17 best Gold Coast restaurants and pubs with playgrounds

The Gold Coast is a tourism mecca for families looking for action-packed activities and family-friendly accommodation. When it comes to eating out families are not forgotten either with a range of welcoming pubs, restaurants, cafes and taverns that offer a place for kids to have fun too. We’ve searched the Central, North, South and Hinterland regions of the Gold Coast and here are the best pubs and restaurants on the Gold Coast with playgrounds for kids. 

Central Gold Coast

Southport Sharks
Southport, QLD

Southport Sharks is a members club with a restaurant, café, bars, sports facilities, fitness centre, hotel accommodation and most importantly, Wobbygongs Kids Fun Zone. The purpose-built play area is for kids aged three to 12 years old and has a rock-climbing wall, mini basketball court, drawing tables, a play area and theatrette showing the latest movies and television shows. Pricing for non-members is $5.50 per hour and bookings are essential.

Hot tip: If you’re visiting on a Sunday don’t miss the free LOL Crew kids show with on-stage party games, singing, skits, puppets, prizes and junior talent spotlights. Plus kids eat half price at Frenzy’s dinner buffet every Sunday.

Merlina’s Restaurant
Mermaid Beach, QLD

Located within the Mermaid Beach Surf Club, Merlina’s is an ocean-front, family-friendly restaurant open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and every Friday to Sunday. With views over Mermaid Beach, guests can dine on the spacious, bright and breezy balcony area, or inside for a closer view of the indoor playgroom with a jungle gym. Kids can choose from the Nippers Menu (kids menu) with perennial favourites including fish and chips, chicken nuggets, pizza, spaghetti bolognese and mini beef burgers and every meal includes a free iceblock or ice cream.

CSi Club Southport
Southport, QLD

Kids of all ages will love the kidz zone at this members and guests club. There’s an expansive jungle gym, foosball table and vintage video games. The club has an atmosphere the whole family will enjoy with alfresco dining in The Laneway restaurant and free live entertainment every Friday & Saturday night. Kids menus, tasty gluten-free and vegetarian meals are available as well as lighter serves for those with smaller appetites.

Burleigh Town Hotel
Burleigh Heads, QLD

Burleigh Town Hotel is another great pub on the Gold Coast with a playground for kids with a family-friendly atmosphere. Enjoy a wine and woodfired pizza in the bright bistro or shaded beer garden while kids check out the play area and undercover playground.

Bonus tip: kids eat free on Mondays!

Benowa Tavern
Benowa, QLD

Overlooking Nerang River, Benowa Tavern uses fresh produce from local suppliers to serve up succulent steaks, fresh seafood and all the hearty pub classics we know and love. With a large selection of beer on tap and live music every Sunday, this is one to add to your hit list. Lunch and dinner are served in the family bistro with a dedicated kid’s menu. The outdoor playground is covered by a shade cloth and will guarantee at least one bite of your meal uninterrupted.

Lonestar Tavern
Mermaid Waters, QLD

This pub on the Gold Coast with a playground is great for families staying in the Central Gold Coast area. Head to Graziers Steakhouse Restaurant which offers both indoor and outdoor dining, a dedicated kids menu and a colourful playground and playroom to keep little diners entertained.

Dog & Parrot Tavern
Robina, QLD

Chow down on scrumptious share plates, steaks, pub classics and woodfired pizzas at this Gold Coast pub. Choose from indoor and outdoor seating and best of all kids are well catered for here. There’s a kids menu and an undercover outdoor playground and an indoor playroom with PlayStations to keep them entertained.

Dublin Docks
Biggera Waters, QLD

A modern take on the classic Irish pub, this family bistro dishes up succulent steaks, fresh seafood, and a famous Graziers beef & Guinness pie. Ingredients are sourced locally where possible so they can support local suppliers. Best of all you can relax with a beer in hand while kids explore the indoor playground.

Southport Yacht Club
Southport, QLD

Choose from unique dining venues including the Waterfront Restaurant where you’ll find a relaxing atmosphere and scrumptious seasonal menus including a Cadets menu for kids 13 and under. Hollywell Bar & Bistro is more casual and open Wednesdays to Sundays. But most importantly it’s the shaded and fenced nautical-themed playground we know you care about.

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Northern Gold Coast

The Wattle Hotel
Upper Coomera, QLD

Kids can channel their inner pilot as they take in the views from the towering cockpit at this indoor playground before riding a spiraling slide down when it’s mealtime. This relaxed, casual dining venue dishes up $12 kids meals which come with a juice and ice cream.

Hot tip: If you’re visiting midweek the $15 adult’s lunch menu offers a selection of sandwiches, Crispy squid, poke bowls and a panko-crumbed chicken schnitzel. Yummo!

Coomera Lodge Hotel
Oxenford, QLD

Commera Lodge Hotel is an ultra-family-friendly pub with a playground on the Gold Coast. Dine on tasty pub classics; chicken schnitzels, smoked meats and classic burgers plus a variety of vegetarian and vegan options. Choose to sit beneath the undercover pavilion or stretch out in the expansive open-air beer garden overlooking the Coomera River while the kids explore the shaded and fenced playground. There are slides and climbing obstacles to keep them entertained while you enjoy a pint or glass of wine, taking in the river views.

Bonus tip: if you’re visiting on the weekend check out the limited menu of smoked meats cooked on the parrilla char grill or in the smoker. Get in early as they will sell out.

Oxenford Tavern
Oxenford, QLD

The Oxenford Tavern Bistro is family-friendly and open for lunch and dinner. Feast on pub classics like chicken parmigiana, beef pies, premium Graziers steaks, tasty share plates and hearty salads. There’s a kid’s menu available too. Best of all? There’s an indoor playground, amusement machines, Playstations and designated kids screens to keep them busy.

Norfolk Tavern
Ormeau, QLD

A 30-minute drive from the centre of the Gold Coast you’ll find Norfolk Tavern in Ormeau. This is another great pub on the Gold Coast with a playground for kids. A custom-built outdoor playground has spiraling slides and climbing obstacles and an indoor games room is available too. This tavern serves lunch and dinner with a family-friendly menu. We love that kid’s meals are $12 including a drink and options include dino nuggets, fish and chips, cheeseburgers or a grilled chicken wrap.

Bonus tip: Monday is kid’s movie night at Norfolk Tavern. Arrive in the afternoon for a movie and snacks while you unwind with a drink.

Funnybone Coffee
Helensvale, QLD

For a more casual dining affair, Funnybone Cafe is located in The Surrounds Leisure Centre and backs onto Buckler Park which has a fantastic kid’s playground. Sit back with a coffee while the kids let loose. The cafe is open seven days a week between 7 am and 2 pm.

Southern Gold Coast

Currumbin RSL
Currumbin, QLD

Ok, so technically this playground isn’t inside of the RSL, but it was a partnership between the club and the City of Gold Coast to build a new nautical-themed playground creekside of the club. It is fully fenced and within easy walking distance and eyesight from the outdoor patio so worth a visit if you’re in the area. Plus there’s free live music Friday to Sunday and heaters on the deck in winter.

Gold Coast Hinterland

Hinterland Hotel
Nerang, QLD

With a bistro open for lunch and dinner daily from 11:30 am, Hinterland Hotel is another great option for families. Kids meals for 10-year-olds and under are $12 and include their choice of chicken nuggets and chips, napoli spaghetti, cheeseburger and chips or a ham and pineapple pizza and chips and come with a soft drink and ice cream. An outdoor fenced playground will beckon them and interactive screens are available for kids to use.

Wallaby Hotel
Mudgeeraba, QLD

The Wallaby Hotel is one of the oldest classic pubs on the Gold Coast, established in 1883. It’s home to live music and has a bistro with a kid’s menu, an open-air deck, bar, gaming lounge and a kid’s play area located on the deck. Here little ones can climb, ride curving slides, play with interactive boards and pretend to be attendants in a cute mock train station.

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