The Best Kid-Friendly Cafes on the Central Coast (Playgrounds, Outdoor Dining + More)
Looking for the best family-friendly cafes on the Central Coast? We’ve rounded up the top spots for great coffee, good food and spaces where kids are genuinely welcome.
We are absolutely spoilt for choice with amazing cafés here on the Central Coast – but finding ones that are genuinely kid-friendly? That can be a little trickier.
Lucky for you, we’ve eaten our way from Killcare to Charmhaven to bring you the 29 best spots to grab a bite with the fam. Whether you’re chasing waffles with water views or an excellent coffee shop with an indoor playground, we’ve got you covered with the best kid-friendly cafés on the Central Coast.
At the end of each review, we've highlighted the details we're always looking for as parents:
• Café with a playground
• Open Mondays (because so many aren’t)
• Open for after-school treats
• Outdoor dining (not just roadside – proper outdoor vibes)
• Elevated dining – for the grown-ups
We hope you love discovering these cafés as much as we did – and when you visit, be sure to tell them Playing in Puddles sent you!
So without further ado, and in no particular order, here is your ultimate guide to the Central Coast's top kid-friendly cafés.
Featured Central Coast Cafes
The Little Lane Play Village & Cafe, Tuggerah and Erina
Tucked away like a little pocket of calm, The Little Lane Play Village & Cafe is one of those rare places that truly gets it. A café built around young children and real family life – and once you’ve experienced it, you start wondering why more places aren’t like this.
This venue is a café and a play space – equally considered. Designed by parents, for parents, first and foremost. Yes, there’s an entry fee… but what that gives you is something you almost never get: a genuinely enjoyable, stress-free café experience. If you’ve been wanting to catch up with a friend and get beyond “how are you?” – this is where it happens.
The Play Village has been designed for children aged 0–7. It's a lovely pastel-hued tiny town of custom cubby houses, ride-on ponies, mini police cars, fish ’n’ chip shacks, and tiny mechanics... and it'll keep your tots completely absorbed.
The Cafe's seating runs the length of the Play Village with every nook in sight. They serve LooLoos coffee, speciality matchas and creamy shakes, and every adult receives a $5 drink credit. The menu includes waffles with berries, toasted banana bread, granola bowls, deliciously cheesy ham and cheese sourdough toasties, cupcakes from Just Frosted Cakes and other sweet treats. Their kids menu is food you actually want your kids to eat – think veggie sticks, fresh fruit and kid-approved sandwiches and toasties.
And then there are the details that make all the difference. The space is fully enclosed and gated (so you don’t need to worry about potential escapees!), air-conditioned, fully accessible, and numbers are capped so it never feels overcrowded. There is a designated area for bubs who aren’t yet on the move, with soft mats for tummy time, bouncers and beautiful sensory toys. The entire cafe and play space is cleaned and reset multiple times a day, so it always feels fresh. Even the bathroom is thoughtfully set up, with nappies and wipes on hand should you find yourself short.
The Little Lane is one of the loveliest play spaces and cafes we’ve ever taken our kids to – the kind of place that makes eating out feel joyful and catching up feel easy again.
The Little Lane Play Village & Cafe
2 Locations: Shop 4, 210 The Entrance Road, Erina | 3/8 Pioneer Avenue, Tuggerah.
Open: Daily. Sessions run for 1 hour 45 minutes and there are multiple sessions each day between 8.45am-2pm (start times). Book online to see what times/days are available and to avoid missing out.
Age Group: 0-7 year olds. Older children are welcome if they are accompanying younger siblings (and play gently), plus they have a designated area for non-walkers too.
Phone: 0421 585 854
Email: [email protected]
The Little Lane's Facebook page
The Little Lane's Instagram page
The Little Lane's website
Indoor play centre | Fully air conditioned | Open Mondays!
Central Coast Cafes
Arnie's Espresso Bar, Killcare Heights
We were tempted to keep this one all to ourselves.
A coffee at Arnie's is like a warm, earthy hug. The seats are tree stumps, the mugs are wheel-thrown stoneware, the sky is the ceiling and the coffee is roasted on-site. You'd be forgiven for not noticing Arnie's in Killcare Heights – it's not a shopfront in the normal sense. It's a retro-style caravan – painted sage and cream with a long timber bar out front where locals lean, chat and wait for their coffee. It's tucked beneath the towering gums behind an open farm gate... a little kids cubby and a cleared circle in th bush.
The whole setup feels calm and wonderfully welcoming. It's the kind of place that makes hurried school drop offs and work deadlines drop away.
Inside the van, serious coffee magic happens. Beans are roasted onsite by Ukuzala Coffee Roasters, with rotating single origins, batch brew, cold brew and espresso poured through a lovingly restored La Marzocco machine. If coffees your thing (and it's certainyl ours), ask to taste the difference between a modern pump-driven espresso and one made with their charming mechanical piston-powered machine.
Come hungry for buttery toasties, brownies, lemon and coconut bliss balls and, of course, coffee. Then hit a nearby bushwalk and pinch yourself that you get to cal this place home.
Arnie's Espresso Bar: 227 The Scenic Rd, Killcare Heights.
Open breakfast and morning tea.
Daily 7am-12pm.
Open Mondays! | Toddler cubby house | outdoor dining.
Better Days Cafe, Killarney Vale
Better Days Cafe is one of those places you walk into and immediately think… yes, this is exactly what we needed.
There’s space: big tables for groups, room for multiple prams, and enough breathing room for babies to wriggle, crawl and explore without side-eyes from other diners. It’s made for mums’ groups, catch-ups, and those “let’s just get out of the house” mornings.
There’s a dedicated indoor play space for toddlers – packed with activity boards, dolls, books and a chalkboard to keep them happily occupied. The food is as comforting as the space itself. Think proper café classics done well – bacon and egg rolls, brekky wraps, avo smash, burgers and toasties, plus easy little wins for kids like pancakes, muffins and toasted fingers . It’s simple, satisfying, and exactly what you want when you’re juggling kids and caffeine levels.
But what really sets this place apart is the heart behind it and the businesses who share the building. Better Days is also home to Nurture Me – a beautiful, welcoming space designed for new parents looking for connection, support and a chance to just be with their little one in a calm, understanding environment. And you feel that warmth throughout the whole café.
Better Days Cafe: 22 Adelaide St, Killarney Vale.
Open brunch and lunch.
Mon-Sat 8am-2pm; Sun 8am-1pm.
Open Mondays! | Indoor toddler play area.
The Pantry, Forresters Beach
If you’re chasing sunshiney, tropical vibes that make you feel like you’ve slipped straight into holiday mode, The Pantry at Forresters Beach is it. Set beneath swaying palms with a big, breezy outdoor patio, it’s one of those places where you settle in without meaning to – umbrellas up, coffees flowing, kids happily entertained and brunch stretching on longer than planned.
Let’s start with the cute 'n' colourful mini playground – because this is where they’ve really won parents over. A little toddler zone sits right alongside the dining area, with soft turf underfoot, tunnels to crawl through, a mini slide and climbing bridge. It’s a partially fenced playspace, visible from your table, and perfectly sized for little legs to explore while you sit down and enjoy your coffee (imagine).
Then there’s the menu. All-day brunch, every day – because honestly, who doesn't love an all-day breakfast menu. Think corn fritters with tomato chilli jam, bocconcini, avocado and fresh herbs, and pork belly benedict with soft-poached eggs and house-made hollandaise. And for the small humans – a proper kids’ menu with options like pancakes with ice cream, mini brekky plates, quesadillas and fish and chips.
Now here’s the cherry on top: kids eat free every Tuesday! Yep, we kid you not. Buy an adult brunch meal, and your little babyccino-loving sidekick eats free. Every Tuesday. No catches, just a very good reason to lock in a midweek brunch date with your mini.
The Pantry: The Quarters, 960 Central Coast Hwy, Forresters Beach.
Open breakfast and lunch.
Daily 7.30am–2.30pm.
They take bookings! Book here
Open Mondays! | Outdoor toddler playground | Outdoor dining.
Bambinos Cafe, Kulnura
Set among rows of citrus trees in Kulnura is EastCoast Beverages – a third-generation, family-owned juice factory that knows a thing or two about doing things properly. And that same energy flows straight into their on-site café, Bambinos.
The food? You’ve got everything from made-for-sharing smoke boards piled with smoky, slow-cooked brisket, pulled pork, ribs and chorizo to crowd-pleasers like chicken wings, burgers and veggie ciabattas. Don't pass on the sweet treats: they've got brownies and cookies, and lemon sorbet using fruit grown right there on the orchard.
But let’s talk kids – because this place gets kids. There’s space: glorious, run-free, kick-a-ball, energy-burning space. Picnic tables and umbrellas dot a large grassy lawn surrounded by the orchard. There's a blue and yellow tractor to climb on, a noughts-and-crosses game, and even a smoothie bike where kids can pedal their way to their own drink.
It’s relaxed, welcoming, and refreshingly un-fussy. And if you want to stretch the experience out? Come back on a Thursday and jump on one of their factory tours.
Bambinos Cafe: Eastcoast Beverages, 993 George Downes Dr, Kulnura.
Open breakfast and lunch.
Tue 8am-2pm; Wed-Fri 7am-2pm; Sat & Sun, 8am-2pm.
Outdoor playground | Outdoor dining.
Hawkesbury Brewing Co, Lisarow
This is hands-down our favourite happy family dinner spot on the Coast. Why? Plenty of reasons… but first and foremost, this place isn’t a “sit still and behave” kind of venue – it’s a “come as you are, stay as long as it works” kind of place.
The restaurant and bar at Hawkesbury Brewing Co sits inside a huge, industrial-style open space that just works for families. Down one end is the bar, and down the other is where the magic happens – a mini basketball court (netted, thankfully), a HUGE movie screen, and a zone scattered with ride-on helicopters and cars. And yes, they’re the ones you usually side-eye at shopping centres… except here they’re plugged in, powered on and actually moving. For free. No coins, no negotiations, just instant joy.
Now, about that screen – because while we don’t usually love screens at dinner, this is a whole different vibe. Mondays are Family Movie Night, with free popcorn and kids eating free with every adult meal.
Food-wise, it absolutely delivers. Food-wise, it absolutely delivers. Think smash burgers, wings and pizzas – elevated. It’s quality ingredients, done well, and it shows. You leave full, not floored. The value is just as strong: $18 smash burgers with chips (plus a schooner or glass of wine), $20 pizzas, and $9 “ankle biter” meals that come with chips and a drink.
It’s one of those rare places where kids can move, explore and just be – without you feeling like you’re constantly shushing them. Big tables, no pressure, and a space that truly welcomes families… it just works. Every time.
(But shhh… maybe don’t tell too many people. We’d quite like to keep being able to walk in and grab a table.)
Hawkesbury Brewing Co: 900 Pacific Highway, Lisarow.
Open lunch and dinner.
Sun-Thurs 10am-9pm (kitchen 10.30am-8.30pm); Fri & Sat 10am-10pm (kitchen 10.30am-9pm).
Open for after-school treats | Indoor play equipment – for toddlers, kids and teens.
Willow & Bean, Bateau Bay
Got an early riser? Willow & Bean Cafe is ready to scoop you up and caffeinate you, parents – with doors opening at 6.30am most mornings. They also have a cute-as-a-button white-picket-fenced play corner with a mini kitchen, balance blocks, cubby house, books and toys. Enough to buy you a few golden minutes of hot coffee and uninterrupted thoughts. Bliss.
If your stuck in that one-handed eating, nursing a baby stage, this place again has you. Think bacon and egg rolls, toasted chicken wraps, and all the grab-and-go goodness that lets you eat while holding a baby, wrangling a toddler, or both. And then… there's the kids bento box. $12 of pure “I’ve got my life together” energy. We’re talking fresh fruit, ham, carrot sticks, hummus, a mini sandwich, jelly cup and crackers. It’s basically the packed lunch you meant to make, but, well, life! It's perfect for daycare drop-offs too – you can pre-order online and just grab and dash.
Willow & Bean Cafe: Shop 1, 676 Coleridge Rd, Bateau Bay.
Open breakfast and early lunch.
Mon-Fri 6:30am-12:30pm; Sat 7am-1pm; Sun closed.
Open Mondays | Indoors toddler play area.
The Tame Fox, Erina
If you’re after a café with an incredible playground for the kids, you need to check out The Tame Fox. Oh, and it’s not just a teeny tiny tokenistic playground. No, no, no: it boasts two cubbies, two slippery dips, a sunshine yellow row boat, ride-on diggers, a mini bouldering obstacle and multiple chalk boards. The entire play area is fully fenced, so adults can chill out with a well-deserved cuppa while their kids play safely. And there are tables both inside the play area and out, so you can be right there in the heart of the fun with your kids, or a little further away to, you know, adult.
As for the food, you’re in for a treat. From waffles to poke bowls, there’s something to satisfy any kind of food craving. If you’ve got early-risers, you’ll also be stoked to know that they open from 7.30am AND their coffee is top-notch. This is an awesome place to fuel up for the day ahead or to meet-up for playdates.
Read our full review here.
Tame Fox: The Industry Grounds, 224 Central Coast Hwy, Erina.
Open breakfast and lunch.
Mon–Fri 7.30am–2pm; Sat–Sun 7.30am–2.30pm (kitchen closing times vary!)
Open Mondays | Outdoor Toddler play area | Outdoor dining.
Parklife Coffee, Terrigal
Perched at the far end of Terrigal Rotary Park (right next to The Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre), Parklife Coffee serves up hot drinks and some of the tastiest muffins we’ve ever had the pleasure of trying. There are also more substantial menu items if you’re after breakfast or lunch while you’re out and about. Go the Reuben – it’s a long-time fave with regulars. The food is all well-priced and packaged up with both the environment and parent life in mind: meaning you can pull up a chair and get civilised on the large undercover deck, or have it in hand while you push your kids on the swing.
As for the playground, there are slides, swings, spinners, climbing walls, a flying fox, and a large wooden pirate ship that always has imaginations running wild. There are two large play structures, one for younger kids and one for older – so all age groups are covered.
And did we mention that the cafe is located within the fully fenced park! Mind-blown genius right!
Read our full Parklife review here.
Parklife Coffee: 11 Terrigal Drive, Terrigal (within Terrigal Rotary Park).
Open breakfast and early lunch.
Sun-Thur 7am-1pm, Fri 7am-4pm.
Outdoor dining | Outdoor playground | Open for after-school treats – if you hurry.
Bar Botanica, Erina
Best known to long-time locals as the Fragrant Gardens, Bar Botanica is a whimsical mud-brick building with cascading waterfall.
There is something delightful to eat at any time of day: from almond croissants and berry danishes to charcuterie boards and a baked triple cream brie topped with crushed pecans, honey and thyme. This is a happy grazing menu perfect for its picnic setting.
When lunch time comes around, try the roast pumpkin salad with cranberries, feta, pecans, dukkah and labneh, or the Reuben.
So where is the kid factor I hear you ask? The garden is large and offers multiple areas to dine. Pull up a table near the kitchen garden, grab a rug and picnic under the trees, or enjoy a little whimsy in the fairytale rotunda. And, given they're open extended hours, it makes a gorgeous after-school treat spot (open til 4pm Wednesday and Thursday; 5pm Fridays).
One word of caution: it does have a little pond - under the waterfall - so keep an eye on your tots. Over the years we've seen a couple of toddlers take an unexpected dip.
Bar Botanica: 25 Portsmouth Rd, Erina.
Open for lunch, early evening drinks and afternoon tea.
Wed-Thurs 10am-4pm, Fri-Sun 10am-5pm.
Outdoor dining | Open for after-school treats
Saddles, Mount White
Saddles is the crème de la crème of dining. A true Central Coast gem, though one we’ve well and truly had to share with Sydneysiders who happily road-trip north for its stunning atmosphere and mouthwatering menu. How lucky are we to have it right here on our doorstep?
When you arrive, you'll be struck by the venue's elegance and quality craftsmanship. And then you might wonder, "Is this place REALLY kid friendly?" You bet it is!
You won’t find a box of toys, but your kids will love going for a “ride” on the bespoke bar-stool saddles – each made from hand-tooled leather and hand-engraved silver by Heath Harris of Hawkesbury River Saddlery. There might not be a playground, but there’s a path lined with magnolias, camellias, rosemary and tibouchinas that wraps around the dam, which invites children to explore and practice a little rock skimming as they wait for their meal.
Oh and the meals! Order the pork belly and chocolate torte. You won't be disappointed.
Read our full Saddles review here.
Saddles: 20 Ashbrookes Rd, Mount White.
Open for breakfast and lunch.
7 days: Breakfast 8am–10.30am; Lunch Mon–Thurs 12pm–4pm, Fri–Sun 12pm–5pm.
They take bookings! Book here.
Elevated dining for grown ups | Open Mondays | Open for after-school treats – if you hurry.
San Churro, Erina Fair
A trip to San Churro at Erina Fair really hits the sweet spot! There are plenty of tasty kid-sized options on the menu, plus some indulgent treats for grown ups to enjoy.
Little hands will be kept busy dipping fresh churros into chocolate sauce and sprinkles, while you enjoy a rest and coffee; though, we recommend you treat yourself to one of their hot chocolates instead - the thick, rich Classic Spanish gets our tick. Ice-cream, fondue, fancy sundaes, and yummy milkshakes are also available.
San Churro: Terrigal Drive, Erina Fair Shopping Centre, Erina.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Mon-Wed 9am-9.30pm; Thurs-Sat 9am-10pm; Sun 10am-9.30pm.
Open Mondays | Open for after-school treats | Outdoor playground – just across The Hive | Outdoor dining.
Neighbours, Long Jetty (formerly Komuniti)
Look for the red wall on the Long Jetty strip and you'll know you've found the right place. Head inside, past the yoga studio and up the stairs and then you've truly arrived. Here you'll find Neighbour's tranquil alfresco dining area - which is totally kid-friendly! Colouring in is offered to keep little hands busy while they wait for their food.
Our favourite eats? The Yin and Yang pancakes, which is the ultimate pairing of sweet and savoury. We can never choose so we were stoked to know we could get our fix of both here. Get ready for this... On one side you've got pancakes with mango whip and berries, and on the other there's savoury corn fritters with avocado, smoked chilli jam, and aioli. They also do a mean nasi goreng (which they call their sweet 'n' spicy rice bowl) and a variety of smoothie bowls.
Grown ups will love that they have a wallet-friendly kids menu (without nuggets - yeeha!) and a $7 banana, mango and strawberry kids smoothie. And you'll be impressed that their (very good) coffee can be made using ALL the alternative milks.
And, one of our favourite parts: they take bookings! Thank goodness – we wish every cafe did this.
Neighbours: 310A The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty.
Open for: breakfast and lunch.
Mon-Fri 7am-2:30pm, Sat-Sun 8am-2:30pm.
They take bookings!
Outdoor dining | Open Mondays!
Like Minds, Avoca Beach
This café is all about community, sustainability and tasty eats. You'll feel relaxed and welcomed as soon as you arrive. Kids will love it for its garden, cubby and banana smoothies. You’ll love it for its smashed avo on grain free turmeric bread, felafel plates and good vibes. If you haven't been before, just look out for the double-storey mustard-yellow botanical wall mural - you can't miss it.
Also keep an eye out for their Rigatoni_for_Toni pop up pasta nights. They're superb!
Like Minds: 352 The Round Dr, Avoca Beach.
Open for breakfast and early lunch.
Mon-Fri 7.30am-12.30pm. Sat 7.30am-1pm.
Outdoor dining | Open Mondays! | Outdoor toddler cubby.
Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific, Terrigal
Love a buffet breakfast? Us too. There’s something about it that just feels like an instant resort holiday – easy, relaxed, and a little bit special.
The breakfast at Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific is one of our go-tos for family celebrations or when you just feel like treating yourselves. You can sip barista-made coffee (yes, more than one), order a made-for-you omelette, and go all in on the buffet – pastries, bircher muesli, pancakes, eggs benedict… no decisions required.
And the view? Hard to beat. Sitting there overlooking Terrigal Beach while the kids happily graze their way through breakfast is about as good as mornings get.
And they offer a locals deal, which just sweetens the experience further. For Central Coast locals it's $39 per adult (usually $49) and $19 for kids aged 4–12. It’s easy, indulgent, and the perfect way to start the day.
Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific (Buffet Breakfast): Pine Tree Lane, Terrigal.
Open for buffet breakfast.
Locals offer Mon–Fri 6.30am-9am bookings. Sat, Sun, public holidays - pay regular price.
They take bookings!
Ocean views | Open Mondays | Elevated dining – for grown-ups
Warnies, Warnervale
If you want to blow your kids’ minds, start with the Smartie Pants shake. Think bubblegum ice cream topped with fairy floss, Smarties, a giant lollypop and sprinkles. It’s outrageous (in the best way) – and watching little faces light up as it arrives is half the fun.
These over-the-top “Crazy Shakes” have put Warnies firmly on the map, with plenty of other creations to choose from. But there’s more to this spot than just the shakes.
Set on a big grassy block, kids can run, play and explore while you settle in. There’s a cubby house with a slide, ducks wandering about, cows grazing nearby and trains rolling past – basically a dream combo for little ones.
It’s also a winner for groups, with loads of space for prams, big tables and an easy, welcoming vibe for families. The menu is huge (think everything from smoothie bowls to tacos to a solid schnitty), and the kids are well covered too.
It's fun, relaxed, and just a little bit extra.
Warnies: 1/13 Warnervale Rd, Warnervale.
Open Breakfast and lunch.
Mon-Fri 6am–4pm, Sat & Sun 8am–3pm.
They take bookings!
Outdoor dining | Open Mondays! | Outdoor playground.
Bamboo Buddha, Holgate
Bamboo Buddha is one of those places that feels like a proper exhale. Set among lush gardens, it’s a sensory wonderland for little ones and a calm, grounding escape for parents.
There are hibiscus and frangipani to smell, buddha statues to touch, water features to admire and – best of all – koi to feed. It’s slow, peaceful and beautifully immersive.
The vegetarian menu matches the vibe, with nourishing dishes like Thai tofu noodle salad, pumpkin risotto with housemade pesto, and banana coconut loaf topped with berries and honey.
But… let’s be real for a second. This place is heaven for some families… and a mild heart-attack waiting to happen for others. If your child is a gentle wanderer who’ll explore, observe and maybe toss a little fish food, you’re going to love it. If your child is more of a “what happens if I jump in to the fish pond?” type… you'll spend the whole visit on high alert.
We could take our first-born here no worries. Our second? Not a chance. You know your child, so we'll leave the decision to you.
Bamboo Buddha: 221 Wattle Tree Rd, Holgate.
Open brunch and lunch.
Wed-Sun 9am-3pm.
They take bookings!
Outdoor dining.
Fair Cravin’, Point Clare
If you love op-shopping and delicious food then this is the place for you. Part of the Fairhaven social enterprise organisation, here’s a spot you can get your caffeine hit and find a bargain or three. Kids love finding their own treasures to take home too! The café has a small kids’ menu, a toy box, and also colouring-in sheets available on request. Our milkshake arrived with a jelly snake wrapped around the straw, delivering happy faces all round.
Fair Cravin': 209 Brisbane Water Drive, Point Clare.
Open for breakfast and lunch.
Open Mon-Fri 7am-2pm; Sat-Sun 8am-2pm.
They take bookings!
Outdoor dining | Open Mondays!
Wyong Milk Factory
We love venues with space to run, with space to play, and a place that embraces the chaos of families, and in each of these regards The Wyong Milk Factory delivers.
First of all, it has so many food options! Feel like some pub grub? Head to The Tavern out the back. Want to picnic by the river? Grab some handmade fig and walnut cheddar from The Little Creek Cheese factory enjoy the surroundings? Need a coffee? Alison's Cafe is soon to open, and it'll be your go-to.
Another reason this place always draws the crowds is its excellent kids facilities. Inside you'll find a multi-level playground with a large soft climbing area and a games area. And outside there's a fully-fenced playground complete with cubby houses, swings, a slide and a huge boat to play pirates in. There's also picnic tables inside the playground so you can bring food here from the Café and Tavern.
The Wyong Milk Factory is a true family-friendly venue in every sense of the word and they host regular kids events throughout the year, such as movie nights, discos, Easter egg hunts, Halloween dress ups, pop-up jumping castles and live music. They even have cows on site most weekends – yep you read that correct: two cows on site who love a pat. Cute cute! Pay it a visit.
Wyong Milk Factory: 141 Alison Rd, Wyong.
Open for brunch, lunch and dinner. Check their website for days and times, as all venues are different.
The Tavern at Wyong Milk Factory takes bookings!
Outdoor dining | Open Mondays! | Outdoor playground.
Cake & Plate, Niagara Park
At Cake & Plate, kids are invited to decorate their very own cupcake! They’ll get everything they need to make a super sweet creation (icing, lollies, and sprinkles to boot) while you enjoy a tea or coffee (and some rare quiet time). Located in a quiet courtyard, this is a relaxed spot to catch up with friends, or to simply satisfy your sweet tooth!
Cake & Plate: Shop 9, 16 Washington Avenue, Niagara Park.
Open for sweet treats all day!
Mon–Fri 8.30am–4pm; Sat 8.30am–2pm; Sun closed.
Open for after-school treats – if you hurry | Open Mondays! | Outdoor dining
Chapman Coffee House (the home of Glee Coffee in Wyong)
If good coffee is non-negotiable, Glee is your spot. This one works beautifully with kids in tow thanks to its large outdoor grassed area, outside picnic tables and relaxed vibe. There's nothing here to entertain the kids, but there's room for them to run, skip, and cartwheel... and it just goes to show you how space is all you really need to turn a family cafe experience into an enjoyable one.
Chapman Coffee House: Chapman Building, Shop 9/14 Alison Rd, Wyong.
Open for breakfast and lunch.
Mon-Fri 6am-3pm, Sat 7-3pm, Sun 7am-2.30pm.
Outdoor seating | Open Mondays!
Kincumber Post Cafe
A true local favourite, Kincumber Post Café is one of those reliable, easy-going spots that families keep coming back to. The big drawcard? Its leafy outdoor courtyard, centred around a huge shady tree and surrounded by greenery, creating the kind of relaxed space that makes a quick milkshake stop or family breakfast feel easy.
And the menu? Honestly, one of our favourites on the Coast.
There are breakfast tacos loaded with grilled chorizo, scrambled eggs, avocado, pico de gallo and sriracha mayo on soft tortillas, plus corn and halloumi fritters served with avocado, beetroot yoghurt, roast tomato, poached egg and a petite salad. You’ll also find shakshuka, loaded hash browns, Egyptian eggs, green bowls and American brisket toasties – making this one of the Coast’s more interesting brekkie menus.
Of course, if you’re more of a classic breakfast person, they’ve got you covered there too with avo smash and a solid BLAT.
Relaxed, welcoming and seriously good food – this is the kind of café that easily becomes part of your regular rotation.
Kincumber Post Cafe: 123 Avoca Dr, Kincumber.
Open for breakfast and lunch.
Mon–Fri 6am–2pm, Sat–Sun 7am–2pm.
They take bookings!
Outdoor dining | Open Mondays
Gourmet Pizza Kitchen, Erina Fair
At GPK, they know that kids like to be entertained, and they give each child a squishy ball of pizza ‘play’ dough to get creative with while you wait for your order. The menu is packed with kid-friendly pizza, pasta and dessert options, and there's enough to keep adults happy too.
They’re located close to the playground in the Hive at Erina Fair – with plenty of outside seating – so it’s great for an eezy-breezy dinner where the ids can eat and then run n play. There’s lots of room for prams inside too.
Gourmet Pizza Kitchen: Terrigal Drive, Erina Fair Shopping Centre, Erina.
Open for: lunch and dinner.
Open daily from 12pm for lunch and 5pm for dinner.
They take bookings!
Open Mondays | Outdoor playground – just across The Hive | Outdoor dining.
Surf Café, Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club
You can't beat the location: the Surf Café is literally a hop, skip, jump to the golden sand of Terrigal Beach. Located under the Surf Life Saving Club, this café boasts an enviable and uninterrupted view of the beach... and of your children, who will no doubt scoff down their bacon and eggs before scampering away to make sandcastles while you enjoy your coffee and paper.
This place does all your brekkie favourites – sauteed mushrooms, grilled haloumi, poached eggs and smashed avo. It's none too fancy, but it's tasty and incredibly fast given how busy it gets on a sunny day, and the best part is, they do it all day. The Allpress coffee is poured by an experienced barista and there's a separate three-page menu dedicated to juice.
Surf Café: Ground level, Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club, Terrigal Esplanade, Terrigal.
Open for breakfast and lunch.
Mon-Fri: 6am-3pm; Sat 6am-4pm; Sun 6am-4pm.
Open Mondays | Outdoor dining.
The Secret Café, Charmhaven
Even though it's called The *Secret* Café, this one is well and truly on the radar of most local families looking for great food and a happy dining experience where they needn’t keep shooshing the kids or begging them to stay in their seats. With its massive backyard, play equipment and ride-on cars, this is the kind of café that parents everywhere wish they had as their local. Hot tip: the pick of the tables can be found under the shade of the established maple trees at the back of the property and within handy eye- and ear-shot of the play equipment.
The menu is packed with classics like omelettes, pancakes and bacon and eggs for brekkie, and burgers, wraps and melts for lunch. They also have a good sized kids menu, featuring waffles, ham and cheese toasties, fish bites and more. That's if you can tear them away from the slides, swings and cubby houses to eat!
The Secret Café: 170 Pacific Hwy, Charmhaven.
Open for breakfast and lunch.
Open Mon-Sun 7am-3pm (kitchen closes at 2pm).
Open Mondays | Outdoor playground | Outdoor dining.
Jasmine Greens Park Kiosk, Umina Beach
Perched right next to one of the Central Coast's most epic parks is Jasmine Greens – answering all your coffee prayers first thing in the morning (and into the day). Sustainable food is their jam – think vegetarian bean nachos and vegan toasties. But don't worry, there’s also freshly baked muffins, banana bread and baklava for the sweet tooths. For kids there’s a $16 meal deal, which gets you fresh crumbed chicken breast or tempura battered fish with chips, a 100% juice popper and a ring pop. Yum!
Jasmine Greens Park Kiosk: Peninsula Recreation Precinct, Sydney Ave, Umina Beach.
Open for breakfast and lunch.
Open Mon-Sun 7am-4pm (kitchen closes 3pm).
Open Mondays | Outdoor playground | Outdoor dining.
Killcare Beach Kiosk
We're always so excited to find a hidden gem! Killcare Beach Kiosk is a great spot to take the kids (and the dog!) after exploring the rockpools. Chill out on the grassy area with a Killy Kebab (which is a delicious mix of lamb, homemade hommus, tabouleh, lettuce, tomato and sauce... mmm!) while your minis try their hand at the amazing thongaphone, aka pitched pipes you can strike with thongs to make music. Ahh, the serenity.
The kiosk also boasts its very own beach toy library, so you can borrow spades, buckets and trucks if you've forgotten to throw yours in the boot. You can also donate your used beach toys for all to enjoy. Awesome idea, right?
Killcare Beach Kiosk: 81 Beach Dr, Killcare.
Open for breakfast and lunch.
Open Mon–Fri 9am–2.30pm; Sat–Sun 9am–3pm.
Open Mondays | Some outdoor play equipment | Outdoor dining.
The Shed, Tuggerah
Need to refuel after shopping up a storm at the Tuggerah Super Centre? The Shed's all-day breakfast menu includes traditional favourites such as bacon and eggs or omelettes. For those on the run, lighter snacks are also available with options including homemade muffins, chocolate brownies and savoury pastries – perfect for eating in or taking away.
The best part? The Shed is located within metres of a brightly coloured indoor playground (which you can read all about in our full review). Keep this one up your sleeve for next time you're looking for a rainy day activity.
The Shed: 2 Bryant Dr, Tuggerah.
Open for breakfast and lunch.
Mon-Sat 8am–4pm; Sun 7.30am–4pm (kitchen closes 3.30pm).
Open Mondays | Indoor playground | Open for after-school treats – if you hurry.
Macs Beach Café, Macmasters Beach
Overlooking Macmasters Beach and rockpool, Macs Beach Café has a location that's pretty hard to beat! The cafe's tables are located on the glass-fenced deck, so everyone is guaranteed a view of the water. Most of the tables are large enough to accommodate groups of 6-8 and are under the shade of umbrellas or permanent sails. Kids will no doubt scoff their food before scampering away to play on the nearby grass patch and climb THE tree (you'll get it when you see it)!
Expect breakie faves such as housemade brioche French toast, their notorious “Dirty Bacon and Egg Roll” and an entire menu dedicated to acai bowls. The lunch menu boasts a delightfully awesome burger menu that leaves you feeling healthy, tacos and beer-battered flattie and chips. They have snacks by way of croissants and toasties, and of course, coffee!
PLUS, they're open on Friday and Sunday evenings for dinner – with the Mac's Beach Surf Lifesaving Club volunteers pulling schooners behind the bar. It's our summer night go-to.
Read our full Macs Beach Cafe review here.
Macs Beach Cafe: 100 Marine Parade, Macmasters Beach.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Open Mon 7.30am–2pm; Tues 7.30am–2pm (Jan–Feb only, closed rest of year); Wed–Thurs 7.30am–2pm; Fri 7.30am–2pm & 5pm–7.45pm; Sat 7.30am–2.30pm; Sun 7.30am–2.30pm & 4pm–7.45pm.
Open Mondays | Outdoor dining.
Think your cafe deserves to be here? Or want your cafe elevated to a featured placement? Contact [email protected].
Written By: KATIE STOKES
Founder & Editor
After working in print and online media for more than a decade, Katie launched Playing in Puddles in 2017. A mum of three young boys and local of the Central Coast, Katie loves discovering and sharing all that’s happening in our region.
