At some point during the week (usually Monday for us) you get sick of preparing meals, decide to throw in the tea towel, round up the rugrats and head to one of our fine establishments so they can handle that exhausting little song-and-dance. Only to be faced with a whole new issue – the prospect of taking the munchkins out for munches #cuepanic

To save you the ‘find-something-everyone-can-eat-without-too-many-tears’ struggle entirely – we’ve collected our very favourite purveyors of good vibes, welcoming atmospheres and of course, bulk ice cream and chippies.

So without further ado, here is a list of family-friendly Gold Coast restaurants to treat you and your cherubs to some chow, so you can have a reprieve from slaving over the stove for a night.

From north to south.

The Wattle Hotel
A hidden gem in Upper Coomera, The Wattle Hotel is the perfect playground for parents and kiddies. The adult menu is filled with all your fave pub-style dishes while the littlies menu has all their favourites for $12 bucks including a drink and dixie cup – a bargain and a half, especially when you consider the inbuilt perk of those blissful sounds of serenity (the kind only a Cheeseburger could buy). 10/10 kids also agree the whopper playground is the bees knees (ok, so that stat is more of an educated guess, we hope you can let it ‘slide’…) Gather the kiddies and get down and see for yourself.
Where: 1 Reserve Road, Upper Coomera

Coomera Lodge Hotel
If riverside hangs and room to roam are high on your priority list, Coomera Lodge Hotel delivers. With an expansive open-air beer garden overlooking the Coomera River and an undercover pavilion for all-weather hangs, it’s an easy yes for families. The menu covers all the pub classics, while the real win for parents is the rotating kids’ fun, including a petting zoo and school holiday activities that keep little hands busy while you settle in.
Where: 160 Maudsland Road, Oxenford

Hope Island Tavern
Sunny days, good vibes and an epic playground? Say less. Hope Island Tavern is a go-to for families thanks to its sprawling beer garden and kid-approved play area that keeps them entertained while you dig into wood-fired pizzas, fresh seafood or even a cheeky gelato. The kids’ menu is stacked (think battered fish, nuggets, spaghetti bolognese, and even a health bowl), and their Sunday Funday lineup offers even more reason to linger from 12pm.
Where: 93 Broadwater Ave, Hope Island

Dublin Docks Tavern
Set right on the water at Harbour Town, Dublin Docks Tavern brings relaxed family dining with a side of Irish charm. The spacious family bistro dishes up all your pub favourites- think steaks, seafood and hearty classics- alongside a kids’ menu to keep the little ones happy. Bonus points for being pet-friendly, so even the fur babies can get in on the outing.
Where: Harbour Town Shopping Centre, Biggera Waters

Charis Seafoods
Found in Harley Park, Labrador, Charis Seafoods offers a family-friendly atmosphere with a sweet view to boot. Enjoy your fish and chips by the Broadwater while the kids play in the park or swim in the lagoon. There’s a huge variety of seafood on offer, and everything is of the freshest and highest quality. This Gold Coast icon is also renowned for its pelican feeding at 1:30pm daily, where close to a hundred pelicans gather for their special feed of fish!
Where: 371 Marine Parade, Labrador

Historic Rivermill
Less of a restaurant, more full-blown adventure day – Historic Rivermill might be an overachiever, but we promise you, a meal at this beaut spot will delight you and your little people. The outlook from the cafe is breathtaking with views to the bushland beyond and plenty of space, including a cute ‘lil playground, for the kids to explore. This pretty riverside spot boasts its own petting zoo, so the animal encounters are a must-do for the munchkins. Feed the turtles and alpacas, or even go on a horse ride! Don’t sweat it when your little people grow peckish, of course, the cafe boasts plenty of yummy goodies for the human folk too. Including coffee, which we absolutely will require after herding the critters (we’ll let you decide which we’re referring to). Do yourself a favour and take a drive out there with the whole family.
Where: 950 Beaudesert-Nerang Road, Mt Nathan

Southport Sharks
For families, Frenzy’s buffet is the go-to – especially for the mini salad dodgers. Pair it with the Wobbygones Kids Club (rock climbing wall, mini basketball and theatrette), plus the LOL Crew Kids Show on Sundays from 5–7pm, and you’ve got them sorted as the small ones frolic under supervision, and you kick back with a frosty beverage. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner with buffet and à la carte options. Even better, kids eat free at Monday dinner and Saturday breakfast buffets with a paying adult, and score a half-price buffet with every full-paying adult on Sundays!
Where: Olsen Ave and Musgrave Ave, Southport

Mermaid Waters Hotel
When it comes to keeping kids entertained, Mermaid Waters Hotel has thought of everything. With both indoor and outdoor play areas- including a playground and a playroom with PlayStations- it’s a dream scenario for parents wanting a moment of peace (#guiltfree). Pair that with a dedicated kids menu (it’s an epic adventure within itself) and a solid lineup of adult options, and you’ve got a spot that ticks all the boxes for an easy family outing.
Where: Cnr Markeri & Sunshine Blvd, Mermaid Waters

Mermaid Beach Surf Club
Surf clubs are family-friendly by principle, but the Mermaid Beach Surf Club in particular has got the goods in the form of a playroom (with a jungle gym and TV) that will keep the kids entertained for hours. Some of us here have been in there and can attest that it’s a good time. Of course, they have lots of child-friendly menu options on their Nippers Menu, which include a FREE Zooper Dooper or vanilla ice cream, AND on Monday nights, kids eat free with any main meal purchased. How good.
Where: 172 Hedges Avenue, Mermaid Beach

Mermaid Beach Tavern
These days, Tavs, Pavs and Clubs have well and truly ditched their old-school beer dungeon rep — and Exhibit A is Mermaid Beach Tavern. Easy on the eyes, spacious, and serving up classic pub eats the whole family will love. Speaking of, you can feed the family (of four) dinner on a Thursday for $70 from 5:30pm. Now that’s an offer that one (one tired parent at the back end of the week) simply couldnt pass up! Putt wait, there’s more… Play a round of mini golf next door at Putt Putt Mermaid Beach, then present your voucher at the bistro to score an $18 adult meal or $10 kids meal for lunch or dinner — the perfect combo for a family outing, date night or catch-up with friends.
Where: 2500 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Miami Marketta
Another, ‘less of a restaurant’ venue, Miami Marketta is more a market-style dining situation, which is ideal when ‘relaxed eats’ is kind of the whole objective when we’re talking about feeding the oft-rambunctious rugrats. Open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, with food stalls and (often) live music, kids absolutely adore running around, dancing, and eating all the things. Same. There’s a ridiculous array of next-level desserts and a bar, so that’s pretty much all your bases covered, we think. Always a fun time.
Where: 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami

Hotel CBD
Varsity Lakes’ Hotel CBD is basically a one-stop shop for family nights out. There’s an indoor playground and a dedicated kids’ room to keep the little ones busy, plus regular entertainment, including Saturday night activities and school holiday fun. Add in perks like 50% off kids’ meals on Mondays and Tuesdays, Thursday movie nights with free popcorn, and a $45 family pizza night, and you’ve got yourself a very solid midweek solution.
Where: 15/21 Lake St, Varsity Lakes

Burleigh Town Hotel
We Gold Coasters do love a good all-rounder, and this spot delivers with a slick and spacious layout – it’s a firm favourite with locals (the top-notch steaks don’t hurt either), especially parents. The sprawling set-up is a win for families, with a modern bistro, two fully serviced bars and an epic playground where the kids can roam while you settle in. From woodfired pizzas to easy crowd-pleasing bites, the menu keeps even the pickiest eaters happy- we’re looking at you, kids. There’s also a dedicated Kids Club to keep the little ones entertained (think face painting, balloon and slime making and petting zoos), and even better, kids eat free with any main meal every Monday. This is livin’.
Where: Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads

Currumbin RSL
Sitting pretty (and we do mean pretty- she’s not your average RSL, she’s a cool RSL) right on the banks of Currumbin’s beloved creek, families flock here in droves. Whether it’s the dreamy waterfront outlook or the lineup of modern, crowd-pleasing eats is up for debate (though the ice-cold beers certainly help). Upgrade things for the little ones with a soft drink and a single scoop of ice cream with any kids’ meal. Even better, kids eat free on Mondays with any main purchase, and the menu is fit for a small king — think la bambino pizza, tempura chicken nuggets, cheeseburgers, linguine bolognese or battered flathead. Don’t worry, grown-ups, you’re well covered too. Add in a fully fenced park right next door, and you’ve got yourself a very easy win.
Where: 165 Duringan St, Currumbin

Club Banora
Just five minutes south of Twin Towns, Club Banora is a full-blown family playground disguised as a dining spot. The outdoor Kids Zone is packed with architect-designed play equipment, mini golf, table tennis and more – aka, hours of entertainment sorted. Meanwhile, the bistro serves up all the crowd-pleasers, with kids’ meals (hello cheeseburgers, nuggets and fish bites) coming with a free ice cream. Easy win.
Where: Leisure Drive, Banora Point, New South Wales

There you have it ,folks, from playgrounds to pelicans and nuggets to next-level pub feeds, the Gold Coast is packed with family-friendly spots that make dining out with the kids way less chaotic (and way more fun). Click here for Surfers Paradise family-friendly restaurants with the ultimate seal of approval: the kids themselves.

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

We’re known to be a bit of a fun-loving bunch here on the GC, and any local worth their weight in salt(y hair) knows that Surfers Paradise is the MVP when it comes to fun. But there’s more to Surfers than just beach and suddenly we’re thinking about Ryan Gosling #MyJobIsJustBeach. Whether you’re a big kid at heart, an actual kid, or somewhere in between, the newly zhuzhed Paradise Centre is the GOAT for good times.

Timezone
I mean, if you haven’t been to Timezone at the Paradise Centre as an ankle biter, on a date, with a mate, or to wow the mini-me’s, sorry but you can’t sit with us. A local institution in its own right, this rite of passage has been serving up adrenaline-pumping good times for four decades. Bust a move in a dance-off, race your friends on a virtual track, challenge the fam to a laser tag battle, or play a round of mini golf but don’t forget, pack a spare pair of socks in case you get a ‘hole in one’…. #punstoppable.

FREAK VR
If you like escape rooms, FREAK VR’s virtual reality escape room is the (un)real deal. Here you don’t just play the game, you become the game with mind-boggling 4D effects and totally out of this world physical spaces. Test out your teamwork skills, immerse yourself in other dimensions, and get ready to embrace your inner FREAK (in a strictly ‘non-Only Fans’ kinda way of course…).

MANIAX Axe Throwing
Nothing says fun like chucking axes at a wall, plus it’s like a therapy sesh complete with ocean views and a Viking-themed bar #quadfecta. Sporting a custom-built axe hall and 15 throwing lanes, learn a badass new skill and grab a pic sitting on the mighty warrior’s throne for the ‘gram. Promising ‘axe-factor’ for days, chop chop and book your crew in stat.

Zone Bowling
Bowling is like pizza – even when it’s not great, it’s still pretty great. So, when you experience the awesomeness of Zone Bowling, you’ll agree it’s right up everyone’s ‘alley’, and guaranteed to ‘strike’ a chord with even the most decerning bowler (no ‘pins’ intended). Featuring 12 interactive bowling lanes, a cafe and a bar, channel your inner Jeffrey Lebowski and head to Zone.

Holoverse Dinosaur World & Aquarium
LBR, dinosaurs never get old, so for a fun family day out, birthday party, or team building activity day, it’s Holoverse for the win. Obvs a hit with the small folk, there’s also an M-rated section and once again, #NoOnlyFans. The first of its kind on the planet, get acquainted with monsters or dinosaurs, take a deep dive into the big blue, experience what it’s like to fly, and play both action sports and arcade games. Roarsome!

Go Ride A Wave
Learn a gnarly new skill to flex, which will most likely improve your physical flex by default (bonus points), at Go Ride A Wave. This renowned surf school specialises in daily beginner surf lessons, with group and private lessons available on request, all on our world-famous Surfers Paradise Beach. And just like that, we’re back to Ryan Gosling again….. #beachoff.

When: Check website for each venue’s operating hours
Where: 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Words by Bianca Trathen.

STORY SPONSORED BY PARADISE CENTRE

If the mere thought of the phrase ‘I’m bored’ (honourable mention also to ‘I’m hungry’), is enough to involuntarily send your eyeballs rolling off their very axis, chances are you’ve probably heard it on repeat since (what feels like) the beginning of time, aka every weekend and school holiday in recent memory. It’s a time honoured tradition, children complaining that there’s nothing to do, while parents instantly blank on every fun activity option they’ve ever known, like a quiz show guest faltering under the pressure of the bright studio lights.

So we’re here to tell you, #ICYMI one of the Coast’s most tried and true boredom buster destinations recently got a major upgrade meaning more fun for well, everyone. Because if it’s been a while since you last ventured in for a nostalgia fix at the HQ of all-round fun and Surfers icon, Timezone, you might be bowled over to learn that along Zone Bowling recently opened right next door #convenient. Already boasting activities galore, with laser tag, glow in the dark mini golf, bumper cars, and more arcade games than you can poke a token at (showing our age), throw in a slick bowling joint and it’s 10’s all round for the actual kids, and the big kids alike #winnersallround.

Which is excellent news for parents who felt our intro strike a chord, but also for all you fun Aunty’s and Funcle’s trying to win ultimate cool-points with the niblings, through to Gigi’s, Grandads, Godparents and everyone in between. And why let the kids have all the fun, we reckon Timezone has long been underrated as the ultimate date night destination that’s guaranteed not to strike out. Bring the fun back to date nights we say!

Zone Bowling Surfers Paradise boasts 12 interactive bowling lanes decked out with alllll the mod cons in some pretty swanky surrounds, which quite frankly couldn’t be any further from the dungeon-chic bowling alleys of our youth #stillfuntho #corememories.

The spacious, modern dining area is way more luxe than it has any right to be, providing the perfect post or pre game pit-stop for friends and fam to gather, kick back and rib each other about their bowling skills (or lack thereof). Thankfully, the fare is every bit as good as we remember, with all the family friendly classics like burgers, loaded fries, pizzas and hot dogs set to go down a treat for all ages. Of course, after working up a thirst, a milkshake or ice-cream spider will go down a treat for the littles – while the adults can swing by the bar to indulge in a range of delicious cocktails.

And the final strike of genius – there’s a range of special passes to choose from, giving guests access to activities across both Zone Bowling and Timezone #gameon. We don’t know about you guys, but we’re suddenly in the mood to play a good old-fashioned game of crocodile whack-a-mole #ow #nowi’mangry.

And with school holidays around the corner (yes, again) keep your eyes peeled for the top secret Winter offer coming soon for some slam-dunk holiday entertainment. Who doesn’t love the opportunity show the young’ns how it’s done and flex our mad Daytona USA skills.

So for more fun than you can pac-man a joystick at, channel your inner Mario Kart and zoom on down to Surfer’s one-stop-shop for games, good times, tasty treats and wholesome family fun.

Where: Timezone & Zone Bowling Surfers Paradise, Paradise Centre, Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
When: 9am – 12am daily.

Words by Kellie Leader.

STORY SPONSORED BY TIMEZONE & ZONE BOWLING.