The best child-friendly cafes in Melbourne
LOOKING for a gourmet play date these school holidays? With blackboard walls, babycinos, cubby houses and sand pits galore, these are Melbourne’s best cafes to take the kids.
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LOOKING for some tasty play dates for the kids these school holidays?
There’s nothing like catching up over a babycino and a biscuit and getting the latest intel on sand pit etiquette and spinner tricks.
With more cafes catering to Melbourne’s youngest hipsters, who like their pancakes fluffy and their babycinos dusted with sprinkles, there’s no shortage of places to eat, drink and play.
Here is our guide to Melbourne’s friendliest cafes for kids.
NORTH
Frankie Says: 15 Acacia Place, Abbotsford
Easy pram access, high chairs and a kids menu featuring Nutella toast teddy bears.
The Farm Cafe: 18 St Heliers St, Abbotsford
Bustling cafe at Collingwood Children’s Farm. Kids can work up an appetite petting animals at the farm before enjoying a delicious breakfast or lunch in the cafe afterwards.
Miss Marmalade: 126 Union Street, Brunswick
Easy pram access, highchairs, kids’ menu with plenty of healthy options and a lovely kids’ play area.
Green Park Dining: 815 Nicholson St, Carlton North
Plenty of pram access, kids’ menu and a newly built kids’ playground right out front. Winning.
Birdie Num. Nuts: 745 Nicholson Street, Carlton North
A kid-friendly institution. Kids’ menu. Play area. Sand pit. Plenty of toys. And lots of other kids to let them run amok with.
The Glass Den: 15 Urquhart Street, Coburg
facebook.com/TheGlassDenCoburg
Pram-friendly, plenty of high chairs, delicious kids’ menu and babycinos in every colour of the rainbow. A hit for parents, mother’s club meetings and littlies.
Fifteen Pounds: 21 Railway Pl, Fairfield
Because what kid doesn’t love doughnuts? There’s also easy pram access, highchairs, crayons and colouring books.
The Blooming Baristas: 25 Railway Place, Fairfield
This lovely little cafe has a spacious backyard with easy pram access via a laneway down the side. Outside is a grassy area with picnic tables with umbrellas, a sand pit and plenty of toys. Pets welcome, too.
Jiji’s Place: 87 Rose Street, Essendon
This light-filled cafe boats a lovely, enclosed courtyard complete with a kids’ play area. The free babycinos are also a big hit.
Little Sister: 52 Wingara Ave, East Keilor
Kids menu, babycinos, enclosed courtyard. From the same folk who brought you Hey Jude in Essendon and Flourmill in Brunswick.
District North: 678/680 Mt Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds
The District Kids blackboard wall is pretty epic, but it’s their freakshakes that bring all the kids to the yard. There’s plenty of pram space, high chairs and even colouring-in books and pencil cases. but only if you say ‘please’.
Darling St Espresso: 146 Athol St, Moonee Ponds
Puppy friendly and child friendly. Their hot chockies and doughnut waffles are a must-try.
Phat Milk: 208 Mt Alexander Rd, Travancore
Conveniently located right outside Flemington Primary School, this cafe is the ideal post-drop off coffee stop. Out the back is an undercover play area with a sandpit, well-loved tricycles and even a pretend coffee machine for the budding barista.
EAST
The Hatter And The Hare: 1/21 Scoresby Rd. Bayswater
Take the kids for a scrumptious breakfast or high tea at this whimsical, Alice In Wonderland-inspired cafe. Pose for photos in front of the beautiful flower wall or watch through the looking glass as pastry chefs work their magic in the kitchen.
Charlotte’s Corner: 106 Canterbury Road, Blackburn South
Laid back brunch spot with a spacious rear courtyard, plenty of pram space and kid-friendly food options.
Red Cup: 1124 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill
Cosy corner cafe that is open all day for food, coffee, craft beer and local wine. Plenty of pram space. Indoor and outdoor seating. Milkshakes served in mini metal buckets.
The Foodrinkery: 22 Banksia Street Burwood
Bustling local cafe with enchanting wall murals and a spacious sun-drenched courtyard that opens onto a gorgeous local park. Sit and sip all the coffee while the kids use up all their energy on the playground.
Lulabelle’s: 1162 Toorak Rd, Camberwell
We second that.
Red Robyn, Camberwell
This 100 per cent gluten and nut free cafe is great for kids with allergies and intolerances. It offers soy, dairy, egg and fructose-free as well as low-FODMAP options. There is also a separate kids’ menu, in case the lamington waffles or banoffee porridge don’t tickle their fancy.
Denis the Menace: 106-108 Chestnut St, Cremorne
Eggs on toast and fresh orange juice for young ones. Smashed avo and Aperol Spritz for adults. There’s plenty of pram space, booth seats and a cosy courtyard. Kids will love the playful style. Plus, you can book.
The Little Village Play Cafe: 33 The Mall, Croydon South
Babycinos all ‘round. This cafe-come-play store is an absolute gem. Drop the kids off at the small-scale English village — which is home to a fire station, tool shop, grocery store, hospital and even cake shop — or let them get lost in the library reading a good book while you sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee or three.
Cafe Kids Boutique 8 Hewish Rd Croydon
This is pretty much our ideal breakfast date.
Shillinglaw Cafe: 4 Panther Pl, Eltham
This leafy Eltham cafe offers a bit of everything. With a beautiful green backdrop, there’s plenty of outdoors for the kids to run around in. They’ll love the lush gardens and lovely sand pit. You’ll love the heritage cottage setting and the strong coffee. Plenty of pram space and separate kids’ menu are a bonus.
Mabel Jones: 67 Grimshaw St, Greensborough
Large, communal tables make this place the perfect spot for mother’s group gatherings. There are high chairs and plenty of space for prams, plus a juniors menu and range of kids-sized milkshakes.
The Green At St Columbs: 5 St Columbs St, Hawthorn
facebook.com/thegreenatstcolumbs
Grab a rug and pull up a picnic at this non-profit cafe.
Piggery Cafe at Burnham Beeches: 1 Sherbrooke Rd, Sherbrooke
Make a day of it and enjoy brunch, a game of lawn bowls and a wander through the verdant gardens at Burnham Beeches. You can even make a few furry friends along the way.
The Mabel: 9 McKeon Road Mitcham
Cheeseburgers and milkshakes followed homemade lamingtons. Who needs Maccas when you have The Mabel?
Mister & Miss: 713 Whitehorse Rd, Mont Albert
Bustling cafe with big communal tables, a sun-drenched deck and lovely fireplaces.
Inchmeal Cafe & My Little Caravan: 39 Westerfield Dr, Notting Hill
Coffee shop. Cafe. Caravan. Craft store. Creative space. Community hub. Child-friendly.
The Peddler: 295B Springfield Road, Nunawading
Share a milkshake and a Golden Gaytime lamington at this bustling Nunawading local. High chairs and space for prams, plus plenty of outdoor seating.
Little Buddy Cafe, Ringwood
facebook.com/littlebuddycafeaus
Babycinos, a kids’ corner, comic books and a well-stocked toy tub. What more could you ask for?
Hunter Lane: 76 Turnham Ave, Rosanna
There is a kids’ corner with a chalkboard, books and fake grass. Enough said.
Hey Mikey Espresso: 2/82 Lewis Rd, Wantirna South
Jaffles are always a crowd — and kid — pleader, plus they’ll love the crate-table set up. Don’t get us started on the whoopee cookies. #omnom
SOUTH EAST
Cubbyhouse Canteen: 43a Union Street, Armadale
It’s a cafe. In a cubby house. Pretty much every child’s dream.
Little tommy Tucker: 432 Centre Road, Bentleigh
Light and bright cafe with plenty of pram space and a delicious little tuckers menu (hello, popcorn cheese macaroni).
Iron Henry: 480 Neerim Road. Murrumbeena
A family friendly cafe where the upstairs seating area features a play area for little guests. A perfect spot for mums to catch up and enjoy a well deserved coffee.
Hobba: 428 Malvern Road, Prahran
Breezy, open, converted warehouse space with lots of room for prams and highchairs and a cubs menu for under 12s.
The Last Piece: 7/2 Stadium Circuit, Mulgrave
Milkshakes and build-your-own breakfasts are sure to tickle young tastebuds. The direct access to Waverley Park oval is an added bonus. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a training session for the mighty Hawks.
WEST
Leroy Espresso: 5 Mason St, Newport
Little Leroys get their own breakfast menu, which has a selection of healthy options. Outdoor seating and high chairs available.
Little Growling: 180 Davis Road, Tarneit
facebook.com/littlegrowlingcafe
Light and bright cafe in The Grove housing development. The kids’ menu is great, but it’s the impressive, enclosed playground that makes this place a real winner. With a slide, swings, spinning teacups, trampolines and even a flying fox — you might get roped into spending the spending the day.
Cheeky Chewies Café: 18 Aviation Rd, Laverton
facebook.com/cheekychewiescafe
Known locally as Chewies, this playful cafe combines specialty coffee and Asian fusion cuisine with a kid-friendly fit out. You can sit back and sip all the lattes while the littlies entertain themselves in the play area.
Black Seed: 2-133 Watton Street, Werribee
Their freakshakes bring all the kids to the yard.
Dumbo: 11 Argyle St, West Footscray
It seems only fitting that a former milk bar would be the ideal setting for a family-friendly brunch spot. Kids’ menu has lovely options, but chances are they’ll want the ricotta doughnuts with sticky salted caramel sauce. Mmmmm.
DANDENONGS
The Botanist: Glenharrow, 21A Old Monbulk Rd, Belgrave
A beautiful cafe nestled in the historic surrounds of Glenharrow Park. Easy access to Trees Adventures, Puffing Billy and bushwalking tracks.
Earthly Pleasures: 1627 Burwood hwy Belgrave
Sprawling cafe housed in a beautiful stone building built in 1930 by the Jorgensen family, famous also for later building Montsalvat in Eltham. It has a lush terrace and surrounding garden. The extensive array of home-baked treats will make your mouth water.
Bees Knees: Shop 2, 854 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Cheerful interior. High chairs for little ones. Babycinos, raspberry sliders, milkshakes and more on the kids’ menu.
BAYSIDE
Brighton Schoolhouse: 15 St Andrew St, Brighton
The perfect place for families and kids. Heaps of space plus its own playground. Grab a coffee and sit around watching the kids.
The Parlor Milkbar and Kitchen: 40 Weatherall Road, Cheltenham
A family-run cafe in the Bayside heartland with a sprawling decked area and sumptuous brunch options. Toasties, pancakes and mini brioche burgers for the kids who are just a little bit fancy.
The Odd Room: 323 Bay Road, Cheltenham
acebook.com/theoddroom.melbourne
We love this cafe for so many reasons. The name. The decor. The menu. Easy access for prams. Plenty of seating. High chairs available on request.
Eeny Meeny: 96 Young Street Frankston
Step into Eeny Meeny and be greeted with a warm atmosphere, friendly smiles and attentive service. Enjoy the eclectic, nostalgic decor or relax in the secluded courtyard oasis.
Brown Cow Café: 382 Hampton Street, Hampton
A Hampton institution for a reason. Delicious food and a great atmosphere.
Black Squirrel: 20 Bay Rd, Sandringham
Brunch followed by beach strolls. The best bit about having kids is you can pretend they’re the ones ordering the rocky road hot cakes. Because calories don’t count if your kids order it, right?
Cowderoy’s Dairy: 14 Cowderoy St, St Kilda West
A family friendly milk bar cafe, next to a playground/park, dishing up home-style food. That is all my boxes, ticked.
HAVE WE MISSED YOUR FAVOURITE CAFE? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.
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