Want to keep the kids happy and entertained while you dine? Head to one of these fantastic restaurants around KZN with play areas, kiddies’ menus and changing facilities.

C-Bali Restaurant (Margate) 

C-Bali Restaurant & Beach Bar is a stylish restaurant located on St. Michael’s Beach.

Play area: Open grass area in front of the restaurant before the beach.

Kids menu: The options are so good that even the adults will want to order off the kids menu. All options are served with a choice of either: roast veg, creamy spinach, salad, rice, or chips. Choose between hake nuggets, sticky bbq pork riblets, chicken strips, burgers, french toast and homemade chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk.

Child-Minders: No; There are tables on the patio and picnic bench area which overlook the grass area for parents to watch over.

Changing facilities: Nappy station in the ladies cubicle 

 

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Willow Way Manor (Assagay)

A stunning family-run estate with a day time coffee shop. A magical space for events.

Play area: There are Putt Putt facility’s (R30 per person) which includes the use of the splash pool. Beautiful big lawns for the kids to play and run around on. Tractor rides on request.

Kids menu: Kids can enjoy toasted sandwiches, chicken strips and chips, milkshakes and more! Any meal is available for you to enjoy in the garden.

Changing facilities: Nappy-changing facilities are available.

Child minders: No

 

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Burnedale Bistro (Umhlali)

Burnedale, a farm transformed into a beautiful venue where you can be inspired, get creative, shop for unique things while enjoying a meal and let the kids explore a working farm and burn off some energy before a drive back home.

Play area: A lovely outdoor jungle gym area as well as a a small petting zoo which has a variety of farm animals to offer many hours of fun for kids while moms catch up over cappuccino.

Kids menu: Kids can choose between a variety of dishes including ribs and chips, chicken nuggets and chips, burgers, toasted sandwiches and more!

Changing facilities: Nappy-changing facilities are available.

Child minders: No

 

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Wild and Raw (Hillcrest) 

Wild and Raw is a plant nursery with a buzzing coffee shop. The coffee shops main aim is to target families with kids. Enjoy delicious milkshakes, great coffee, smoothies as well as sweet and savoury treats.

Play area: Fun activities for the kids to do at Wild and Raw include ornament painting, a scratch patch and sand pit, building fairy and fantasy gardens, and a small race track.

Kids menu: Little ones can enjoy pork sausages, egg on toast, bacon / avo on toast, gourmet milkshakes and so much more!

Changing facilities: No

Child minders: No

 

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The Empire Steak (Florida Road)

The Empire Steak is a child-friendly venue that is ideal for family outings and celebrations such as birthdays and anniversaries.

Play area: There is a covered play area inside. Kids also get crayons and colouring in activities at the tables.

Kids menu: Empire Steak has a divine detailed kids menu with options including breakfast, burgers, pizzas, hotdogs, chicken nuggets, corn dogs, waffles, gourmet shakes, soda floats and so much more! The kids will be spoilt for choice.

Changing facilities: Nappy-changing facilities are available.

Child minders: There are full-time child-minders on site.

 

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Circus Circus Beach Café (Snell Parade)

Head to this beach café for blissful sea views and some fun in the sun with the family.
Play area: A secure area on the sunny beach allows children to play in the sand. There’s also a jungle gym and a sand pit.
Kids’ menu: A menu is available for the little ones with light meals like toasted sarmies, pizza and milkshakes.
Changing facilities: Nappy-changing facilities are available in the ladies’ bathroom only.
Child-minders: No; however, the tables are situated around the play area so that parents can keep a close eye on their children.

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Go Fresh Café (Assagay)

Friendly staff and exceptional food (those who’ve visited rave about the cheesecake and milkshakes especially) make this a favourite among locals and visitors alike.
Play area: There’s a sheltered play area for kids that features various activities, from swings to a reading corner.
Kids’ menu: There are loads of fun options on the kiddies menu, but the highlight for most is the waffles (and those milkshakes).
Changing facilities: There’s a mommy’s corner dedicated to breastfeeding moms and nappy-changing parents.
Child-minders: No.
Other: Apart from all the games and toys, kids will also be enthralled by Billy the goat.

La Piazza (Ballito)

A good spot for all-day Italian food with the family.
Play area: This North Coast restaurant offers both an outdoor and indoor play area for the littlies. The large grassy lawn boasts a giant, bright-orange royal palace, where the kids can climb and slide to their hearts’ content. There’s also a pizza/playdough section and a PlayStation indoors.
Kids’ menu: The bambini menu features mini pizzas, burgers and ribs.
Changing facilities: A changing station is available in the ladies’ bathroom only.
Child-minders: There are full-time child-minders on site.

The colourful playground at La Piazza. Photo supplied.

Olive & Oil (Hillcrest, Pietermaritzburg and Umhlanga)

This is a Mediterranean favourite amongst Durban locals. Parents can tuck into their pizzas while the kids are happily entertained.
Play area: The children’s playroom is equipped with a television and DVDs, foosball tables and other fun games.
Kids’ menu: Kiddies under the age of 12 can munch on pizza, pasta, calamari and mac and cheese.
Changing facilities: No.
Child-minders: Olive & Oil staff are also tasked with watching over the little ones.

The festive playroom at Olive & Oil in Hillcrest. Photo supplied.

O&O Café (Westville)

This Westville eatery is a favourite spot for the family. Enjoy Mediterranean-style food while the little ones are looked after.
Play area: Keep the little tykes busy with a pizza-making class at their own mini-pizza stations or let them play in the indoor playroom or outdoor jungle gym, safely in view of the restaurant.
Kids’ menu: Kiddies under the age of 12 can munch on pizza, pasta or mac and cheese. All kiddies’ meals are served with a complimentary sugar cone.
Changing facilities: Yes, in the ladies’ bathroom only.
Child-minders: O&O staff are also tasked with watching over the little ones.
Other: They also host pizza-making birthday parties.

Fun at a pizza-making party at O&O Café. Photo supplied.

Piggly Wiggly (Midlands)

This Midlands destination is an ideal road trip pit stop for the whole family. The food and drinks options include a coffee shop, pizza place, wine store, juice café and a deli.
Play area: The littlies will love frolicking in the large outside play area with a jungle gym and swings, while the putt-putt course and candle-dipping activities will entertain everyone in the family.
Kids’ menu: A limited kiddies’ menu is available, but pizzas and burgers will also fill young tummies.
Changing facilities: Nappy-changing facilities are available in the ladies’ bathroom and in the family bathroom.
Child-minders: No.
Other: Look out for the weekly 5km park run, which is open to runners and walkers, children and pets.

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Our putt putt course is open daily and the kids just LOVE it, bring the little ones for some midweek fun at Piggly Wiggly ? #pigglywigglymidlands #ilovemidlands #kznmidlands #midlandsmeander

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Prep Room (Glenwood)

Situated at Glenwood Preparatory School, this welcoming café is built inside a shipping container and offers deck seating overlooking the sports field. It’s perfect for after-school treats for the kiddos.
Play area: The grassy play area features a secure spot for the littlies to play, a wooden jungle gym and a jumping castle.
Kid’s menu: Children can fill their hungry tums with dishes like dippy eggs, burgers and brownies.
Changing facilities: No.
Child-minders: No.
Other: The venue is only operating Monday – Friday until further notice.

The large play area at Prep Room. Photo supplied.

Sage Café (Salt Rock)

The home of superb coffee, scrumptious food, delightful specials and time with family and friends.                                                                                        Play area: They have an enclosed playground with an animal farm. Their playground features jungle gyms, swings, jumping castle, soccer pitch, trampoline, sensory path, xs and os, and a motorbike path. They also have a scratch patch and a paid sand art activity available in the centre.
Kids’ menu: All kiddies meals are served with a liquifruit of your choice as well as a fruit. Delicious menu options include flapjacks, hake and chips, chicken strips, mac and cheese, pizza and much more!
Changing facilities: Nappy-changing facilities are available.
Child-minders: There are full-time child-minders on site.

The jungle gym at Sage Café. Photo supplied.

Have we missed your favourite child-friendly spot in KZN? Let us know in the comments.