Your complete guide on where to eat & drink with the little ones
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 loaded with approachable eats 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
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 is complete with cabanas and a relaxed outdoorsy vibe that's ideal for families throughout the warmer months.
Where: 515 Lake Rd, Argenton
Beaches Bistro
Enjoy traditional breakfast faves , coffee, and California-style Mexican cuisine with a laid-back vibe. The kids’ menu is entry-level Mexican, without the spice, and kids can get half-price meals (and free juice box) on 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.
Where: The Parade, Belmont
The Belmont Hotel
Having undergone some major renovations, The Belmont Hotel is great for the little ones with an outdoor playground and a kids eat free special for lunch and dinner on both Monday and Tuesday.
Where: 483 Pacific Hwy, Belmont
Blackbutt Hotel
This no-fuss pub in New Lambton comes complete with a small indoor playground for kids.
Where: 80 Orchardtown Rd, New Lambton
The Black Horse Bistro
This bistro is situated inside Alder Park Sports Club on Bridges Road, New Lambton and has a menu dedicated to the little ones.
Where: 132 Bridges 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 a dream venue for both kids and adults! 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 including a kids eat free special for lunch and dinner on Mondays. Conditions apply.
Where: 5 Lincoln St, Charlestown
Club Kotara
Fitted out with a new kids indoor area in 2024, Club Kotara is a laidback venue for families with a dedicated kids’ menu. Get along to the monthly markets on the green, and keep an eye out for events like the Easter kids’ sisco.
Where: 2 Howell Ave, Kotara
Cross Keys Hotel
Tighes Hill's newly opened pub a casual spot to take the kids, with owner Corey Crooks saying “Our focus is on creating a community pub where all ages are welcome. There are no restrictions on kids being allowed in as we have no gaming areas, and we’ve inlaid game boards like chess into our timber tabletops to encourage families to play.”
1A Elizabeth St, Tighes Hill
General Washington
Across the harbour in Stockton, the General Washington Hotel comes complete with your standard pub meals plus an enclosed kids’ area towards the back of the venue.
Where: 1 Mitchell St, Stockton
The Gladdy
A fresh presence on Mitchell Street in Stockton, The Gladdy is Stockton’s much-welcomed community hub. Pokies-free, the pub is kid-friendly, with a kids-eat-free offer on Tuesdays with a purchase of a main meal.
Where: 1 Mitchell St, Stockton
The Grain Store
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
Hotel Elermore
Featuring an undercover kid’s 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
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 Lass O’Gowrie Hotel
This institution of a pub in Wickham has one of the best beer gardens in Newcastle and has a special Mexican-inspired kids’ menu.
Where: 14 Railway St, Wickham
The Lot – Smokehouse & Beer Garden
The very relaxed outdoor seated space in Islington has loads of room for the kids to move around in and even some fun games including cornhole.
Where: 116 Maitland Rd, Islington
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
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 Saturday and Sunday before 3pm.
Where: 237 Hunter St, Newcastle
Market St Basement
This inner-city Italian-inspired restaurant and bar has just launched Family Fridays where guests can get FREE kids’ meals with any main meal purchased for their earlier dinner sittings.
Where: 2/2 Market St, Newcastle
Maryland Tavern
Maryland’s newest favourite family-friendly venue comes complete with a $14 little legends 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
Mayfield West Bowling Club
A laidback bowling club in Mayfield West, this venue encourages you to bring the family, with barefoot bowls, portable football posts, ten pin bowling, and cricket sets on offer. When it comes to food, you can use the BBQ or head to the Club's Westside Bistro. Kid's birthday party packages are also available.
Where: 4 Norris Ave, Mayfield West
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
Minmi Hotel
Minmi Pub has recently come under new ownership with the owners/management making some fantastic improvements to the space, including a new beer garden and a great playground for kids.
Where: 156 Woodford St, Minmi
Modus Merewether
This brewery in the backstreets of Merewether comes complete with a dedicated kids' play area, and also offers parties for kids.
Where: 20 Merewether St, Merewether
The Prince of Merewether
Following their 2019 renovations, the Prince of Merewether is home to a dedicated kids’ playroom.
Where: 1 Morgan St, Merewether
Royal Indian Restobar
The rather regal restaurant in Newcastle West, Royal Indian Restobar will make for a fun night out with the kids as they marvel at the ginormous chandelier – plus they have a dedicated kids’ menu available.
Where: 888 Hunter St, Newcastle West
Scottie’s
Just moments from the beach and with plentiful outdoor seating, Scottie’s offers the best-relaxed dining for families serving up exquisite seafood alongside beers and cocktails for mum and dad.
Where: 36 Scott St, Newcastle East
The Shortland Hotel
Get the kids to the play zone at The Shortland Hotel!
Where: 269 Sandgate Rd, Shortland
Souths Merewether
Souths Merewether boasts a fully-enclosed, air-conditioned indoor play area that comes with an arcade game, perfect for those rainy or hot summer days.
Where: 46 Llewellyn St, Merewether
The Stag & Hunter
This rather iconic pub situated in the heart of Mayfield boasts a delicious kids menu and served with free ice-cream on request.
Where: 187 Maitland Rd, Mayfield
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
TINTA
This lakefront venue comes with some of the best views in Lake Macquarie and is perfect for families to enjoy the green outdoor space as the sunsets with their little ones in tow.
Where: 690 Pacific Hwy, Belmont
Wallsend Diggers
Drop by Wallsend Diggers and let the kids enjoy their huge undercover kids’ playground.
Where: 5 Tyrell St, Wallsend
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
One of Carrington’s fresh-faced pubs, The Young Street Hotel, has a great 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 cafe 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 an indoor kids' play corner, 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, Multi-Arts Pavilion (MAP mima), Harry & Lola’s is a short stroll to the ever-so-popular Speers Point Park playground.
Where: 96 Creek Reserve Rd, Speers Point
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
Mischief Kitchen
This family-friendly cafe 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
The Pav Kitchen
If you're headed to Carrington drop into The Pav, the beautiful space offers plenty of room and is ideal for families. There's also some chooks out the back that the little ones can feed.
Where: 150 Young St, Carrington
Perry The Feeder
Easy to access for prams and 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 from Muster Point Collective just next door.
Where: 53 Maitland Rd, Mayfield
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
Rosie & Shell
The cute little coffee caravan set up in the back streets of New Lambton has its own cubby house and toys – making it a great spot to take the little ones whilst you enjoy your daily coffee.
Where: 10 Regent St, New Lambton
Southy Canteen
The new addition at Newcastle Beach is set up right next to the new skate park which makes for a great spot to set up whilst you’re the kids are making the most of the skate bowl.
Where: 50 Shortland Esp, Newcastle
Sunnyboy Kiosk
Another waterside beach kiosk that serves up great eats (and icecreams) and is only a stone’s throw away from Dixon Park Beach, and Dixon Park’s fenced playground.
Where: 15 Ocean St, Merewether
Sunnyboy Park
Breathing fresh life into Foreshore Park, nestled in between Customs House, the iconic train sheds, and the harbour. The area has quickly become a meeting place for friends, families, and the wider community.
7 Bond St, Newcastle
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
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This guide was correct at the time of publishing. For up-to-date information, get in touch with individual venues.
