Brisbane’s best healthy kids’ menu cafes

From yoghurt parfaits to vegetable soldiers, here are Brisbane’s best eateries serving healthy children’s meals they’ll actually want to eat.

Forget cheeseburgers, chips and nuggets - more and more cafes are rolling out healthy meals for kids as they try to reduce childhood obesity rates.

From yoghurt parfaits to vegetable soldiers, nutritious options are being introduced to menus across Queensland to make dining out with little ones easier.

Sherridan Cluff, nutritionist at Health and Wellbeing Queensland, said cafes and restaurants proved the perfect playground for kids to try different foods.

“Eating out is a great opportunity for children to experiment with different tastes and textures, learn about new foods, and consume a wholesome meal that is going to help them to thrive,” she said.

“In some cafes and restaurants, the adults’ menu has more variety and a greater number of healthier options. If nothing stands out on a kids’ menu, order off the adults’ menu and ask the venue to make the meal in a smaller size.”

Spanish omelette at BARKO & CO, Teneriffe. Picture: David Kelly

For breakfast out with children, she recommended the likes of avocado on toast, vegetable omelettes or frittatas and yoghurt and muesli bowls; while for lunch and dinner, consider salad wraps and burgers, pastas with tomato based sauce, or grilled tacos. But most importantly, go easy on the chips.

“Chips are a crowd favourite but they’re extremely high in kilojoules and saturated fat – most fried versions are around 30 to 40 per cent fat,” she said.

“Instead of chips, go for options like mashed or baked (jacket) potatoes, sweet potato or pumpkin (or) consider other sources of grains such as pasta, rice, couscous, or wholemeal and wholegrain bread or rolls.”

To help you find the best cafes for kids, we asked Health and Wellbeing Queensland, behind the Healthy Kids’ Menu initiative, for their top Brisbane cafe suggestions, and here are some they love.

1. The Baseline Café

Queensland Tennis Centre, 190 King Arthur Tce, Tennyson

baselinecafe.com.au

Under Pat Rafter Arena in the Queensland Tennis Centre and overlooking Ken Fletcher Park, this indoor-outdoor, family friendly cafe delivers more than half a dozen healthy options for kids for breakfast and lunch. Little ones can choose between the likes of yoghurt, berries and granola or egg and grilled tomato on wholemeal toast for brekkie, and salads, wraps, and toasted flat bread with dips for lunch, with all options under $12.

2. Farmhouse Kedron

9 Somerset Road, Kedron

farmhousekedron.com.au

This northside cafe with a magical decor representing an old farm house has become a hit with yummy mummies for catch-ups and its healthy child-friendly options are no doubt part of the appeal. There are five meals to choose from including broccolini and cherry tomatoes with a poached egg and avocado toasted soldiers.

Zoe Munro, Benjamin Raethke, Ethan Raethke and Lucy Munro at Nodo Newstead with the range of healthy kids breakfast options. Picture: Brad Fleet

3. Nodo

Newstead, Hawthorne, Camp Hill, South Brisbane

nododonuts.com

Kate Williams’ gluten-free range of cafes are all about making wholesome food delicious – especially for the kids. Children will find plenty of healthy options throughout the regular menu which runs from avo on toast to a seasonal veg bowl, while geared at under 12s specifically is the likes of a sweet potato, carrot and zucchini rosti with ham and an egg; probiotic waffles with fruit and coconut yoghurt; and a baby beef burger on a quinoa bun.

4. Cheeky Poke Bar

Brisbane CBD, Newstead, Greenslopes, Upper Mount Gravatt, West End

cheekypokebar.com.au

Specialising in nutrition-packed poke bowls, these contemporary, casual cafes have plenty of options to suit kids. Let them create their own poke bowls or nori-wrapped tacos from a range of possible protein and vege options, or have them dine off the children’s menu which features a chicken or salmon bowl, chicken noodle soup, and a wonton or nori taco, all for between $8-$9.90.

A tuna bowl at Cheeky Poke Bar. Picture: Steve Pohlner

5. The Deli by Hollie and Lola

Shop 12A, 133-137 Redcliffe Pde, Redcliffe

hollieandlola.com

This humble neighbourhood eatery has a generous menu for the little foodie in the family from veg-packed frittata to mini paninis and a ploughman’s with fruit, vegetable soldiers, cheese and pretzels. They also serve free babycinos, raw coconut water and cold-pressed juices.

6. Wilde Café

Cnr Macquarie and Florence St, Teneriffe

wildekitchen.com.au

This health-focused cafe with its breezy, covered outdoor dining area has made a name for itself catering to dietary requirements such as gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, keto and vegan.

Kids can easily eat from the adults’ menu with the likes of the “Nourishing greens bowl” chockers with sauteed greens, pumpkin, avocado and almond butter; or the coconut almond porridge with orange scented berry compote.

7. Market Cart

RBWH, Herston and UQ, St Lucia 

marketcart.com.au

The philosophy behind these cafes is to create food that is natural, handmade and balanced, that means yoghurt parfaits and porridge for breakfast, superfood sandwiches and wraps for lunch, and plenty of salads. Kids are sure to love the roasted sesame chicken wrap and the ‘nutritious nachos snack’ featuring beans, corn salsa, mountain rice and quinoa with a cheesy sauce.

8. Barko and Co

71 Macquarie St, Teneriffe

barkoandco.com

Perched on the edge of the Brisbane River, this laid-back, cosy cafe follows the motto “House-made, natural, healthy” using the best Aussie ingredients. While there’s no set kids’ menu, there are plenty of child-friendly options such as grilled cauliflower tacos, grilled chicken pita pockets and bruschetta.

9. Canter and Colt

42 Main Street, Samford Village

facebook.com/canterandcolt/

This 100 per cent organic cafe wants to make sure locals are nourished and taken care of, serving a wholesome menu running from chia Bircher muesli to zucchini noodles, cold-pressed juices and smoothies.

A spread of healthy dishes at Canter & Colt in Samford Village.

10. Moreish Cafe

2/398 Logan Road, Greenslopes

moreish-cafe.com

Let your kids eat off the regular menu at this suburban cafe. While the children’s offering includes a chicken wrap and fruit waffle, for extra nutrition have them choose eggs on toast with sides of avo, mushrooms and smoked salmon, or assorted fruit and honey granola.