Best family restaurants in New Zealand

Even the best parents in the world need a break every now and again from cooking for the entire family.

That’s why we’ve come up with this list of the best family-friendly restaurants in New Zealand. So throw down the spatula, turn off the oven and take the whanau out to one of these great family-friendly restaurants around the country.

Swashbucklers, Auckland

No doubt you've spotted this restaurant as you’ve driven past on the Auckland motorway. Swashbucklers is an exciting place to dine for children and adults will be impressed with its specialty seafood dishes.

More of the best family restaurants in Auckland.

Homestead Bar & Eatery, Hamilton

Homestead might be Hamilton’s most homely and inviting bar and eatery, with high quality food to boot. The whole family is welcome here.

Denny’s, Auckland & Christchurch

From burgers and sandwiches, to chicken nuggets and pasta, even the pickiest of eaters will find something they’ll enjoy at Denny’s. Your meal is free on your birthday and kids eat free from Monday to Friday (for a limited time and with a paying adult). You’ll find Denny’s in Auckland and in Christchurch.

Hot Chick, Napier

Its delightfully silly name aside, Hot Chick restaurant in Napier is a great little barbecue chicken joint that’s sure to satisfy the entire family. It’s a healthier alternative to fast food, too; chickens are mounted on rotisserie poles and cooked over volcanic rocks rather than deep-fried.

Lone Star, Nationwide

With its own kids club and its legendary cowboy theme, Lone Star is great for children’s birthday parties or just a special treat. Meanwhile, adults will love the variety of the food on offer, not to mention the warm and inviting atmosphere.

You’ll find Lone Star restaurants in Christchurch, Wellington, Dunedin, New Plymouth, Rotorua, Wanaka, Queenstown, Palmerston North, Invercargill and in most other main urban centres around the country.

Short Straw Café, Wellington

How’s this for something a little bit different? The aptly named Short Straw Café is New Zealand’s first café built out of straw! The kids will love it and the playground and inside play area, not to mention playing petanque and chess.

The Short Straw Café also has a purpose-built play room for themed birthday parties and a parents room. See more Wellington family restaurants here.

More of the best family restaurants in Wellington.

Anchor Restaurant & Bar, Nelson

Another family friendly restaurant with a view, Anchor Restaurant & Bar in Nelson boasts fresh, delicious seafood and steaks, as well as salads, sandwiches and just about anything else you might like for dinner.

Kids will love the children’s menu, which features pizza, pasta and chicken nuggets, which costs $11.50 and comes with a complimentary ice cream cone with hundreds and thousands.

La Porchetta, Auckland & Christchurch

Kids love pizza – and few restaurants are as family-friendly as La Porchetta, an Italian restaurant chain with branches in Auckland and Christchurch (Riccarton and Papanui). The food is great and there are fun games for kids to play and pictures for them to colour in.

Cobb & Co, Nationwide

This classic chain of family restaurants is loved by generations of New Zealanders. Cobb & Co’s classic children’s menu includes hotdogs, chicken nuggets and chips – and adults will enjoy the variety of dishes on offer.

There are Cobb & Co restaurants in Invercargill, Levin, Auckland, Nelson, New Plymouth, Tauranga, Whakatane and Whangarei.

Also check out the best buffet restaurants in New Zealand.