Heading out for a meal and a drink with your young family doesn’t need to be a stressful situation. Instead, just pick and choose venues that are perfect for the little ones and the big kids (aka, us adults)!

Whether it’s a big playground, outdoor seating, or good food deals for the kids, this guide to kid-friendly venues around Newcastle will keep you busy eating out with the whole family forever!

PUBS & RESTAURANTS 

Adamstown Bowling Club
A favourite in the Bowling Club world is none other than Adamstown’s Bowling Club. With the kitchen recently taken over by The Barn and with live music over the weekends, a visit to Adamstown Bowling Club is an absolute no-brainer for young families.
Where: 504 Glebe Rd, Adamstown

Antojitos
Some of the best Mexican food in Newcastle, this place is perfect for the little ones too!
Where: 11 Steel St, Newcastle West 

Beach Burrito
Enjoy Californian-style Mexican cuisine with a laid-back vibe. The Little Amigos menu is entry-level Mexican, without the spice, and there's an area for the kids in the courtyard. Kids eat free weekdays 4 pm-6pm.
Where: 135 Darby St, Cooks Hill

Belmont 16s
This iconic spot overlooking Lake Macquarie caters to children of all ages. Both Sails and SALT Kitchen offer various meal options as well as a dedicated children’s area located on the ground floor. For the tech-savvy kids, each meal purchase will get you a ‘Grub Lab’ augmented 3D interactive activity booklet and colouring sheets. 
Where: The Parade, Belmont

Blackbutt Hotel
Kids eat free every Sunday night from 5.30pm-8.30pm at New Lambton’s Blackbutt Hotel!
Where: 80 Orchardtown Rd, New Lambton

Carrington Bowling Club
This unpretentious old-fashioned club has a little something for everyone. Featuring their open relaxed outdoor space, a playground in the park out the back, and a kids’ menu from the on-site restaurant, Cowper St Diner.
Where: 1C Cowper St, Carrington

Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows
For Lake Mac locals or those of you looking for a reason to get out and explore, Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows is both a kids' and adults' dream venue! Experience views of the ocean, a dedicated kids’ area, a beer garden, and a delicious food and drink menu.
Where: 27 Mawson Cl, Caves Beach

Club Charlestown 
With an outdoor courtyard and fenced-off playground, Club Charlestown serves up a family-friendly experience with a great kids’ menu to match. 
Where: 5 Lincoln St, Charlestown

Hotel Elermore
Featuring an undercover kids play area with slides, tunnels, and sensory toys. This joint will keep the little ones occupied while you dine. 
Where: 145 Croudace Bay Rd, Elermore Vale

Jewells Tavern
Grab an easy pub feed with the family at Jewells Tavern, the much-loved local pub. The little ones will get to enjoy the play area and can devour the dedicated kids menu. 
Where: 73 Ntaba Rd, Jewells

Kahibah Sports Club 
This family-friendly bowling club comes complete with a mini-golf course!
Where: 63 Kenibea Ave, Kahibah

Lowland’s Bowling Club 
Bowling clubs seem to be all the rage for young families at the moment and Cooks Hill’s Lowland’s Bowling Club is amongst some of the favourites!
Where: 98A Dawson St, Cooks Hill

Maryland Tavern
Maryland’s newest favourite family-friendly venue comes complete with a $12 kids menu and a separate play area. 
Where: 144 Maryland Dr, Maryland

Mattara Hotel
Charlestown’s Mattara Hotel has something for the whole family. The kids' indoor playroom features arcade games and equipment, while the indoor and outdoor dining spaces are open to everyone. 
Where: 333 Charlestown Rd, Charlestown

Modus Merewether
This brewery in the backstreets of Merewether comes complete with a massive kids' play area.
Where: 20 Merewether St, Merewether

Merewether Surfhouse Beach Bar
Combine your ocean views with a tasty feed with the little ones at the ground-level spot at the iconic Merewether Surfhouse. 
Where: 5 Henderson Pde, Merewether

Royal Crown Hotel
This corner pub in Dudley comes with plenty of open space for the little ones to stretch their legs as well as a ‘grommets’ menu.
Where: 94 Ocean St, Dudley 

Scottie’s
Just moments from the beach and with plentiful outdoor seating, Scottie’s offers the best-relaxed dining for families serving up seafood, beers, and cocktails.
Where: 36 Scott St, Newcastle East

Smokin Hot N Saucy
The very relaxed outdoor seated space in Islington has loads of room for the kids to move around in and not bother other diners.
Where: 116 Maitland Rd, Islington

Sunnyside Tavern
In the heart of Broadmeadow sits the ever-so-popular Sunnyside Tavern, and has a dedicated kids' playground!
Where: 20 Broadmeadow Rd, Broadmeadow 

Sydney Junction Hotel
It's your local pub with something for everyone, and an epic undercover playground that lets the kids run amok letting you eat your meal and catch up with friends. The beer garden is open and spacious, with a retractable roof so it's ideal for alfresco dining- rain, hail, or shine!
Where: 8 Beaumont St, Hamilton

The Argenton Hotel
The Argenton Hotel has a fresh modern feel to it and anyone with kids, or even without, will love it. The massive outdoor playground space and beer garden space comes complete with cabanas and a relaxed outdoorsy vibe that's ideal for families throughout the warmer months. 
Where: 515 Lake Rd, Argenton

The Grainstore
This Newcastle East venue is great for rainy days with its spacious indoor space complete with big tables and booth areas. Plus there are lots of board games to choose from, an arcade machine, and activity packs – as well as an award winning beer selection for the adults.
Where: 64-66 Scott St, Newcastle East

The Greenroof
Not necessarily one that jumps to mind, The Greenroof well and truly has you covered when it comes to the kids with the fab little shed-like room in the courtyard. The Shed has everything your kids could want to keep them occupied.
Where: 71 Tudor St, Hamilton

The Kingfish
The Kingfish at Honeysuckle brings together quality seafood eats with a casual outdoorsy atmosphere that's ideal for taking in those cool afternoon breezes and letting the kids get active on their scooters or bikes.
Where: 15-17 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle

The Lucky
This institution in Newcastle's pub scene is a favourite for young families with a dedicated kids' menu and their kids eat free promo on Monday nights from 5pm (with any adult main purchase).
Where: 237 Hunter St, Newcastle

The Prince of Merewether
Following their 2019 renovations, the Prince of Merewether is home to a dedicated kids’ playroom. 
Where: 1 Morgan St, Merewether 

The Shortland Hotel 
Get the kids to the play zone at The Shortland Hotel!
Where: 269 Sandgate Rd, Shortland

Warners at the Bay Hotel
While the adults enjoy a meal and a craft beer, leave the young ones to the undercover play area. With a dedicated kids menu, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 
Where: 320 Hillsborough Rd, Warners Bay

Young St Hotel
Carrington’s fresh-faced pub has a brand new beer garden and family-friendly alfresco area that is just calling the little ones over to explore.
Where: 132 Young St, Carrington

CAFES 

Cargo Espresso Bar
A beachside café joint is always going to be family-friendly. With plenty of space to let the little ones run around and a menu that suits the needs even for the pickiest of eaters!
Where: 1C Beach Rd, Redhead

Dullboy’s Social Co. 
With locations at both Warners Bay and Rutherford, the premier entertainment destination that is Dullboy’s Social Co. is a one-stop shop for young families looking for fun and food!
Where: 326 Hillsborough Rd, Warners Bay | 57 Shipley Dr, Rutherford

ELMAs On Clyde
Situated on Hamilton North’s Clyde St, ELMAs features a great outdoor area and is known as a kid, dog, and human refuge. 
Where: 40-54 Clyde St, Hamilton North

Harry & Lola’s
Located within one of Lake Macquarie’s premium entertainment precincts, MAP, Harry & Lola’s is a short stroll to the ever-so-popular Speers Point Park playground. 
Where: 96 Creek Reserve Rd, Speers Point 

Kids World Play
Whether you've got a newborn, toddler, or an almost teen, Kids World Play (formerly Megamania) at Charlestown is the destination to hit. From the multi-leveled play maze, ginormous slide, and jumping castles your kids will be overwhelmed and worn out by the end. 
Where: Pearson St, Charlestown

Mischief Kitchen
This family-friendly café is situated in Belmont South and comes complete with a large undercover terrace area and garden with plenty of play options for the kids. 
Where: 787 Pacific Hwy, Belmont South

Perry The Feeder
Easy to access for prams, the outdoor grassy space is ideal for mums and bubs. The beautiful little space is perfect for a coffee catch-up, and perhaps even getting your hair done.
Where: 53 Maitland Rd, Mayfield

Sunnyboy Kiosk
Another waterside beach kiosk that not only features a kid-friendly menu but is only a stone’s throw away from Dixon Park Beach. 
Where: 15 Ocean St, Merewether

Table 1 Espresso 
Table 1 Espresso is known for its amazing coffee and food options, and its newest addition right next to Speers Point Park playground makes for a great family-friendly spot to dine.
Where: 15 Park Rd, Speers Point

The Autumn Rooms
If you still like to keep it a little grown up then head out the back of The Autumn Rooms. A little space has been created to keep the kids entertained, at least long enough for you to enjoy your coffee. 
Where: 127 Darby St, Cooks Hill

The Golden Goat 
Over in the Kotara Homemaker centre, The Golden Goat is a great little espresso bar that is located right next door to a fenced kids’ play area. 
Where: 2/150 Park Ave, Kotara

The Hood
Every kid's idea of heaven, The Hood offers up an awesome range of gelato, waffles, milkshakes, and those super cool booths that you can hang out in. 
Where: 188 Union St, The Junction

The Kiosk Newcastle Beach
Right on the shoreline of Newcastle Beach, The Kiosk is a great spot to set up with the kids before or after spending some time in the waves. 
Where: 42 Shortland Esp, Newcastle East

The Olive Branch Cafe
Not only does this cafe help young people new to the industry get hands-on work experience, but it also offers a great little menu and a fantastic, fenced-in kids’ area with loads of toys and things to keep them busy.
Where: 67 Cleary St, Hamilton

The Rooftop
So many foodie choices and conveniently located at the back of The Rooftop is a children's play area to keep them occupied until the meals come out.
Where: Westfield Kotara

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