The following cafes and restaurants are all family friendly.
* A.D Ryan's Bar & Restaurant
A.D Ryan's is a cosy restaurant full of history and relics from the past. The old building in which it is sits is a historic Diamond Creek Building. Open Wednesday at 4pm with meals starting at 6pm and Thursdays through to the weekends for lunch and dinner. The menu offers a variety of bistro style meals with themed nights including Pot and Parma nights on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Children receive a soft drink with their meal. The venue has live entertainment and due to liquor licencing and restrictions with live entertainment children are required to vacate the premises by 10pm. There are no baby change facilities on site.
Address:Corner Hyde & Main Street, Diamond Creek
Phone (B/H): 9438 4111
Website: http://www.adryans.com.au
* Bridges Restaurant
Bridges Restaurant is set amongst natural bushland. You can sit inside where there is a clean, light filled and easy to see children's play room with toys and books on offer or outside under the large outdoor area, which is partially covered, while the children play on the lawn. The menu caters to all, with gluten free and vegetarian meals available for both adults and children. Most Sundays are 'children eat free night'.
Address:1075 Heidelberg - Kinglake Road, Hurstbridge
Phone (B/H): 9718 0099
Website: http://www.bridgesrestaurant.com.au
* Cafe Z
Tantalise your taste buds at Cafe Z.
Enjoy a Turkish lunch or dinner with friends in the relaxed atmosphere of Cafe Z.
Dishes to try include Tabouli, Lamb Kofta, Turkish dips and sweet delicacies. Whether it's just for a relaxed coffee or a light meal you'll be sure to enjoy a relaxing friendly atmosphere in this cosy cafe. Children very welcome.
Address: 1530 Main Rd, Research
Phone: 9437 2022
Diamond Creek Tavern
The Diamond Creek Tavern is conveniently located in the heart of Diamond Creek only a short walk from the Diamond Creek train station. Open for lunch and dinner daily with 'Kids Eat Free' specials on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Address:29 Main Hurstbridge Road, Diamond Creek
Phone (B/H): 9438 1444
Website: http://diamondcreektavern.com.au
Eltham Aromas Beanery, Café, Bar
Eltham Aromas Café is quietly tucked away in the Eltham Town Mall. Families can choose to sit out on the covered terraced area or inside in the large and spacious café and there is plenty of room for prams too. There is a range of healthy and nutritious foods available and staff members do their best to ensure everyone enjoys their experience. Loyal and regular customers are rewarded with discounts and offers.
Address:Shop 24/ 10 Arthur Street, Eltham
Phone (B/H): 9431 5837
Eltham Glasshouse
Eltham Glasshouse is a fully licensed cafe and restaurant located between Eltham and Research. There is an extensive menu from breakfast through to dinner and the kids menu has healthy eating options too. You can sit indoors or outside where the children play in the courtyard.
Address:1425 Main Road, Eltham
Phone (B/H): 9439 9898
Eltham Hotel
The Eltham Hotel is a great place to share a meal with the entire family. The menu offers a great range of gluten free options and is recommended by Coeliac Society Members of Australia. Kids eat free specials are available for lunch and dinner every Monday and Tuesday. There is a fun children's play area as well as lots of exciting activities.
Address:746 Main Street, Eltham
Phone (B/H): 9439 9224
Website: http://www.elthamhotel.com.au
Heart and Soul Café
Heart and Soul Café is a brightly coloured cafe located across from Anzac Park in Hurstbridge, just off the main road. They offer a range of fresh healthy meal options for the whole family, and a variety of homemade treats. There is an outdoor area available but families need to supervise their children whilst they play outside. Children can enjoy a free babyccino with coffee purchases. Please note that the toilets are located in an adjacent building and there are no nappy changing facilities onsite. The Cafe is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 8.30am to 5pm.
Address:850 Main Road, Hurstbridge
Phone (B/H): 9718 1555
Henry Hursts
Henry Hursts is a pizza and pasta restaurant situated in Main Road Hurstbridge. The family restaurant has a rustic and cosy atmosphere. There is a wide variety of pizzas and pastas on the menu as well as risotto, salads and chicken dishes and a variety of sweet treats. Henry Hursts is open Tuesday through to Sunday from 5pm to 8pm.
Address:951 Main Road, Hurstbridge
Phone (B/H): 9718 0233
Website: http://www.henryhursts.com.au
Kangaroo Ground General Store Cafe
The Kangaroo Ground General Store has a very small cafe within. The cafe caters very well to parents and families dropping their children to and from the local school and preschool. Open between 5am and 8pm there is a wide variety of food and drinks to choose from ranging from breakfast through to lunches and afternoon teas. There is no play space for children but there are pencils at the tables for drawing. As this is a general store and the door is frequently opened, parental supervision is required at all times. There is room for a few prams and there are no baby change facilities.
Address:280 Eltham-Yarra Glen Road, Kangaroo Ground
Phone (B/H): 9712 0034
* Montsalvat
Montsalvat, set in 12 acres of established gardens and historic buildings is Australia's oldest artist colony and is home to practising artists. You can spend time exploring the vast gardens and historic buildings or choose to engage in the variety of art events. There is a large vegetable garden and chook house for children to explore as well as roaming lyre birds and geese. You can take your own picnic or eat at The Meeting Place: an indoor and outdoor restaurant. The menu caters mostly to adults but children's sized pasta, steak and chips or fish and chips are available. Entry into Montsalvat is $14 for adults, $10 concession, $8 for children or $35 for families. An annual fee of $110 is also available which will provide unlimited visits throughout the year.
Address:7 Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham
Phone (B/H): 9439 7712
Website: http://www.montsalvat.com.au
* Narai Thai Restaurant
Narai Thai is a Thai Restaurant located at the Diamond Creek Plaza, tucked away in a small arcade near Nandos. The family run restaurant is one of only a handful of restaurants in Diamond Creek. The staff are extremely friendly and welcome families and children warmly. Open for dinner from 5.30pm everyday. There are no baby change facilities available.
Address:Shop 8/ 72 Main Hurstbridge Road, Diamond Creek
Phone (B/H): 9438 3889
Picollo Mecchanico
Picollo Mecchanico is a barrister award winning café that has been designed with families in mind. There is plenty of space to move a pram through to the rear of the café or to go outside to the partially covered courtyard. The food on offer is healthy and caters for both adults and children. Please note there are no nappy changing facilities available on site. The café is open from 6am to 3pm weekdays and Saturdays and 7am to 2pm Sundays.
Address:57 Chute Street, Diamond Creek
Phone (B/H): 9438 5228
Platters Café and Bar
Platters Cafe and Bar is located in the central shopping precinct of Diamond Creek. The friendly staff are very welcoming towards families, and the venue caters for large groups. They provide drawing materials for children and chessboards for the rest of the family. Children can enjoy a free babyccino with coffee purchases, which also come with a complimentary mini muffin. Please note there are no nappy changing facilities onsite. The venue is open from 7am to 6pm daily, and stays open for dinner on Wednesdays and Thursdays, when children eat for free!
Address:67 Main Rd Diamond Creek
Phone (B/H): 9438 5940
* Post Office Café Hurstbridge
The Post Office Café was originally built in 1918 and is a heritage listed site on the Hurstbridge Heritage Trail. The café offers the choice of sitting in the outdoor courtyard by a stunning water feature set in a rustic heritage setting or by a cosy open fire place indoors. Whether you are after a quick lunch, leisurely breakfast or a cosy coffee and cake, the Post Office Café offers the perfect spot to relax.
Address:794 Main Road, Hurstbridge
Phone (B/H): 9718 2911
Website: http://www.postofficecafe.com.au
Rare Bears
A fully equipped children's place centre with a dedicated toddler play area for children up to three years and a four-storey play structure with an obstacle course, burmese bridge, huge three lane slide, jumping castle and inflatable slide. Rare Bears offers a cafe with a new menu including gluten free and healthy food options. All Rare Bears staff have a current Working with Children's Check.
Address:10 Bridge Street, Eltham
Phone (B/H): 9439 6619
Website: http://www.rarebears.com.au/elthamdetails.html
* Rivers of Yarrambat
Rivers of Yarrambat is a lifestyle centre situated in Yarrambat. The large centre has many attractions including a plant nursery, home and gift shop, cafe, hairdressing salon, health and fitness centre and a functions and events room. Children will be particularly attracted to the large fenced off pond, which is a home to ducks and turtles. There is a viewing platform for children to feed the animals. The cafe has a wide variety of homemade food on the menu, including a children's menu. School holiday activities and children's birthday parties can be held here and staff are currently working on a natural trail for children to explore.
Postal Address:28 Kurrack Road, Yarrambat
Phone (B/H): 9436 3200
Website: http://www.riversofyarrambat.com
Shillinglaw Cottage
Shillinglaw Cottage is a unique heritage building boasting a large family friendly alfresco garden, cosy open fire dining room and ample parking. Conveniently located next to the Eltham Library and Alistair Knox Park, the kids will love the sand pit and activities on offer. You will also be sure to find something the kids will love on the children's breakfast and lunch menu.
Address:4 Panther Place, Eltham
Phone (B/H): 9439 6315
Website: http://www.shillinglawcafe.com.au
* Sushi Wushi
Sushi Wushi is a small Japanese restaurant situated behind the main road of Eltham near the Town Square. They offer a range of healthy food choices for the whole family. Tokyo Tuesday is their family night, when for $25 for adults and $15 for children, families can indulge in a platter of fresh Japanese food. Open for lunch and dinner daily.
Address:30 Commercial Place, Eltham
Phone (B/H): 9431 6185
Teahouse Eltham
The Teahouse in Eltham is a café located at the back of the Light Factory Gallery (entrance is via the side gate and through the sculpture garden). Please note that children must be supervised by an adult while in the gallery. The cafe is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm and has table seating, comfy couches or an outside eating area set amongst the trees to provide shade. The menu has a variety of healthy homemade foods as well as cakes and treats. There are no baby change facilities at this stage but a retrofit of the bathroom is planned and baby change tables will be incorporated.
Address:The Light Factory Gallery, 21 Brougham Street, Eltham
Phone (B/H): 9431 6823
Website: http://www.thelightfactorygallery.com.au
The Burger Lounge
The Burger Lounge is a new venue located in the main street of Eltham. This spacious lounge has plenty of room for a pram. They serve a range of healthy food options and treats and have options available for children. They hope to have highchairs for use in the near future and please note there are no baby change facilities at the premises.
Address:902 Main Road, Eltham
Phone (B/H): 9431 4500
Website: http://www.theburgerlounge.com.au
The Lane
The Lane is a cosy bar and café tucked away in St Laurence Lane off the main road in Eltham. The venue is best suited for smaller groups, with accommodating staff who will do their best to cater to your families’ needs. Children can enjoy a free babyccino with coffee purchases and there are a variety of meals available for adults and children. Please note there are no nappy changing facilities onsite.
Address:937 Main Road, Eltham
Phone (B/H): (03) 9431 5263
* The Ridge Cafe Gallery
The Ridge enjoys a relaxed atmosphere and families are well catered for with a large area for the children to play in, an extensive menu, doors that open out to enjoy alfresco dining in the warmer months and an art gallery attached.
The focus is on fresh delicious homemade food, offering a range of healthy meals, cakes and biscuits, suitable for all tastes, including gluten-free, vegan, low GI and a children's menu.
The warm, friendly and spacious atmosphere is enhanced by an extensive range of local artworks including paintings, sculpture and poetry. The ridge café/gallery provides a great meeting place where you can relax over breakfast or lunch. Try one of our freshly baked cakes or slices – the perfect accompaniment to a great "Quists" coffee or one of our extensive selection of teas.
The lounge area provides a comfortable place to settle back while the children explore the treasures inside the toy box.Fully air-conditioned for your comfort during the hot summer months and a gas log fire for the colder months to keep you warm and cosy. With no stairs and a spacious environment, access is ideal for wheelchairs and prams alike.
We can cater for your private or corporate functions, either in-house or supply and deliver to your venue of choice.
Address: 5/266 Bolton Street, Eltham
Phone/Fax 03 9439 0394
Volumes Books, Cafe, Music
Volumes is situated in commercial place in Eltham. This spacious café is very family orientated and has plenty of room for prams. It is suitable for large groups and big families and is open seven days a week from 7am to 6pm. There is a large variety of healthy food options available including a children's menu. The bathroom facilities are located down stairs and do not have baby change facilities.
Address:70 Commercial Place, Eltham
Phone (B/H): 9431 5000
Website: http://www.volumes.com.au
Wattle Cafe / Outrageous Cakes
The Wattle Cafe is a heritage listed building nestled amongst the shops in Main Street Hurstbridge The cafe is very spacious, has plenty of room for families to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and would suit large groups. There is a variety of homemade food and a children's menu available and you can get a free bubba chino with the purchase of a coffee. There is a bathroom located at the back of the building however, no change facilities are available. The Wattle Cafe is open from 8am to 6pm Tuesday through to Sunday.
Phone (B/H): 9718 1378
Website: http://www.outrageouscakes.com.au
* Watsons Creek Antiques and Café
Watsons Creek Antiques and Café is surrounded by natural bushland, and is located a short drive from Kangaroo Ground on route to the Yarra Valley. Both indoor and outdoor seating areas are available; the outdoor area is very spacious and covered with shade sails. There is also an outdoor play space available with swings, slides, and a cubby house with sandpit and an old double-ended tractor. The menu offers a range of homemade healthy foods, with options for children, including the ‘kids bag’ containing sandwich, fruit, treat and a drink for $8.50.
Postal Address:765 Eltham-Yarra Glen Road, Watsons Creek
Phone (B/H): 9719 7518
* Wellers of Kangaroo Ground
Wellers of Kangaroo Ground is set amongst two acres of picturesque land. The restaurant is spacious and cosy with a large open fire and views to the Dandenong's. It is open for lunch and diner until late. There is a children's menu and children eat free on Wednesday and Sunday nights. Each child receives a child's bag with age appropriate activities to keep them busy while they wait for their food. Outside there is large expanse of lawn for children to play (supervision is required). This area is not smoke free. Access for prams is via the side entrance and car park.
Postal Address:150 Eltham Yarra Glen Road, Kangaroo Ground
Phone (B/H): 9712 0266
Website: http://www.wellers.com.au
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