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Child Friendly Restaurants in Sydney

Child Friendly Restaurants in Sydney

by Mireille Kilgour

200px It's great to get together with the whole family for a meal – especially when you don't have to cook or clean up afterwards. However, it can be tricky to find a restaurant where you won't feel embarrassed because you've got the kids in tow. We've put together a list of foodie havens in Sydney that cater to the little ones too. Plus, these are all participating restaurants in the Good Food Gift Card program, so you can treat yourself or some friends to a fun family time out.

1. Whitewater Restaurant, Manly

test A relaxed atmosphere in a beach house by the water, Whitewater Restaurant has good food and wine, sharp staff and stunning views. And for the kids there's a special $14.95 meal package that includes a kids meal, drink, dessert and a colouring book to take home! The kids meal options are fish and chips, a burger and chips or spaghetti bolognese, while dessert is vanilla ice cream with a choice of toppings. And that colouring book should keep them entertained throughout dinner.

2. Bitton Gourmet Cafe, Alexandria

A well known favourite in Alexandria, Bitton is run by owner and chef David Bitton, and shows off his talent for French cuisine. It offers 5 star food at regular cafe prices, making it affordable enough to bring the whole family. Little Eats blog (covering 'cafe culture for little ones') explained that Bitton is family friendly with a safe enclosed area at the back where children can play in the toy alcove, complete with a TV. Little Eats' Nicole Cubbin said she ordered sourdough and vegemite for her toddler ($6) and a babycino ($1) that came in an unbreakable plastic cup. There is also a kid's menu full of $10 items such as scrambled eggs with mushroom and baguette soldiers, a bacon and cheese toastie with salad, and a baby steak fillet with pommes puree. What's better is that nearly all options are healthy. Nicole said, "I applaud the fact that chips are not on offer with every meal, instead selected meals come with salad, broccoli or apple puree."

3. Pilu at Freshwater, Freshwater

This gorgeous weatherboard restaurant looks onto stunning views of Freshwater beach. The menu is Sardinian-inspired, so expect lots of seafood like crumbed smoked eel balls with baby mussels, grapefruit and baby spinach, or potato, anchovy and lemon ravioli. For dessert, perhaps a honey mousse with spiced sponge, roasted macadamias and the very interesting sounding Sardinian beer sorbet! The meals are made from fresh, complex ingredients, handled masterfully by chef Giovanni Pilu, so hopefully your children have fine tastes! Perhaps the best selling point for families with children is the location. One reviewer on Babies and Toddlers Directory said "It has all outdoor seating and if your kids get too grumpy (like mine usually do) there is a small playground or Freshwater Beach next to it."

4. Blackbird Cafe, Cockle Bay Wharf

Untitled-1 A cafe located up on a balcony that overlooks Darling Harbour, Blackbird certainly has style down pat. But it also caters to the kids with $14.90 Kids Meal Deals like calamari rings, spaghetti, fish and chips, chicken schnitzel and pizza. Blackbird also understand the appeal of a free lunch, or in this case, dessert. You get a free dessert with every Kids Meal, and there's free colouring in to boot. If you're after a special night out then swing by Blackbird on a Thursday night to see the magician Neo perform. The kids will love him!

5. Otto Ristorante, Woolloomooloo

If you need to celebrate a special occasion with you and the kids, Otto Ristorante is the place to go. Located on Cowper Wharf by the harbour, Otto Ristorante offers modern Italian cuisine combined with impeccable service, a great view and an overall memorable experience. Children have a special $35 menu that includes dessert and soft drinks, along with the option of one of the following well loved meals: spaghetti with Napolitana sauce, spaghetti with a white cheese sauce, fillet of beef with fries, or fried fish and chips. In the 2011 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide, Terry Durack and Joanna Savill wrote that Otto "sparkles under the sun and gleams under clouds, with its not-too-noisy, relaxed, intimate style, good food, interesting wines, and superb service. "

6. Bluewater Cafe, Manly

Bluewater is a favourite of Manly locals who swing by for coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open from 7:30am so you can drop in before taking the kids to school, Bluewater is very child friendly with high chairs, children's colouring, lots of room for prams, and $10 meal options that all come with a main, a juice box, and a scoop of ice cream with topping or piece of fruit! There are also affordable Kids Breakfast Dishes that start from as little as $6. It's a great spot by the beach where you can relax with quality food, friendly service and complimentary newspapers, while you sit in a sunny spot with the ocean breeze going by.

7. Ormeggio at the Spit, Mosman

Ormeggio's crisp white linen, sparkling crockery and fine dining menu might not seem like it's child friendly, but as co-owner Anna Pavoni once said, "What sort of Italian restaurant would you be if you don't have children?" That's why they cater to the whole family by offering high chairs and a children's menu alongside their stunning modern Italian menu created by executive chef Alessandro Pavoni. The outlook stretches over both Middle Harbour and Pearly Bay, and it was awarded Two Chef Hats in the Sydney Morning Herald's Good Food Guide 2014.

So now there's no need to be self conscious when you take the kids out for a meal. Many restuarants understand what it's like to have children; after all, they've probably been there themselves! Keep these Sydney restaurants and cafes in mind next time you've got the little ones in tow.

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Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour has been an entrepreneur for 35 years in the hospitality sector. French born, she has been an accomplished business owner and operator for a number of Sydney venues. Leading the industry with high profile institutions such as Lamrock Café Bondi, she has endless passion for the industry, and now has the pleasure of supporting restaurants to fill their tables with the new Good Food Gift Card program.