Gold Coast’s top 10 kid-friendly cafes

HOW to get away for a relaxing coffee break when the kids are in tow? It can be more hassle than it’s worth — but not at these spots.

Shutterstock photo of heart coffee for Eye Care in Gold Coast Eye

HOW to get away for a relaxing coffee break when the kids are in tow? It can be more hassle than it’s worth — but not at these spots.

10 Two Little Bakers

MUDGEERABA

This cafe/bakery/cupcake shop is the soul of country cooking in the foothills of the Hinterland. All goodies from the Two Little Bakers’ kitchen are made completely from scratch and the cafe also caters for a range of events from birthdays to weddings, baby showers to corporate morning teas.

MICHAEL DIED ON BRINK OF CHANGE

POWER 130: THE TOP 31 TO 50 REVEALED

9 Koi

BROADBEACH

Koi manager Mia Holmgren. Picture: Regi Varghese

It may look the height of adult sophistication but this sleek and central Broadbeach cafe has a dedicated kids’ menu with one extremely popular entry — Nutella French toast. With berries, maple syrup and mascarpone, adults will want some too.

8 Hard Rock Cafe

SURFERS PARADISE

You’re never too young to rock ... and never too old to love a hamburger roll. Climb the stairway to heaven that is Hard Rock Cafe Surfers Paradise and sink your teeth into music memorabilia and memorable American-style burgers. The central tourist location makes it the perfect place to eat, drink, and unwind whether you’re a local or visitor.

7 The Bearded Dragon

MOUNT TAMBORINE

With a great kids’ menu selection, playground, alpaca feeding and enough room to run around while the adults enjoy Tamborine’s largest backyard beer garden, this is the place for the whole family to relax.

6 Plantation House Cafe

WEST BURLEIGH

The heritage-listed property that’s home to Plantation House Café is a reminder of a thriving country village where locals would swap produce and catch up on the gossip. It’s a family business made for families. Full of favourite flavours, the familiar, visually satisfying menu makes every customer feel right at home.

5 Cafe Tahbella

OXENFORD

There’s fun and games for the whole family at this friendly Oxenford cafe. While there’s a separate play area for children, adults can join in the fun with the shop frequently nominating special names for free coffees. You never know when your number — or name — is up. When it comes to food, from yummy desserts to savoury treats Cafe Tahbella has it covered.

4 BSKT

NOBBY BEACH

Breakfast at BSKT Cafe, Miami. Fried free range eggs, BSKT beans, avocado and tomato Salsa with basil essential oil on native flat bread. Photo: Kit Wise

Introduce children to the joys of healthy eating while you take a break at this beautiful beachside cafe. Kids can play out the back as you sip your coffee and gaze at the ocean — or the beautiful people. Fortunately this healthy hub isn’t too intimidating for mere mortals and, even if your mouth is the only part you plan on giving a workout, you’ll feel better for the nourishing fare, much of it organic and gluten free.

3 Mike’s Kitchen

MERRIMAC

With milkshakes and waffles on the menu, it’s no mistake that Mike’s Kitchen is top of many families’ list for a night out. Established in Robina in 1996, the popular restaurant made the move to Worongary to find more space for their long list of customers. From premium quality steaks, chicken and seafood, as well as some vegetarian options, it’s really all about the ribs when it comes to adults.

2 Vivre a Vie

MERMAID BEACH

From the front it appears a funky little cafe at home in the heart of the Gold Coast Highway. But out the back it’s a whole new world of family fun. A gorgeous garden setting complete with outdoor toys awaits the kids, while mums and dads can enjoy the organic goodies from this wholesome bakery. Vivre a Vie is both family and dog-friendly, while the garden can also serve as the perfect venue for birthdays and other functions.

1 Dune Café

PALM BEACH

The beach, a creek, a dog park and a pirate playground make up the surrounds to this cafe which can only be described as a kids’ paradise.

Dune Cafe, Currumbin, Palm Beach, Gold Coast. Picture: Regi Varghese

Whether you’re looking for a place to kick back for a coffee and some homemade delights — hello cronuts — want to enjoy a full breakfast or lunch or simply relax with a juice and watch the kids play in the large green parklands, Dune Cafe is the perfect location.

Featuring a selection of gluten-free, vegetarian and organic items, Dune front-of-house manager Tahlia Ebert says the chef selects local produce wherever possible to support Gold Coast growers.

But while the food is great, it’s the location that brings all the kids to the yard.

“Between the dog park and the pirate park, we are extremely popular with fur kids and human kids alike,” Tahlia says.

“It’s about fifty-fifty when it comes to which breed is better behaved.

Dune Cafe, Currumbin, Palm Beach, Gold Coast. Picture: Regi Varghese

“Actually, we love having so many families join our own. We get so many regulars who keep coming back. The same families come for their weekend brunch, or the mums’ groups come for breakfast and a coffee with their prams.

“It’s a beautiful atmosphere.”

Tahlia says the cafe even caters for kids’ parties.

She says Dune offers a tailored party menu and guests can either play at the park next door or package the event with a stand-up paddle board lesson.

“It’s such a good venue for events because it’s bright and airy, you don’t feel locked in to a small place with excited children,” she says.

Dune Cafe, Currumbin, Palm Beach, Gold Coast. Picture: Regi Varghese

“It’s also great for a takeaway coffee for parents who want to head over to the park or beach to supervise the kids.

“We have a great range of juices, ice creams and baked goods on offer as well. Even if you’re not eating in you’re not missing out.

“For parents who are just coming in on their own we have a nice quiet little play corner for the kids inside as well.

“With this location you really have to cater for the kids first and foremost — and of course parents too.”

Tahlia says while the cafe has a few little menu twists to offer over the summer, they are intent on sticking with their winning business recipe.

“I think what we’re doing, we’re doing well. We don’t want to change too much,” she says,

“We’re so lucky because while we look after the front-of-house, the cafe is owned by the Currumbin RSL and they look after back-of-house.

“It means that we can concentrate on what we’re good at — and that fact that we have a fantastic group looking after the rest of the business is wonderful. It’s a great situation, it’s like our own Dune family.”