You’re back from your family getaway, but the kids are still on holiday – with lots of time to spare. Looking for somewhere to eat out that will make for happy kids as well as happy adults? With these Jozi spots you won’t have to choose between a child-friendly restaurant and a decent meal, plus they feature excellent indoor activities to keep the tots busy as you indulge.

Anderson’s Nursery & Coffee (Norwood)

Do you like your child-friendly outings to be as educational as they are entertaining? Visit this quaint suburban nursery and coffee shop that serves café fare. When the kids have had their fill of learning about various herbs and succulents, there’s a slide, sandpit and cute indoor crafts centre. Try the freshly baked carrot cake with a spot of piping hot tea.

Bambanani (Melville)

This is the granddaddy of family-friendly restaurants. Upon entry into a gated entrance, you’ll sign your kids in and step into a kids’ paradise, with child-minders around every corner. Your kids will be so spoiled for choice that you might only see them during refreshment breaks. There’s a library with rows of books, a games room with a PlayStation, Xbox and Wii, as well as movies. Outside there’s a covered four-storey jungle gym, a sandpit and a life-sized dollhouse. Try the Moroccan lamb with couscous.

A post shared by Bambanani (@bambanani_restaurant) on May 3, 2018 at 4:48am PDT

The Green Room (Greenside)?

You’ve likely done some bowling at the Pirates Sports Club. How about some cupcake-decorating classes at The Green Room, its recently opened restaurant? Cupcake decorating is available any day of the week; just phone ahead to book. There’s an enclosed seating area outside and the restaurant space is gated, so whether your kids are in the kitchen or in the play area’s jumping castle, you’ll have peace of mind. Try the scrumptious flapjacks with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app. 

A milkshake perfect for the kids at The Green Room. Photo supplied.

Panettone Café (Parkview)

After lazing about in the park, pop over to Panettone for a pasta and a great play area right beside the outdoor seating area – all the better for keeping an eye on your teeny tots. The jungle gym, trampoline and jumping castle will keep your kids bumbling about for hours. On cooler, wetter days, opt to sit inside, where the kids can make their own pizza or sweet treats. Try the Panettone penne with bacon, mushrooms, red pepper, sun-dried tomato pesto and rocket.

Let the kids get out all their energy at Panettone Café’s outside play area before they head inside to make their own pizza and dessert. Photo supplied.

Papachinos (Fourways)

Any place that adopts a term for keeping an eye on your kids – kiddcierge – is worth a visit. Sit back and relax with family and friends at this child-friendly restaurant best known for a decent pizza-and-pasta offering and child-minders. Young foodies can get involved in the Papachinos ‘roll, bake and make’ activities that include pizza-making, playing on the large plastic jungle gyms, rides and slides. There’s also a course for older kids to avoid age-inappropriate collisions. Try the vegetariano pizza topped with olives, mushrooms, artichokes and haloumi.

The play room at Papachino’s. Photo supplied.

Voodoo Lily Café (Birdhaven)

Kids delight in having a seat at the grown-up table while drawing to their hearts’ content with lots of colouring-in pens, pencils and drawing paper. There’s a chalkboard nearby too, where kids can quietly play without straying far from watchful eyes. The menu for both kids and adults is health-conscious and tasty, and little ones have the added excitement of building their own meals from the kiddies club menu. Try the pan-fried salmon with crushed potatoes and a butter parmesan sauce.

Have you been to any of these spots recently? Review them on the new Eat Out app now and we will pledge a meal for a hungry child through Rise Against Hunger. Download and register on the app now.