AJ's in the park, 17 October 2021. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate and adore kid-friendly chain restaurants as much as the next mom. They are a fleeting reprieve to enjoy a meal with your spouse or family and are often fantastic for the kids.
For me however, the big chain restaurants with their gargantuan playgrounds are often exhausting. Children screaming, running up and down and a mix between the bigger kids and little ones can be a lot to deal with. Often, these places are more for the children than for the parents. And, it’s always a toss-up – either it’s good food for the kids or good food for the parents, rarely is it ever both.
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Here are four Joburg restaurants to try that are great for the kids and relaxing for the parents
Set in the leafy suburbs of Craighall, AJ’s in the Park, which is currently being run by Voyk Belovic is just the right amount of relaxation, good food and good vibes.
All Covid protocol is observed such as temperature checks, mask checks and hand sanitiser and tables are spaced far enough apart.
AJ’s is family style all the way: wooden benches, astro turf, gazebo style shade with the additional shade of the trees, while there is indoor seating, everyone, and I mean everyone, is outdoors in the summer sun. And why not, when the outdoor area overlooks two massive soccer pitches, jumping castles and slip and slide. It is also surrounded by various jungle gyms and on weekends there is a separate area for kids painting.
The best part? Child minders, during the week and on weekends. The play areas feel secure and there are separate play areas for the toddlers and older kids as child minders make sure the kids do not bump heads (literally) and look after the little ones, so mom and dad, you can actually put your feet up and relax (I mean, you won’t because instinctually you will check up on your kids). What is also nice is that the way the restaurant is set up, you have a 360-degree view of your kids at all times.
There’s something relaxing about AJ’s, it’s not fine dining, I wouldn’t call it perfect even, but it certainly one of the most relaxed I’ve felt after visiting a restaurant in a long time, and as a mom, really that’s all you can ask for.
Contact details:
081 234 5797
Address: 33 Abercorn Ave, Craighall Park, Randburg, 2196
This 450 seater kid-friendly restaurant can be found at the Lifestyle Garden Centre on Beyer’s Naude in Johannesburg. Offering in door and outdoor seating the play area at this kid-friendly restaurant is a children’s dream offering jungle gyms, swings, slides and a trampoline which the little ones which will keep the kids occupied for hours.
Further down you will find a train rides, bumping cars and other rides that will keep the young ones occupied.
Inside the restaurant there is also the option for kids to learn how to make their own pizzas.
Speaking of pizzas, Silverbirch’s menu offers a wide range of food including sandwiches, salads, pizzas and pastas. Food is hearty and homely and perfect for a Saturday afternoon of much needed chill time.
The only downfall, I wish this restaurant had some child minders to help out.
Contact details:
011 792-5714
E-mail: bookings@thesilverbirch.co.za
Address: Shop 20, Lifestyle Garden Centre, Beyers Naudé Drive, Johannesburg, 2194
Started in 2005, Trés Jolie which means ‘very pretty’ in French, this kid-friendly restaurant situated in Ruimsig and it offers a wedding venue on one side and a full restaurant on the other side.
For the kids they can enjoy so many things to keep them entertained. This includes things like pony rides, camel rides, a fairground, sand art, face-painting, a touch-and-feed animal farm, sand pits, slides, swings, and jumping castles.
The menu is diverse and offers a wide range of kids options such as pizzas, drumsticks and ribs and for the adults a little more sophisticated options such as roast butternut and feta salad, snails, and even crem brûlée for the adults.
There are no child minders but bulk of the restaurant’s seating is based outside over looking the kiddies section.
Contact details:
011 794 2473
060 618 1255
072 851 4269
Address: Plot 22, Peter Road, Ruimsig (between Honeydew & Muldersdrift)
Situated in Melville, Bambanani offers good food a great play area which is covered, meaning even when the sun isn’t out you can still take the kids out.
If you do visit this institution make sure you go for the breakfast. The eggs florentine is a must-have while the cuppacinos give you the perfect wake-me-up kick all moms need.
One of the things I absolutely adore about this institution are the kids events held at the restaurant like the kiddie’s disco and toddler crafts. Find out more about it here.
Whether it’s the kids reading corner or the kid-friendly food, Bambanani is a must for any parent looking for some chill time.
Hellooooo child minders!
Contact details:
011 482 2900
info@bambanani.biz
Address: 85, 4th Avenue, Melville, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2092
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