Family-friendly restaurants

While adults relax and dine at the garden Rochester Café, little ones can either muck around in the playground outside or in a two-storey indoor play area. The latter, called The Playhouse, boasts of a ball pit, train sets, various toys and bright décor. And if you have any hygiene concerns, rest assured as The Playhouse is sanitised every morning.

Located at The Grandstand, this café may not be a real treehouse, but it nonetheless provides the fun found in one. The café offers European and Asian dishes, while kids below the age of nine can keep themselves busy in the play area. There are also activities held on Sundays, such arts and crafts, face painting and balloon sculpting, which are free for diners to enjoy. Other ad hoc and chargeable events include storytelling and pizza-making. See website or call for more info.

Serving a mix of Thai and Western dishes, this homely café provides artsy and creative kids a place to call home. The Craft Corner offers a free flow of art materials for use ($5/two hours on weekdays, $5/hour on weekends), while arts and crafts material such as paper puppets, foil and DIY sock monkey kits are also available for purchase so the little artist can create their next masterpiece while enjoying their meal.

Tuck into a hearty plate of western food and let your little ones roam free in Go Go Bambini’s jungle-themed indoor playground, which consists of a flying fox, ball pits, tunnels, climbing walls, interactive panels and four levels to explore. If they want a little quiet time, they can get acquainted with one of the books in the library located in the café.

Decorated in grand shades of gold and red, this upscale hotpot restaurant comes with plenty of bells and whistles – hot towels, plastic covers to protect your phone, and even glasses cleaners are all politely proffered by the attentive staff. But the tots are well looked after here, too: the restaurant offers a small play area for younger kids to burn off excess energy, and accommodates them during the meal with high-chairs and easy-to-use utensils, plus, a performance by a resident noodle master that is sure to delight both children and adults. And if they get tired, borrow a baby cot so they can nap while you finish off your meal.