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Best kid-friendly restaurants: Our top picks for families

If you’ve got children, you’ll know that taking them out to a restaurant can be hit or miss. Not every eatery accommodates little ones, so when you find one with great food that does, it’s almost like discovering a gold mine.

Sorting the kid-friendly restaurants from the rest can be tricky, but there are a few rules of thumb that can help to guide you. Firstly, check the menu. If they’ve got a section separated out just for kiddos, you can be sure they’re family-friendly. Another hint? If the venue has high-chairs, a play area or something to keep your kids occupied at the table (like colouring kits), you’re sorted. If all else fails, a quick call or even an Instagram DM can sort it out for you quickly. Or, you can skip the hassle and keep reading on.

Burger night

Possibly the easiest sell, getting the kids to sign off on burgers shouldn’t be hard. Check the menu before you head out to make sure their favourites – from sliders and fries to crispy nuggets – are covered. Some places also have mini-me desserts if you’re feeling extra generous.

McDonalds has a huge kids’ menu full of family faves including pancakes, burgers, pizza, chicken tenders, spaghetti and more.

At Something & Social kids eat for free on Sundays. Little ones aged 12 and under can order a free meal from a special kids menu, just for them! From delicious spaghetti bolognese to fish boujons, there are options for everyone!

Around the world

Let your little ones enjoy the tastes of the world without breaking the bank on flights! Mexican is a great choice if you’re keen to keep the menu healthy. Italian is one of the most kid-friendly cuisines on the planet, and sushi is a good one to introduce kids to something new but delicious.

Buns and Rolls serves up kid-friendly Asian street food with authentic fresh dishes at your fingertips. With a mixture of different bursts of flavours, let the kids treat their pallets to something exciting.

Mama Loco serves many of their items smaller to cater for tiny tummies. Made fresh, Mama Loco is a little slice of Mexico on Auckland's North Shore. Treat the little ones to a full menu, just for them! Featuring scrummy kids churros, housemade sodas and delicious authentic dishes to satisfy their tastebuds.

Matsu Sushi is a crowd favourite when it comes to Japanese catering for little tummies. Bite sized sushi rolls make for a healthy and delicious food option, and fussy eaters can pick from tonnes of flavour combos. Worried that raw fish will cause noses to scrunch? Opt for yummy veggie tempura or crispy chicken options instead.

Kid-friendly cafes

If your kids tend to be fussy about their food, a cafe can be a stress-free option. Many offer all-day breakfast menus, which are easy to mix and match from. Junior isn’t feeling bacon today? More often than not it’ll be no problem to swap it out for another side. Cafes are also great for light supper options. See: anything on toast.

Columbus Coffee is known for its well-priced menu and the kid’s section is no exception! We recommend the Eggy or Hungry Tummies Breakfast options. The food is made fun at Columbus Coffee, and affordably priced too.

The Coffee Club has a huge kids’ menu. Better yet, the menu features helpful icons that indicate toddler friendly options. We can’t go past the rainbow pancakes or the Mini Bene.

Sweet Treats

Keen on an after-dinner sugar hit? There are options galore. Whether you dine in somewhere with both savoury and sweet menus, or head straight for dessert, the kids will go wild over pancakes, gelato and cake. Some restaurants offer sweet menus especially for kiddos, so you can rest easy knowing they won’t overindulge.

Krispy Kreme lets you devour an iconic Original Glazed Doughnut, made daily and fresh, hot off the line.

Major Tom is your one-stop shop for epic eats on the Shore. This gem serves up culinary masterpiece after masterpiece. You don’t want to miss the out-of-this-world creamy mushrooms, loaded French toast and loaded hot chocolate creations.

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