It’s not always easy to find restaurants and cafes that embrace the needs of their youngest patrons.
From menus featuring tastes a little too mature for sweet-toothed palettes to venues that frown on the boundless energy kids can bring, finding a place for the whole family to eat contentedly matters, whether you’re visiting Byron Bay or a local.
That’s why we’ve collated the best restaurants and cafes in Byron Bay that offer not just great, child-friendly menus but also let kids be kids!
These are the places where kids can eat with their fingers and play to their heart’s content – before, during and after they’ve eaten some yummy food!
Let’s discover the best family restaurants and cafes for kids in Byron Bay.
Eating with Space to Roam
Settling kids at a table for a meal is not always a simple task. Thankfully, Byron Bay has the answer – give them space to play.
The Farm is just an 8-minute drive from Elements of Byron. This sprawling property features a cafe, deli, bakery and restaurant set on an 80-acre farm that celebrates sustainable, chemical-free approaches. The cafe is open 7 am – 4:30 pm daily.
Not only can you savour healthy, local produce (most comes directly from the adjacent farm), you can enjoy it out on the grass picnic-style. Safely away from the road, this is a great place for kids to eat fantastic food while meeting the farm’s animals and running around to their heart’s content.
Another cruisy outdoor eatery is Top Shop.
This cafe is a few minutes’ walk from Clarkes Beach, perched on a corner of the hilly Carlyle Street, next to a roundabout. Outside there are patches of grass to play on and chalk available to draw on the pavement. The menu also features kids’ versions of adult meals, including burger and chips, and a bacon and egg roll. Top Shop is open for an early breakfast to late afternoon.
And, of course, you can always head down to the beach with a picnic. One great option is Beach Byron Bay’s Kiosk, where you can grab a takeaway breakfast or fish and chips before heading down to enjoy a meal next to the ocean.
Eating with Your Hands
It feels like the most satisfying of mealtime rule breaks: getting to eat with your hands (and probably making a mess!) In and around Byron Bay, you can find several places where the whole family can tuck in ‘sans cutlery’.
Take a trip to Brunswick Heads and get messy at Old Maids. This gourmet burger shop has a long list of burgers for every taste. All eaten with a big grin and plenty of napkins! For breakfast to late-ish dinners, seven days.
For Mexican finger-food, head to the centre of Byron Bay and find Chihuahua Taqueria tucked away in the Feros Arcade. This highly-rated hole-in-the-wall offers authentic tacos, corn, fries and more, perfect food to enjoy by the roadside or carry to the beach (Main Beach is just a few minutes’ walk away).
For another fish-and-chip option, head to Fishmongers on Bay Lane. Browse a diverse menu that goes beyond fish and chips to offer king prawns, calamari, fish and even freshly-shucked oysters. Grab a takeaway and enjoy a beachside picnic in the park. Open lunch to late dinner, seven days.
Eating under the Stars
If you’re seeking a great place for a relaxed family dinner, there are some wonderful casual options.
The Treehouse on Belongil is a long-standing Byron pizza joint whose decor reflects its name. Think picnic benches, low slung sofas and a general hodge-podge of furniture. It’s a relaxed place to enjoy lunch or dinner, with wood-fired pizzas, alongside classic dishes from around the world and a special kids’ menu – all just across the road from Belongil Beach.
It’s also a music venue, so best check out what’s on before you head down. Open for lunch til late, seven days.
Head inland to Mullumbimby to find another relaxed indoor/outdoor eatery for everyone’s favourite, pizza night. Milk and Honey Pizzeria offers a diverse pizza menu filled with all-time favourites and surprising twists.
Eating Without Going Anywhere
Of course, as an Elements of Byron guest, there’s no need to go anywhere for a diverse range of food and drink options for the whole family.
Head to Azure Bar & Grill for breakfast, lunch and dinner, where kids can pick from their own dedicated menus. Order poolside at the Lagoon Pool to enjoy snacks, smoothies and wood-fired pizzas.
Or stay in your villa and order Elements In—our takeaway-style room service—as you settle back to pick from the extensive in-house movies available.
Now, how about exploring the best of Byron Bay for kids – our guide to the best activities for families visiting this coastal destination.
Want more inspiration for things to do in Byron Bay? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Byron Bay.