If you’re like most parents, you would have experienced your little one having a full-blown meltdown in public at least once. So family-friendly restaurants can be a gift for those who just want to enjoy a good meal with their kids in peace.
To make your lives easier as parents, here’s a list of eateries with play areas and kid-oriented menus that offer everything from burgers to all-day brunch.
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 their Hawaiian menu and treat yourself to a Honolulu seafood platter.
Ola Beach Club is located at 46 Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa, Singapore 099005
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This laidback kid-friendly restaurant is another spot to swing by for weekend brunch. Established by the team behind the now-defunct Neon Pigeon and Fat Prince in Singapore, Summerlong entices with its beachy vibes and creative cocktails. The cafe also serves good coffee, fresh salad, and a ‘Little Pelicans’ menu for kids aged 12 and under. The old-school soft-serve ice-cream station is also sure to keep the kiddos happy, especially with its range of toppings. (Dairy-free options are also available.)
Summerlong is located at The Quayside #01-04, 60 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238252
View this post on InstagramBrunch by The Quayside – always a good idea ☀️ #Summerlongsg
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Just below Summerlong is the Wildseed, which functions as a café and patisserie by day and bistro bar by night. This chilled-out is the place to hang out on lazy Sunday afternoons, with coffee, pastry and live music. Meanwhile, the kids can burn off some energy at the playground just next door. Be sure to book early if you want to secure a spot in the air-conditioned section as this spot is pretty popular on weekends.
Wildseed Cafe is located at Level 2, 3 Park Lane, Seletar Aerospace Park, Singapore 798387
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
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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
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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
View this post on InstagramBurger and bubbles because why not? Have a lovely long weekend to all! Cheers! ??
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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
The Vineyard may be a sophisticated chillout spot for adults during the week, but come the weekend, the place transforms into a family-friendly spot featuring a bouncy castle, balloon sculpting, bowling and archery zone. Bounce your worries away, then settle down for some French-Italian food and weekend brunch that starts from just $8. After lunch, take a stroll around pram-friendly HortPark and admire the view along the Southern Ridges.
The Vineyard at HortPark is located at 33 Hyderabad Road HortPark #02-02, Singapore 119578
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
Nothing like a good old outdoor barbeque and games to get the kids involved. Camp Kilo is where you can kick back with a beer and roast meat platter by the Kallang River. This chill outdoor joint also welcomes fur kids, so you can bring the whole family and your pets down to let loose. Camp Kilo also hosts weekly events such as Camp Kido, where games, workshops and activities are aimed especially at little campers to keep them entertained while Mum and Dad take a breather.
Camp Kilo Charcoal Club is located at 66 Kampong Bugis, Level 1, Singapore 338987
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
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Celebrated British chef Jamie Oliver has always prioritised healthy, nutritious meals, especially for kids. So it’s no surprise that his restaurant is incredibly family-friendly, with a wholesome but appetising menu for kids – for instance, lollipop chicken, fish-of-the-day in a bag, and a mini picnic. Kids also get a creatively designed menu and activity packs comprising stickers and crayons. While parents and caretakers get to enjoy the fabulous Italian food, the little ones will love all the crafts and toys keeping them entertained.
Jamie’s Italian is located at The Forum, 583 Orchard Road #01-01/04 Forum, Singapore 238884
Text: Joyce Chua
