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. (the calamari is fantastic)

Prego, Ponsonby

My go too for meals out with little ones. Staff are amazing and accommodating and the menu is superb.

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 inChristchurch.

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 You’ll find Lone Star restaurants in 27 locations across the North and South Islands.

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, New Plymouth, Rotorua, Tauranga, Taupo, Whakatane

Poppies Café, Twizel
Poppies Cafe is a contemporary, funky, family friendly, fully licensed restaurant with free WIFI. Poppies is the perfect place to stop when travelling to or from Mt Cook, Queenstown, Wanaka and Christchurch.