Restaurants with Play Areas & Playgrounds. Wollongong & Illawarra's Best Kid-Friendly Dining

Dining out with the family and young kids can be enjoyable, we promise. Here at Parent’s Guide Illawarra, we have researched the best family-friendly restaurants in Wollongong and across the Illawarra. Let us show you the restaurants, cafes and clubs with play areas. Discover dining options with indoor playgrounds, outdoor play options and kid-friendly dining across the whole of the Illawarra. Keep the whole family happy and have a night off the dishes!

Parents Guide Illawarra can help inspire more family fun times! Read Best Illawarra Playgrounds, or Fun Places To Take Kids, and Best Kids Birthday Party Venues & Packages. or our School Holiday Guide.

Tabatinga Dapto

Dining with Play Areas Illawarra – Tabatinga

Tabatinga Dapto in Dapto Leagues Club is a great option for keeping the kids and the adults happy. With a dedicated, enclosed indoor playground, plus a drop-and-dine option on Friday and Saturday nights (from 6-9:30pm). Parents can have a relaxing meal, knowing their kids are in a safe place and are cared for. Everyone gets to go home content and satisfied. It’s a true win, win.

Woonona Bulli RSL

Dining with Play Areas Illawarra – Woonona Bulli RSL

Woonona Bulli RSL has two fantastic outdoor play areas to keep your kids occupied while waiting for your order or enjoying time with friends. The outdoor seating option has covered and uncovered areas and a really lovely atmosphere. The food at Woonona Bulli RSL is delish and reasonably priced. The kids’ meal deal is also great with a free drink and dessert.

Note: at the time of the publication of this article, WBRSL’s one of two playgrounds has been temporarily removed in the new carpark stage of construction. They still have one kids play area open that has a shade cloth over it in their outdoor dining area near the Brasserie.

Wests Illawarra

Dining with Play Areas Illawarra – Wests Illawarra

Wests Illawarra has so many dining options that even the fussiest eater will find something they like. While eating, or waiting for your meal, the club also offers colouring in for the kids and a great indoor playground. They have thought of everything parents need to ensure a stress-free dining experience. Wests Illawarra have also added brand new live music nights that range from jazz to karaoke, so check out their website for more details.

The Fraternity Club

Dining with Play Areas Illawarra – The Fraternity Club

The Fraternity Club has a massive outdoor playground that adjoins the restaurant. Plus, an indoor arcade, which is awesome for kids and families. Their pizzas get RAVED about on all reviews, and we can’t help but agree. With an authentic Italian restaurant, their other food is really tasty as well, you definitely won’t go home hungry. Don’t forget to try their amazing desserts!

The Balgownie Hotel

Dining with Play Areas Illawarra – Balgownie Hotel

The Balgownie Hotel doesn’t have a dedicated play area. But, instead they offer outdoor games in the pub garden that are a hit with kids and adults alike. It’s a great opportunity to have some fun together and bond over a game of connect for, table tennis, and a bunch of other options available. They also run family-friendly monthly events with face painting and heaps of fun for the kids. The Bally Hotel has a cosy and fun atmosphere with really nice food, so it is always a great afternoon or evening out.

The Nineteenth at Wollongong Golf Club

Dining with Play Areas Illawarra – The Nineteenth at Wollongong Golf Club

The Nineteenth at Wollongong Golf Club is a great option for relaxed, coastal dining. It has a playground for the kids that keeps them busy and happy while the adults can relax. The play area opens at 11:30am daily, just in time for lunch. They have a good selection of dining options to keep everyone happy, and the views are beautiful.

The Shellharbour Club

Dining with Play Areas Illawarra – The Shellharbour Club

The Shellharbour Club has both dedicated indoor and outdoor play areas where the kids can have a ball and you can enjoy a drink while watching them from the seating area close by. To add to this, kids eat free on Tuesdays for lunch or dinner (a free kids meal with a paying adult meal). They have a wide range of meal options from slow-cooked barbeque meats to burgers and pizzas. Their new menu is worth a mention because it has rave reviews.

Bellambi Bowling Club

Bellambi Bowling Club ticks a lot of boxes. They have a great kids’ play area and the greens to play on as well as the adults unwind and relax. There are delicious food options and you are met with great service. It makes for a happy afternoon or evening. Most importantly, everyone will leave happy and full.

Helensburgh Tradie’s Club

A lovely option for families, with a wonderful playground for the kids and yummy food for all. It’s definitely a local favourite and visitors love it too. It is somewhere you will always feel welcome and the prices for meals and drinks are very reasonable, especially because they are so tasty.

Towradgi Beach Hotel

From the impressive fish tanks inside, to the fun enclosed playground surrounded by outdoor seating, Towradgi Beach Hotel has a great set up for families. The food is always delish, the prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is very relaxed. It’s like your favourite black dress, you can dress it up or down as you like. From a fancy meal out to a chilled out afternoon with the family, Towradgi Beach Hotel always leaves us impressed.

Lake Illawarra Hotel

Lake Illawarra Hotel has a massive play area for the kids who can explore and run until their hearts are content It is a great Hotel with everything you need for a fun afternoon or evening out. Whether you prefer eating inside or outside, there are options here to keep you happy, and you are sure to love the food too.

Collegians Figtree

Collegians in Figtree has a beautiful outdoor area with lots of space for kids to run and play in and around the playground. It’s the perfect way to spend a weekend relaxing in the sun over nice food and a couple of drinks with family or friends. Inside the club there is a play room as well, so there are lots of family-friendly options here.

Five Islands Road Hotel

Five Islands Road Hotel not only have a great kids play area with a playground and arcade games, but they also have meal deals to suit the whole family. The meals are tasty and the staff are attentive and friendly. You will have a great night out here with the whole family.

Finally, make the most of family life in our stunning Illawarra – Subscribe to the ultimate guide to family living weekly email by Parents Guide. Say NO to bored kids and get inspired! Click and sign up for our Parents Newsletter here. Get all the local inspo!

You might also like: