Spending a day in The City can be hungry work, especially when you’ve got the kids with you! Prepare ahead of time on where you’ll stop to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner, and where you can make a snack pit-stop. There are plenty of family-friendly restaurants and cafés in The City that has something for everyone, for both kids and adults alike.
It’s always fun to pair a jam-and-cream topped scone with a nice cup of tea. Shingle Inn is the perfect spot to bring all the princesses and princes who want to indulge in a classy high tea, with a dedicated kid’s high tea menu available. Celebrating a birthday? Guests enjoying high tea on their special day will also be treated to a complimentary hot beverage to sip while they celebrate.
Breakfast, lunch or dinner? Pancakes are always going to be a win with kids. Go for a classic pancake stack with butter and maple syrup or level things up with banana, butterscotch sauce and ice-cream. Just beware of the forthcoming sugar rush. Pancake manor also makes your life easier with a dedicated kids themed menu for those under 12 years old. Pancakes can also be made gluten free and vegan upon request.
Open daily for all-day breakfast Frankie & George is perfect for your morning feed, snacks or a quality coffee! With both indoor and outdoor seating, you can take the kids without worrying about making too much noise. The menu is also perfect if you have fussy eaters as the option for a simple ‘spread on toast’ is readily available.
What’s better than a donut? One that caters to dietary requirements without compromising on the flavour. Win-win! Kids will go crazy over the gluten free Nodo donut range, but their sugar levels won’t. The supernatural shakes are also fun but are very filling, you’ve been warned!
If you’re looking to grab breakfast on-the-go or sit down for a relaxed bite with the kids, OBagel is the place for you. As bagels continue to be a delicious food trend, you will be the cool parents for letting your kids eat here. There are also plenty of sweet or savoury options to choose from as well as your morning (or afternoon) coffee.
Who doesn’t love a big, juicy burger? With beef, pork, chicken and plant-based options, there’s something to satisfy every craving, plus there’s a kids bundle designed for the little ones. If you’re looking for something a little sweet afterwards, there’s also a tempting selection of ice-creams and thick shakes with kid-sized options available too.
It’s hard to go wrong with a pizza or pasta at Vapiano, making it a great choice for a relaxed family meal. With a spacious dining area and a laid-back atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot for everyone to enjoy time together. The kids' menu ensures even the little ones have something tasty to enjoy. Plus, the lunchtime combos are available Monday to Friday, offering great value and a delicious meal for the whole family.
Riverbar & Kitchen offers a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere with beautiful river views. This vibrant venue provides a relaxed setting where both kids and adults can enjoy fresh, tasty meals. The menu features a mix of hearty meals and lighter bites, along with a kids' menu to keep everyone happy. With a spacious outdoor area and ample room for prams, it's the perfect spot to unwind as a family.
It can be hard to go wrong in one of the many food courts scattered throughout The City. Offering plenty of choice to satisfy even the fussiest of eaters, they’re also a great place to sit, refuel and recharge before carrying on with the day’s activities. You’ll find food courts across all major centres along Queen Street Mall including Uptown, QueensPlaza, MacArthur Central and Post Office Square
Grab a burger with a good conscience at Grill’d. Purchase a burger and receive a token for you and the kids to support a local cause and spread the community love with ‘Local Matters’. These tokens are converted into donations making it a fun activity for your kids to be involved in. The menu also caters to a range of dietary requirements with fresh ingredients, gluten-free buns, and vegetarian and vegan options available.
It’s a universal favourite and super affordable. Whether the kids are adventurous seafood lovers or stick to the classic like teriyaki chicken rolls, every plate costs the same. The real fun comes from the iPad ordering system at each booth where the kids can scroll, pick and place their order.
Take the kids on a round-the-world trip via their taste buds, With Brazil up next at O Brasileiro. Specialising in traditional Brazilian cuisine, the restaurant also offers a short kid’s menu. Children can try a rump cap or chicken fillet with rice, beans, salad and farofa (cassava flour).
If you’re navigating The City with hungry kids in tow, Joe’s Deli is a very welcome sight. This New York inspired deli on Albert Street serves up generously filled sandwiches and classic deli favourites in a relaxed, booth‑filled space. There’s also a kids’ menu on hand, so parents to picky eaters don’t need to worry.
At first glance it might look like a doughnut, but Bagel Boys is all about proper New York–style bagels. Boiled and baked fresh daily using a traditional American recipe, the bagels are made without preservatives or artificial flavours. Choose a schmear for a lighter bite or go for a filled bagel if you’re after something more substantial. With 15 bagel varieties on rotation, we’re certain it’s going to be a popular choice with both you and the kids.
The perfect spot to bring the family for a celebration or a ‘fancy night out’, The Walnut Restaurant is serving up some delicious meals that are reflective of each chef’s culinary flair. There is also an extensive kids’ menu that is inclusive of larger meals for teenagers and dietary requirements.
If your family loves Italian food, then discover Olive and Angelo’s abundance of pizza and pasta options awaiting you. Serving up authentic Italian dishes and flavours, everyone is guaranteed to find something they’ll love. There’s also a generous selection of antipasti plates and dessert options, perfect for sharing and trying a variety of dishes together.
There’s 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 families to gather and unwind. With a full Italian kid’s menu available upon request, everyone is bound to find something delicious.
This Mexican Street food inspired restaurant serves up fun, flavour-packed bites for adults and kids alike. The kid's menu is the way to go with tacos, chicken or pork quesadilla and chicken bites to suit smaller appetites. There is also plenty of fun mocktails for everyone to try!
Bringing authentic Thai food, drinks, and atmosphere to Brisbane’s George Street, Phat Boy instantly transports you into a Thailand oasis. From classic dishes like Thai chicken and cashews to more unique dishes like the duck and sweet potato yellow curry, there is something for every member of the family.
For a more interactive dining experience, Hanwoori offers a unique yet authentic Korean barbeque buffet! Each person can choose exactly what they’d like to eat before bringing it back to the table, where selected raw meats can be cooked on the barbeque built into the middle of your table. Keep an eye out for great value, ‘all you can eat’ lunch deals too.
Pochana Brisbane is a vibrant, family-friendly gem that brings a taste of Thailand to the heart of The City. With its relaxed and welcoming vibe, it’s an easy choice for families to enjoy delicious meals together. The menu offers a variety of tasty options, from mild flavours for the kids, to bold, authentic dishes for the adults. Whether you're stopping by for a casual lunch or a relaxed dinner, Pochana’s warm atmosphere and friendly service make it an ideal choice for family dining.
With loud music, a cool fit-out and playful décor, Harajuku Gyoza delivers a high-energy dining experience kids will love. Friendly service and a fun menu make it a hit for families. It's all but guaranteed that kids will love the cheeseburger gyoza dumplings, but then again, the dessert gyoza might steal their hearts.
Held every Wednesday at Reddacliff Place and Thursday at Cathedral Square and Queen’s Wharf, the Brisbane City Markets are a fun and easy going outing to enjoy with the kids. Families can meet farmers and producers, stock up on fresh produce and pasta, taste cheese and jams, and pick up meat and seafood to take home with you. Arrive hungry and make a lunch stop of it, with hand-picked food stalls, serving everything from fresh juices to falafel pita wraps. Find out why this weekly market is a must-visit yourself.
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.
If your kids are more of the brownie type, then Dello Mano is the place to go. Their range of handmade brownies are rich, decadent, and perfect for the serious sweet tooths in your life. Yes, they’re the same brownies so good that Ashton Kutcher had them flown over to Paris for his birthday!
Looking for things to keep kids busy? There's plenty of things to do with Kids in Brisbane family-friendly things to do in The City.