eats in melbourne's north
If you are looking breakfast, lunch, ice-cream or you just love a good cuppa there are lots of fabulous places for you to choose from. Mamma's eats is a selection of our favourite family and kid friendly cafes and eateries in Melbourne’s North handpicked to give you some inspiration, making it super easy to uncover something new for you and the crew to enjoy.
We love bringing you kid friendly places to eat, great pubs for the family and every now and then, a great place for the Mammas to catch up. Browse though our collection or search below for your suburb or fave spot!
Curators Collective is the cutest little cafe in Moonee Ponds - Mamma thinks you need to check it out!
Sunbury’s new local, The Court Coffee Bar, is such a great space for your little ones… Mamma can’t wait to come back!
Wowee Mammas, the Ball Court Hotel in Sunbury is back after a HUGE renovation and we are OBSESSED!
Two Franks in Coburg is the neighbourhood cafe cross general store that you have been looking for.
The latest in unique sangas has hit Thornbury. Juju’s Deli is bringing a focaccia vibe to the tasty sanga.
What was a traditional corner-block milk bar for decades now is the coolest Emil’s Cafe!
The Library Bakery is the latest bakery to open in Melbourne's North.
Sammich in Greensborough is delivering epic toasties which everyone will love!
It isn’t only in the Summer-time you deserve ice-cream. Ice cream is for ANYTIME!
A little hidden Korean gem in Preston that you will want to check out.
Caffe Vista is the perfect spot for good food, great views and time with family and friends.
Matched with cold beer on tap, a kitchen busting out hot pub-grub and enough room for all of our mates, the Panton Hill Hotel is a perfect country style pub.
Check out Pascoe Vales South’s NEWEST restaurant Bar Tobala for authentic Mexican cuisine.
Now, this place is a nortside institution and if you know, you know. Danny’s Burgers has been around longer than Mamma and that’s a fair while.
Picture this - Nonna's house vibes, Franco Cozzo furniture, and the mouth-watering smell of thin-crust pizza. Has Mamma got you yet?
There is nothing quite like an ice cold beer, a slice of pizza and a place for the kids to play after they’ve spent some time in the car. Anvil Brewing Co hits the perfect spot at their family friendly brewery and restaurant in Mansfield.
If you're a fan of delicious country-style baking, then the Provender Bakehouse is a must-visit. This popular bakery in Yea is well-known for its mouth-watering range of pies, cakes, pastries, and specialty breads.
Mansfield Coffee Merchant, the quality-focused café and roaster in Victoria's North-East, is a must-visit spot for coffee lovers. With an all-day menu, it's the perfect place to savour delicious treats and satisfy your cravings.
Mamma loves exploring country bakeries on road trips. Buck's Country Bakehouse in Yarack is a standout with a delicious range of freshly baked goods.
Flinch Coffee & Play is the PERFECT spot where you can enjoy a scrumptious meal while having a blast with the family.
Welcome to The Lab - not just any ordinary dessert lab this place is the NEW flagstaff addition to the delicious Pidapipo Gelati!
BAM Cornerstore really hits the spot - whether you’re looking for something to eat, drink, or a quick pit stop for some local grocery goods for you and the kids. BAM (stands for Bread And Milk) is a family owned business that has really reinvented the corner store concept.
Johnny, Vince, and Sam's Ristorante in Carlton is a one-of-a-kind restaurant that takes you back in time.
With the Union Square popup park, the footpath of The Vale is a great place for family friendly dining - adults can enjoy some cocktails and everyone can enjoy seriously fine food.
This tiny little bar is what dreams are made of! Featuring an entire wall with every flavour of cordial from the famous Billson’s Brewery - you can order cordials, sodas, milkshakes and even spiders at this Soda Bar in Beechworth.
This cordial factory is super impressive. Established in 1865, the brewery is one of Australia’s oldest and has recently been lovingly restored and revitalised into this thriving tourist destination - and top notch beverage producers. Drop in for a meal, a tour, buy your sodas OR taste the entire range of traditional cordials at the tasting bar.
Mamma has got stars in her eyes for this place! The Star Hotel is THE place to be in the sweetest of all towns - Yackandandah. The American style BBQ menu is delicious and full of flavour. A must when visiting Victoria's High Country and Beechworth area.
If you want to learn about any small Australian town - head to the local watering hole. In Stanley, the entire heart of this tiny village is the Stanley Pub. This establishment which was first opened in 1854, has had a resurgence in recent years under the guidance of new ownership and it has made its mark with the locals as well the visitors to Victoria’s High Country.
You can’t really say you have done Beechworth until you have been to Beechworth Bakery. This place has been an institution since 1984 and you just HAVE to try a pastry, or a pie, a snot block, a bee sting AND a meringue.
It's probably the smallest, cosiest pizza restraurant you'll find in the north but boy, it's delicious!
NEW ice cream joint Fluffy Torpedo will send you straight into outer space with their out-of-this-world flavours! Chocolate and Vanilla are the only ‘normal’ ice cream flavours on the menu here. Flavours include orange and poppyseed cake batter; blue Powerade; Vegemite and white chocolate; marshmallow, grape Aeroplane jelly and pink salt; and chocolate mud cake and chocolate milk ice cream. I mean, c’mon - as if you don’t want to go to here right now!!
What a glorious place! Imagine a huge garden centre with two cafes and foodstore, gift shop and wellness centre - all in the one fabulous location. Well, you don’t need to imagine it, you can just go to Rivers of Yarrambat!
This is a family friendly, cosy cafe. The menu has a South American influence and includes some Latin favourites like guacamole, tamales, empanadas and pupusas. There are also Latin spins on regular cafe fare like a chicken burger. A kids menu has some fine options for little tummies, too.
Park St really is the holy grail of family dining! It has everything you could need for a perfect family meal experience, a wonderful cafe overlooking a gated playground!
Two chefs, some chooks and some damn good food - that’s their tag line and there you have it, Brother Hen. Mamma first came here 5 years ago and recently came back for a revisit. It’s still the great family friendly cafe we love!
Brewdog has opened in Pentridge and will soon become your local weekend fun with the family.
Our favourite fish n’ chip place has just multiplied and this time they are in Preston!
Croissant? Nah, Mamma says you should try CroiXssant - a new pastry bakery with LOADS of UNIQUE croissant flavours.
Mamma’s a little bit in love with this new fine food and grocery emporium in Reservoir! Featuring eco friendly and organic brands, it is packed to the brim with high quality produce.
Restaurants with kids play areas are really such treasures. Slices in Keilor is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner AND has not one, but TWO play areas for the kids - how convenient can you get?!
Delicious food and community vibe that will have you back for more!
Black Waffle is a haven for treats with a huge selection of waffles and pancakes.
Oh what a lovely spot for a stroll through a gorgeous nursery before a delicious brunch or lunch while the kids play happily!
These waffles are exactly the fresh, crispy, golden treat you are looking for!
Lebanese food franchise El Jannah Charcoal Chicken has opened it’s first Melbourne location since its establishment in 1998, in which time its chicken has developed a legendary status. The new diner AND drive-thru location in Preston is huge, with indoor and terrace seating available.
We’ve been fans of Bobby Dre’s since way back and now there is a brand new Northside location for us to enjoy in South Morang!
Northern Perk is the home of the Breakfast Tower, a multi-level pillar of savoury and sweet breakfast delights - that you can purchase per head - including eggs, bacon, toast, tomatoes, mushrooms, Halloumi, hash browns, salad, sausages, dips, goats cheese, olives, pancakes, ice cream and fairy floss! If you’re really hungry this is the place to go!
What’s pink and pretty, pink and sweet, pink and delicious, and well…pink! Feekah!
The Eastern Bloc is one of those feel-good, family-run cafes that is perfect to bring the little ones to.
We really love a spacious, family friendly brewery and you’ll be hard pressed finding one with a view as tranquil as this.
We love a family meal here or to pop past for a take away coffee and pie - we’ve even ordered crowd-pleasing catering from them for small events.
Oh My Goodness! The magical creature that is a cruller is about to send you out of this WORLD.
Kewpie (or you may know it by its former name, Bimbos) is a northside institution and not one you might necessarily associate with being a family location. However, if you happen to visit mid week and during the day … it is a brilliant spot to share a pizza with your little ones!
So we love a coffee-slash-cookie date. We love heading to the park. We love all kinds of fun transport. Mamma is proud to present you with ALL THREE!
We can’t let a family friendly brewery go by without stopping in for a visit. Golden Hills Brewery is a brilliant spot to take the kids for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
This 160+ year old pub has just been given a truly lovely makeover and it’s the perfect family-friendly spot for a meal - it’s cosy and just a little bit fancy!
Old Man Drew is arguably the MOST beautiful kid friendly cafe courtyard in the North…possibly even in Melbourne!
The Boot Factory is a kid friendly spot we just love. It’s warm, relaxed and spacious, the food is consistently delicious and Mamma just cannot get enough of the coffee! You’ll love this kid friendly cafe.
Rusty’s Sandwich Parlour began serving up their fresh, delicious, sandwiches and great coffee late last year. We love a place that keeps the focus on simplicity and great quality!
With stacks of room for little ones to move around and play in the spacious gardens and peaceful views of the Yarra River from the Tearoom, there is a place for everyone to explore.
Mamma loves kid-friendly cafes so much and Field Black is a particularly gorgeous one!
Mamma thinks this is the best kind of bar that the day-time has to offer! A coffee and cake bar!!
Roomy and drenched in natural light, the vibe is cool and relaxed. This is a great spot to meet for coffee, brunch or lunch, with enough space for accommodating prams and larger groups.
Sit inside or out the front, and the kids can play in the fenced off area which also has a chalk board and some other fun play equipment.
Flovie in Carlton is a mix of Mamma’s favourite things. Beautiful food and drink and a stunning display of gorgeous flowers.
The Cosmopolitan Hotel sits proudly on the corner on the main strip and you will be drawn to it’s original pub facade and the scent of wood fire. Inside is exactly what you want - cozy and rustic, with a warm fire place to create the perfect atmosphere.
Belissima! This glorious Italian foodie mecca has been around since 2003 and is a well known icon to those in the know.
Mamma says that if you can drive past Bourkies without stopping for a bite then you must be crazy! This iconic bakery has been serving up the best meat pies, sausage rolls, vanilla slices and more for 30 years!
This place is hidden amongst some of the beauties of melbourne’s north and Mamma learnt why.
Named after Charles Henry James , a philanthropist who paved much of the northern suburbs in 1880, this cafe is serving up some delicious fare and great coffee to boot.
Next time you head to Collingwood Children's Farm, save your back from carrying all the snacks and grab some tucker from The Farm Cafe. This beautiful cafe is half in and half out of the farm, servicing the visitors from the stairway or diners can access from the Main Yarra Trail bike path.
This is a real treat folks! A country escape paradise! Built in 1861 from local Bluestone the homestead is glorious. And now the outdoor area is full of bikes, toys a sandpit and cubby house!
Demazzi specialise in burgers and have ridiculously delicious desserts....oh that Nutella burger!
Green Park really is the holy grail of family dining! It has everything you could need for a perfect eating out experience.
Farm Vigano is a hidden treasure and one of our favourite spots to celebrate!
Two chefs, some chooks and some damn good food - that’s their tag line and there you have it, Brother Hen. Mamma first came here 5 years ago and recently came back for a revisit. It’s still the great family friendly cafe we love!
Not only are Tonda offering their usual delicious Italian fare (take away and delivery) but there is also Tonda’s Deli - FULL of delicious produce to prepare at home.
The Boulevard @ Monstalvat gives you a dining experience sure to take you somewhere special.
All Are Welcome in Northcote are bringing folk in with their simplicity and freshly baked goods.
Takeaway Pizza in Preston is bringing back the local pizza shop with new, fresh and interesting flavours.
And just like that Pascoe Vale has a new resident and it's got families coming from all over the place.
It's the second largest beer garden and ONLY permanent bar and food truck stop in Melbourne. With a huge indoor and outdoor area, Welcome to Thornbury is perfect for the WHOLE family ALL year round!
It is said that during the 1840's, Pretty Sally lived in Wallan. But as is the case with most bush legends, details about her life are sketchy.
Local Folk is so pretty, there are tables nestled under a gorgeous shady tree outdoors this is a great option to sit - or if you want to keep the kids contained you can pull up a chair inside. Mamma says there is even a cute mezzanine with a chalk board, mini table and chairs with pencils for the kids too.
Fruit & veg boxes, take home meals, WINE, pantry staples, fresh bread and specially themed pantry packs - Small Axe Deli has everything you need to prepare an incredible meal at home!
This cafe is not only funky, bright and full of fresh tasty food, but they also love kids.
Mamma heard about this place and could not wait any longer to try it. Drum roll please - Piccolina has arrived in Collingwood and is melting hearts.
The Post Office Hotel is a Northside classic and a place that’s sure to make everyone happy
So, what's the buzz about this place? The food good? Well, yes - it is! Ascot Food Store is a must!
Ohh Mamma loves a little country town cafe, especially when it's everything cute and full of little hidden pockets.
Want an experience the kids will never forget? How about lunch 5 storeys up in an old train?
Time to start your day with a coffee and a little joy, Jerry Joy to be precise.
Clayton & Me is the new buzzing breakfast/brunch spot in Reservoir - Check them out
Bean Counter has a laid back, unhurried, welcoming vibe, which is perfect for any Mamma and her long awaited coffee date.
Follow Mamma down the rabbit hole for a delightful brunch with the ones you love!
This little place in located in the heart of Preston or should say this place 'IS' the heart of Preston.
Northcote has a NEW 'go to, MUST visit' brunch spot - Tinker!
et in early, this place is buzzing!
Sometimes Mamma needs a night out and Chin Chin in Melbournes CBD is a dining experience you'll want to share.
Spinach and feta pastries, traditional zaatar, vegetarian pizza with spices.... Yum! Yum! Yum!
If you have wandered the streets of Reservoir in the evening you have probably already noticed the gorgeous bright neon ice cream in the front window of Gellibrand Cafe.
Lady Melvilles is a good value family friendly option for some more-ish food.
Quaint, colourful and absolutely delicious. Mexican food is a mamma fave and this place serves up traditional, authentic and flavoursome food.
Mamma loves Mama Bear. It is as simple as that. Mamma loves the service, Mamma loves the pictures on the cappuccinos, Mamma loves the food, Mamma loves the decor and art on the building. Mamma is in love.
When there is no rain, sit and relax at an outdoor table while the little one can play in the sandpit under the big tree.
The staff are friendly and accommodating for families and there are games, pencils and colouring books to entertain the little ones.