Whether it’s to escape the same four walls you have been looking at for days, breathe in some fresh air that doesn’t smell like sour milk, or you just feel the urge to hook your arm up to an IV drip of coffee, it’s important to know that you’re not alone.
Canberra offers a variety of child-friendly cafes to suit every family’s needs, from a peaceful coffee break, delicious menus, or somewhere the kids can play safely. Perfect for mother’s groups, or just a solo trip, these places will make your daily adventure out of the house with a little one that little bit easier.
ROSA’S
With the Rose Garden as their playground, Rosa’s takes care of the kids while you can enjoy a coffee or arvo vino on the peaceful and sunny deck. The playful all-day garden bar invites casual mornings with coffees, pastries and brekky rolls with plenty of space for the kids to run around. Or if you’ve had a rough morning getting the kids out of the house, Rosa’s is still there for you with panini’s, pizza and share plates in the afternoon. It’s the perfect spot for a wholesome mum’s group catch up, with the chance to get around some picnic tables or rugs on the spacious grass area.
The Knox
On a beautiful day you will find lots of families milling around The Knox in Watson. There are plenty of highchairs available, a change table and lots of spacious seating outside. They have a kids corner full of toys and a chalkboard that will keep your little ones happy for a while, or if they are busting to get outside you can grab a takeaway and an amazing pastry and go for a walk around the nearby oval.
Little Oink
Kids’ corner, black board, toys and even a floral change table with spare nappies in case you’ve forgotten one…we’ve all been there. Little Oink is a cute spot at Cook shops serving up Two Before Ten coffee with a perfect little kids menu. There’s a playground and oval nearby so it’s the perfect spot to get your caffeine hit before soaking up the sun with your bubba on a blanket.
The Courtyard Cafe
Hidden within the Museum of Australian Democracy, the Courtyard Cafe offers more than just lavish sweets and plenty of beverages that will keep you caffeinated. Kids can find an entire space dedicated for dress ups and games, as well as engage with a big fuzzy felt wall, board games, story time room, a kindness café, listening pods and free craft activities in their PlayUP area every day from 9am – 4:30pm.
Kitchen Garden at Rodney’s
Nestled in Pialligo, Rodney’s Plants Plus is an iconic nursery and has become a popular meeting place for mothers groups. The Kitchen Garden at Rodney’s serves breakfast, lunch and an all-day menu with seasonal homemade meals and a range of delicious cakes, biscuits, slices and Devonshire teas. They have extended seating out into the garden where there is a children’s playground featuring cubby’s, sandpits, slides, rocking horses and even a helicopter.
LITTLE AMIGOS
Little Amigos is described as the ultimate kids cafe and can be found in the Canberra Outlet. The cafe part is there for the big kids with the necessary staples of coffee, sweets and food options, while the little ones can enjoy the themed play centre. The kids are kept entertained for hours by the ball pit, slides, cosplay zones, a play kitchen, a farm and construction site, and a mini train ride. Think of it as the perfect intermission for the little ones between shopping, which means more browsing time for you after as the kids are left satisfied.
Pollen
Pollen at the National Botanic Gardens is perfect for a large mum’s group. Tell the girls to bring a blanket each, some cheese and bickies, grab a takeaway coffee and sprawl out on one of the many lush green hills surrounded by Australian native trees and flowers. Or if it’s just you and your little one, they have highchairs and spacious seating inside or on the deck for you to enjoy a sit-down breakfast or lunch – their food is just as attractive as the view!
Café at The National Arboretum
If you haven’t heard about the Pod Playground at the National Arboretum, you are missing out. This fun spot is perched on the hill with gorgeous views over Canberra. Inside also sits Café at The National Arboretum, with a focus on serving locally grown vegetables, fruits, seafood, dairy and organic and biodynamic meat. There’s so much to see at The National Arboretum, such as the cute gift shop with lots of great books, pottery, artwork and accessories, or you might just want to go for a walk with the pram on one of the many tracks.
Wildflour
Wildflour in Fyshwick they have nailed the kids playground, with its own mini library box, balance bikes, a cubby house, slides and swings. It’s close enough that you can sit and watch them, or if they’re too little you can request your coffee and food as a takeaway option and join them. The coffee is Ona, the food is delicious, the parking is easy, and the cakes and pies are glorious. What more can a sleep-deprived mum ask for?
Tulips Cafe
Another Pialligo oasis, Tulips Cafe is centred around lush green hedges, an enclosed children’s playground and has a yummy wholesome menu. Kids toasties, pancakes and a little ‘big brekkie’, this space was made for prams with lots of open space and easy parking close by. There’s mini tables with pencils and sketch books, so the older children can get creative! The little ones will also be in awe of the resident peacock wandering the grounds.
Yarralumla Gallery and Oaks Brasserie
Nestled within the beautiful nursery grounds, the Gallery and Oaks Brasserie is a relaxed and open-air cafe with plenty of space for the little ones. Their all-day breakfast menu has plenty of delish and healthy options for you and the kids, and even a dog-food menu too! After a bite to eat, the Yarralumla Play Station is just around the corner, with a miniature railway, mini golf course, a lolly shop and a mini farm friends petting zoo. If that still hasn’t tired out the little bundles of energy, Weston Park adventure playground (and water park) is absolutely worth checking out.
If you’re looking for somewhere to dine on a Sunday, we’ve also rounded up a list of restaurants that are open.
