One of the standout features is the massive, new, outdoor playground, designed to keep children entertained for hours. It’s a safe, exciting space where little ones can climb, slide, and explore while parents can unwind nearby. The hotel’s vibe is trendy yet relaxed, offering the perfect mix of casual dining and stylish surroundings. No one needs to compromise here.

The salty air and views of the sea add to the relaxed vibe and remind you that you are indeed on the coast, making it a wonderful place to enjoy a meal while taking in the scenery. The food is a highlight, with delicious options for both adults and kids. Kids’ meals come with a drink, an activity pack to keep them entertained, and even self-serve ice cream to finish, rest assured our kids thought that was very cool.

For those looking to keep the fun going, there’s even an indoor cinema room where kids can watch something on the big screen in a cozy space. Whether it’s a casual meal, a day out with the family, or a relaxing evening by the sea, the Christies Beach Hotel is a fabulous spot that’s sure to become a family favorite. It’s worth checking out their social media for special events, a regular kids club and more!

Location: 12-30 Gulfview Road, Christies Beach SA 5165
Opening Times: Daily from 9am until late
Phone: (08) 8372 1072
Find them on  or 

Go on a Monday for lunch or dinner and you can get one FREE kids meal, including a soft drink and ice-cream with every adult meal purchased PLUS 9 holes of Hey Caddy mini-putt for FREE!

Spacious and modern, Mosaic offers a number of comfortable seating areas, all of which are family-friendly and suitable for younger kids. We landed on the big booths, which gave Mr. 4 ample space for his impromptu gymnastics session, with the natural light offsetting the cosy yet stylish decor perfectly.

The kids’ menu is available 7 days a week for both lunch and dinner and features favourites like nuggets, fish and chips, and pasta. It’s everything parents could hope for in a child-friendly menu, complete with the bonus of a free ice cream and soft drink with every meal. The little ones will be thrilled! And if they need a little encouragement to finish their dinner, the promise of mini-golf upstairs is sure to do the trick!

For the grown-ups, Mosaic Hotel delivers just as well. The restaurant prides itself on supporting South Australian producers, and it shows in the quality of every dish. From fresh salads to hearty mains, the menu is packed with flavour and variety. The fantastic drinks menu is another highlight, with a great selection of SA wines, craft beers, and cocktails, making it a treat for parents to enjoy alongside their meal.

Adding to its appeal is the flexibility of all-day dining, meaning you can drop in for a bite anytime without worrying about the clock. But what really makes the experience stand out for families is the chance to head upstairs after your meal, where kids can enjoy 9 holes of mini-golf at Hey Caddy. It’s a brilliant way to keep them entertained while you kick back and relax. It doesn’t get more family-friendly than that.

The Mosaic Hotel and Hey Caddy combo is a fantastic addition to West Lakes, offering the perfect mix of delicious food, a relaxed atmosphere, and entertainment for all ages. Come in, grab a bite, and experience a taste of SA while the kids have a blast. We couldn’t recommend it more!

** Bookings Essential **
Location: 37 Turner Drive, West Lakes (the former Footy Park precinct)
Opening Times: All Day Dining Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Lunch | Monday – Saturday 12pm til 2pm
Dinner | Monday 5pm til 8pm, Tues til Thurs 5:30pm til 8:30pm, Fri/Sat 5:30pm til 9pm
Sunday | Lunch 12pm til 3pm, Dinner 5pm til 8pm
Phone: (08) 8244 3244
Find them on Ìý´Ç°ùÌý

Meander less than 1km off the main highway when travelling to or from Yorkes, or the North of South Australia, for this unexpectedly incredible pub food, friendly service and a really fun atmosphere. Find all of the country pub classics on the menu (yes including a little salad bar), and also a heap of gourmet dishes and Asian inspired treats too. So fresh and tasty! The kids menu has a big handful of options, and if you didn’t know, Port Wakefield sits at the top of St Vincent Gulf and is home to some of our states fabulous professional fishing, so you guessed it – there’s additionally some pretty great seafood on offer.

No doubt the menu changes seasonally or from time to time, but we enjoyed eight choices on the kids menu (priced between $10 and $13 which includes a juice or soft drink) plus a ripper option to add a side of fruit or veg sticks for just $2. That’s how you welcome families folks!

On our most recent visit, in addition to our excellent kids meals, we enjoyed eating loaded nachos, a Vietnamese noodle bowl with sticky Asian pork belly, shared bao buns, the best buffalo wings we have ever experienced (with blue cheese sauce and celery of course) and a divine laksa. See – told you; unexpected, fresh and soooo bloody tasty. This food is prepared and presented with passion, skill and pride. Love that.

Indoors you’ll find a traditional country pub front bar and also cosy tables for dining. The real magic though? Out the back. Now, we travel with our dog, a lazy old gold lab ‘Ivy’ and she also rates this place, with it’s large enclosed back lawn, plentiful water bowls and rustic beer garden. It’s picture perfect and every thing that kids need for a road trip break with swings, a sandpit, boat, highly decorated shipping container cubby / play shop counter and more.

Great (nope, excellent) food, a perfect rest stop, happy kids, happy dog and a fun and quirky alfresco area and garden with umbrellas, festoon lights and styling that’s telling of the towns port history and fishing industry. Nothing boring about it.

Bookings are appreciated, phone ahead while you are on the road even.

Lastly, I don’t care what any one says, family owned and run pubs will always have the best service and attention to detail. This is fabulous country hospitality at its best.

Give it a go next time you are passing through. We usually time our return trips home to 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ around meal time just so as we can stop, because lets face it after a week or weekend away, there’s no food in the fridge at home. Who knew Port Wakefield had so much more to offer than just fuel! Well, we did actually and we can’t hold out on you any longer.

PS Don’t miss the beautiful huge mural on the side of the building up Walter Street by talented artist Kyle Armstrong (Whale Tale Art)

Location: 30 Edward Street, Port Wakefield, South Australia 5550 (about an hour north from 91¹û¶³´«Ã½)
Opening Times: Every day for lunch and dinner from 10am (11am on Sundays)
Phone: (08) 8867 1023
Find them on  or 

We do love a hospo venue with a playground that caters for families, but we will be the first to admit sometimes the sounds (screeching?) of a bunch of kids screaming in a confined room can be a tad overwhelming. It can be a lot, and it can genuinely impact the dining experience. Payneham Tavern’s design has put tremendous thought into ensuring everyone has an enjoyable experience, with a large alfresco dining area for families, complete with a fully fenced large playground. Fully weather proof, but designed to allow plenty of airflow and noise to escape, they have constructed a gorgeous family space that is comfortable, relaxing and allows parents to comfortably see their kids playing from a number of nearby tables. We took 2 under 5s to road test this one and for fear of sounding like a horrible parent, they were hardly sighted! The playground was such a hit, that for the first time in living memory the adults actually had a conversation.

Catering for not just families with a sports bar, large and spacious bistro as well as a beer garden, look out for event nights including regular Quiz nights (hosted by the talented 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ crew at ‘Funny Quiz’) and DJ events. For the meals, which is all important for our picky eaters, the totally renovated kitchen offers a bit more than the usual pub fare (don’t worry, the nugget fiends will still get there nuggs) which is nice to have a few extra options outside a parmy and chips. With kids meals coming in at $15 bucks also including a soft drink and ice cream, we found the options catered for our fussy crew nicely. They have clearly marked vegan, low dairy and low gluten options for the kids menu too, which we appreciated and made our job that much easier.

Every Sunday from 12-3pm is also family day, with a variety of activities to keep the kids entertained including;

• Face Painting: Transform your child’s face into a superhero, princess, animal, or anything they can imagine!
• Character Dress-Ups: Meet all your kids fave characters, from princesses and superheroes to friendly farm animals.
• Animal Encounters: Get up close and personal with fascinating creatures like reptiles, birds, and small mammals.
• Balloon Artists: Watch the balloon artists create all sorts of shapes and animals right before your eyes.

They have brought on a brand new team for the opening, who had three days of training to ensure the customer experience here is spot on. Overall, Payneham Tavern has delivered a high quality venue that has gone that extra yard to cater for families.

Location: 319 Payneham Road, Payneham. 91¹û¶³´«Ã½, South Australia
Opening Times: Everyday 9am til 3am
Phone: 08 8471 3092
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If you’re searching for an incredibly fun and vibrant family-friendly pub dining destination in 91¹û¶³´«Ã½, look no further than the Peninsula Hotel Motel at Taperoo! It’s such a find, honestly. This vibrant spot offers an amazing $13 kids meal that comes complete with a drink and dessert, making it an affordable choice to feed the kids. The full menu is packed with fresh and classic options ensuring everyone leaves happy and satisfied. It’s the perfect place to relax where every one will be catered for.

One of the standout features of the Peninsula is its large, bright, light-filled dining spaces, which are designed to make families feel right at home. The real highlight is the retro caravan inside the dining room serving as an exciting ordering counter!

Kids will love exploring the quirky decor, and the adventure doesn’t stop there. A massive bus sits ready for little ones to explore, making dining here feel like an outing in itself. Plus, if you’re planning a special celebration, the bus can even be booked for parties or private events—what a unique way to celebrate!

This venue run some excellent school holiday workshops for kids – we went along for slime making and at just $20 per kid followed by a kids meal with drink and ice cream, it was an absolute winner.

Every visit to the Peninsula feels like a new adventure, with exciting happenings all week long. From Friday night two-for-one cocktails for the adults to Italian night on Wednesdays featuring delicious pastas starting at just $15, there’s always something fun on the menu. Whether you’re heading out for a casual meal or looking to celebrate a special occasion, the Peninsula Hotel Motel is sure to create memorable moments for your whole family!

Peninsula Hotel & Motel
Location: 481 Victoria Road Taperoo, South Australia
Opening Every Day Lunch & Dinner
Phone: 08 8248 1171 
Find them on  or 

This local favourite has had a bit of a glow-up recently, and it’s looking better than ever. The new all-weather pavilion, upgraded beer garden and revamped balcony have brought a fresh vibe to this historic pub without losing any of the charm that’s made it so popular over the years. The addition of a lift and new bathrooms has also made it more accessible, which is always a win.

We visited on a cool winter’s day and loved every second. The fire was going, the creek was flowing, and the whole place had that relaxed, cosy feel. We tucked into the beef ragu with handmade gnocchi (a standout), the nasi goreng (packed with flavour), and the Bridgey Burger, which came highly recommended. Our eight-year-old, who eats like a grown man, gave it a massive thumbs up and polished off the lot. It’s huge.

The kids’ menu has something for everyone, with eight great options including chicken nuggets, fish and chips, a grazing plate and even a vegan schnitzel. You can grab a main on its own or upgrade to the meal deal for an extra five bucks to include a drink, ice cream and activity pack. Great value and guaranteed to keep little ones happy. And yes, the sticky date pudding is worth it.

If the kids aren’t quite ready to head home, there is a beautiful adventure to be had following the creek for a little walk and the Bridgewater Mill playground next door is always a hit. Just one more reason to stretch the day out a little longer.

There’s something about the Bridgewater Inn that works in every season. In summer, it’s shady and cool beside the water. In winter, it’s warm and welcoming by the fire. The new pavilion, with its insulated roof, gas fireplaces and outdoor blinds, means you can enjoy that fresh-air feeling no matter what the weather is doing. Whether you’re walking the Heysen Trail, catching up with friends, or just craving a really good pub lunch in a beautiful setting, this one’s well worth the trip. So grab your phone and send round that ‘Bridgewater Inn?’ text to plan your next family/ friend Sunday catch up here!

Open 7 days a week from 10am – Late
Weekday meals from 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday meals from 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday meals from 11:30 am – 8 pm
Location: 387 Mt Barker Rd, Bridgewater
You can find them on or

Offering the laid-back atmosphere you need when venturing out with the little people, this family friendly establishment is the cornerstone of the community. A place where attentive and friendly staff make you feel welcome from the moment you walk through the door, regardless of how many drink spilling, spoon banging children accompany you. My kids are mildly obsessed with colouring so were delighted by being kept busy with crayons and a colouring sheet while they waited for us to order and lunch to arrive.

Let me start by saying, the food that is plated and presented here is immaculate. We could have been tricked into thinking we were at a Michelin Star venue with their perfectly placed garnishes. The Pork & Prawn Dumplings were a tasty first course and the mains were both of generous servings and full of flavour. The Smoked Kassler Pork Chops deserve a mention – they were delicious. A nice chargrilled sear, and oh so tender.

Hats off to the person who created the junior menu (worth noting, meals come with a drink and an ice-cream for only $14) which quite frankly made me laugh-out-loud, the kid-friendly, parent-approved fare includes;

• ‘I don’t know’ – Popcorn chicken, chips and ketchup
• ‘I don’t care’ – Battered fish, chips and ketchup
• ‘I’m not hungry’ – Linguine bolognese, grated tasty cheese
• ‘I don’t want that’ – Chicken schnitzel, chips and ketchup
• ‘I’m not eating that’ – Fried calamari, chips and ketchup
• ‘I guess that will do’ – Cheeseburger, chips and ketchup

It’s the age-old question “what do you want to eat?” The 6 pm dinner struggle that parents are faced with seven days a week and the team at The Aussie have absolutely, 100% nailed every single one of our kids answers on that hilariously well-executed menu. Take a bow.

Whatever you decide to order, I recommend finishing on a high note with the Sticky Date Pudding (thanks for the tip Hamish) – it’s sinfully good and worth the indulgence. Perhaps the best in South Australia? Keen to hear your thoughts.

After your meal, let your little darlings loose on the brand new outdoor playground while the adults watch on from the decking with a cheeky cocktail. Fully enclosed with fencing it features a swirly slide, tunnels, a fireman pole and climbing platforms. There’s also a large grassy area for the kids to run about and let off some steam or partake in some good ole’ fashioned ‘roly poly’ down the hill… need i say more?!

Plus with live music on Sunday’s, chef specials, a gorgeous alfresco area, plenty of space for high chairs and a super friendly atmosphere, I promise that once you discover this place, you’ll keep coming back. From experience, if our kids are happy and entertained, then the whole family will enjoy themselves and that’s exactly what we did.

If we lived closer, we’d be regulars for sure!

Location: 108 Main South Rd, Hackham, 5163
Dining Times: Lunch; 7 days: 12 pm – 2: pm
Dinner; Sunday – Thursday: 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Friday – Saturday 5:30 pm – 9 pm
Find them on or

Offering a number of well decorated seating areas surrounding the bar, plus a separate restaurant and enormous beer garden with fireplace and retractable roof, whatever space takes your fancy you really can’t go wrong. For us with under 5s, we chose the beer garden which allows the option of a number of booths (great to try and lock in those runaway toddlers) or seating around the 360 degree fire place (not the temperature we must clarify!). Watch the wood oven pizzas get made in the oven and check out the footy on the massive outdoor TV, on a nice day with the natural light beaming in, this really is a sensational spot for a feed.

The kids menu offers enough options to satisfy all the fussy toddlers out there, and you will find all the usual favourites here (hello nuggets and chips!). Well priced with a $16 kids meal deal serving up a meal, drink and dessert option for the under 12s. They offer the fantastic ‘Kid Eat Free’ deal with any adult meal purchase every Monday, which is music to our ears with the cost of living at the moment. They will be also launching a bottomless brunch option which will include bottomless milkshake and juice options for the kids! Brunch dining has also been added to the menu, with kids waffles to be a sure fire hit we expect.

You won’t find any playgrounds or arcade areas here, but what you will find is a high quality pub that welcomes families with open arms and allows a comfortable space for kids and parent alike to enjoy a high quality meal, and maybe even catch a game of footy on the big screen too. And if you’re looking for a pre or post meal play you’ll find some of our favourite Eastern suburbs playgrounds here

Location: 66 Magill Road, Norwood SA 5067
Opening Times:
Daily for lunch and dinner. Check hours
Phone: 08 8362 1234
Find them on and  here

Little energetic people will be fine here. Book to eat out in the sheltered large beer garden. Our kids loved being able to wander over to the lawn and explore the creek bed, bridge and ‘fairy table’ in between ordering and eating.

I’m not sure you will find a prettier setting on dusk as the daylight ends and the festoon lighting sets a cute atmosphere. It seems perfect for balmy summer nights, or a mild winters evening with an 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Hills Red wine in hand. Of course there is ample indoor dining too.

This is the kind of gastro pub we like to drive and explore on those valuable (rare?) weekends where we have no real plans but to discover something new and collect family memories. It’s also exactly the type of place we look for if we are celebrating milestone birthdays over a meal with extended family or the grandparents.

The menu is nothing short of superb, offering high quality pub fare (the parmi’s need their own special dedicated mention), and flip the menu over for some fancier options that honestly stack up to many of the finer options in the hills. The staff are well knowledged and passionate about both the local produce and the quaint bottle shop that was fervently stocked with a thoughtful and local selection of wines.

The kids menu was impressive and well presented. The chicken schnitzel was the winner from the three kids meals that we ordered and came with simple fresh salad and on point chips.

The Stanley Bridge Tavern is famous for its country front bar with an open fire and original shingle celling. The kids thought the toilets were ‘posh’ and look we agree, isn’t it nice to have clean modern toilets, more spa like than pub like if we do say so ourselves.

Last mention goes out to the desserts. They were huge. Definitely share the tiramisu, it’s large. Don’t share the sticky date crème brûlée (yep run don’t walk, that’s currently on the menu) because it’s too delicious, and do wash it down with a dessert wine. Kids enjoyed simple ice cream bowls and a final game of hide and seek on the lawn with other dining squids.

Bookings are highly recommended, do it, you won’t be disappointed.

Stanley Bridge Hotel
41 Onkaparinga Valley Rd, Verdun 
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The menu at ‘The Dal’ offers some pub classics (done exceptionally well) alongside some unexpected (because it is a country pub) blow your head off tasty restaurant quality options. We started with some share plates – think Pork Belly Bao, Harvey Bay Scallops + Duck Sliders and the star of our mains were a mix of plant based meals, classic pub fair and a beautiful caramelised pork belly with apple and mint salad. There is always a daily specials board and the menu changes seasonally, but features the highest quality fresh produce including South Australian Seafood and Local Oysters. They also do the regions best pizza. Show me a better one.

The kids are spoilt for choice, with decent sized servings of quality fare accompanied by salad and chips. Save room for a trendy little Sundae in a jar with topping and sprinkles. We particularly love the kids salt & pepper squid, the pizzas and the generous chicken schnitzel.

Enough about the epic food though (thanks Chef Will Glazbrook and Kitchen team)….. THE VIEWS! This is mere meters from the beach. You can eat casually out on ‘The Deck’ overlooking the beautiful Stansbury Bay, or choose the dining room (also with spectacular water views). Additionally there is also a casual beer garden at the back of the venue. Insider tip, ask for a table near the play room. It’s a lovely colourful space featuring a chalk board, wall mural, some toys and play kitchen as well as a lucky dip machine and skill tester (take a few gold bribery coins.)

The Dal offers take away, and a solid favourite of ours is their famous fish and chip cones. Grab one and take it 20m directly over to the beach front, or 150m up to the lovely grassy foreshore playground. The cones are BIG and we generally share two or three between four of us.

It’s worth noting that Stansbury is a small town (purrrrfect for family holidays and weekends), I think that’s why this pub is such a surprise packet, but on any weekend, holidays and special events, this place is busy. Make sure you book, and in advance – don’t expect a same day booking in the middle of summer holidays or a long weekend. Not today Bruce.

You’d be a fool not to include a meal here any time you are heading to Yorkes! Book it in and tell them we say hi.

Find them: Anzac Parade (Esplanade) Stansbury, Yorke Peninsual

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Check out their Facebook and Instagram HERE