It’s not often that we get to test out the play areas any more, and waitresses are less inclined to respond to our request for more crayon colours. But to help you find the perfect place to take your little ones, we’ve put together a list of the best restaurants for kids. Whether it’s a Wendy house, slides, or a Playstation your kids are after, here are some spots that also cater for children. You can even help them make their own pizza or challenge them to a Wii game.

Johannesburg

Bambanani  
Experience: a jungle gym in a secure and covered play area and an outside section with children’s games. There is Playstation 2 and 3 in the movie room for the older children.

Gia’s on Montrose 
Experience: a play area with slide and jungle gym, a Wendy house with games and a children’s’ menu, as well as high chairs for sitting at the table.

Goblin’s Cove 
Experience: a garden for the children and an aviary to explore, a play area and baby chairs for the younger ones.

Junipa’s 
Experience: an area where children can make their own pizzas.

La Vie en Rose 
Experience: the secret garden with trees and greenery for the kids to have a good time.

Next Door Pizza 
Experience: a jumping castle on Sundays, high chairs and a children’s menu.

Papachinos 
Experience: a jungle gym, a pizza section for children to make their own pizzas and high chairs.

Pretoria

Villa San Giovanni 
Experience: a children’s play area and menu, a games room and a mini pizzeria where they can make their own pizzas.

Durban

Arts Café 
Experience: a play area and baby chairs for the younger ones.

Moyo Ushaka 
Experience: a children’s menu and high chairs.

Mo-Zam-Bik 
Experience: a room where they can watch movies, play Wii or play in the tent. There is also a children’s menu as well as high chairs for the younger ones.

Olive & Oil 
Experience: a kids’ entertainment area and high chairs.

Winelands

Allora 
Experience: a jungle gym and high chairs.

Barouche 
Experience: lawns for the children to run freely, high chairs and a kids’ menu.

Delheim Garden Restaurant 
Experience: dogs and ducks in the courtyard, a kids’ menu and high chairs.

The Docks 
Experience: a pool and high chairs for the younger ones.

Dornier Bodega Restaurant 
Experience: a jungle gym, kids’ menu and high chairs.

The Farmers Kitchen 
Experience: chalkboards for children, a play area with swings and baby chairs.

Glen Carlou
Experience: a fynbos garden with birds and small animals, a kids’ menu and high chairs for sitting at the table.

The Long Table Restaurant  
Experience: the children’s menu, jungle gym and play area, as well as high chairs.

Pierneef à La Motte 
Experience: the water feature especially designed for kids and toddlers (towels provided), a play area with a large chess set, a children’s menu, as well as baby chairs.

Tokara Delicattesen 
Experience: tree house nests, a kids’ menu and high chairs for toddlers.

Garden Route

Café Gannet 
Experience: the jumping castle, trampoline and children’s menu, as well as high chairs.

Delfino’s 
Experience: the beach and a play area, kids’ menu and high chairs.

Harvest at Laborie 
Experience: the jungle gym and children’s menu.

Quay Four 
Experience: a children’s menu and high chairs. Kids also have an opportunity to show off their artistic skills with colouring books and crayons.

La Cantina at Fancourt 
Experience: the children’s menu and high chairs for little ones. Kids can also play with dough in the pizza area.

Roadside Deli 
Experience: a jungle gym and high chairs.

Zinzi’s 
Experience: the children’s menu and high chairs.

Overberg Fusion Café  
Experience: the children’s menu, a park conveniently situated across the road and high chairs for the younger ones.

The Potter’s Garden  
Experience: the children’s menu and high chairs for sitting at the table.

Cape Town

The Black Marlin  
Experience: whale watching and a kids’ menu, as well as high chairs.

Blue Water Café  
Experience: a garden, jungle gym, a nearby farm, camel rides and snake park, as well as high chairs.

Café Paradiso  
Experience: baking projects (R45 per child). Children can make bread and gingerbread men or decorate cupcakes. There are kiddies’ menus and high chairs for the younger ones.

Café Roux  
Experience: a village playground, kids’ menu and high chairs.

Dunes  
Experience: the beach, a kids’ menu and high chairs for toddlers.

Deer Park Café  
Experience: a jungle gym and swings as well as high chairs.

Easy Dig 
Experience: a play area and high chairs.

The Foodbarn  
Experience: a play area and high chairs for the younger ones.

The Lookout Deck 
Experience: play dough for the children and high chairs.

Kirstenbosch Tea Room
Experience: the children's menu and the very large garden with rolling lawns and beautiful plants.

Mariner’s Wharf 
Experience: the beach and high chairs for sitting at the table.

Tables at Nitida 
Experience: the large lawn area for the children to run freely and a kids’ menu. There are also high chairs for the younger ones.

Tashas (Constantia) 
Experience: the family-friendly atmosphere where waitrons help to take care of babies while parents enjoy the meal. There are also high chairs for babies.

By Kelly Pluke and Katharine Jacobs