We are so thrilled to see what was always an iconic part of the Semaphore community redeveloped and reopen in 2025 and still going strong today! The magnificent upgraded Semaphore South playground and iconic Semaphore Steam Train (which runs on every Sunday + public holidays in October to April + daily in school holidays October to April except Tuesdays and Thursdays) are smack bang on the doorstep too. This place really does have it all going on.

This charming kiosk serves as the perfect pit stop for both kids and parents. With the sound of waves lapping nearby and the smell of fresh sea air and coffee, itā€™s a great place to kick off your day with some morning caffeine and a play, or an inviting spot to refuel after a day of fun and exploration.

The menu at Shelly’s Kiosk is nothing short of epic, designed with kids and families in mind. One standout option for us is the innovative ‘Toddler Tapas’, a playful selection of bite-sized goodies that are perfect for little hands. Alongside these tasty treats, you’ll find a range of all day, kid-friendly favorites, from juicy burgers and crispy fries to a cute kids lunch box option, complete with gingerbread man. Each item is crafted to appeal to young palates while keeping nutrition in mind, making it easy for parents to indulge their little ones without a second thought. If your kids are like ours, they won’t miss the ice cream freezer either.

For the adults, you’ll love the well though out menu and we loved this place is also licenced, what a nice change from the pub scene for families. You should absolutely consider this for an evening bite to eat, and can include a glass of wine or a beer etc. [Note to self, must return for a sunset cocktail.]

What makes Shelly’s Kiosk truly fantastic for families is not just its stellar menu, but also its vibrant atmosphere. With ample outdoor seating, kids can enjoy their meals while watching the nearby playground buzz with activity or the charming Semaphore Steam Train chugging along. Whether itā€™s a sunny day at the beach under their umbrellas or a breezy evening indoors by the shore, Shelly’s Kiosk offers a great quality dining experience that brings families together, making it a perfect destination for creating lasting memories.

Did we mention there are take away options too? Get this one on your to do list ASAP!

Shelly’s Kiosk Semaphore
Location: Esplanade, Semaphore South, South Australia 5019
Open: Every Day from 7am from breakfast thru dinner
Phone: 0437 421 607
Find them on  or 

Inside, thereā€™s loads of flexible seating to suit families of all sizes, including big round tables for groups, booths, standard tables, a large bar and a big screen projector. High chairs are available, and thereā€™s even a small indoor kidsā€™ play area with train sets, a play kitchen, games, Uno and colouring (pencils and paper supplied, yes please!) Outside is a dream for kids, with shaded seating, a huge grassed area to burn off energy, a basketball ring and an old rowing boat thatā€™s perfect for imaginative play while parents actually get to sit and relax.

The menu seals the deal for families. Thereā€™s a kids menu for $15 including a pop-top juice, with the pasta with sauce being a clear favourite in our crew, fresh, simple and absolutely devoured. The bruschetta and fresh salads were also big winners, and grown-ups will love the fun cocktail list, especially the new Algae Bloom cocktail with its sea-foam look and delicious taste. Add in a gelato bar for dessert and youā€™ve got a beachside family meal thatā€™s easy, fun and totally kid-approved.

Location:Ā 44 Two Australia Avenue, North Haven SA
Opening Times:Ā Thursday 5pm – 9pm, Friday and Saturday 8am to late, Sunday 8am to 6pm (changes seasonally)
Find them onĀ Ģż“Ē°łĢż

Missing the yellow cow from the main street of Hahndorf? You’ll find it here, with the cute little Udder Delights Cheese Cellar tucked into this venue, where you can also enjoy great food, craft beer, wine, gin flights and a fun kids menu that can all be enjoyed in this super high quality. family-friendly space. Think umbrellas outdoors, a creek, expansive lawn, a cubby, a slack line for the kids to balance on and just room to explore.

When its cool, there is a delightful fireplace doing a great job of keeping the space warm and cosy, surrounded by couches. The main dining area, ā€˜The Great Hallā€™, includes tables, booths, bar tables, and also offers the ā€˜GrĆ¼nthal Greenhouseā€™ for private functions. When it’s sunny out, there are shady trees and umbrellas for days!

The at GrĆ¼nthal is definitely a big step up from standard brewery fare! There are a great range of small plates, pizzas, and specials on offer. Udder Delights cheeses are well represented, with a delicious cheese fondue, a ā€˜Too Cheesyā€™ deep dish pizza, and even the humble toastie is made with Truffle Cheddar. The pizza is next level. The real star of the menu for the kids was the dessert (of course) ā€“ an extra special sundae topped with Persian fairy floss.

They haven’t forgotten to cater for dietary options including vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free and vegan either!

For the grown ups, there is an extensive drinks menu including tea, coffee and iced drinks, wines, three varieties of GrĆ¼nthal Gin, cocktails and mocktails, and of course the extensive and delicious GrĆ¼nthal beer range, including eBeer – with a new brewing technology that you’ll love hearing about.

GrĆ¼nthal makes it super easy to cater for groups with a ā€œFeed my Groupā€, ā€œFeed my Partyā€ and ā€œFeed my Childā€ selection of items from the main menu.

The kids loved exploring the fantastic lawns on the bank of the Onkaparinga River. There is seating and shade on the raised terrace, and the lawns are accessible by both a ramp and stairs. We canā€™t think of a better place to lay down a picnic rug and enjoy a sunny afternoon watching the kids play while we had an uninterrupted adult catch up and all of the tasty things!

Before you depart, be sure to choose some gin, beer or wine to take home, and of course some of the many cheeses and trimmings on offer.

The indoor dining area is accessible with plenty of space to manoeuvre around tables and park prams. The female toilets allow enough room to leave a pram outside the cubicle door if required, and the accessible toilet is very roomy and has a full size change table, nappy disposal unit, and grab rails.

Ingenuity Baby Base seats are available to seat your little ones at the table – just another extra touch that makes this family day out so much easier.

Book it in, every one will be happy here!

GrĆ¼nthal Brew
Location: 827 Mount Barker Rd Verdun
Opening Hours:
Mon to Thurs 10am ā€“ 4pm / Fri to Sat 10am ā€“ 10pm / Sun & Public Holidays 10am to 5pm
Phone: 08 8388 1588 
Find them on  or 

One of the standout features is the massive, new, outdoor playground, designed to keep children entertained for hours. Itā€™s a safe, exciting space where little ones can climb, slide, and explore while parents can unwind nearby. The hotelā€™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. Kidsā€™ 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, thereā€™s even an indoor cinema room where kids can watch something on the big screen in a cozy space. Whether itā€™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 thatā€™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 

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 91¹ū¶³“«Ć½ 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 91¹ū¶³“«Ć½)
Opening Times: Every day for lunch and dinner from 10am (11am on Sundays)
Phone: (08) 8867 1023
Find them on  or 

The outlook at Nest Kiosk is stunning all year around. Bonus if it is a beautiful sunny day, however during winter you can sit snuggly indoors and watch the clouds roll in over the ocean (this any one else’s love language?) There are ample seating options with tables indoors, outside under cover and even little benches and tables directly opposite the shoreline, offering uninterrupted water views. Outdoors is also perfect if your little one doesn’t like to sit for too long, as they can run about on the beachfront path, or older kids could even play down on the sand where you can still keep an eye on them while waiting for your order.

Now, it’s a little bit hidden, but we love that, and you will find this gem of a spot located at the front southern end of Brighton Beachfront Holiday Park.

The menu offers all day breakfast including acai bowls with some great flavours (mint, anyone?)

There’s a bunch of simple and tasty kids meals. The ‘Little People Menu’ includes Scrambled Eggs On Toast ($10), Kids Pancake & Ice Cream ($10), House made Chicken Tenders & Chips ($14) and Crumbed Fish & Chips ($14). Our kids opted for the scrambled eggs and pancakes and by the end there was nothing left on their plates – always the sign of a good kids meal! (The pancakes were also some of the fluffiest, yummiest we have ever tried!)

Lunch options include meals that are perfect for a seaside meal such as Squid & Chips, Double Beef Burgers, Zucchini & Corn Fritters, a Health Kick Salad Bowl and more. Drinks include milkshakes, smoothies, cold pressed juices on tap and of course, COFFEE! No doubt it will change from time to time. Nest Kiosk is also licensed and we loved that they not only sell their own coffee beans, you can buy their own ‘Nest Wines’ by the bottle to takeaway, how cool is that?

Speaking of takeaway, they do have a takeaway menu which is perfect if you want to eat down on the beach, are staying at the caravan park next door or want to take a meal to the playground which is less that 100 metres away.

Have a meal at Nest Kiosk to fuel yourself and the kids before a walk along the coastal trail to Brighton OR pop in on the way back for a well deserved treat on your return.

Nest also open for dinner on Saturday nights and the dinner menu looks INCREDIBLE. We’ll definitely be going back for that!

NEST KIOSK
4 Burnham Road, Kingston Park

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Nestled amidst the lush greenery and vivid backdrop of the Gardens, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a delightful meal or a simple coffee break! Families will appreciate the inviting, fresh air atmosphere that makes it easy to relax and savor their time together while surrounded by all things good. There is plenty of room to easily maneuver a pram and the expansive alfresco dining ensures kids can move about and explore while waiting on their food and drinks. Additionally, you will find accessible bathroom amenities here for everyone.

While we love the coffee, the house made focaccia sandwiches and cold pressed juices are incredible, and last but certainly not least (probably our favourite) the granola gives ‘luxe honey crackle’ vibes and is so beautifully presented that it almost feels like a work of art. The kids menu is thoughtful (lids on their juices for example) and your preschoolers will be especially drawn to the whimsical and fun options like fairy bread, with its colorful sprinkles. Such a nostalgic treat that never fails to delight young diners. The babyccino, with its frothy, kid-friendly appeal and a marshmallow is a hit for little ones who enjoy a playful coffee experience.

View the current menu

As you might expect, Evergreen Deli is all about mindful practices to reduce the carbon footprint, and its wonderful to see the team prioritise the use of reusable, biodegradable, and compostable products.

Next time we return to the Botanic Garden, we look forward to pre ordering a Picnic Box from Evergreen Deli. You can then set out to find your favourite quiet spot and soak it all in with some high quality nosh. Picnic Boxes require 48 hours notice, sort your self out with more info or an order .

The Botanic Gardens offer many fascinating educational experiences for children, featuring a myriad of unusual and intriguing plant species that ignite interest and learning. Located at the Schomburgk Pavilion, adjacent The Diggers Club and Information Centre – there is always something new to see when you visit. For more on the educational opportunities available in the gardens, you can explore .

With something to please everyone in the family, this hidden little gem of a spot ensures that a visit is both a culinary and visual treat, making it a much loved destination for all.

We usually either park on Plain Tree Drive and enter via the ‘Friends Gate’ or we park on the city fringe and catch the free tram along North Terrace to the ‘Main Gate’ – either way access is easy and pram friendly.

Follow Evergreen Deli on or

Visit the Evergreen Deli website

Visit the 91¹ū¶³“«Ć½ Botanic Gardens website

Open seven days per week, 9am to 4pm | 91¹ū¶³“«Ć½ City, South Australia

You are going to feel like you are a resort guest far far away (minus the exorbitant resort prices) as you sit amongst the potted palms, greenery and white umbrellas, sipping a brunch champagne and devouring your eggs benedict. The car park and venue entrance are very simply accessed from Military Road – no need to actually enter the park at all!

The small on site playground will keep young kids occupied while they wait for their food, and when it does come, sitting out doors is just the best this time of year and with kids in tow. Something about more space around you and less venue noise plus the fresh air. It just feels more relaxing doesn’t it? When they are done? Back to the playground, just a stones throw from the tables for one more round of floor is lava.

Our little crew loved the kids pancakes, and we appreciated the sensible sized chocolate milkshake, served in a big take away coffee cup with a lid and straw. Genius for little hands to manage. The idea of their ‘Kids Brunch Box’ featuring banana bread, veggie sticks, cheese, crackers, dried fruit and a fruit box impressed us too. Pretty much all of the food groups covered there, without anything deep fried – WIN!

The prices here are really fair, and the quality is superb. It’s real food, made and served by happy passionate people. Surprising how rare that is right?

The regular menu includes breakfast, all day brunch, plus some great lunch and dinner options (Thurs – Sun for the dinner options). There is also great coffee and cake and if you are eating, you can also now order a beer or wine! Seems like a fabulous spot for a birthday brunch celebration with a glass of bubbles to us! Hate birthdays? Bring Nanna for morning tea!

Tell your friends about this one, we can’t let it stay hidden away!

Open 7 days from 7.30am

Mondays – Wednesdays til 3pm

Thursdays to Sundays til 7.30pm

Breaky menu available until 3pm daily. Lunch / Dinner menu available from 12pm.

Make sure you pop into West Beach Patisserie & Eatery next time you’re west-side and need a meal that will satisfy the whole family!

WEST BEACH PATISSERIE & EATERY
1 Military Road, West Beach
Website:
Phone:

Located in the ideal spot for families, across the road from the Hawthorndene Oval and right next to Apex Park (Fully fenced slice of paradise right here!), Joanā€™s offers a beautiful setting for families to grab a coffee as they head to the playground, or to sit in for a meal. Primarily a brunch/lunch cafe, it is also fully licensed and open for dinner on Friday nights and offers relaxing seating options indoors and out. For us, eating out with a toddler, we sat inside and found it to be actually genuinely relaxing, with our boys sitting on the bench looking out at the view through the fabulous new bifold windows and reading the selection of kids books on offer. Spacious and decorated with plenty of nods to the history of the cafe and the area, they have done very well to offer family friendly options to eat inside and out depending on the weather.

And it is outside where Joanā€™s surprised us! We are certainly no newbies here, having grabbed a coffee and a cookie on many occasions before a spin at the playground, but we had no idea about the incredible garden out the back! ā€˜Joanā€™s Patchā€™ is a community garden that has grown into a wonderful community, with memberships available to join and grow your own fruits, veggies and herbs. For us as visitors, the garden is open to wander and explore and adds a real tranquil vibe to finish off your visit following your meal. It also let our toddler walk off the infinite energy he seems to gain and offered nice distractions for him while the rest of the fam finished off their brunch (in peace!). Donā€™t forget they have a sandpit with toys and more tables too, with plenty of shade under the trees.

But all this is great, but is the food any good? Well we are pleased to report that everyone was well and truly satisfied with the offerings at Joans. Fabulous coffee for the parents and a good range of kids options at very reasonable prices ($7 is the average price for the kids meals for brunch and very well priced lunch options after 11:30, which we LOVED in these cozzie livs days)

Joanā€™s website allows online orders, a nice review of their history and is a very well put together resource for locals to engage with their local icon. A stoneā€™s throw from Belair National Park, a trip up the hill is not complete without a pit top at this local icon!

Location: 7 Watahuna Avenue, Hawthorndene
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 8:00am ā€“ 4:00pm | Fri 8:00am – 8:00pm | Sat ā€“ Sun 8:30am ā€“ 4:30 pm
Find them on  or  or Phone 8278 2091

Cue a caffeine fix, because everything is just a bit (or a tonne) better with a great cup of coffee. The kids in tow will love so much, that meeting up with friends for a chinwag, will be a piece of cake. Sit back and relax – it’s the perfect pick-me-up!

Finding a cafe that does more than just tolerate mini customers but actively embraces them too, is such a breath of fresh air. This cosy cafe, while nicely decorated and extremely inviting, is located next to a long patch of green grass making the alfresco area the ideal spot for kids to play and run amok, albeit a little chilly in winter. The drawcard though, the one that makes kids want to return time and time again, is the variety of toys, blocks, books and outdoor games, including Quoits, Connect 4, and Checkers that the friendly staff set up outside. The outside area is at the end of a car park, adjacent to the Mary MacKillop College. During the day, it’s a very quiet space with minimal car movement. Closest to the car park, you’ll find tables and chairs set up, and then the 40-50 metres of large open space is opposite a dead-end road. Enough room for a game of “Chasey” or “What’s the Time Mr. Wolf.”

Along with great coffee from local roaster Altura Coffee, grumbling tummies are well catered for with a designated children’s menu offering some great snack options. Forget nuggets and chips or anything deep fried, this menu boasts childhood classics like fairy bread and toy soldiers with scrambled egg. Mums and dads will be pretty impressed with the seasonal menu also, from the all day breakfast options to Pork and Apple Sliders, there’s ample to choose from and every single dish sounds delicious. The Hot Roast Beef roll is a must – the basting and gravy is next level (trust me!). If you’re a sweet tooth, the selection of cakes, tarts and slices are mouth-wateringly appealing and you’ll be forgiven for letting temptation get the better of you. If you work close by, fancy something on the run or your toddler throws an epic tantrum before you even get a chance to sit down, take-away is available.

If you manage to get down there on a Saturday morning, you can enjoy live music from 11 am – 1 pm. Coffee just got a whole lot more entertaining and if I had to hazard a guess, I’d say the community atmosphere, connection and smiles are what adds to the vibe. Not only is this hidden gem kid-friendly, but we love that it’s also dog and bicycle-friendly too.

It’s hard not to fall in love with High Street Cafe!

Location: 4 High Street, Kensington SA 5068
Opening Times: Monā€“Fri 7.30am – 3.30pm | Satā€“Sun 8:30am- 2pmFind them on or