Looking for the perfect spot to catch up with a friend over coffee while the kids are also kept happy? I’ve got you covered! Here are 14 cafes to try, where you can sit and chat while the kids play close by! Click the venue heading to see my full review.
P.s I haven’t included coffee kiosks at/nearby playgrounds, as that requires a lot more ‘active’ supervision. This list is designed so you can actually sit at your table and enjoy a coffee while the kids play within easy supervision distance!
Gathering Co is a delightful family friendly cafe in Robina, serving delicious food in a beautiful setting – with a fenced playground to boot! Located in the Newlife Uniting Church precinct, the cafe looks over the greenery of the trees and the canals of Robina Waters. Choose your spot inside and either take advantage of the view, or look out over the playground while the kids play. The menu caters to children, and is packed with delicious breakfast and lunch options.
2. Mini & Me Coffee Shop, Mudgeeraba
Mini & Me Coffee Shop at Mudgeeraba has opened its doors, with a cozy cafe space perfect for families! Grab a seat inside nearby the playroom, or sit on the deck by the cubby house. A huge variety of fresh foods on the menu, and plenty of child-friendly options with an extensive kids menu. This place doesn’t just think about the kids, it puts them front and centre! This is a small space, but the perfect option for catching up with that friend for a chat. There are 4 indoor tables and 5 outdoor tables, plus a few occasional chairs and side tables on the deck too.
3. First Harvest Coffee, Nerang
First Harvest Coffee at Nerang ticks all the boxes when it comes to tasty food, great playground and hot coffee. Located inside Hillsong Church at Nerang (just next door to EMF Jnr Nerang), the cafe includes a brew bar, artisan bakes and an all day menu. The playground is fenced (yay!), and while simple, definitely hits the spot with the kids. There is a 2-storey cubby house with a little play kitchen, bikes, cars, step-2 rollercoaster, and wall panel games and mirrors. If you visit on a Wednesday morning you’ll find a free playgroup running and all are welcome to join in.
Set across three terraced levels, Cadence Café has plenty of space to spread out. At the top you have the cafe itself, while outside the cafe is a large astroturfed space with a number of cafe tables under umbrellas and the shade of a large gum tree. Down about 4 steps is the lower area that connects to the playground, set up with bar tables and stools so you can see the playground while you eat. All levels can be accessed with a pram, and dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas. Once you find a spot (grab a table wherever you please and order at the counter), the kids will be itching to get into the gated play space! Unfortunately they lost their shade sail in Cyclone Alfred and it’s yet to be replaced so keep this one for the cooler days.
5. Burleigh Op Shop, Burleigh Heads
The Burleigh Op Shop is a great little spot to stop for a coffee and catch up with friends. While there are no bells and whistles here, you can get a great coffee for $3, the playground is fenced, and it’s a nice shady spot to sit and chat while the kids play! If you visit on a Monday, there is also a Musical Playgroup called Movers and Shakers for children aged 2 – 5 years of age.
6. Club Helensvale café, Helensvale
This lawn bowls club is popular with Grandparents and their grandchildren, but should be high on anyone’s list! Serving barista made coffee, desserts & cakes, delicious pizzas and more in a relaxed setting. Grab some hot chips for the kids or a steak sandwich is popular on the menu! Open from 8.30am til late, this is a great spot for an afternoon coffee date when everywhere else has shut after their lunch trade! Sit outside on the terrace alongside the bowling greens, and you’ll find a small children’s playground to keep the kids occupied. The larger children’s room in the bistro is currently undergoing renovations.
7. Globe Trotters Travel Café, Mudgeeraba
Located inside the Mudgeeraba Shopping Village, you’ll find Globe Trotters Travel Cafe, with the ever so elusive children’s corner!! A cute play space with a cubby, this little gem is the perfect kid friendly cafe. The menu is simple but very tasty, and presentation is perfect. There’s a special kids menu too, but if you want anything off the main menu adapted for kids – they’re more than happy to help! Some of the highlights from the kids menu include the special milkshake cups with straws (I can’t tell you how many milkshakes we’ve lost down the front of a tshirt), and their twist on the babycino.
8. The Junction GC, Burleigh Heads
The Junction GC is the spot for you! It’s not huge, so you can easily supervise older kids in the play space from a few tables away, but big enough that it won’t feel crowded. If you’ve got little ones who need closer supervision there are only a couple of tables right by the play area so you’ll need to nab one of those (no food or drink allowed in the play space). The Junction GC is part of the OurChurch Burleigh Heads complex, so there are bathrooms and changing facilities for the kids. They also hire out their rooms during the week to a bunch of different community activities, so any day of the week you could find things like Baby Sensory Gold Coast, Zig Zag Theatre or Mainly Music holding (paid) classes too.
9. Reedy Care Op Shop, Reedy Creek
Located at Reedy Creek Baptist Church, from the front you’ll arrive and it seems like any other Op Shop, but head to the back of the store to find a small coffee and cake stand, serving barista coffee and delicious treats. You can grab a seat inside in the air conditioning, or head out the back to the large, fully fenced children’s play area! Set on astroturf and under a large shade sail, there are tables and chairs scattered around to relax on while the kids play. Kids will love the playground with tunnel and slide, climbing frame and sandpit with toys. It’s great for young children who can run around and play to their hearts content while you can easily supervise from the sidelines. Playgroup runs every Tuesday during school term, and is for children aged 0-5yrs. Playgroup has exclusive use of the playground when it is on, and everyone is welcome to join.
Situated right beside Nobby Beach, BSKT has delicious food, ample indoor and outdoor seating and a fenced children’s play area, making it a popular destination for locals. There is heaps of parking nearby, although weekends can be very busy with beachgoers. BSKT doesn’t take bookings, so I find it best to visit outside of peak times but it doesn’t usually take long to get a table when it’s busy. Grab a spot outside under the patio and you’ll have easy access to the playground where the kids can run and play.
11. Stones Throw Cafe, Currumbin
Stones Throw Cafe really shines “out the back” in the glorious backyard. with a huge deck and a beautiful grassy and shady yard, dining in is an absolute dream. As you make your way down the winding path to find a table, you’ll spot the cute blue and white caravan perched at the very back. Sitting atop a sandpit, this is where you’ll find the kiddos! The perfect location for breakfast, brunch or lunch, it is hugely popular with families and mums groups!
12. Nobby’s Shack, Mermaid Beach
From the front, you could be mistaken for thinking Nobbys Shack is just a small ‘juice bar’ style cafe. However, take a short walk past the cafe tables to the doorway at the back of the cafe and you’ll find a large open air deck filled with picnic tables and a playground! Grab a spot in the sun and let the kids play while you enjoy your coffee. Serving up a delicious menu for breakfast and lunch you’ll find a great range of meals made from fresh, whole foods.
13. Le Bon Choix, Pacific Fair
Le Bon Choix at Pacific Fair evokes a sense of Parisian luxury, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stop by for cake and coffee with the kids! Welcoming everyone, from those dreaming of a European vacation to mums and bubs on the morning coffee run, Le Bon Choix serves up the most incredible cakes, sweet treats, sandwiches and coffees. Grab a booth for some quiet time away from the crowds, or a table by the window for the perfect people watching spot. Tucked into the back corner you’ll find the cutest little kids corner, allowing you to wait for your treats in peace while the kids are occupied! In the kids corner there is a table and chairs for the kids to do colouring in, a tv with kids cartoons, and a sensory wall!
Shack & Co at Mudgeeraba is the perfect spot for a family brunch, coffee date with the mum’s group, or even to take a moment to regroup before tackling the groceries! Located within Bell Central Shopping Centre at Mudgeeraba (the Coles complex), it’s very popular with the locals. Open and airy inside, there is a dedicated kids corner packed with toys that my two were drawn straight to. You can order off a kids menu (or the main menu), and it took a strawberry milkshake and a croissant to entice my boys back to the table. There are plenty of tables outside too, but obviously you are further away from the kids corner.
