20 Of The Sutherland Shire’s Top Kid-Friendly Cafes & Restaurants To Add To Your Bucketlist

From the best babyccinos to colouring sheets and slides, these are the hosts with the most

Looking for the perfect spots to enjoy a meal with the kids in tow? We’ve rounded up the best kid-friendly cafes and restaurants in The Shire that cater to families with everything from babyccinos and colouring sheets to slides and dedicated play areas. Whether you’re after a hearty meal, a sweet treat, or a fun-filled day out, these venues have something to keep both kids and parents happy.

Olis cafe Miranda — *Oli’s Cafe, Miranda*

1. Oli’s Cafe

This light and bright cafe prioritises littlies with an enclosed courtyard and dedicated play area, complete with a cubby house and slide. Oli’s also has a very popular kids menu, all served alongside their specialised kids' cutlery and plate sets.

103 Miranda Road, Miranda

2. Vitaland

This pastel wonderland is a childhood fantasy come to life and was designed specifically for kids. Vitaland features an in-house cafe and an incredible array of entertainment including ball pits, slides and even a train! Their socks-on policy ensures the play space is held to the highest hygienic standard. Vitaland also hosts the most magical kids' parties with catering and decorations included.

Shop G106, Westfield Miranda, Miranda

3. Hazelhurst Cafe

Nestled in the lush surrounds of the Hazelhurst estate, Hazelhurst Cafe is perfect for active kiddos. There is plenty of space for the kids to run amok and there’s even a sandpit for them to enjoy. Best of all, there’s the option to take your cafe goods and spread out a picnic rug if sitting in a cafe isn’t for you.

782 The Kingsway, Gymea

4. Bangor Tavern

A local favourite, Bangor Tavern has upped the ante with the recent addition of their adventure tower and dedicated kids' play area. The beer garden is the perfect place for parents to kick back and relax with an easy view of the kids. Bonus points for being doggo friendly, too!

121 Yala Road, Bangor

5. Taren Point Bowling Club

Enjoy a good ol’ pub meal with ease at Taren Point Bowling Club whilst the kids have the time of their life running free in the purpose-built outdoor play area. Kids’ meals are a bargain at $9 a pop and include a serve of ice cream with a choice of topping.

203 Holt Road, Taren Point

6. Rubyniks Kids

Rubyniks is a go-to for all Shire locals in need of nourishment mid-shop. Located in Westfield Miranda, Rubyniks Kids is the kid-centred version. We’re talking an extensive babyccino list, colouring in pages, pram parking and a kids menu alongside plenty of caffeinated bevvies for the adults.

Shop 1108/600 Kingsway, Miranda

7. Brick Pit Espresso

Brick Pit Espresso serves up one of The Shire’s best brews (plus a pretty mean babyccino FYI) and just so happens to be located opposite Biddy Giles Park that boasts oodles of play equipment including a flying fox. They’ve got plenty of kid-friendly bites, too, so snag some takeaway and enjoy your treats parkside or use a post-lunch play as your bargaining tool for a peaceful lunch.

42a Flora Street, Kirrawee

8. Shelly Park Shop

Shelly Park Shop serves up all your cafe faves from smoothies to burgers and all-day brekkie classics. This petite corner cafe is ideally located opposite Shelly Park which is ideal for little people who love a frolic. We love their sandwich bar for an easy lunch you can enjoy in the park!

117 Ewos Parade, Cronulla

9. Tradies Caringbah

If your kind of night out involves kicking your feet up for a few kid-free moments, Tradies Caringbah has got you sorted. Access to the staffed in-house play space is just $5 a pop and allows the kiddos to indulge in time on the club’s Nintendo Switch, arts and crafts, movies and indoor play equipment. You can catch staffed hours here. P.S. bookings are recommended as the Kids Club is a local favourite.

28-30 Banksia Road, Caringbah

10. Cronulla RSL

Always keen to go above and beyond for their patrons, Cronulla RSL has two kids' play areas to keep the young folk occupied. You’ll find the Whale Of A Time play area adjacent to the Watergrill Restaurant. If you’re feeling more of a low-key coffee and catch-up, you’ll find the Bay Play Area located next to the Bites By The Bay coffee shop downstairs.

38R Gerrale Street, Cronulla

11. The Prince Hotel

Hitting up The Prince on a Sunday arvo is a guaranteed good time for both kids and parents. Every Sunday between 12:00pm and 2:00pm is kids' day with either face painting or a reptile zoo offering entertainment. The Prince also boasts a dedicated kids' play area to keep them occupied any day of the week. If your little one doesn’t like to stray far, opt for a kids' activity pack. As for noms, the kids' menu has everyone covered with dishes ranging from simple linguine to tofu poke bowls.

533-541 Princes Highway, Kirrawee

12. Sharks At Kareela

Sharks At Kareela are seasoned professionals when it comes to keeping whole families entertained. With so much going on for the kids, Sharks is a fab option for families looking for a good ol’ catchup. They’ve got a fully supervised (Thursday to Sunday) kids club for those aged between 4 and 12 with iPads and activities galore. Bookings are required and secured with $10 per child.

1 Bates Drive, Kareela

13. Taren Point Hotel

Taren Point Hotel is as family-friendly as it gets. The huge kids' play area also features a soft play zone for the littlest bubs so no one is left out. The space is even used for kids' birthday parties with the Hotel sorting lolly bags and balloons. As for food, all the classics are available in kid-friendly portions. Sundays are also kids' day with balloons, face painting and reptile zoos on rotation.

105 Parraweena Road, Miranda

14. Cronulla Golf

How good is an enclosed play area when you’re needing a quiet moment to enjoy a coffee or wine? Cronulla Golf has got you. Enjoy the sweeping views of the greens whilst your little one has the time of their life indulging in indoor soft play.

19-27 Hume Road, Cronulla

15. The Boatshed Woronora

Woronora Boatshed is the ideal day out for kiddies and families. Enjoy their delicious cafe menu, score some treats from their traditional English lolly bar and hire a canoe for an arvo of paddling.

131 Prince Edward Park Road, Woronora

16. Leaf Cafe

Placed very conveniently next to Westfield’s popular indoor kids' playground (Kmart adjacent FYI), Leaf Cafe has got multitasking mummas, papas and carers covered. Fuel up with the extensive food and drink menu whilst the kiddos enjoy the soft-play area plus climb and slide structure.

600 Kingsway, Miranda

17. The Laneway

If you’re feeling a kid-friendly cafe that also happens to serve up incredible coffee, The Laneway is your go-to. This popular cafe boasts a peaceful outdoor courtyard that backs onto a kid-friendly park. Got a fur child? No probs! These guys are pet-friendly, too!

487A Port Hacking Road, Caringbah

18. 7th Heaven Cafe Kirrawee

Aside from having one of the biggest vegan menus in The Shire (and the most Instagrammable dishes to boot), 7th Heaven Cafe is located within view of South Village’s indoor play centre. Craving the outdoors? Snag some takeaway and pop across to Biddy Giles Park.

2 Kiln Road, Kirrawee

19. Cook at Kurnell

For a dose of kid-friendly seaside fun, Cook at Kurnell has you covered. Located on Silver Beach, this vintage airstream food van offers a fun, nautical design with a touch of Mediterranean flair. Enjoy a hearty beachside meal before taking a beach stroll or refreshing dip!

306-308 Prince Charles Parade, Kurnell

20. Rock Paper Coffee

Tucked away in Gymea Bay’s quiet streets, directly opposite Caurina Road Reserve, you’ll find the family-friendly cafe Rock Paper Coffee. These guys offer a well-priced kids’ menu with treats like milkshakes, cheeseburgers and chips and fruit salad and yoghurt. Got little ones with lots of energy? Snag a takeaway and enjoy the park across the road.

9 Casuarina Road, Gymea Bay

20 Of The Shire’s Top Kid-Friendly Cafes & Restaurants To Add To Your Bucketlist