The best kid-friendly restaurants and cafés in Singapore

This quaint bistro in Telok Kurau has been around since 2006. It isn’t merely an ideal hangout brunch spot for families; it’s also pet-friendly – you know that your kid will go gaga over the dogs lounging by the alfresco area, but the café also welcomes pets that fly and crawl. Their most popular items include the Three Little Pigs, a trio of bratwurst, bacon, and ham with mushroom cheese melt and potato egg bake. Or try the ‘Shripmkin’ pasta, featuring plump shrimps swimming in a chunky mashed pumpkin and tomato sauce. If your young ones are fans of Nutella spread, the Frothy Nutella Shake is sure to please, and it comes presented in a Nutella jar.  

Although there isn't a curated kids menu or dedicated play area, we reckon the famed CrazyShake – Black Tap's signature over-the-top milkshakes – will wow any child. With irresistible flavours such as cotton candy and cinnamon bun, you're bound to have some peace while the little ones work their way through the shakes. There’s even a milkshake that’s topped with a whole slice of cake with rainbow sprinkles. The restaurant is also known for their ginormous juicy burgers. Get the classic All-American burger or the Greg Norman which features a wagyu patty with a sinful blue cheese spread. There are also plenty of large sharing sides, and don’t forget to catch a swig of the craft beer before leaving.

This Baker & Cook outlet off Loewen Road in the lush Dempsey precinct might differ a little from the others. Unwind in the bright airy glasshouse with garden views while the kids revel in the play area. Besides brunch breakfast items, you can also order pizzas, large sharing plates such as miso-glazed eggplant with wakame brown butter, spring onion and cashew; and blackened corn barley risotto topped with grilled baby corn, sage and goat’s cheese.

Kind Kones dishes out quite a variety of healthy, vegan and mostly gluten-free sweet treats, made from scratch without all the nasties. The kid-friendly colouring station is perfect for keeping the kiddos occupied while you brave the queues for those tasty cones. Flavours rotate daily but look out for the signature – Blue Planet, which looks like Earth with green matcha cake bits and a base that is made of coconut, cashew and almond milk with vanilla and a natural blue pea flower dye. Trust us, we've not seen any kid that ever resisted one.

Huber’s Bistro isn’t your typical neighbourhood eatery. For one, it sits beside Huber’s Butchery, a gourmet grocer right in the heart of Dempsey Hill which procures all sorts of premium cuts of meat, dairy products, seafood and even fondue pots. The bistro itself has an extensive list of mains, charcuterie and sausages, using produce that can be found in the store. It also cooks up eight types of steak in the evening, including a hefty Australian 200-day grain-fed angus t-bone steak that’s ideal for sharing. All steaks are served with seasonal vegetables, your choice of side and sauce. There’s also a playground right next door with a mini obstacle course and a waterfall garden area. That way, your kids will be sufficiently entertained while you take your time to peruse the store’s range of premium cuts, ranging from Angus grain-fed beef to lamb chops.

Set in the lush greenery around Seletar Airport far away from the noise of the city, Wildseed is a café by day and a grill and bar by night. Its dinner menu features heavier fare like pizzas, burgers, grills and platters, but we recommend coming in the day for the kids to roam free at the plane-themed playground nearby. On the café menu are dishes like the Wildseed Super Food Salad, loaded mac and cheese, and smashed avocado. The café’s quirky location also means you and the kids will be treated to views of planes flying in and out of the airport.

It’s normal for children to turn their nose up at fine dining. So instead, bring them to The Boiler, a casual seafood joint that serves up Cajun seafood boil in a bag. Empty the bag of seafood on tables that are lined with sheets, and encourage the young ones to get down and dirty and use their hands – it’ll be an experience they’ll surely remember. Tuck into fresh prawns, mussels, clams, smoked sausages, and corn cobs, or top up to enjoy mud crabs or Dungeness crabs. We highly recommend the house sauce which comes in three spice levels, but if you’re erring on the safer side, opt for the garlic butter which is sure to please any child’s palate. Children who are picky eaters can still choose from the kids’ menu, featuring classics like the fish and chips or creamy mushroom pasta.

Besides being a cosy neighbourhood bistro in MacPherson Community Club, Nom Bistro & Bakery also serves up café classics – pizza and gourmet burgers. Kids can also choose from the mini cheesy pizza or Hawaiian pizza on the kid’s menu, or snack on finger food like cod fish fingers and chicken nuggets with fries. The food items might be on the pricier side given the portions, but what’s most special about this café is that there's a tiny replica of the well-known dragon playground of Toa Payoh in their indoor play area.

Featuring a pool with giant inflatables on one side and the beach on the other, plus water activities like banana boat that the whole fam can partake in, Ola Beach Club screams family fun. Its Hawaiian-inspired menu comprises dishes like huli huli chicken poké and loco moco – 150g of wagyu patty with kombu rice, crispy egg, fries and salad, as well as a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The menu also features a kid's section with four dishes and three desserts, including the kid's macaroni au gratin and beef bolognese. Just remember to pack your bathers.

The already kid-friendly Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa has recently revamped Trapizza to include a larger water play area for energetic tykes to run around in. Not that they need to, since the beachfront location provides ample run and sand play space. If the young ones prefer less messy activities, there’s also a colouring corner and a dedicated play zone. The dedicated kid’s menu is rather impressive, with a Build-Your-Own-Bento option where kids can customise their own pasta bowls just the way they like. There’s also the vibrant tri-coloured fusilli with fruits and salad. Family-sharing items are also available. The wagyu beef burger comes with 800g of beefy goodness so there’s more than enough to go around, or you can order customisable 16-inch thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas.

Though not an official franchise of Harry Potter, this is the first magic-themed cafe in Singapore – and it often makes references to JK Rowling's fantasy world. Cheeky dishes await you, like the Flying Charm, which sees cold angel hair pasta with masago caviar and truffle oil held up by a magic wand, or the unassuming carrot and beetroot soup presented in a cauldron. Expect theatrical concoctions straight out of JK Rowling’s fantasy world as well, such as Mr Lich’s Flaming Brew, a bright blue mystery concoction complete with a tall, eye-catching flame – the café’s signature. As if the wood-panelled walls, exposed brick and Harry Potter paraphernalia aren't a big enough nod to the brand. If your kid is a Potterhead, this is definitely the spot to take them.

Kith Kiztopia is the kid-friendly dining space adjacent to the indoor playground Kiztopia at Marina Square. Beyond the usual brunch offerings for adults, the young ones can look forward to a special kids menu with nine meal choices, including delightful mini pancakes, toast and eggs or ham and cheese toasties. There are also more substantial options like macaroni ham and cheese, bolognese, chicken tenders, beef burgers and fish fingers. Each set also comes with a choice of either watermelon juice or babyccino, along with a special Kiztopia free gift – a colouring set to keep the little ones occupied.

You’ve likely been to this easy, breezy, laidback Aussie-style eatery in the East but this one is tucked away in the heart of Mediapolis. Food-wise, it expands beyond just Aussie flavours with local favourites like beef rendang and chicken tikka masala on the menu. For the little ones, they’ve got a whole bunch of distractions — a bouncy castle set up every weekend and public holiday (weather permitting), a giant tic-tac-toe set-up for the young and old to play together, and ample space to scoot around. Be sure to collect a stamp each time you visit as 15 stamps will automatically sign you up for their Kid’s Club Gold Card, to access a free meal for your kiddo with every visit. But if you're visiting on Mondays, good news! Kids eat for free if an adult orders a main dish.

What’s a trip to the beach without lazing on a deckchair, mojito in hand while the little ones roam free? At this sprawling seaside restaurant in Sentosa, you can do just that. Besides classic tropical cocktails, Coastes stocks a formidable array of draft and bottled beers, and the nosh is unfussy yet vibrant enough to live up to the restaurant’s beachy vibe. Go for the refreshing chilled tiger prawn and avocado salad, or the chorizo and baby scallops risotto simmered in a fragrant saffron broth. The little ones are well taken care of too with pizzas and plenty of pasta options on the menu. Though they might be spending more time making sandcastles than sitting at the dining table.

Don’t lie. You go to Ikea more often for the food than that Billy bookcase you don’t really need. A trip to Ikea is usually a family-friendly affair for the young and old, and it’s hard to beat the pleasure of the bistro hot dog and ice cream cone, which also works like a dream for appeasing any terrible tantrums. Also – and deny it all you want – those Swedish meatballs simply taste better in-house, especially when doused with generous heapings of sauce as well as a side of comforting mashed potatoes. And don't get us started on those juicy, deep-fried chicken wings that are perfect for snacking on.

This Swiss-style restaurant's got its marketplace concept nailed, and is a good option for when the whole family can't agree on what to eat. Simply collect a card upon entering the restaurant and hand it to the staff whenever you order something. The cashier will swipe your card and get your bill at the end. Head straight for the famous golden-brown röstis. These are always a good bet, and we recommend topping them with a dollop of sour cream and chorizo, Gravlax salmon, veal sausage, beef pastrami and the like. There’s also a good selection of pastas, salads as well as a decent rotisserie and grill section. Don’t leave without treating the kids to one of the savoury crêpes. You can watch as they whip these up and load them with your choice of toppings, whether it’s ham and cheese, harissa chicken, truffle mushroom or smoked salmon.