Leroys cafe Newport is brighter, better and no longer spelt with an apostrophe!
The cafe suffered flood damage in 2016 so the owners took the opportunity to transform the previously dimly lit space with white wash and blonde wood.
The undercover inside-outside area, which used to be surrounded by plastic roll-up cafe blinds, is now permanently enclosed by handsome wood slatted walls. Plantation shutters open out onto the neighbouring park but you can’t exit via the undercover area as you used to be able to.
Leroys‘ backyard and main kids area is now vastly improved and looking spick and span.
There’s an unreal wooden cubby house with a slide, ladder and climbing wall, an undercover sandpit, a collection of play equipment and chalkboard walls.
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Surrounding the play space are timber booths with large shade umbrellas, bar-style seating and small tables. We miss the lunchtime rush and have the backyard to ourselves at 1:30pm on a weekday.
All in all, the renovation has really smartened the place up and the menu reflects its new modern outlook.
I try the delicious super salad ($16.90) with organic quinoa, super seeds, goji berries, cannellini beans, kale, sugar snap peas, smashed peas, a fat slab of grilled haloumi and mustard shallot vinaigrette.
Baby 2.0 I share a ‘Ronnie Coleman’ smoothie which is like a chocolate milkshake, only healthy! It’s filled with chocolate, organic protein, banana, cacao nibs, milo and almond milk ($9).
I am lured by the OMG Pancake which really does elicit an ‘OMG’ when it turns up. It looks like a unicorn-fairy-princess dream cake! A fat disc of pancake surrounded by a whipped ricotta coffee cream, sprinkles of salted coffee cacao, hazelnut crumb and popping candy AND burnt fig ice cream and chocolate fairy floss. If you have a sweet tooth then this dish is a must-try.
The kids menu ranges in price from kids chips ($4) to cheeseburger and chips ($7.50). Kids drinks include mini milkshakes ($3.50), babycino ($1.50), hot chocolate ($3) and fresh OJ ($3.50).
A glass cabinet tempts you with baked goodies and on your way out you can even buy the Campos Coffee beans and other pantry essentials.
There’s plenty of room for prams (most families seem to hang out in the side area or back area) and multiple high chairs available. There is a change table in the disabled toilet.
Leroys is right near Newport train station, a large park and playground, the Newport Substation and the Newport Community Hub including Maternal Child Health Centre, meeting rooms and library.
With a smart update, an above-average menu and lots of child-friendly features, it’s no wonder that Leroys is a firm favourite for families in Melbourne’s west. I reckon it’s the best cafe you’ll find in Newport, hands down.
Click here for more of the best child-friendly cafes with outdoor play.
HOT Tips:
- pram access;
- high chairs;
- change table;
- kids menu;
- standard menu suitable for kids;
- cubby house, sandpit, toys;
- close to park, playground, Maternal Child Health Centre and Newport Library; and
- backyard is very popular with families – head there after 1:30pm and it’s much quieter.
