The best family-friendly restaurants in Sydney in 2026, including high chairs, play areas, kids menus, and relaxed dining for parents
Family Desk is a contributing writer covering family and public affairs for The Sydney Times.
The Grounds of Alexandria in Alexandria is one of the most family-friendly restaurants in Sydney. The restaurant has a large outdoor area with a playground, a garden, and a petting zoo. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The kids menu includes chicken nuggets, pasta, and ice cream. The restaurant has high chairs and change rooms. The restaurant is accessible by train to St Peters station.
Pancakes on the Rocks in The Rocks is a family-friendly restaurant with a focus on pancakes. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere and a kids menu that includes pancakes, ice cream, and milkshakes. The restaurant has high chairs and change rooms. The restaurant is open from 8am to 10pm on weekdays and from 8am to 11pm on weekends. The restaurant is accessible by train to Circular Quay station.
The Cheesecake Shop in various locations is a family-friendly restaurant with a focus on cheesecake and desserts. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere and a kids menu that includes cheesecake, ice cream, and milkshakes. The restaurant has high chairs and change rooms. The restaurant is open from 10am to 9pm on weekdays and from 10am to 10pm on weekends. The restaurant is accessible by train or bus to most locations.
Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Woolloomooloo is a family-friendly food van with a focus on pies and hot dogs. The food van has a casual atmosphere and a kids menu that includes mini pies, hot dogs, and chips. The food van has high chairs and is accessible by bus or ferry.
Gelato Messina in various locations is a family-friendly gelateria with a focus on gelato and desserts. The gelateria has a casual atmosphere and a kids menu that includes gelato, ice cream, and milkshakes. The gelateria has high chairs and is accessible by train or bus to most locations.
The Grounds of Alexandria in Alexandria has a large outdoor area with a playground, a garden, and a petting zoo. The playground has climbing structures, slides, and a sandpit. The garden has a range of plants and flowers. The petting zoo has a range of animals, including goats, chickens, and rabbits.
Bicentennial Park in Homebush Bay has a range of restaurants with outdoor seating and a playground. The park has a large playground with climbing structures, slides, and a sandpit. The park also has a water park and a picnic area.
Centennial Park in the eastern suburbs has a range of restaurants with outdoor seating and a playground. The park has a large playground with climbing structures, slides, and a sandpit. The park also has a water park and a picnic area.
Sydney Olympic Park has a range of restaurants with outdoor seating and a playground. The park has a large playground with climbing structures, slides, and a sandpit. The park also has a water park and a picnic area.
The Local Taphouse in Chippendale is a pub with a kids menu that includes chicken nuggets, fish and chips, and burgers. The pub has a casual atmosphere and high chairs. The pub is open from 11am to 10pm on weekdays and from 11am to 11pm on weekends. The pub is accessible by train to Central station.
The Lady Hampshire in Newtown is a pub with a kids menu that includes chicken nuggets, fish and chips, and burgers. The pub has a casual atmosphere and high chairs. The pub is open from 11am to 10pm on weekdays and from 11am to 11pm on weekends. The pub is accessible by train to Newtown station.
The Oxford Tavern in Paddington is a pub with a kids menu that includes chicken nuggets, fish and chips, and burgers. The pub has a casual atmosphere and high chairs. The pub is open from 11am to 10pm on weekdays and from 11am to 11pm on weekends. The pub is accessible by bus from Bondi Junction station.
The Entrance Hotel in The Entrance is a pub with a kids menu that includes chicken nuggets, fish and chips, and burgers. The pub has a casual atmosphere and high chairs. The pub is open from 11am to 10pm on weekdays and from 11am to 11pm on weekends. The pub is accessible by car or train.
The Grounds of Alexandria in Alexandria is a family-friendly cafe with a large outdoor area with a playground, a garden, and a petting zoo. The cafe serves coffee, breakfast, and lunch. The kids menu includes pancakes, waffles, and ice cream. The cafe has high chairs and change rooms.
Pancakes on the Rocks in The Rocks is a family-friendly cafe with a focus on pancakes. The cafe serves coffee, breakfast, and lunch. The kids menu includes pancakes, ice cream, and milkshakes. The cafe has high chairs and change rooms.
Gelato Messina in various locations is a family-friendly gelateria with a focus on gelato and desserts. The gelateria serves coffee, gelato, and desserts. The kids menu includes gelato, ice cream, and milkshakes. The gelateria has high chairs.
When you dine out with kids, follow these tips:
Book a table. Book a table in advance, particularly on weekends and public holidays. Many restaurants have a waiting list on weekends.
Ask for a high chair. Ask for a high chair when you arrive. Most restaurants have high chairs available, but they can be in demand on busy nights.
Bring a toy. Bring a toy or a book to keep your children entertained while you wait for your food.
Order kids meals early. Order kids meals as soon as you sit down. Kids meals take longer to prepare than adult meals, so ordering early will ensure that your children's meals arrive at the same time as your meals.
Be flexible. Be flexible with your dining times. If your children are tired or hungry, consider eating earlier or later than usual.
More information about family-friendly restaurants in Sydney is available at Broadsheet and Time Out Sydney.
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