Best family-friendly restaurants Melbourne

Christmas markets and Santa photos are hungry work for your little ones. Handle hangry children by heading to these kid-approved spots during the festive season. Featuring pram-friendly locations, wheelchair-accessible restaurants, places with high chairs and a hidden gem brewery.

Driving in?

With more than 70,000 car spaces in the city, you’re never far from Melbourne’s best events. Book ahead at key parking providers to get the best deal. You can also plan your visit with access and mobility maps. They cover accessible parking and toilets, public seating and drinking fountains. Train station entrances and tram and bus stops are featured too. 

Pram-friendly restaurants

There's plenty of space for your precious cargo and all members of your family at these Melbourne restaurants.

La Camera

If you're planning a family day out, La Camera is close to city essentials like the sports precinct and Eureka Skydeck. Need more convincing? How about gorgeous Yarra River views? Plus a kids menu of classic Italian dishes, like spag bol and cheesy arancini. It’s located within Southgate, which is fully accessible to prams and wheelchairs via lift. There’s also a range of seating and lots of space between tables. An accessible toilet with a baby change facility is just outside in the shopping centre. Flinders Street Station and accessible platform super stops on St Kilda Road are nearby.

Din Tai Fung

If they can't get enough of dumplings, Din Tai Fung is another family favourite. Adorable robot waiters (yes really!) roll around the restaurant delivering plates of crispy fried dumplings, noodles and xiao long bao. You can access the venue by a lift, there’s ample space around the tables and high chairs are available.  An obstacle-free ramp leads to an accessible toilet within the restaurant. And, you can order and pay via tablet at your table, making your visit even easier.

Brunetti Classico

Linger over wood-fired pizzas in the sunshine at Brunetti Classico, where kids eat free! Little ones under 12 receive a free kids pizza or pasta with every adult main purchased. Put those dollars saved towards a sweet after-dinner treat. Choose from the perfect rows of freshly piped chocolate croissants, cupcakes, Christmas cookies and more. Or grab a scoop from Brunetti's gelato shop.

Urban Alley Brewery

You don’t need to head out to the sticks for a legit brewery experience. Urban Alley has pub-meets-loft vibes, with eco-friendly credentials. But your little mates won’t care about that: they’ll be too busy chowing down on chicken nuggets, tomato pasta and fish bites with chips from the kid’s menu. Prams or wheelchairs can easily move around in this spacious spot. There is a range of seating and an accessible toilet too.

EziStreat

EziStreat is one of North Melbourne's coolest venues. The converted warehouse is home to an array of multicultural comfort food, think bento boxes, sushi, tacos, fried chicken and more. After lunch, enjoy old school arcade games. A massive ramped entry allows easy access for prams of any size. Soak up the sun in huge dog-friendly beer garden out the back, easily accessible for the whole family.

Hopscotch

Stroll along Southbank and stop off at Hopscotch’s indoor-outdoor space, which offers easy pram access and a dedicated kid’s menu. Order fried chicken and cheese burgers with chippies, salad and a drink. And yes, there are high chairs! Take a seat on stools or bench seats on the outdoor terrace with its waterfront views. Or dine inside on high or low tables. There are ambulant toilets inside and an accessible toilet is in the building behind and easy to get to. Accessible platform super stops are on nearby Queens Bridge Street.

Operator Diner

Head into Operator Diner and treat the kids to a cool American-style experience. Tuck the crew into one of the cosy booths and order a classic stack of pancakes with maple syrup. Not your thing? No worries, there's French toast, breakfast rolls and crispy hashbrowns to choose from. Pair with a refreshing iced tea, milkshakes and more. The foyer of the building next door in Wesley Place, 130 Lonsdale, houses toilets, including accessible and ambulant ones.

Fun spots for older kids

Bring your intrepid junior foodies on a fun journey through town.

Shinbashi Yakiniku

We know just how hungry teenagers can get. Fill them up at Shinbashi Yakiniku, an all-you-can-eat Japanese BBQ. Slide into seats around the inbuilt BBQ and enjoy the traditional tastes of Japan. From succulent Australian wagyu to the freshest sashimi, this hidden gem on Lygon Street is an experience that the whole family will enjoy.

Tetsujin sushi train

Got some adventurous eaters? Jump aboard the sushi express at Tetsujin. The restaurant has a Tokyo-style train for a choose-your-own-adventure meal. A lift takes you to this light-filled level 4 space, and accessible platform super stops are on Elizabeth Street. Entry is via a ramp or a few steps with a handrail. Seating and tables of various heights make it easy for everyone to sit comfortably. There’s an accessible toilet too.

La Tortilleria

Making corn tortillas for top restaurants and home cooks isn’t enough for La Tortilleria. They also serve instant Mexican gratification where it all began, at this cute, colourful Kensington eatery. So go to the source and tuck into fresh, authentic street food, from tacos to quesadillas. For dessert, try the flan made from Gerardo’s grandmother’s special recipe, the kiddos will love it.

Note: Information is correct at time of writing. Check with venues before visiting to ensure they meet your access needs.