Melbourne is the city I grew up and I always have friends and blog-readers ask me for my inner city Melbourne restaurant recommendations – especially when dining out with kids. Those who ask are keen for my favourite casual kid-friendly restaurants as they like my suggestions in Japan and want some additional handholding while on holidays in Melbourne.
Please note that I only speak of venues we have enjoyed AND especially venues we have tried personally.
This is a list that I am constantly adding to (either as I try out new places or just as I get time to add my personal write up and my photos.)
Here are my favourite restaurants to eat out with kids in Melbourne’s CBD (Central Business District)
Vapiano Flinders Lane
This is a lovely kid-friendly restaurant that has enough space to not feel the pressure to speak quietly all the time but also doesn’t feel too much like a “family restaurant” either. The restaurant is big and there is even an outdoor terrace section that overlooks Flinders Lane.
Blue Train
We love to come here if we are meeting someone in the city or celebrating a family birthday. It’s not too far from the casino and also not too far from Flinders Street Station. This is also not too far from the National Gallery of Victoria (who often have free exhibitions for kids.) You can see the Yarra and the city and do some people watching if you grab a window seat.
Spaghetti Tree
A Melbourne institution. Definitely need a booking to dine here – gosh its so iconic. They have a kids menu but my kids also love eating adult portions here.
Melbourne Central Lion Hotel
I find the Melbourne Central food courts to be way too chaotic with kids (and hard when everyone wants to eat something different.) It’s not a super fancy recommendation but we prefer to eat at the English style pub on the upper floor (take the escalators up from the shot tower to find it – it’s up near the bowling and movies.) The food is pub food – but hearty portions and very kid friendly. I’ve never found this restaurant to be too crowded and have only ever just walked in. You can see the Melbourne Central Lion Hotel menu here. We like to eat here before or after an even at the State Library of Victoria (its super close) or after a movie at Melbourne Central or after we’ve been to meet Santa at Myer in the city centre.
There is also a pancake parlor up here on this level of Melbourne Central.
Emporium Food Court
I find the Emporium Food Court to be slightly less intense and more spacious than the Melbourne Central food court. Especially first thing in the morning and after 3pm.
OUTSIDE OF THE CITY CENTRE
SOUTH MELBOURNE
St Ali is my favourite breakfast spot in Melbourne by far. “My Mexican Cousin” corn fritters is what I order every time.
ST KILDA
Flour Child is a pizza and pasta place a few steps from Luna Park. I would avoid this place for brunch or lunch on weekends as they have lots of bottomless brunch events going on and it can get a bit messy. However, it is great for a family meal not far from the beach. The venue is really cute. The full Flour Child menu is here.
For the most delicious and authentic Japanese home cooking, I recommend Kuu Cafe + Japanese Kitchen. You can even buy takeaway onigiri! The menu changes daily but includes options like Japanese curry, omurice and vegan agedashi tofu. This cafe is casual enough to bring kids with you (it is small though so I’d bring some colouring or stickers for little kids for while they wait for their food.)
ALBERT PARK
Brother Shota is this cozy and beautiful Japanese restaurant in Albert Park. It’s quite popular so you will definitely need a reservation. These guys welcome families. At risk of sounding like a complete food snob – as someone who has lived in Japan for more than 13 years I wouldn’t call this authentic Japanese but I would call it Japanese food with an Aussie twist.
