Looking for a family friendly café or restaurant that serves up a little more than nuggets and chips? Here are a few of our recommendations in Ipswich that we’ve personally ‘kid-tested’ for both food, friendliness, comfort and entertainment!
Prince Alfred Hotel
An institution in Ipswich for over 170 years, the PA Hotel should certainly be considered when looking for a family friendly meal in Ipswich.
With recent awards such as Best Casual Dining Restaurant (Qld) in 2018 and Australian Hotel of The Year (2017), you know that you will be in for a great experience.
You can choose your experience with three different dining experiences – Tap’d, Char’d or Plantations (and even a takeaway option), all of which will serve up fantastic meals at great prices.
The kids’ meals were substantial and super yummy and the service was efficient and friendly. And all of this in wonderfully presented and comfortable surrounds.
Rafter and Rose
If you’re looking for something to eat in the centre of Ipswich city, you will find plenty of options, and each with its own personality!
Rafter and Rose, right in the centre of town, has a gorgeous setting and a wonderful cosy atmosphere.
Open for breakfast and lunch, they offer a range of sweet and savoury choices which are both scrumptious and filling, not to mention beautifully presented!
We couldn’t resist their French toast which looked like a work of art – almost too good to eat!
Jets Leagues Club
As far as family friendly restaurants go, Jets Leagues Club is a fantastic choice.
Not just for its great kids’ menu which includes a drink and dessert, but it’s also casual dining and very welcoming of the little guys!
A small games room is definitely an attraction while waiting for meals (although the service was really fast in any case), and you can even grab a little colouring and activity pack to pass the time while mum and dad finish their meals.
The menu has a wide range of choices and is well priced too.
Fourthchild
Surely an inclusion on anyone’s must visit restaurant lists, Fourthchild certainly will not disappoint.
Open seven days a week and catering for all mealtimes, this family run café and restaurant has developed an impressive reputation both in Ipswich and beyond.
We stopped in on a very busy Sunday morning and we were very impressed with the service received in a full restaurant.
A diverse menu meant that there was something for all of our tastes, although the Breakfast Board deserves special mention as it was perfect for our little guys to nibble on, and the French toast and pancake plates were irresistible!
Raw Energy
Have you ever struggled to find a café that serves yummy food that the kids will tuck into, but is also healthy to boot?
Raw Energy in Springfield is a fantastic choice for the kids offering a wonderful array of meals with a focus on healthy and full of energy foods!
It has a casual and friendly vibe, super yummy food and heaps of activities for the kids (and adults) while you are waiting and dining – card games, books, toys and even a little blackboard will certainly keep the little guys occupied while you relax and enjoy the food!
Add to that the wonderful, relaxing views of the Orion Lagoon and it’s no wonder that this is one very popular spot for those in the Springfield area!
Racehorse Hotel
If you asked our kids where they wanted to eat in Ipswich, we’re sure that the Racehorse Hotel would be at the top of the list!
Not just because of the fantastic kids’ menus or friendly service, nor that they have an amazing games room.
There’s just something about their amazing Freakshakes that the kids can’t forget!
But there’s a lot more to the Horse than the awesome milkshakes and great playground – the meals are fantastic and affordable pub fare and there’s always a welcoming and friendly vibe.
Oikos
Oikos Café, right in the heart of Ipswich is immensely proud to be supporting its local community by providing healthy and homely meals, a fantastic, friendly atmosphere and by using produce from the local regions!
Coffees are a specialty, but their menu of healthy and tasty meal options and fantastically colourful fresh juices are just as highly recommended!
We tried out a couple of the bowls that they have on offer which are packed full of healthy fruit, grains and yoghurt – super tasty and the little guys loved them!
So with a lunch of healthy bowls and fresh juices you can be satisfied that the kids are ticking all the right boxes in nutrition.
There’s definitely no shortage of family friendly dining options in Ipswich and the huge variety of foods, flavours and atmospheres will ensure that all tastes are well catered for!
