If you’re dealing with a picky eater in the family and seeking a place that caters to both your palate and your kids’, then explore these family-friendly dining spots in Ipswich. Featuring a play area for the kids or a special menu just for them, here are our current top picks for dining out with your little ones in Ipswich.
Queens Park Cafe
The quintessential place to eat in Ipswich is Queens Park Café. This place is made for kids – it’s a destination that will keep the kids entertained all day! Located within Queens Park, there are loads of free activities surrounding the café which includes a playground, an Environmental Education Centre, Nature Centre (gold-coin donations are appreciated), Nerima Gardens and plenty of room to kick a ball or run around.
The Café itself has breakfast and lunch options for the kids, with loads of options for the grown-ups. Among the favourites for adults are dishes like eggs benedict and chicken parmigiana, complemented by a wide array of other tempting options. Kids will be kept happy with the ever-popular chicken nuggets or choose from avocado on toast, hot cakes or the kids’ breakfast. And when it comes to the thickest thickshakes around, Queens Park Café has you covered with eight different flavours to choose from. The Café caters for a wide variety of food allergies as well.
Location: 10a Merle Finimore Avenue, Ipswich
UB’s (Ungermann Brothers) Milk Bar
For an ice cream experience like no other, you just have to visit UB’s Milk Bar. The ice cream here is made from scratch and consists of over 17 unique flavours of ice cream such as fairy bread, finger lime, carrot cake, dutch spice and lavender.
It’s more than just ice cream here though, UB’s menu has burgers, waffles, macarons’, milkshakes, gourmet desserts and even brekkie options available for the early birds. Kids can choose from the cheeseburger, mini Dagwood dog or the choice of chicken or vegan nuggets. UB’s also has a couple of vegan burger options too, and all burgers are created from local Ipswich suppliers.
The vibe here is also very retro – with chequered floors, blue and red bench seats and chairs, and electro-swing music; it’s a great spot in the CBD to take a step back in time.
Location: 1/126 Brisbane Street, Ipswich
The Barn Family Restaurant
Who doesn’t love a good smorgasbord? The most cost-effective buffet coupled with country style hospitality has to be The Barn Family Restaurant. Dinner is served Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm to 8pm for just $22.50 per adult and $15 per child under 12, with under 5s free; and breakfast on the first Sunday of the month from 8am for $27.50 per adult and $17 per child under 12, with under 5s free. The Barn is the ideal place to dine on race day too, as it’s located at the Ipswich Turf Club.
Breakfast options include muesli, yoghurt, muffins, hash browns, bacon and eggs while dinner options include roast meats, casseroles, salads, fried foods and vegetable dishes along with a dessert selection consisting of ice cream and condiments, cakes, sweets and fresh fruit.
You can take a walk around the kitchen garden and bird aviary while the kids enjoy the outdoor playground.
Location: 219 Brisbane Road, Bundamba
Prince Alfred Hotel
Affectionately known to locals as the PA Hotel, this establishment boasts the largest craft beer bar in the southern hemisphere, known as Tap’d, offering nearly 100 craft beers and ciders on tap. But it’s not just a place for beer enthusiasts. Inside, you’ll discover Char’d restaurant, serving up a delectable array of steak, seafood, burgers, sizzling hot volcanic rock meals, and much more. The kids’ menu features beloved classics like chicken, fish, or cheeseburger accompanied by chips, and a choice of ice cream for dessert.
Whether you’re seeking refined dining options or catering to picky eaters, the PA Hotel has you covered. Don’t miss out on their daily specials, available Monday through Thursday and all-day Sunday.
Location: 170 Brisbane Road, Booval
Jets Leagues Club
Housed in an historic building and affiliated with the Ipswich Jets Rugby League Football Club, Jets offers a family-friendly environment sure to please everyone in the family.
There’s a wide variety of dishes on offer here from seafood dishes to steaks, classic dishes or spice it up with one of their Wok dishes. For the little ones, there’s a selection of meals including chicken nuggets, fish, cheeseburger or sausages served with mash and gravy. Each kids’ meal comes with choice of sauce, drink and ice cream, plus a kids’ activity pack. Members can also take advantage of a free kids’ meal for lunch and dinner Monday to Thursday when purchasing a main meal.
To keep the children entertained, there’s an unsupervised play room available.
Location: 15 Downs Street, North Ipswich
Club Services Ipswich (CSI)
Club Services Ipswich (CSI) operates within the RSL tradition and boasts a comprehensive a la carte menu with an extensive array of options ranging from pizza and pasta to seafood, steak, pub classics, burgers, and plant-based dishes. Children are catered to with meals that include a small soft drink and ice cream cup, featuring choices like cheeseburger, ham and pineapple pizza, spaghetti bolognese, or dino chicken nuggets.
CSI offers daily lunch specials exclusively for members from 11:30 am to 2 pm. Plus, on Sundays and Mondays, kids dine for free with a main meal purchase from the Long Horn Bar & Grill. This enticing offer is usually extended throughout school holidays as well.
The Cool Kidz Club boasts an unsupervised kids’ room equipped with an abundance of entertaining games, ensuring that both little ones and older kids alike are entertained.
Location: 5A Lowry Street, North Ipswich
Mihi Tavern
If you’re on the hunt for a classic pub meal that’s done well, look no further than the Mihi Tavern. Indulge in favourites like traditional parmis and beefed-up burgers, Angus steaks, refreshing salads, pizza and schnitzels.
Children are spoilt for choice with an array of options including chicken nuggets, beef burgers, ham and cheese pizza, spaghetti Bolognese, battered fish, steak or cheese pasta. Each kids’ meal is served with a choice of chips, mash, corn, salad or mixed vegetables.
Here’s an added perk: the bistro’s kitchen offers all-day dining on Saturdays and Sundays. On Sundays, kids can eat free for lunch or dinner with the purchase of any adult main meal. This appealing offer typically continues during the school holidays too. And to keep the little ones entertained, there’s a dedicated play area on-site.
Location: 26 Fernvale Road, Brassall
The Foundry
The Foundry is the ideal spot for a playdate, featuring a playground as well as a designated kids’ corner for little kids who aren’t quite big enough for the play equipment. The café is open Tuesday to Friday from 7 am until 1 pm, and Sunday from 8 am until 11:30 am.
Favourite menu items include the bacon and egg brioche bun, pulled pork brioche bun, sweet treats from the cabinet and delicious drinks including smoothies, milkshakes and coffee.
The Foundry also has picnic packs available where you can hire a basket filled with pillows, a blanket, mini picnic table and lawn game. Then just order your food and drinks from the counter and you’re all set!
Location: 142 Pine Mountain Road, Brassall
Club Parkview
Recently refurbished, Club Parkview has something for everyone. The Clubview Kitchen has the usual pub favourites, a large steak selection, woodfired pizzas and Asian influenced dishes for the grown-ups plus a choice of kids dishes that can be either ordered on their own or as a combo. We can definitely get behind the garlic bread here!
Jacaranda Café is located within the club and is open from 10am every day for coffee and treats. The café is aptly named after the stunning Jacaranda trees of Goodna which typically bloom from October through to November.
Club Parkview also has a brand new three-story outdoor playground for the kids to burn off some energy.
Location: 32 Woogaroo Street, Goodna
Summer Land Camel Cafe
Discover the ultimate destination for interacting with and capturing stunning photos of camels at no cost – Summer Land Camel Farm, conveniently located within a half-hour drive from Ipswich CBD. Nestled against the picturesque backdrop of Flinders Peak in the Scenic Rim region, this farm offers a delightful experience for visitors.
Indulge in a variety of paid activities, including camel feeding sessions, camel rides, guided farm tours, and immersive cameleer experiences.
After your camel adventure, make sure to visit the Homestead Café, where you can explore an array of unique camel-inspired delicacies. Treat yourself to the renowned Camelcino, indulge in camel milk gelato, or savour the flavors of a camel meat pie or buttered camel curry.
For the little ones, the café offers a selection of breakfast options, including soft boiled egg with sourdough soldiers, fruit salad with yoghurt, Weet-Bix with milk and honey, or vegemite on sourdough. Lunch options include hot chips and the ever-popular waffles with camel milk gelato.
Location: 8 Charles Chauvel Drive, Harrisville
To discover options a little further afield, we can also recommend Walloon Hotel, Lagoon Café in Springfield Central and Haigslea EWE Nique Hobby Farm.
