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How Queenswood’s newest Spur is building community, one family at a time
From a massive indoor play area and dedicated child minders to job creation and a focus on bringing people together, the new Queenswood Spur is proving that a restaurant can be at the heart of a community.
A new kind of Spur has arrived in Gauteng!
The Burning Arrow Spur in Queenswood has undergone a major transformation, relocating just a few streets from its previous site. The result is a one-of-a-kind restaurant unlike any other Spur in South Africa.
The new 360 square stand-alone restaurant officially opened its doors over the weekend at the corner of Briscoe and Stead Avenue in Pretoria. Since then, it has been drawing crowds of families eager to experience what many are already calling one of the country’s most impressive family dining destinations.
Time Out Johannesburg visited the restaurant on Monday and quickly understood why it has become such a talking point. Despite arriving later in the afternoon, we still waited around 20 minutes for a table as families continued streaming through the doors. We were told the queues have been like that since the restaurant opened on Friday evening.
Even before stepping inside, the restaurant makes an impression. The modern exterior is inviting, and the interior features also stand out, with stylish lighting that elevates the space, comfortable seating, and a warm atmosphere.
The restaurant also offers free Wi-Fi, while children can enjoy complimentary face painting. Another standout feature is that guide dogs are welcome, making it a truly inclusive destination where the whole family can enjoy themselves - including their furry companions.
One of the first things we noticed was that every child received a pair of socks on arrival. It’s a thoughtful safety measure for what awaits inside - a play area that feels more like an indoor amusement park than a traditional restaurant playground.
The dedicated play zone caters to children of all ages. Younger children have their own toddler area with age-appropriate activities, while older kids can enjoy obstacle courses, trampolines, swings, scooter tracks, multiple slides and a striking LED wave slide that immediately grabs your attention.
Unlike many entertainment venues, there is no additional fee for children to enjoy the facilities, making it an attractive option for parents looking for value for money during the school holidays.
Speaking to Time Out Johannesburg, franchisee Jacques Marais said creating this unique concept took years of planning.
Having spent more than 30 years with Spur after joining the business straight out of matric, Jacques said bringing the vision to life required patience and determination. Throughout the process, one principle remained at the heart of every decision: building community.
“We wanted to create a space where parents can genuinely relax and enjoy themselves while knowing their children are safe and having fun,” he said.
To achieve that, the restaurant employs dedicated child minders whose role extends far beyond supervision.
“Our child minders genuinely love working with children. We specifically looked for people who are naturally good with kids because that’s what makes the experience special,” Jacques explained.
Date nights without the guilt
The love for family and the importance of creating meaningful moments together are at the heart of the restaurant’s redesign.
Recognising that parents also deserve quality time together, the restaurant includes a dedicated date-night section where couples can enjoy a quieter dining experience while their children are safely entertained nearby.
“We don’t only focus on kids,” Jacques said. “We wanted couples to have a space where they can reconnect without constantly worrying about keeping the children busy because we have trained child minders looking after them.”
Offering affordability for cash-strapped families
With the rising cost of living placing pressure on household budgets, affordability was another key consideration behind the restaurant’s design.
Instead of paying separate entrance fees at entertainment venues before purchasing food, families can enjoy both dining and play in one destination at no extra cost.
“Life is expensive,” Jacques said. “Taking children to play centres often means paying additional entrance fees before you’ve even bought food. We wanted families to receive value for money. Here, children can enjoy everything while parents simply enjoy their meal.”
Creating jobs and investing in the community
Beyond offering a unique dining experience, the new restaurant has also created employment opportunities for residents of the surrounding community.
With seating for up to 536 guests, Jacques believes the restaurant will become a community hub where families gather, friendships are formed and local economic opportunities continue to grow.
Strengthening family bonds
At a time when screens often compete for children’s attention, the new Queenswood Spur encourages families to reconnect through shared experiences.
The expansive play area gives children the opportunity to interact with other children and enjoy activities that encourage movement, teamwork and imaginative play. At the same time, parents can relax knowing they are nearby.
It’s about creating a safe space where families come together, children build friendships, and the community feels connected.
While Spur has long been recognised as one of South Africa’s favourite family restaurant brands, the new Queenswood branch raises the bar.
With its expansive indoor play park, dedicated children’s facilities, employment opportunities and commitment to creating meaningful family experiences, this Pretoria restaurant is proving that sometimes the strongest communities are built around a shared table.
📍 Location: Corner of Briscoe and Stead Avenue, Queenswood, Pretoria.
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