Have you been hunting for family-friendly restaurants in Melbourne that have playgrounds on the premises? Look no further! Our guide has all the information you need to sound out a fun, stress-free day out with your little ones.
Best Restaurants with Playgrounds in Melbourne
Melbourne is home to some of the best family-friendly restaurants in the country, with many venues now offering dedicated playground areas to keep kids entertained while parents enjoy their meals. Among the top choices are Berwick Springs Hotel, Little Growling Cafe, Moreland Hotel, Bam Bam Italian, and Edwardes Lake Hotel, all of which boast spacious and impressive play areas that cater to children of all ages.
Teeny Tiny Cafe
The cafe may not be very big, but it’s well-equipped with a variety of amenities. There’s a shopping mart, a play kitchen, a dress-up and makeup area, three small cars with a gas station, climbing frames, and slides. There’s even an area for hosting birthday parties.
Adults don’t need an admission ticket, for children aged one and above, choosing a $9.9 combo meal serves as their admission ticket.
Address: shop 3/860 Collins St, Docklands VIC 3008
The Deck Kids
The Deck Kids operates on a reservation basis, so you need to book and pay online in advance. The cost is 8 dollars per person, and children under 12 months old are free. The official recommendation is for kids aged 1-6. When you dine at the cafe, they deduct an equivalent amount as credit, so it’s like you don’t have to pay for that part.
The cafe is open from Monday to Sunday and has four sessions each day, with each session lasting 1.5 hours. The session times are as follows: 8:45 am – 10:15 am, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, 12:15 pm – 1:45 pm, and 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm.
The play area inside the restaurant is similar to Interaxcity in Malvern (which had closed), but it’s somewhat smaller in scale. The dining area of the restaurant is also relatively small, with about 4 tables, and it can accommodate around 20 people.
Overall, our kids had a great time for an hour and a half, but they still didn’t want to leave. So, we had to let them play in the middle of their meal (we are relaxed parents when it comes to eating). However, this gave us the parents the freedom to sit down and chat with our friends.
Address: 26 Outer Cres, Brighton VIC 3186
Dancing Dandelion
Our first impression upon visiting this restaurant was that it’s clean. We didn’t have very high expectations for the food initially since it’s primarily a children’s cafe. The cuisine inside is somewhat like Taiwanese, and they also serve dumplings, among other things.
The entrance fee for kids is $20, which includes the snack platter and a babycino. The platter has various bread options that you can choose from, and the drink options include freshly squeezed juice or a babycino (which is basically hot milk).
The restaurant overall feels like a large family entertainment room with several different themed areas: Little Doctor Zone (with a pet doctor theme), Firefighter Zone, Chef | Coffee | Ice Cream | BBQ Zone, Baby Playpen Zone (with many toys for infants), Musical Instrument Zone, Fishing | Tent Zone (the central area changes frequently) and Storybook Zone (on the second floor).
Address: 323 Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn VIC 3103
Berwick Springs Hotel
It’s definitely the largest kids playground within a restaurant in the southeast area. Berwick Springs Hotel’s Kids Planet is a playroom as large as an entire warehouse. There are plenty of climbing tunnels for the kids, and overcrowding is rarely an issue. It’s likely the biggest kids room you’ll find in a bistro in the southeast area.
288-296 Clyde Rd, Berwick VIC 3806
Little Growling Cafe
Little Growling Cafe is a charming and comfortable spot with small outdoor seating, a kids play area, and lawn spaces. Its massive swirling slide is a great attraction for older kids. While the kids run around and play, parents can relax with a coffee. The windows looking out to the playground area make the cafe even more comfortable and charming.
180 Davis Rd, Tarneit VIC 3029
Moreland Hotel
The Moreland Hotel boasts an impressive playground area, perfect for families traveling with children. With a wide range of seating options available, parents can relax and unwind while the kids play to their hearts’ content.
The indoor theme of the hotel is sure to captivate the imagination of young ones, providing endless entertainment within the playground area. Parents need not worry about keeping their kids occupied during mealtimes, as the playground ensures that they are engaged and entertained throughout their stay.
Overall, the Moreland Hotel is a family-friendly destination that offers exceptional entertainment options for children, making it the perfect choice for parents looking for a stress-free vacation.
Sydney Rd &, Moreland Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056
Bam Bam Italian
am Bam Italian is a fantastic choice for families with children, as it offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and a delightful small adventure play area for kids. The outdoor seating area is particularly lovely, providing a relaxing and comfortable environment for diners to enjoy their meal.
In addition, the seating throughout the restaurant is spacious and well-designed, ensuring that families have plenty of room to relax and enjoy their visit. Overall, Bam Bam Italian is an excellent choice for families looking for a warm and welcoming dining experience with a small but fun play area for the kids.
445 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Avonsleigh VIC 3782
Edwardes Lake Hotel
The Edwardes Lake Hotel boasts a truly massive and impressive kids’ play area that includes climbing structures, an arcade game section, a movie theater area, and a dedicated toddlers’ space. Undoubtedly, the playground is the main attraction of this venue, and it’s no wonder why – it’s simply amazing.
Parents can sit back, relax and enjoy their visit knowing that their children are having the time of their lives in the sprawling play area. The playground is undoubtedly the drawcard of this venue, offering parents the opportunity to unwind and enjoy themselves while their kids are kept entertained and occupied in the expansive play area.
257 Edwardes St, Reservoir VIC 3073
5
May
Melbourne's Hidden 'Venice' – Vaporetto Bar & Eatery
4
May
Unique Sydney Tiny Steam Train Experience – Sydney Live Steam Locomotive Society
3
May