Your Guide to the Best Family Friendly Restaurants in Adelaide
If you’re on the hunt for family friendly restaurants in Adelaide, look no further!
We’re really lucky here in Adelaide that there are so many great cafes, restaurants, pubs and wineries that are great for the whole family. There is nothing better than finding a restaurant that just ‘get’ kids, and who go over and above to welcome them and cater for them.
From highchairs to colouring books, these family friendly restaurants will have what you need to keep the little ones entertained while you enjoy a delicious meal. It’s not just about chicken nuggets and a few crayons. There’s WAY more to a kid friendly eat that that, and there are some epic Adelaide cafes, pubs, restaurants and dining options that go above and beyond to be family friendly. Food the kids will actually eat, a crafty kids menu that’s more than just a few frozen nuggets and a handful of hot chips, family friendly staff, kids activities or a play area. Our top pick of family friendly restaurants in Adelaide will tick most or all of these boxes.
Adelaide is full of fantastic dining options that cater to both kids and adults.
Whether you’re craving Italian, Asian, or classic Aussie fare, there’s a restaurant in Adelaide that will satisfy your family’s hunger pangs. If we’ve missed a great one you know about please let us know in the comments below, we’d love to check it out.
Doughballs – The Pizza Place
We honestly can’t remember a time when we have been more impressed with a kids menu.
Passionate about pizza, fresh SA produce and delivering a quality value offering and experience to families, we couldn’t rave more about our meal with the kids at DoughBalls.
read more
Waterloo Station Hotel, Paralowie
This Northern suburbs pub has had a face lift, a new fresh look and we’re here to tell you, it’s phenomenal! Long gone are the days of this place being the dingy local, the Waterloo is a venue you can feel good about bringing the little ones along to. And we don’t just mean nuggets and chips, oh no – they offer so much more! A central location,…
Schnithouse – Aston Hills
Schnitzel lovers of our fair Adelaide Hills….rejoice! The stunning Aston Hills development (right smack bang in the middle of the Gather Round footy venue up at Barker) has opened a huge shopping centre (headlined by a very flash Drakes) and is now complimented by a fabulous family friendly place to take the kids for a huge feed. Schnithouse…
Taste the Yorke, Moonta
I think I just died and went to brunch heaven. I definitely have a new contender for best brunch on Yorke Peninsula…while staying in Moonta, we dropped into Taste The Yorke, a delightful and delicious café on the main drag in town. Run by Jo and her lovely staff, Taste The Yorke gives locals and tourists alike somewhere to support local Yorkes…
Adelaide Central Market
The Adelaide Central Market is always a hive of activity and are a great place to explore piles of scrumptious fresh food from a variety of cultures. There’s loads for kids to learn, mountains of foods to choose from and plenty of activities to enjoy. Some of the activities include face painting, cooking demonstrations, small goods appreciation…
The Suburban Brew
Day drinking becomes a difficult task when you have children, trust me. I know because I like beer, a lot. But I also like our kids, a lot. In fact, if I had to choose, I’d definitely pick our kids over beer. But, it shouldn’t have to be an either-or situation because the undeniable truth is, people like to conregate over drinks and guess what?…
The Flipside Barcade, Daw Park
We are the first to admit that we talk a lot about places to visit for families with younger kids. But what about older kids that are too old for a pub playground or colouring pack? Enter THE FLIPSIDE BARCADE in Daw Park. Not only does this place have the best name, it also has some great food, along with some epic entertainment for your older…
Kies Family Wines
We have been in love with Kies Family Wines up in the Barossa Valley for as long as we can remember. It was always such a beautiful stop off on a Barossa wine tour or day trip, that we could not wait to take the kids up to soak in the serenity and tuck into a fabulous meal. Located out at Lyndoch, under an hour from the CBD, this stunning estate…
Little Beans Play Cafe Port Pirie
Port Pirie locals are already well aware of this place, but anyone travelling to, or through, Port Pirie and looking for a place for the kids to run around and burn off some energy for a few hours Little Beans will provide just that. Located on Florence St, Little Beans is a great spot for kids of all ages with plenty of equipment for kids of all…
Cantina61, Seaford Rise
Here at Kids In Adelaide, we love a cafe that just gets it right – good service, good, food, good beverages and somewhere for the kids to play. Thankfully, Cantina61 at Seaford Rise ticks all the boxes! Under new ownership since April 2022, the team have been working hard to deliver a place you can go with family or friends and just enjoy…
The Original Pancake Kitchen
A South Australian icon for more than 55 years, the Pancake Kitchen always makes me nostalgic for my childhood. It was so exciting to head to that nook of Gilbert St & be allowed to eat pancakes for dinner! I can still smell the maple syrup & remember looking at the menu wondering who on earth would eat bacon on pancakes (adult me, that’s…
Lazy Ballerina, McLaren Vale
Pizza? Check! Wine? Check! Space for the kids to run and play? Check! Stunning gardens straight out of a fairytale? Check! Mums and Dads, Lazy Ballerina is your ultimate lunch spot nestled between the Fleurieu Peninsula and the Adelaide Hills. As soon as you walk up the path to enter Lazy Ballerina, you will know you have found somewhere special….
TGI Fridays – Marion & TTP
Full disclosure: this post is drool-inducing and may result in failed diets and sudden urges to get in your car and drive to the nearest TGI Fridays venue. But in all honesty, we can’t think of a better place in Adelaide to shamelessly fill your face devouring a kilo of chicken wings than TGI Fridays. Here, we can loose ourselves in the cool,…
Smiling Samoyed Brewery, Myponga
Do you like beer?Do you like pizza?Do you like dogs?Do you like great views?Do you like amazing service? If you answered YES to any of the above, then it is time to take a drive down the Fleurieu Peninsula to Smiling Samoyed Brewery at Myponga. It is situated right on the Myponga Reservoir and it is one of our favourite spots to hang out with the…
Cafe Bonython
Cafe Bonython at the Bonython Park Playground is definitely a Kids In Adelaide favourite! You could literally spend a day here! Offering shelter and a range of seating within eyeball distance of the playground, there’s so much happening at this delightful little space. Better still, it’s GOOD. Good food, good coffee and a heap of good initiatives…
The Aussie Inn, Hackham
There’s nothing better than being able to take the family out for an afternoon at your local, and you’d be lucky if your local was The Aussie Inn. In fact, my other half started looking up house prices in the area for this very reason. Located on Main South Road at Hackham, as far as child friendly pubs in Adelaide go, The Aussie ticks a lot of…
Little Eatery, Glenelg
Playground and coffee dates have never (ever ever) looked better. Like a good cup of Joe with a side serve of fresh air, exercise and epic playground all in one stop? The kids are going to lose their minds over the good quality simple milkshakes and treats at this place. You are going to love the ample parking, the entertainment factor (um hello…
Prancing Pony Brewery
Its hard to believe that Prancing Pony has only been around for 10 years because in such an incredibly short space of time, they have planted their flag on the local beer landscape so firmly that its hard to remember a time when they weren’t around! When the opportunity came to head up to their flagship brewery and restaurant with the fam to…
Pirate Life Brewing, Port Adelaide
Beer loving parents in Adelaide have a friend at Pirate Life Brewing and I for one, think it’s about damn time! As parents of young kids, my partner and I occasionally NEED a strong drink. Sometimes we simply enjoy the subtleties of a frothy pale ale or a full-bodied IPA, and seeing as we’re also human, we deserve to leave the house every now and…
Renmark Club
The Renmark Club is a brilliant spot to relax with a glass of wine and a meal. Its town centre and riverfront location is the ideal place to meet with family and friends and enjoy all the perks life out here affords. This extensive community club is attractive day and night and easily caters for the significant weekend crowd whilst simultaneously…
River Jack’s Cafe, Berri
River Jacks Café holds pride of place on the riverbank, beside the beautiful lawns, right at the start of Berri’s main street. If you are new to town, find the Information Centre & you’ll find River Jacks Cafe right next door – perfect for filling your bellies before you decide where you will adventure next! We took up position outside on the…
Woolshed Brewery, Murtho
Are you even on holiday if you aren’t actively seeking out a local brewery and making any excuse to just pop in? Woolshed Brewery has become a bit of a Riverland icon and it’s easy to see why. The 100-year old shearing shed with its grated timber flooring is the heart of the brewery and is a great option for kicking back on a wet or cold day….
Eleni’s Greek at Mallee Estate
Eleni’s Greek at Mallee Estate is a winery and restaurant experience all rolled into one, with a whole lot of history and family love keeping this wonderful Riverland business alive in the heart of Renmark. It often takes a family to create a family friendly experience and this is absolutely the case at Mallee Estate. As soon as we arrived at…
Berri Hotel
The Berri Hotel Bistro is another large attractive venue serving from a significant and contemporary menu. You can’t go too wrong with a pub meal when you’re on holidays and you’ll find plenty of pub favourites at the Berri Hotel, along with some new options. Located on Riverview Drive in the heart of Berri, you’ll never be too far from the Berri…
The Essence Cafe, Stirling
We love finding a little hidden gem and that’s exactly what The Essence Cafe is. Located in beautiful Stirling (Adelaide Hills) The Essence Cafe is tucked away behind the main road with indoor and outdoor seating available, and plenty of car parking nearby. There’s also room for prams and high chairs and it’s a popular spot for families to grab a…
Cafe Capella’s Moonta
**UPDATE** Due to a fire in September 2022, Cafe Capella’s is currently only offering a temporary pop up location with pizza at the CopperClub In The Dunes venue in Port Hughes. We’ll keep you updated once we hear of a new permanent venue, but for now, be sure to support them via their pop up – follow them on Facebook for all of the info on…
Alma Tavern
Famous in the Eastern suburbs, the Alma Tavern has been a staple for years, but did you know this beautifully renovated modern space offers plenty for families including KIDS EAT FREE on Monday! We called in for a family pub meal and checked out their extensive bright and on trend renovation and our bellies (and my wallet) were impressed….
Stanley Bridge Tavern
If you love a family meal out and don’t mind a little journey to get to the *very best* places, get Stanley Bridge Tavern on your must visit list. Located in Verdun in the Adelaide Hills just a short hop, skip and jump off of the freeway before Hahndorf, and this is good news if your kids are like mine and don’t travel the windy hills roads well….
Our Fave Pizza Joints in Adelaide
Let’s talk about Adelaide’s best pizza. We really have lifted the pizza benchmark over the past decade and kids *generally* love a slice of the good stuff don’t they? It’s quick, filling and often one of the more affordable take away options. Let’s not forget cold left over pizza makes a brilliant school lunch box treat and you know the easiest…
Adelaide Playgrounds Near Coffee
Name a better combo than a ripping playground and a strong cup of coffee? There is none. Sitting back with a quality coffee while the kids play at a fabulous playground, allowing you a moment to close your eyes and just recharge, is one of parenting’s great pleasures (That and getting kicked in the ribs at 3am by a restless toddler….isn’t that…
Schnithouse – Golden Grove
Parents, you know the struggle; tired, sick to death of cooking the same damn thing, just for the kids to turn their noses up every. single. night, but the thought of eating away from home also scares the bejesus outta’ you. If this sounds familiar, then I urge you to keep reading. I’m about to share with you the difference between a GREAT and a…
Ember Pizza
Ember Pizza can be found in the impressive ‘Provenance’ precinct in the heart of Nuriootpa. A lovely old Penfolds building that presents as a hub of eclectic, genuine Barossa food, beverage and tourism experiences. A must do if you are travelling with others, as there is bound to be something here that is sure to please every one, including food…
Adelaide Breweries that are Family Friendly
We sure have some fabulous breweries here in Adelaide but did you know that a lot are family and kid friendly? We are talking good quality venues, where the parents can responsibly enjoy a drink or two, while the kids are well and truly catered for with some fabuluos facilities. Because being a parent doesn’t have to mean some outings can’t be…
Barley Stacks Winery, Yorke Peninsula
We love a winery that welcomes families and kids. Yorke Peninsula is known for a lot of things, beaches, fishing, summer holidays, Innes National Park…. and honestly? Traditionally wine has never really featured in this region, but stay with us because #worthit – this place is a cracker! It especially gets a high recommend from us, no matter…
Quench Cafe, Modbury
When you have a baby or a young child, sometimes you just want to get out of the house and feel like a part of society. Enjoy a hot drink and perhaps some adult conversation. Is that too much to ask? An awesome kids’ menu and an indoor playground are positive signs a cafe welcomes customers with children. But as a mum of a 2 and 4 year old, I…
Location Cafe Edithburgh
If you are like us, then the first thing you do when you arrive at a small town for a regional retreat is work out the best place for coffee and food. Edithburgh is a small little place, which is part of the charm just quietly, but they are lucky enough to have a fantastic little cafe which is just lovely. Located in the heart of Edithburgh (you…
Marion Bay Tavern
If you have ever explored Innes National Park, right down the bottom of the Yorke Peninsula, you would have driven past the Marion Bay Tavern. Might not look like a lot from the outside as you drive past (it is literally a minutes drive from the entry to the National Park), but this is a real hidden gem with spectacular views, incredible pizza…
Uraidla Hotel
Uraidla Hotel, simultaneously best and worst pub in Uraidla (that’s kind of the joke because it is the ONLY pub in Uraidla), but if you are only going to have one pub in a country town it better be a good one right…..? Well let us tell you…..it is. It definitely is! Only 20 minutes from the city (how lucky are we to have this beauty right on…
Settlers Tavern
Want to treat the family to a meal but worried whether the kids will sit still long enough to enjoy a beer? Tired of the old nuggets and chips kids menu? Looking for a laid-back atmosphere with affordable meal options? If you said ‘yes’ to one or more of these questions, then keep reading. The Settlers Tavern offers families a casual dining…
The Dalrymple Hotel – Stansbury Yorke Peninsula
The Dal. You guys are going to LOVE this country pub. It’s the best we can find on the entire Yorke Peninsula and it’s surely gotta be right up there for best on ground in regional SA. Yep, I’m talking a big game, and they bring it, 7 days a week, water front views and incredibly welcoming for families with some great initiatives for kids. The…
Minlaton Bakery
Its no secret we love a bakery. In fact hitting up a bakery whenever we travel literally anywhere, occurs so often it can be classed as a hobby. So when we spent the morning at the beautiful central Yorke Peninsula town of Minlaton, we went to where the locals go, the Minlaton Bakery. Located on the Main Street (you really can’t miss it), we…
Paradise Hotel
Here at Kids in Adelaide you know we LOVE a local place we can take the family for a meal that everyone will enjoy, and the Paradise Hotel is just that place – it even has an indoor cinema! In fact, the Paradise Hotel caters for families so well, they have TWO cinemas to make sure all the kids enjoy their visit as much as the adults do! The folks…
Tower Hotel
A family friendly restaurant with a built in kids cinema? Shut up and take my money! The newly renovated Tower Hotel, out on Magill Road at Magill is a majestic old property that has been an icon in the area since around 1840! The renovations have done wonders, with a number of different areas within the precinct catering to pretty much everyone,…
NuggLyf
Nuggets are life. Fact. It is probably also a fact that a lot of you reading this likely have a child(ren) who are those ‘only eat nuggets and chips’ type of operators when you take them out for dinner. No judgement, I have 2 of those in my clan so know all the feels about trying to get them to try something different. But what if rather than try…
Schnithouse – Hilton
Schnithouse at Hilton is a perfect place to book a family meal, catch up or celebration when you have kids in tow. Open 7 days a week (that can be hard to find….), expect a family restaurant, but also with an authentic beer house feel to it. Talking to owner Frank, this is exactly what he wanted to offer….quality fresh food, a full bar…
The Stunned Mullet Henley
Multi award winning fish & chips by the beach? Yes please. I doubt there is a kid in the world who wouldn’t want to eat fish and chips on the beach for tea, enjoying all of the freedom to run, yell and cartwheel while taking in the sunset over St Vincent Gulf. There is no play room, or kids meal or kids tasting flight in SA that stacks up if…
Para Hills Community Club
The Para Hills Community Club offers families a place to come together with a relaxing and casual atmosphere which offers great value, fast and friendly service, and has an indoor playroom for the kids. Offering a wide (like huge) selection of affordable of menu items that will leave the whole family satisfied, including chef’s selections, club…
The Bavarian, Tea Tree Plaza
It’s not often my family can go out for dinner and truly not able to finish another bite, but that is exactly what happened at The Bavarian TTP. We popped in to try out their new $49 Feed the Family Deal (available daily before 6pm) and it was sensational! This wasn’t a bucket of nuggets trash meal either, this was high quality German-inspired…
Uniqorn Eats, Glenelg
The rainbow trend is here to stay and the team at KiA are totally here for it! Sparked by a love of all things sweet and following the success of their first store on Grenfell Street in the CBD, owners Nick and Nakita had no choice but to open a second venue. Their flair for creating unique, picture-worthy treats meant Uniqorn Eats was an…
The Barker Hotel
Where: 32 Gawler Street, Mount BarkerFollow them on Facebook hereFollow them on Instagram hereCheck out their website herePhone: (08) 8391 1003 We love a good pub feed and were excited to head up to Mt Barker to try out one of the best pubs in the hills, not only because we had heard great things about the food, but they…
Kokko – Korean Fried Chicken
We are going to be honest here and preface this with the fact we are huge lovers of fried chicken. Not really a shock, it is some of the best food going around. It is not a small statement then to say that we were absolutely blown away by the fabulously talented Julie Kim and her incredibly delicious authentic Korean fried chicken. Their website…
Saints Kitchen, Salisbury Plain
Saints Kitchen in Salisbury has become a bit of a legendary café in Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs, drawing in families with its fresh, high-quality dishes and unique setting. Located in the Saints Shopping Centre alongside the famous Foodland (winner of IGA’s International Retailer of the Year), it’s a perfect spot for everything from quick…
Shifty Lizard Taphouse
Ditch metro Adelaide and the big craft brewery crowds with their massive schmancy venues and on fleek Gen Y FOH staff, (who probably wouldn’t know a mash conversion from a ferment tank, let alone how to engage with your kids over lunch, lets be honest) for a genuine grass roots type small batch micro brewery, distillery and taphouse. Shifty are…
Macchinetta Coffee House, Henley Beach
Hey there, fellow coffee-loving parents and families on the hunt for a delightful spot to unwind and share some good food with your little ones! We’ve stumbled upon a hidden gem that we’re absolutely thrilled to share with you – Macchinetta Coffee House. Nestled in an unassuming little cluster of shops on Grange Rd at Henley Beach, this place is…
Port Noarlunga RSL
For a lot of us, a visit to an RSL is an annual event on Anzac Day, but we found out that they are in fact year round fantastic venues where families are not just welcomed as guests, but are actively encouraged to come visit! We have been fans of the Port Noarlunga-Christies Beach RSL (Returned Services League) forever. A South Australian icon…
Sevenhill Hotel Clare Valley
There is a lot to love about the Clare Valley and we recently uncovered some genuinely unbelievable places for families, like the multi award winning Sevenhill Hotel. Kids are not just welcome here, they are catered for with great passion, food and activities. When you get young energetic publicans like Paul Longbottom and Kate Shadiac, who have…
Barristers Block – a family friendly winery
Barristers Block is officially my favourite winery to go with kids. I’ve been to a number of recommended wineries from the Barossa to McLaren Vale and this has gone straight to the top of the list! Situated in Woodside in the Adelaide Hills, I recently took my English relatives to Barristers Block for lunch during a day in the hills and it didn’t…
Cudlee Creek Cafe
In the beautiful Adelaide Hills, just down the road from Gorge Wildlife Park, the Cudlee Cafe is a gorgeous spot for lunch, coffee, cake and a play in the picturesque grounds. Since the devastating Dec 2019 bushfires, the local area needs your visit more than ever so plan a day in the Hills to support these communities. On the drive up Gorge Road…
Cradock Hotel
As we reached the southern Flinders area just near Hawker, we stopped in for lunch at the Cradock Hotel. As a parent who has eaten at hundreds of pubs and restaurants with kids, I will comfortably say this was the best I have ever been too. The nature style playground was amazing, let alone a playground at a pub! Dickie, who has owned the pub for…
Riverside Salvos Gawler
The Salvo’s play cafe in Gawler is a colourful, friendly and fun space that would suit 1-5 year olds. It’s still currently a work in progress as they have grand plans to create a large outdoor space for families including outdoor play equipment, a gardening patch and more. But for now the current play space boasts a clean environment, a fantastic…
Lobethal Bakery
Welcome to Lobethal Bakery!! Situated in the gorgeous small town of Lobethal (with stores also in Woodside, Balhannah, Stirling and Mt Barker) – not too far from your back door! A perfect spot for an affordable family lunch, or a great reason to take a drive in the Adelaide Hills. A popular lunch spot! It may seem even closer when the trip is…
