Revealed: Where kids can still eat for free in Brisbane

Once a staple of restaurants, clubs and pubs across the Brisbane, ‘kids eat free’ promotions have all but disappeared. We tracked down the last few standing. SEE THE LIST

Emily Smith is a social media influencer providing tips and tricks on how to save on your grocery bills. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Once a staple of restaurants, clubs and pubs across the country, ‘Kids Eat Free’ promotions have all but disappeared, we tracked down the last ones left.

With the rising cost of living, eating out, especially with children, is simply out of reach for many families.

Queensland mum and bargain influencer Emily Smith from the social media account Aussie Debt Free Girl, said for her family of three, eating out was reserved for special occasions.

“We don’t eat out a lot, we get the occasional hot chips but it's really for a birthday celebrations, anniversaries and special events,” Ms Smith said.

“When we have School holidays coming up I will put some money aside for something to look forward to.”

Despite being a regular at many restaurants in the past, ‘kids eat free’ and birthday promotions have all but disappeared from most menus.

Ms Smith said she keeps an eye out for bargains but for a young family they were few and far between.

Free kids meals can make dining out more affordable.

“We keep an eye out for Birthday promotions and bargains but there really aren’t that many options.”

The social media influencer started her frugal journey from a place of survival, and has since amassed more than 26,000 followers on Instagram.

Ms Smith said her family of five currently lives on roughly $150 a week, but through careful budgeting and shopping around for bargains across every aspect of life, they don’t go with out.

“I’ve always been frugal but mainly from necessity,” Ms Smith said.

“My kids have everything they need, they have all the things they need and they appreciate everything more and waste very little.

“We still have treat, we still get dinner out on occasions and on Friday I put aside money to go and get a coffee with my friends because it’s important.”

WHERE KIDS EAT FREE

NORTH OF THE CITY

North Lakes Sports Club

Every Sunday night in North Lakes, kids can get a free meal, soft drink and ice cream when a member purchases a full priced main meal.

The local sports club also offers busy parents a chance to rest and relax with a fully supervised kids club open seven days a week.

On Sunday night at North Lakes Sports Club kids can enjoy free meal. Photo: North Lakes Sports Club.

Morayfield Tavern

Kids eat free at the Morayfield local every Sunday when an adult purchases any main meal.

On top of free meals, the Morayfield Tavern also hosts free face painting for kids every Sunday between 12pm-2pm.

Kids can enjoy a free meal and face painting every Sunday at the Morayfield Tavern. Photo: Morayfield Tavern

Caboolture Sports Club

On Sunday nights the Caboolture Sports Club offers families a free kids meal, soft drink and ice cream with any adult main meal purchase.

Every Sunday Caboolture Sports Club offers kids a free meal and dessert with any adult purchase. Photo: Caboolture Sports Club

Ciao Cibo

Families dining at the Chermside Italian can get a free kids meal every Sunday with each adult meal purchase.

Known for their affordability and quality, Chermside’s Ciao Cibo is giving kids a free meal every Sunday with adult purchases. Photo: Ciao Cibo

CITY AND SURROUNDS

Tomato Brothers

The Wilston pasta and pizzeria is one of Brisbane’s only restaurants where kids can eat free nearly every day of the week with every main meal purchase.

Boasting one of the only wood fired ovens in the area the relaxed restaurant offers free kids meals between 5pm and 6pm.

Every day of the week kids can enjoy a free meal at Wilson’s Tomato Brothers. Photo: Tomato Brothers Wilston

Corbett and Claude

The Italian chain has three locations in Everton Park, Mt Gravatt and Brisbane City and offers families a free kids meal with any pizza or pasta purchase during these school holidays, until 5pm.

Bird’s Nest

Breaking the trend of pubs and clubs, the Yakitori chain also offers kids free meals on Monday and Tuesday at their Hamilton, Fortitude Valley, Everton Park and South Brisbane venues when adults spend $30 or more.

BrewDog

The independent brewer based in Fortitude Valley and Murarrie are offering free meals for children with every paying adult until the end of the school holidays.

Independent brewer, BrewDog, is giving away free meals for kids who are accompanied with a paying adult. Photo: BrewDog

SOUTH OF THE CITY

Beenleigh Tavern

Monday nights kids eat free with any adult meal purchase at the Beenleigh Tavern.

Club Yeronga

Every Monday kids eat free across lunch at dinner at Club Yeronga with any adult main purchase.

The inner city services club is giving away free lunch and dinner on Monday night for kids with any adult meal purchase. Photo: Club Yeronga

Montezuma’s

Kids can enjoy a free meal on Tuesdays at Montezuma’s Capalaba, Mount Gravatt and Capalaba locations with any adult main meal purchase.

Opened more than 40 years ago, Queensland’s oldest Mexican chain offers kids a free meal of Tuesday’s with any main meal purchase. Photo: Montezuma Mount Gravatt

Salisbury Hotel

Admittedly not Free, this Salisbury Hotel offers kids meals for practically nothing every Saturday and Sunday with any adult main menu purchase.

For just $3, kids can enjoy an almost free meal at the Salisbury Hotel every Saturday and Sunday. Photo: Salisbury Hotel

Claw BBQ

Kids eat free every Sunday to Wednesday at Claw Bbq’s Carindale and Bowen Hill locations with any adult meal purchase.

Browns Plain Hotel

Every Sunday families can enjoy free kids meals with any adult menu purchase through the venues mobile app.

Photo: Browns Plain Hotel

IPSWICH AND WEST OF THE CITY

Jets Leagues Club

Monday through to Thursday children get free dinner, drink, dessert and an activity pack with any adult main meal purchase at this Ipswich club.

The Ipswich club also hosts a number of pocket friendly dinner and lunch specials throughout the week to help families, with Tuesday lunch deals starting from $15.90.

Monday to Thursday kids eat for free at the Ipswich Jets Leagues Club when an adult purchases a main menu option. Photo: Jets Leagues Club

Kickin’Inn

Children with full paying adults eat free every Monday to Friday at Kickin’Inn’s Logan, Spring Hill and Ipswich locations.

The Ox

Children eat free every Saturday and Sunday at the Ipswich institution with any adult main meal purchase.

The Lion Richlands

Children can get dinner for free on Friday and Saturday nights at the Richlands pub with any adult meal purchase.

The Lion also provides children with hours of supervised entertainment with their fully supervised kids club that includes Xbox, air hockey, movies and skill testers.

On Saturday and Sunday night at the Richlands kids eat for free with any adult main menu purchase. Photo: The Lion Richlands

Fitzy’s

Children can eat for free every Tuesday at the Loganholme venue with any adult meal purchase between 5pm and 9pm.

Beach House Bar and Grill

Members can enjoy free kids meals every Sunday from 11am with any main menu purchase across the chains Browns Plains, Brisbane City, Garden City, Loganholme, Springfield and North Lake locations.

5 Boroughs

Spend $25 or more and get a free kids meal every Monday and Tuesday night at the chains Carseldine, Everton Park, Morayfield, Paddington and Springwood locations.

Created in homage to New York’s 5 boroughs, the trendy burger bar offers free kids meals every Monday and Tuesday night with any main menu purchase. Photo: 5 Boroughs.

EAST OF THE CITY

Waterloo Bay Hotel

Kids eat free every Friday night at the Wynnum based hotel with every adult main menu purchase.