The city:
Family-friendly dining

8 AUGUST 2023

If you’re heading into The City to shop or explore with kids, chances are you’ll need to plan for at least one meal or snack break. It’s not always easy to please everyone (hello fussy eaters), but there are stacks of kid-friendly restaurants, cafes, and grab-and-go spots in The City with something for everyone. Fear not parents, you’ll like our top picks too. Check out our top places in The City for a family feed, with fun dining experiences, dedicated kids menus and affordable bites.

Vapiano, Albert Lane 

It’s hard to go wrong with a made-to-order family-sized pizza, but the real fun of Vapiano is watching the chefs make your pasta before your eyes. There’s heaps of seating and the atmosphere is super relaxed. It's worth checking out the $15 lunch combos, which are available Monday to Friday. 

Comuna Cantina, Creek St

This Latin street food inspired Mexican restaurant offers a range of fun and tasty finger food for adults and kids alike. The kids meal deal is the way to go with mini tacos and chicken bites and chips or you can pick one of the share meals if you are wanting a more adventurous flavour combination.

Pancake Manor, Charlotte St

Breakfast for lunch or dinner? Pancakes are always going to be a win with kids. Go for the classic pancake stack with butter and maple syrup or go all out and have your pancakes with a side of banana, butterscotch sauce and ice-cream. Just beware of the forthcoming sugar rush. It also has a special kids themed menu for those under 12 years old. Pancakes can also be made gluten free and vegan. 

Sushi Edo, Elizabeth St 

It’s a universal favourite and what’s more, it’s cheap. All plates at Sushi Edo are $4.80 (if you’re a salmon and avocado fiend like the best of us – that’s an absolute bargain) and it’s fresh. The fun part is the iPad at each booth for the kids to scroll through to pick and place their order, it’ll occupy them for a while. 

O Brasileiro, Adelaide St

Take kids on a round-the-world trip via their taste buds, next stop, Brasil. O Brasileiro specialises in typical cuisine and offers a short kids menu. Children can try a rump cap or chicken fillet with rice, beans, salad and farofa (cassava flour). If that doesn't excite them, "pao de queijo'' cheese stuffed bread balls will. 

Corbett and Claude, Elizabeth St 

There is something for everyone at Corbett and Claude. Using high-quality fresh ingredients and boasting a home-style atmosphere, this eatery provides the perfect space for family to gather and unwind. With a full kids menu available upon request you are bound to find something delicious no matter how picky the eater. Any kids meal plus chips and a drink will set you back only $15. 

Grill'd, Wintergarden 

Get a burger with a good conscience. When you buy a burger at Grill'd you and the kids can spread the community love with 'Local Matters'. Purchase a burger and receive a token to support a local cause of your choosing. These tokens are translated into donations and it's a fun activity for your kids to be involved in. The burgers are made with fresh, healthy ingredients and they also offer gluten-free and low-calorie buns, plus a mini slider option. Eat good and feel good at the same time. 

Harajuku Gyoza, Albert Lane 

There’s loud music, a cool fit-out with interesting décor and friendly service at Harajuku Gyoza. It's all but guaranteed that kids will love the cheeseburger gyoza dumplings, but then again, the Ferrero Rocher gyoza might steal their hearts. 

Melt Brothers, Post Office Square & Uptown Food Court 

Grilled cheese? Yes please. Melt Brothers make the best cheese toasties for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The light menu is best for kids with smaller appetites but adults can go nuts on the treat yo’self menu. There’s so much more than just the classic cheese toastie here. If you’re brave to venture out there’s the M.C Cheesy and loaded fries. Gluten free bread and vegan cheese are also available on request. 

Bagel Boys, George St 

Looks like a donut but it’s not. Bagel Boys boil and bake 15 bagel varieties daily using a traditional American recipe and don’t use any preservatives or artificial flavours. The schmears are a lighter choice or get a filled bagel to keep you full for longer, we’re certain it’s going to be a popular choice and perfect for breakfast, lunch or a snack. 

Brisbane City Markets, Reddacliff Place 

On every Wednesday in The City, take the kids along to the Brisbane City Markets to meet farmers and producers, buy fresh produce and pasta, taste cheese and jams, and find meat, seafood and hot smoked salmon to take home with you. Arrive hungry for the hand-picked food stalls, where you’ll find everything from fresh juices to falafel pita wraps to indulge in for lunch. Find out why this weekly market is a must-visit yourself.

Shingle Inn, King George Square 

It’s always fun to pair a jam-and-cream topped scone with a nice cup of tea (sipped with the pinky finger out, of course). Shingle Inn caters for the kids with a Teddy Bear High Tea for under 12s. If there’s a special birthday being celebrated, Shingle Inn can also bake and decorate a personalised cake for the guest of honour. 

Gelatissimo, Albert & Queen St  

Ice cream is the way to a kid’s heart, or at least a pretty reliable bribe for good behaviour. Gelatissimo have more flavours to choose from than you could possibly try in one visit. There’s the classics like chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, but you’ve got to try the peanut butter brownie, tiramisu and green apple. 

Nodo, Elizabeth St 

What’s better than regular donuts? Donuts that cater to dietary requirements without sacrificing on the flavour. Win-win. Kids will go crazy over the Nodo donut range, but their sugar levels won’t. The shakes are also fun but are very filling, you’ve been warned. 

Dello Mano, Wintergarden 

If your kids are more of the brownie type, then Dello Mano is the place to go. The range of handmade brownies are rich and decadent, making them perfect for those sweet tooths in your life. Yes, these are the same brownies so good that Ashton Kutcher has them flown over to Paris for his birthday. 

Food Courts 

It can be hard to go wrong in one of the many food courts scattered throughout The City. They provide options galore to satisfy even the fussiest of eaters and offer an opportunity to sit and recuperate before carrying on with the day’s activities. There are food courts in all the centres so there’s plenty of choice – UptownQueensPlazaWintergardenMacArthur Central and Post Office Square. 

Looking for things to keep kids busy? There's plenty of  family-friendly things to do in The City. 

Friends enjoying a drink at Riverbar.