A brunch date with your little ones in tow doesn’t have to be a lacklustre coffee at the McDonalds playground. Dining out doesn’t equal a stressful meal, strapping your kids in chairs to avoid disaster. Check out Newcastle’s best spots for mums and bubs to treat their tastebuds.

The Coffee Date

You’ve been up since 4am, Peppa Pig on repeat in the background and you’re in desperate need for some liquid gold. You can savour that sweet, sweet coffee fix in a space that welcomes your kids. Head to Blue Door on Hunter Street. Their courtyard is the perfect spot to soak up the sun, soak in the caffeine and provides plenty of space for the rugrats to play. Get in before 9am on a Saturday and the kids eat free.

Treat yourself to a sugar hit with your cuppa joe. Doughhead’s communal table is the perfect spot to gather the gals for a catch up. The café embraces the littlest members of their tribe and offers exclusively crafted artisan coffee for Mums. Get in early and your little ones can watch the bakers work their magic in the kitchen. They’ll be distracted by their tantalising treat and the wonders of the bakery so you can enjoy your coffee in peace.

Savour your brunch

Is there anything worse than copping daggers from a restaurant manager who just wants you out of their hair? You don’t have to rush your avocado on toast at these cafes. They welcome your little monsters and want you to savour a mouth-watering meal. God knows you deserve it.

Head to The Hood for an eggs benedict to remember. Not ones for tradition, the creative chefs pair poached eggs with smoked ham hock and apple cider béarnaise. French and Australian cuisine collide with their Smashed Pav French toast. The brioche is lathered with tart passionfruit curd and creamy white chocolate shards. Take your time to explore the flavours so you can fantasise about it later.

Nurture the talent of your little Picasso and nourish your tastebuds at Maitland Regional Art Gallery. They offer a free, all day art factory where kids can express their creativity through interactive projects. You can wander the gallery, work up an appetite then head into Seraphine Café. Check out their sticky date pancakes, oozing with butterscotch sauce and Asian sticky pork belly tortillas with moorish crackling crumb. The artworks may be beautiful, but they can’t compete with this captivating menu.

Drama free Dinner

Looking for a restaurant with abundant room and menu options that will make the fussiest eaters drool? Head to The Edwards and relax in their airy, urban inspired space. The chefs are passionate about cooking hearty, wholesome food like pork croquettes with spicy popcorn and pear sauce and grilled short rib with cauliflower, sprouts, chestnut and rich jus. They even offer a Little Eddies menu to settle your kid’s grumbling bellies.

You’ll know exactly where that questionable stain on your shirt came from if you dine at The Lucky. Their sticky, smoky pork ribs are so good, your white shirt will be worth the sacrifice. The American inspired restaurant boasts abundant, spacious tables and a delicious kids menu that will captivate their tastebuds while you devour your burger. Get in on a Sunday night and the kids eat free!

There’s no denying it, all kids love pizza. Lucky FogHorn Brewhouse’s pizzas are ginormous because they’re also too good to share. The kitchen can whip you up anything from the classic Margherita to the Spanish inspired Rodriguez with spiced chicken, smoky chorizo and onion jam. The only thing challenging the size of their 15” New York style pizza is their mammoth dining room. The Brewhouse offers plenty of space for the whole family and welcomes your little stowaways.

Kick back while the kids play.

Is there anything better than the kids being entranced by a kaleidoscopic playground. Yes! Having the kids being entranced by a kaleidoscopic playground while you devour a delicious meal. Your little ones will be occupied, leaving you to tease your tastebuds at these restaurants.

The Sydney Junction Hotel has upped the pub feed game with their modern bistro menu. Swirl ribbons of prawn and chorizo linguine around your fork or savour fall apart, slow cooked beef cheek with broccolini, Yorkshire pudding and house made, crispy onion rings.

Get your mouth around one of Bistro Lowland’s famous burgers. The Firebird 2.0 will awaken your tastebuds with a party of Sriracha slaw and jalapeño mustard. Their Royale with cheese might be a classic, but it’s like nothing you’ve ever tasted. With Centennial Park playground right next door, it’s a win for the whole family.

The Mattara Hotel set the bar high with their whopping eight schnitzel topper options. Keep it simple with the classic house crumbed chicken breast or authentic Parmigiana. Make the most of the distracted little ones and take on the Godfather. It’s topped with bacon, salami, chorizo, baby spinach, Napoli sauce and oozy mozzarella. If you’re feeling run down after spending the day running after your munchkins, tackle their 350gm T-bone. The flavoursome, tender cut will boost your batteries and leave you smugly satisfied.

As a busy Mum, you probably find yourself snacking on the run or eating in a rush so that you can tend to your tribe. Take the time to stop, relax and nourish yourself with a moorish meal. Not sure what you’re craving? Head to our Crave App and switch on the kid friendly venue feature. You might be surprised by the range of delicious restaurants welcoming all diners, great and small.