A great addition to the already stellar line-ups of cafes in the East, Jimmy Monkey at PLQ Parkside brings a taste of sunny Australian flavours to the Paya Lebar area. The casual eatery with long benches is the perfect place to enjoy brunch fare and hearty mains while your children burn off their energy at the Parkside Playground which features trampolines, swings and jungle gyms to keep all-ages entertained.

Jimmy Monkey Café @ PLQ Parkside, 2 Paya Lebar Rd, #01-10 Park Place Residences at PLQ, Singapore 409053

One of Singapore’s best kept secrets according to my mum-friends, Hort Park is a beautiful, quiet park to bring your kids for a run, explore the greenery and play on the not one, not two, but three playground areas. Admittedly these are small and a little old, but it’s not something kids would worry about so neither should you.

Just a short 5 min walk away is Canopy Café serving up homely grub ranging from pastas and pizzas, as well as a dedicated menu for kids including cheese toasties, nuggets and the ever-popular babycino.

Canopy Café at HortPark, #01-01, 33 Hyderabad Road, HortPark, S119578

Taking over the space from family-favourite The Pantry, AT Feast is a newish venue, hidden quietly away with relaxing indoor and outdoor seating. From the outdoor seats, parents will be able to watch their kids play on the wooden jungle gym, designed to get kids closer to nature.

The menu is no slouch either, the food balances healthy options with easy meals for picky eaters with a focus on fresh, nutritious and sustainable dishes. The restaurant also offers cookery workshops for all ages so be sure to check out what they’re doing next.

AT Feast, Block 16A Dempsey Road, Singapore 249677, Tel: (+65) 8121 5763,  

If you pass by this quiet stretch of the Tanglin area, you’d never know there was a kid-friendly restaurant in the basement of Tanglin Place, which 90s kids will know as the home of Dan Ryan’s once upon a time. Don’t let it’s posh-looking website fool you, the restaurant is decidedly chill.

While their steak naturally takes centre stage, there is a decent kid’s menu plus the bouncy castle and trampoline will be a big hit.

Seared Steakhouse, #B1-01 Tanglin Place, 91 Tanglin Road, 247918

It’s a small playground attached to the food court but in our experience it has given back tonnes in terms of time spent. Little ones will be entertained by the see-saw, mini suspension bridge and slides – while you have the option of dining on kid-friendly local food (we are fans of the BBQ chicken wings there). It may not seem like much but somehow the kids know how to turn it into a ball of fun. Further down there are paid rides (which we all want to avoid right?)

Food Republic @ 313 Somerset, 313 Somerset Rd, Singapore 238895

While the new Kith Cafe at Great World City is quite tucked away, it has a prime place right next to the semi-shaded outdoor playground – which could make meal times both very distracting or very relaxing for the parent, your choice. The menu features all of Kith’s favourites for both adults and kids, including healthy smoothies and treats as well. But we’re pretty sure it’s the playground, suitable for a range of ages, that’s going to be a major draw.

Kith at Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #02-152/153, Singapore 237994, Tel: +65 6235 3925

When your kids wake up early (as they all do) and you need that quick shot of caffeine to get you going, parents turn to TBB Safari in Dempsey for its sprawling space for kids to roam, as well as Common Man Roasters brews. Part of the Tiong Bahru Bakery group, you can expect great pastries and sandwiches for everyone to enjoy as well. The whole area is al fresco but there are plenty of portable air conditioners scattered to keep everyone cool.

TBB Safari, 130E Minden Road,  Singapore 248819

Located side-by-side, Privé and Bayswater Kitchen are great if you want to “escape” Singapore for the day/a meal. The marina-side restaurants have a peaceful vibe and feel decidedly like you’re not in the country. For the kids, the two restaurants share a nautical (naturally) themed playground. Bayswater Kitchen specialises more in seafood (think oysters and fish and chips) while Prive offers a mix of healthy and hearty options plus meat-free meals.

Privé and Bayswater Kitchen at Keppel Bay, 2 Keppel Bay Vista, Singapore 098382

Previously the family-favourite Food for Tots, Little Spot takes over as the go-to, kid-friendly restaurant in the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden. Kids take centrestage here with a menu that’s designed to encourage to explore and taste a variety of flavours and foods. This could include a breakfast of “the abc fluffy pancakes” which come with caramelised green apples, bacon and whipped cream, or their chicken fried rice which includes mixed veggies and poached chicken for an actually balanced meal.

The space is pretty educational too. Be sure to check out the upcycled colander light installation, themed recycling bins and potted herb wall. Kids will also love the interactive play area and little reading nook. A good time for everyone.

Little Spot, Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, #01-K1, Singapore 259 569.

Brunch by the beach sounds like a great family outing idea. But it’s also an opportunity for the kids to run rampant. The good news is, this seaside restaurant is extremely family-friendly, with a nursing room and nappy-changing facilities, toddler-sized tables, and a playpen to keep the kids busy while the grownups enjoy a tiki cocktail or two by the pool. While you’re kicking back, check out its Hawaiian menu and treat yourself to a Hapu Upu U (Hawaiian grouper) or Huli Huli chicken.

Ola Beach Club is located at 46 Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa, Singapore 099005

In some ways the airplane-themed playground in this area is the centrepiece attraction surrounded by cafes for parents who need a break. These include Wildseed Cafe, Wheeler’s Estate as well as the French 5 by Sans Façon a little bit further away, close to the airport.

Wildseed Cafe is located at Level 2, 3 Park Lane, Seletar Aerospace Park, Singapore 798387, and Level 1, 10 Telok Blangah Green, Singapore 109178.

Open Farm Community is one of the best places to spend time with the kids. Aside from thriving beds of herbs and produce (so you can make this an educational outing), this farm-to-table restaurant also has a massive sandpit for kids, quirky sculptures, a sprawling lawn for you and your kids to roam around, a family grocer garden, and a Common Man Coffee Roasters where you can get a cuppa while the kids nosh on healthy and inventive meals.

Open Farm Community is located at 130E Minden Road, Singapore 248819

Fancy a Spanish feast with the family?  Then FOC Sentosa is your answer. While the kids get busy building sandcastles on Tanjong Beach and splash around in the pool, you can sit back with a sangria or two. The menu also serves crowd favourites like fish and chips and chicken sandwich, as well as classic Spanish cuisine like tapas, paella, croquetas de jamon and patatas bravas.

FOC Sentosa is located at 110 Tanjong Beach Walk, Singapore

Both branches of Cafe Melba in the East and West offer the package of Australasian fusion food and a bouncy castle on weekends that kids will absolutely love. Goodman Arts Centre is a hub of family-friendly activity on weekends, while Mediapolis has an open area for a host of events and games like frisbee, scooting, soccer, basketball, and even life-size wooden noughts and crosses. Food-wise, go for any of the wood-oven pizza and pair it with a refreshing cocktail or calming TWG tea.

Cafe Melba is located at 90 Goodman Road, Goodman Arts Centre, Block N#01-56, Singapore 439053, and Mediapolis, 1 Stars Avenue, #03-01, Singapore 138507.

Also at The Botanic Gardens and on the first level of The Garage, Bee’s Knees is a casual dining outfit that’s both kid- and pet-friendly. Here, tuck into delicious meals made with fresh ingredients, from all-day breakfast items to pizzas, sandwiches, pasta and salads.

Or you can pre-order one of its Buzz-kets that are loaded with delicious bites for a party of two or four for a picnic at the Botanic Gardens. Orders have to be placed three days in advance.

Bee’s Knees is at 50 Cluny Park Road, Level 1 Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore 257488.

One clear sign that a restaurant is kid-friendly is when its kids menu comes as a colour-in sheet. Enjoy some classic Aussie grub at Boomarang, located along the Robertson Quay stretch so you can catch a good view of the Singapore River if you choose to go alfresco while the kids scoot around. Start off with some wagyu beef sliders, then try some authentically Australian dishes like Peppered Kangaroo Loin. 

Boomarang is located at 60 Robertson Quay, #01-15 The Quayside, Singapore 238252, and Boat Quay, 52 Circular Road, Singapore 049407

Nestled in a sprawling golf course, Picotin Express at Bukit Timah is a family-friendly haven with an alfresco deck overlooking a verdant lawn and a kids menu. This family-style European bistro is also located next to a mini putt-putt golf course so your little ones can try their hand at mini golf while you enjoy your meal in peace. For Easties, the Joo Chiat branch has a pool table, foosball, and a bouncy castle that will certainly keep the kiddos happy.

Picotin Express is located at Champions Golf Course, 60 Fairways Drive, Singapore 286966, and 382 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427622

If you’re missing The Bank Bar + Bistro, head over to its family-friendly sister restaurant SandBank. With a 15m plunge pool, this seaside eatery is sure to be a hit with the kids. While you load up on the weekend breakfast buffet, the little ones can dip their toes in the 0.5m pool while the older kids can splash around in the deeper pool. Sandbank even has a shower facility for them to wash up after – unless you plan to hit the beach after.

Sandbank is located at 920 East Coast Parkway, #01-28/32 Parkland Green, Singapore 449875.

This laidback kid-friendly restaurant is another spot to swing by for weekend brunch. Over at its Dempsey branch, there’s an outdoor playground with grassy turf to keep the little ones occupied.

On the menu, you’ll find fresh artisan bread (don’t miss its sourdough bread) and pastries, wholesome brunch options like Turkish eggs and Avo Smash, as well as fire-baked pizza from its sister brand Plank Sourdough Pizza. There’s also a kids’ menu as well as an outlet-exclusive plant-based menu.

Baker & Cook is at 30C Loewen Road Singapore 248839, as well as various other locations. Visit its website for more information.

Nestled in the idyllic Bishan Park is Grub, which serves up cafe fare which is inspired by local Singaporean flavours with a touch of Japanese influence – think truffle mushroom soba, chill cran pasta, har cheong fried chicken with waffles and miso-glazed salmon. Its burgers and churros are also must-tries.

The cafe even hosts activities for kids, including park trails, that it announces on its social media pages. Or you can take a stroll by yourselves, and explore the beautiful park with its rich biodiversity.

Grub is at 510 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Singapore 569983

This article was updated on 25 November, 2022

Text: Joyce Chua. Additional reporting: Michelle Lee and Karen Fong

Read Next

10 Best Family-Friendly Places To Interact With Animals In Singapore

10 Family-Friendly Restaurants In Singapore

13 Family-Friendly Things To Do In Jurong This Weekend