The Best Family-Friendly Pubs in Melbourne

Whether the sun’s shining or the rain’s pouring (and the fire crackling), there’s nothing quite like a pub lunch shared with the whole family. And whether it’s colouring pencils for the little ones or just plenty of room to move, even better are the pubs that cater to the whole family.

Here are our top picks of the best family-friendly pubs in Melbourne, that are fun for everyone. 

The Plough Hotel

Everyone’s welcome at the Plough Hotel, including the little ones. Casual and classic, this Footscray family-friendly pub nails it on the head every time. There’s something on the seasonal menu for everyone: adults, meat-eaters, vegetarians, vegans, and children alike, so no one goes hungry. The little ones can munch on traditional kid-friendly pub feeds including pizza, pasta, fish and chips, steak and fries, a parma or schnitzel, or a cheeseburger. The menu even comes with a maze and colouring activity for them to complete, so make sure you bring crayons!

333 Barkly Street, Footscray

Hotel Esplanade

The beloved Espy has it all, including the Main Bar’s menu for kids being home to one of the best margarita pizzas in town.

The relaxed, easy-breezy beachside location only adds to the charm, making it one of the best family-friendly pubs in Melbourne.

While the kids enjoy their lunch, you also get to have your pick of the menu, which includes classics like chicken and leek pot pie (with added truffle and a pea mash), lobster and frites and an eggplant parma. 

11 The Esplanade, St Kilda 

The Auburn Hotel

The Auburn Hotel is a haven for families wanting to enjoy a meal out with their kids. Not only does it have a kids friendly menu, but Sunday is also a day dedicated to making the little ones happy—Kid’s Sunday Funday. Every week, you can come and enjoy a delicious Sunday roast at this family-friendly pub in Melbourne while your kids can roam around enjoying the free petting zoo on offer from 12:30pm to 3:30pm! It’s a Sunday Funday for the entire family.

85 Auburn Road, Hawthorn East

Hobson’s Bay Hotel

At Hobson’s Bay Hotel, there’s a modern approach to your local watering hole going on; a sophisticated yet laidback place to catch up with friends and family, big and small.

Watch your favourite footy team in the front bar or catch the sunset over Williamstown Bay from either the balcony or rooftop.

For families, there is plenty of pram space and high chairs. Menu-wise, the children’s menu provides tasty fare like fish and chips, grilled chicken salad, cheeseburgers and fried chicken and chips. But there’s also plenty on the main menu suitable for kids, cementing Hobson’s as one of the best family-friendly pubs in Melbourne. 

28 Ferguson Street, Williamstown

Middle Park Hotel

A boutique hotel and gastropub, Middle Park Hotel offers kid-friendly dining in the bar and restaurant, with seasonal menus championing the best of Victorian produce.

From hearty pub classics like a house-made beef burger and panko-crumbed chicken parma, to bespoke dishes crafted by the talented team onboard, you’ll never go hungry at Middle Park Hotel.

The kid’s menu is a hit too, with half chicken schnitzel, mini cheeseburgers and penne Napoli a fun combination of flavours. And is there anything better than a Sunday roast with the family? Middle Park Hotel’s offering is one of the best. 

102 Canterbury Road, Middle Park

Moon Dog World

Cross the bridge over a lagoon as you enter Moon Dog World, and discover a brewery that’s giving some of the best indoor beer garden/family-friendly pub in Melbourne vibes.

That lagoon? It leads to a waterfall where you can toss a coin and make a wish. This brilliant spot fits up to 725 people, and it’s hard to pick a favourite spot in this behemoth warehouse.

There are stripy umbrellas and sun lounges surrounding the lagoon with a water fountain feature in the middle, a separate gated area with a playground for the kids, a sports bar playing whichever game is on, and also a hidden pinball alley and hidden tiki bar.

The AstroTurf booth sections are the perfect location for eating with kids and there are upstairs patio options to overlook it all!

All dietary requirements can be accommodated, there are change facilities and it’s also pram accessible. Winner, winner, Moon Dog dinner. 

32 Chifley Drive, Preston 

Flying Duck Hotel

Complete with plenty of space to explore and a menu that features rock lobster sliders, grass-fed sirloin steak and woodfired barramundi for the grownups, and fish and chips and fried chicken tenders for the not-so-grownups – Prahran’s Flying Duck is made for a family day out.

Pull up a seat inside the renovated space, or within the charming glass atrium, and watch the kids run amok, all the while sipping on something delicious. The perfect family-friendly pub in Melbourne doesn’t exi…

67 Bendigo Street, Prahran

Stomping Ground Brewery

This Melbourne brewery has a kid’s cubby house – which instantly makes it one of the best family-friendly pubs in Melbourne!

Settle in with one of Stomping Ground’s finest brews, as your kids run amok under a canopy of greenery. The warehouse venue is vast, so everyone can enjoy themselves; you as you sip on one of the 30+ brews on offer, the kids as they clamber together in the big wooden cubby, or partake in a spot of colouring. 

The menu is a crowd-pleaser, with lots of variety including pizza and some tasty share plates. There’s a wow factor to this place, one you and the whole family will be won over by time and time again. 

100 Gipps Street, Collingwood

Terminus Hotel

This great Aussie pub has always been a special place in the Fitzroy North and Clifton Hill community, for families and friends to come together and enjoy good times, great food and great drinks.

Built in the mid-1800s, the Terminus Hotel has gone through several significant renovations and now boasts a sprawling beer garden, cozy craft beer bars, on-street dining and a modern restaurant.

The kid’s menu here is a big win, with fish, chips and salad, a gooey cheese pizza, bangers and mash and a sundae for dessert, coated in chocolate sauce, sprinkles and gummy bears. It doesn’t get better than that!

492 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North

The Moreland Hotel

Leading the charge in family-friendly pubs in Melbourne is this Brunswick gem. The much-loved Moreland Hotel is home to a huge indoor playground (so you can keep one eye on your little ones, and the other on your Shiraz), a designated toddlers area and monthly theme parties with everything from face painting to karaoke.

This time, it really is fun for everyone, especially when you consider the Grecian statues that exist throughout. Quirky and casual, this is a big gem on Melbourne’s pub scene. 

Corner Sydney and Moreland Road, Brunswick

Station Hotel

The family-friendly beer garden at the French-flaired Station Hotel is a commendable treat for the whole crew. It’s big, fun and also a winning spot in Melbourne to come for a delicious meal.

A cubby house sits in the middle, with tables and chairs all around it, set upon fake grass. The shade sail keeps everyone protected, and glass barriers keep the sun and wind out (although there are some sunny spots so come prepared during the warmer months).

Put in your order at the bar, sit back and relax, because this is one of the best kid-friendly pubs in Melbourne, so much so, that kids eat free every Tuesday and Wednesday. Have we mentioned they offer Sunday entertainment such as live music, face painting and even a petting zoo?! And they’re dog-friendly too. Seriously, this might just be the most family-friendly pub in Melbourne. 

59 Napier Street, Footscray

Retreat Hotel

For a warm and friendly traditional pub, you simply can’t look past Abbotsford’s Retreat Hotel. This family-friendly pub in Melbourne has it all, with a full menu that’s suitable for all, running the gamut of buffalo wings and calamari, to chicken parmas, bangers and mash, and apple pie for dessert.

Their Sunday roast rotates weekly, and even still, there’s a kid-friendly menu with the usual favourites. Get comfortable this weekend by booking a lunch in here with the whole team ASAP; that includes your family pup!

226 Nicholson Street, Abbotsford 

Now that you’re armed with inspiration for a fantastic meal at these family-friendly pubs in Melbourne, you should delve into the city’s secrets further. That’s where our guides to the best weekend activities and what’s on this month in Melbourne come into play. Happy exploring!