The Newport, of Merivale’s immense collection, really nails the balance between offering a place for the kids and managing any raucous rugrat takeover attempts. Most of the seating is outdoors, which helps to dampen the noise level. There are food festival-style outposts offering different menu options like pizza, drinks, salads and seafood (read: everyone is happy), and there’s a games section with giant Scrabble, ping-pong, badminton and mini wooden bowls. A live band often plays overlooking the serene waterside bushland, so there’s upbeat vibes for adults and kids alike. 2 Kalinya St, Newport NSW. merivale.com/venues/thenewport

The Grounds’ should be a blueprint for any future kids menus in Sydney. The menu manages to be both nourishing and child-approved. The breakfast and lunch options for kids are delightful, so the grownups can relax a little (rather than feeling like they need to rush home to prepare a bowl of greens.) Junior lunch options include: pasture-fed beef rump with steamed greens, fresh egg pasta with organic tomato ragu, and crumbed hoki with sweet potato chips and lemon mayo. On top of that, The Grounds’ on-site activities for kids (and adults) are justifiably legendary. There’s everything from kids-eat-for-free days to a roamable organic garden and a small animal enclosure with goats and chickens. 7a/2 Huntley St, Alexandria NSW. thegrounds.com.au

Hurrah, a kids’ menu that doesn’t read like the rest of them! The dedicated Ducklings menu at the Three Blue Ducks walks the tightrope of healthy, flavoured-packed and fun, with options like black rice and coconut porridge, and honey-glazed roast chicken with potatoes and salad. They also get a gold star for the kids’ outdoor playground and onsite surf park, where imaginations can run wild, while parents savour a bite and a caffeine hit. For the adults, there’s a great drinks list, oysters, and an inventive menu featuring options like red curry mussels with peanut sambol, and kingfish with fermented green chilli. it’s no wonder there are queues most weekends, this place is a true family crowd-pleaser. 309 Melrose Dr, Tullamarine VIC. threeblueducks.com/melbourne

This inner city craft brewery is the perfect place to unwind, beer-in-hand. That said, it’s definitely not all about the adults. While parents get to know the 30 on-tap beers, kids can get acquainted with a split-level cubby house, complete with its own slide and rope swing. There’s also plenty of colouring sheets and board games to keep little hands busy. There’s more than just the usual fried favourites on the kids menu, with options like a hearty mixed vegetable bowl and a generous snack platter of cheese, fruit and vegie batons. And yes, there’s a cheeseburger too! Swing by during the week (Mon-Thu 12pm-3pm) when kids eat free. 100 Gipps St, Collingwood VIC. stompingground.beer

Kids aren’t excluded from the upscale offerings at this McLaren Value destination restaurant. While mum and dad savour chef Wayne Leeson’s contemporary cooking, kids can savour a three-course children’s menu for $35, complete with house-made sourdough, a choice of mains like macaroni bolognese, crumbed fish or chicken, and a seasonal dessert. Inside, It’s a quiet, elegant setting, but there’s also a patch of grass and trees out-the-back where kids can stretch their legs. 104 Ingoldby Rd, McLaren Flat SA. currantshed.com.au

This Adelaide Hills favourite welcomes all comers, from sophisticated couples lingering over a long lunch, to on-the-go families with children. Kids can munch on a selection of items from their own menu before heading to the big garden out the back for a little playtime. The “El Nino” menu includes Spanish pizza and crumbed chicken with chips, although older kids might enjoy more traditional tapas options, such as mushroom and cheese croquetas, patatas bravas (minus the chilli jam), and churros, of course! It’s open for breakfast, too. 100C Mount Barker Rd, Hahndorf SA. comidacateringco.com

If sun-drenched alfresco dining and unhindered views are your sort of thing, then look no further than Victoria Park Bistro. It manages to sit a little under the radar, although why remains a complete and utter mystery to anyone who’s been there. Open and licensed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it has a bountiful variety of fresh produce-driven dishes, and dedicated sections for kids across the entire day. You’ll find the little ones have no qualms when they lay eyes on the playground, which includes a climbing wall, a repurposed tractor and giant games. The only problem might be getting the kids to leave. 309 Herston Rd, Herston QLD. victoriapark.com.au/bistro

This airy, whitewashed West End restaurant redefines the entire concept of child-friendly spaces. The playful ethos is simple: make parents (tackers, prams and all) feel entirely at-home, with nary a grievance from the ever-smiling staff. Grownups can sit back and enjoy a coffee, or something stronger, while the kids enjoy a full-blown playroom for the ages. The brunch menu includes a baby-friendly version of avocado on sourdough, and for lunch, there’s options like baked camembert, Spanish meatballs and a kid-sized seasonal fruit platter with yoghurt. 71 Jane St, West End QLD. jugar.com.au

Despite the name, there are no actual ponies at this former garage turned cafe hotspot in North Hobart’s Elizabeth Street. There is, however, plenty of room for the kidlets to run around. Named after one of the many immortal utterings of British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances’ Hyacinth Bucket, this chic 200-seat eatery has plenty for the young and young-at-heart, including dependable options like sourdough with peanut butter, Nutella French toast and nachos. The grownups can sip on a bloody mary or Corpse Reviver No. 2 cocktail while the kids enjoy a Snickers milkshake. 338 Elizabeth St, North Hobart TAS. roomforapony.com.au

This casual coastal diner on West Coast Drive is a sister venue to The Shorehouse in Swanbourne. It serves up tasty seaside eats in an unpretentious pastel-hued, neon-laden space. The Miami by-way-of the Mediterranean menu offers baked-daily woodfired pita, Levantine seafood dishes and island-inspired cocktails like the Bloomin’ Bellini (made with Bloody Shiraz gin). The kids menu combines old faithful dishes – like fish and chips, and chocolate brownies with vanilla ice cream – with more refined options like Manjimup chips and a Falafel burger. 364 W Coast Dr, Trigg WA. islandmarkettrigg.com