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, it’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 it’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
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Inside, there’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 there’s even a small indoor kids’ 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 that’s perfect for imaginative play while parents actually get to sit and relax.

The menu seals the deal for families. There’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 you’ve got a beachside family meal that’s easy, fun and totally kid-approved.

Location: 44 Two Australia Avenue, North Haven SA
Opening Times: Thursday 5pm – 9pm, Friday and Saturday 8am to late, Sunday 8am to 6pm (changes seasonally)
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They’ve recently introduced a new menu, including a section ‘Just for Kids’, and it’s so much more than a couple of scoops of ice cream. Hard to pick one favourite, both the Fairy Bread Brownie and the Mini Me Churros were stand outs for us. These desserts are colourful, playful and clearly designed with kids in mind, the kind of thing that feels special without being too over the top. It’s a great option for kids who love choosing something fun from the menu and for parents who appreciate a place that actually thinks about younger diners. It also doesn’t have to be a long dining experience, perfect in our opinion.

For the parents? Expect a sophisticated drinks menu (hello Biscoff Latte) and indulgent European desserts and gelato. Our favourite? The hot Classic Brookies, served to your table in a skillet. There’s also Croffles, Crepes, Churros, and light brunch options. The venues are licenced too.

You’ll find St. Louis stores right across 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ in eleven locations, so regardless of where you are, it’s going to be convenient. Find them in North 91¹û¶³´«Ã½, Glenelg, Hyde Park, Norwood, Gouger Street, Semaphore, Prospect, Elizabeth, Munno Para, Mawson Lakes and Tea Tree Plaza and also Brighton, a smaller gelato only stop. Each one has its own feel, but they all deliver the same friendly service and relaxed vibe that makes families feel welcome from the moment they walk in.

The beauty of St. Louis is that it doesn’t need to be a big occasion. It’s just as perfect for a quick cone, cup or take away coffee as it is for sitting down and taking time out. Whether you’re popping in for scoops, cones, coffee or making it a proper treat at the table with the kids, St Louis is one of those dependable 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ favourites that never disappoints. South Australian owned for the win too.

Find St. Louis individual stores on Facebook and on

Half Cup Café is more than just a café, it’s soul food. A social and environmental enterprise committed to making a positive impact. The team here are dedicated to serving up fresh, delicious breakfast, brunch and lunch options while supporting social causes both locally and abroad. They also occasionally run some pretty cool workshops (barista training any one?) and have the most beautiful, sustainable homewares and giftware’s in the adjoining business, Living Jute.

Located on leafy Sir Donald Bradman Drive at Cowandilla, actually lets just hold up right there and throw in early: No 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Airport drop off or pick up will ever be more impressive than one where you stop for a ‘hole in the wall coffee’ on your way in or out of 91¹û¶³´«Ã½. Or you know, ‘wow’ the pants off your next visitors with the full quality experience and stop for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Ok….. let’s continue.

The coffee is exceptional and you’d be well advised to wash it down with a fresh (often still warm) house made muffin cake or treat. The full menu is halal and jam packed with flavour – we can’t stress this enough. The food feels healthy, made with love and just plain nourishing. Makes sense when you witness Rashed and his beautiful family all pouring their heart and souls into this place.

We love the kids menu and the extended outdoor dining option that runs down Wilson Street, with it’s quirky sun shades for the warmer days and iconic well known ‘hole in the wall’ coffee window. It’s not uncommon to see the footpath filled with fams, prams and even the odd four legged friend. Fair to say word is out in the Western suburbs.

This café and retail space also offers a platform for Indigenous Australian artists to exhibit and sell their work. It’s such a beautiful point of difference to peruse while you wait for your food, and knowing that purchases support meaningful causes always has us nodding our heads.

They also have a catering service that can help you with any thing from corporate catering, to celebrations and even platters. Undoubtedly a fine way to elevate your next event.

Get around this one in all seasons with your kids on weekends or in school holidays, or book in a visit with your Mums and Bubs group or similar. It’s truly fabulous family friendly dining at its best. Got kids that don’t like to sit still – grab it takeaway and hit up the gorgeous nearby West Torrens Memorial Garden Playground.

Location: 231 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Cowandilla SA 5033
Opening Times: Tuesday to Friday 6.30am – 2pm and Saturday and Sunday 7.00am to 2pm
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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

This nostalgic little gem, nestled right by the beach, has all the essentials for a perfect family meal. Crispy fish and chips that taste like they’ve been made the same way for decades, juicy burgers, classic milkshakes and of course, the iconic treat: ice cream! Whether you’re indulging in a boysenberry cone or any of your favourite flavours, there’s nothing quite like being near the beach on a warm evening with the salty breeze and the sound of waves in the background.

The food is delicious at any time of day or night, with our favourites being fish and chips, burgers, cake, coffee, milkshakes and the scoops go with out saying. It’s well priced nosh and the serving sizes are generous.

The real charm of Largs Bay Kiosk, though, is its retro vibe. It’s the kind of place where families gather, kids laugh and play and your feet can be sandy.

After your meal, take a relaxed stroll along the jetty to watch the boats drift by or, if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of some dolphins. On our visit, we even saw kite surfers putting on an impressive show, adding to the postcard-perfect scenery.

For families with little ones, there’s a new highlight, an ice cream-themed playground right next to the kiosk. Fully fenced and designed with safety in mind, it’s the perfect place for kids to burn off energy while you enjoy a drink in the shaded outdoor seating area. Watching the kids race around while you relax? That’s what summer memories are made of.

Eat indoors on the days that the weather is against you, or sit outside on the balmy beach days. We even like to take our hot chips and sit under the jetty!

Now we all know beaches can get busy in the warmer months, so if the car park is full, try parking the other side of the sailing club and enjoy the short stroll along the path.

Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite for lunch or spending the evening with loved ones, Largs Bay Kiosk offers a charming throwback to simpler times, where good food, good company, and good vibes are all that matter. A visit here is like stepping into a summer postcard you’ll never want to leave.

Location: 1 Esplanade, Largs Bay, South Australia
Open Every Day 9.30am to 6pm
Phone: (08) 8449 2580
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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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Zeea’s Eatery, exclusive to the Tony & Marks retail experience, is basically the superhero of 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ dining spots for families. Picture this: you walk in with your squad of mini-humans, and instead of getting the side-eye from fellow diners, you’re greeted with sympathetic nods, quick, quality caffeine offerings and knowing smiles. Talk about seeking refuge in the comforting embrace of good fresh food and understanding company, with a side serve of epic kids offerings from breakfast to treats/snacks and of course lunch menu options.

Let’s talk about the menu – it’s like they’ve cracked the code to kid-friendly cuisine. They’ve got all the classics, from bacon and eggs to pancakes and toasties, guaranteed to make even the fussiest little critics nod in approval. We love the sensible sized milkshakes, babyccinos for little hands and kids pancakes. The kids portion sizes are perfect and keep the price really reasonable.

Team their locations (aside from Cavan) with the convenience of shopping fresh and fine produce and this place comes up a winner time and time again. You know the drill….. it’s Saturday morning, you’ve done the sports game, kids are starving and you need to tackle the grocery shop next? Zeea’s hits that scenario out of the park.

But the real MVP move? That designated play area at the Brickworks location. It’s like they knew we needed a break from refereeing sibling squabbles and negotiating with miniature dictators over broccoli consumption. So while we kick back and actually enjoy a hot meal for once, our little rascals can let loose in a space that’s basically kiddo heaven. So, cheers to Zeea’s Eatery – where tired parents find solace, kids find fun, and everyone leaves with full bellies and happy hearts.

Zeea’s Eatery – Tony & Marks
Four locations: Torrensville / Brickworks | Glenunga | Golden Grove | Cavan

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Offering up a cracking all day breakfast and lunch menu 7am – 4pm weekdays and 8am-4pm weekends, every one in the family is going to be happy and well catered here. You are going to want to settle in honestly. One stand out for us was the cast iron baked pancake, with roasted Myponga peach, house made vanilla ice cream, orange syrup and crushed roasted macadamia nuts.

Bookings are recommended, and you can do that in a few clicks on their website , however it’s a big venue and walk ins can usually be accommodated outdoors.

The premises it self is a beautifully redesigned, century old, horse tram barn. It’s full of comfy nooks and corners, with the choice of indoor seating, or our pick with kids, outdoors under the alfresco pavilion roof. There is also a garden area with lush natural shade or simply choose to take away a coffee and pastry and explore the lush meandering river path! If you live in the west you could even ride here along linear park.

The food here is cooked with passion over hot coals and the presentation and care taken to ensure everything looks absolutely perfect is commendable . Locally sourced, seasonal menu’s that are just delicious really!

This would be a perfect spot for a family celebration and we can not get over how far removed we felt from the city, sitting in this little oasis. The kids absolutely loved it, and when they are happy and entertained, you know the deal, we are happy too!

Worth a mention, if it’s something special with out the kids that you are looking for? You can ‘make it boozy’ by adding a bottomless drinks package of beer, wine, champagne and cocktail jugs to any booking. Gather the gals!

In signing off, here’s a little statement from the talented owners……

“We welcome prams, pups, big birthday get-togethers and any one who loves good food and good vibes” – and this is exactly how we felt.

Hidden Location: 38 Winwood Street, Thebarton
Opening Hours: 7am-4pm weekdays & 8am-4pm weekends
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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
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