When you’re next planning a meal out for all of your family, consider the following recommended family friendly cafes and restaurants.
Circus Circus
Circus Circus brings all the fun of the circus to your table. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Mt Eden shops, Circus Circus provides a different dining experience which is guaranteed to keep the whole family entertained. A handy private area also available for groups.
Gengis Khan
A recent Metro Magazine award winner for ‘Best Restaurant for Older Kids’ Genghis Khan in Epsom offers a great range of cuisine at an affordable price, especially for big families and children. What’s different is that the restaurant cooks your selected buffet meal right in front of you. Also located in other areas of Auckland. Bookings not essential but recommended.
Tony’s Steak House Henderson
A great place to dine where the whole family can enjoy a superb meal. Plenty of steak options on the menu, and there’s also a large range of seafood available, with a neat menu for the kids. Tony’s can cater for large groups too. Bookings are recommended.
The Library Cafe Onehunga
The Library Cafe in Onehunga is divided into two sections – a ‘quiet’ area, and a ‘chatty’ area – so you can decide how quiet you want the kids to behave! Offering all day breakfast and tempting treats from the counter, this is certainly a cafe for everyone.
Lone Star
For great value head to Lone Star in Takapuna, Newmarket, Waitakere or Manukau. A huge menu awaits you from hearty nachos to tasty ribs so you’ll find something to suit the whole tribe. The portions are served quite large in size and there’s additional free ‘mudslide’ ice cream for the kids when you dine in.
Fortuna
Fortuna Buffet in Auckland’s Sky City has three sittings throughout the day to suit your needs. All tastes are catered for from seafood to meat lovers… and hard-to-please children. Great for families of all sizes. Bookings are recommended.
Cafe on Kohi
A lovely cafe for weekend brunch. Cafe on Kohi has a scrummy menu to delight smaller families. There is an amazing view which will keep you gazing out the window for hours. Perfectly pretty on a sunny weekend.
Frolic Cafe
Greenlane’s Frolic cafe has a tempting menu including all day breakfast, plenty of lunch options and a choice menu for the children. Plenty of seating indoors and there is a great outdoor undercover deck area which is home to a neat toy box for the kids.
Mecca Stonehouse
Mecca Stonehouse is the perfect family gathering venue. There is plenty of seating with a great indoor/outdoor flow. The menu has plenty of options to please everyone with great views of Mission Bay beach right in front of you.
Wellingtons
Wellington’s restaurant located in the Waipuna Lodge is an excellent destination for a family meal out. It’s a buffet restaurant, so you’re guaranteed to find something to suit even the fussiest of eaters. Lovely views across the Panmure Basin too.
Jafa
Grey Lynn’s Jafa cafe is a neat lunch option which is ideal for weekend trips out. It caters well for kids and there are tasty coffee and food options on the menu. Take advantage of their outdoor seating on warmer days.
SBF Brasserie
The Langham’s SBF Brasserie offers a brilliant buffet selection, in a sophisticated environment. SBF caters for both small and large families, and is open from. Bookings are not required but it would pay to plan ahead.
Portofino
If you fancy some Italian cuisine, take the family along to Portofino Restaurant located in the Viaduct, Mission Bay, Takapuna, Meadowbank and Parnell. An upmarket treat for everyone, Portofino offers authentic Italian from pasta to pizza and traditional tiramisu.
Valentines
Last but certainly not least, the popular Valentines buffet chain pride themselves on offering over 100 dishes in a laid back family environment. Lunch $15.95 week days and dinner $30.90 week days. Affordable, comfortable and conveniently located all around Auckland.