11 Best Child Friendly Cafes in Melbourne with Indoor Play

While there are numerous child-friendly cafes in Melbourne with an indoor play area, sadly many of them serve woeful food.

With my top HOT family-friendly cafes you don’t have to compromise. In no particular order, my favourite kid-friendly cafes with great food and an indoor play space or a toy and book collection for enjoying inside.

Bookmark it, save it, print it and tick off the list with your kids. Bon appetit.

best child friendly cafes in melbourne

1. Red Door Corner Store, Northcote

Seasonal menu, funky little courtyard and toys and books to enjoy.

Red Door Corner Store, 70 Mitchell St, Northcote, 03 9489 8040

Red Door Corner Store

2. Brother Hen, Moonee Ponds

Delicious food (including fresh eggs from the resident chooks), toys and an undercover heated courtyard that you can use on cold/wet days.

Brother Hen, 154 Pascoe Vale Rd, Moonee Ponds, 03 9370 5326

Brother Hen Moonee Ponds

3. Zan Zanz, Williamstown North

Affordable, fresh and tasty paninis and bowlz as well as great coffee.

Entertainment for the kids includes an indoor play area with blocks and a kids play kitchen, plus a decent sized jumping castle!

Zan Zanz, 2/110 Maddox Rd, Williamstown North, 0404 926 926

PXL .MP

4. Cheeky Chewies, Laverton + Werribee

Families will love the variety of tasty, great quality meals on the menu which has an exciting Asian fusion influence. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, guests will also enjoy excellent coffee, a bubble tea menu and service with a smile.

The soft play kids room is perfect to entertain little ones in between bites.

Check out the Cheeky Chewies Werribee location which also has a fun indoor play area.

Cheeky Chewies, 18A Aviation Rd, Laverton, 0402 991 246

PXL .MP

5. Park Street, Carlton North

Excellent cafe fare and picture books and toys for the kids. Great council playground adjoining the back entrance too.

Park Street, 815 Nicholson Street, Carlton North, 03 9380 5499

park street north carlton

6. Truck Stop Deluxe, Werribee

Every child is automatically given an activity pack with stickers and books while you wait for your burgers. For extra play opportunities, eat inside the cab of a truck!

Truck Stop Deluxe, 98 Watton Street, Werribee, 03 9741 4000

Truck Stop Deluxe Werribee

Find Hotels and Airbnbs near Truck Stop Deluxe, Werribee


7. Little Teapot Cafe & Play, Lara

Little Teapot Cafe & Play is temporarily closed until further notice.

With 3 separate play areas, Little Teapot Cafe & Play is a wonderful retreat for families.

The food is tasty and the gated, indoor playroom has a variety of activities for small kids to enjoy including puzzles, trains, blocks and a play cafe. Best of all, the play areas are all within easy view of the dining tables so parents can relax and enjoy their meals while keeping watch.

Little Teapot Cafe & Play, 76 Flinders Ave, Lara, 03 5291 5064

4 2

8. The Feasting Shed, Werribee

Sit among the plants and enjoy a delicious seasonal meal at this cafe located within The Garden Feast Nursery. 

Kids can unleash their creativity at three chalkboards on the wall and enjoy the stunning greenery-filled dining space.

The Feasting Shed, 63 Werribee Ave, Werribee, 03 9741 3100

Feasting Shed Werribee

9. The Eastern Bloc, Coburg

Raid the basket of toys and boys in the corner of this cafe which overlooks Coburg station. The Eastern European decor and menu are a delight and it’s reputed to serve the best coffee in Coburg.

The Eastern Bloc, 133 Bell St, Coburg

The Eastern Bloc Coburg - 1 (4)

10. Stomping Ground Beer Hall, Collingwood

Awesome fenced cubby house within a craft beer brewery.

Stomping Ground Beer Hall, 100 Gipps St, Collingwood

Stomping Ground Collingwood

11. The Tradesman, Moorabin

On-trend food in the burbs with a toybox for inside play.

The Tradesman, 1/260 Wickham Rd, Moorabbin

The Tradesman Moorabbin


Notable out-of-town mentions:

Yarra Valley chocolaterie

For more child-friendly cafes with indoor play go to ‘FOOD’ on the top right of TOT: Hot or Not and search for posts tagged ‘play area / near playground’


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About Joyce Watts

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.

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