northerlies Beach Bar and Grill, a hidden gem located a short 15-minute drive from the heart of Airlie Beach. There’s a delicious menu, including bites for kids, and an entire beach for them to run around on while parents relax.

Craving an Italian feast? Bambinos under 12 years old can twirl their fork into spaghetti at popular Airlie Beach restaurant La Marina while parents soak up the calming views over Port of Airlie. If you’re after seafood and a glass of sparkling, head to waterfront dining spot Paradiso on the sandy shores of Airlie Bay – there’s grassed parklands and a swing set conveniently on its doorstep. Be sure to save room to visit Gelatiamo Dolce Patisserie in town for a sweets fix.

Planning to head to The Whitsundays islands? Hamilton Island has everything from pizzerias and ice-cream parlours to Popeye’s Fish and Chippery, all within minutes from your accommodation. If you’re bound for Daydream Island, the kids will love the ‘Lil Salti’ menu at Mediterranean eatery Salti Restaurant and Bar, before stocking up on lollies at Cassowary’s snack shop.

For the grownups, keep a foodie balance with the best food experiences around Queensland.