Out with the kids | A Guide to child friendly dining
New parents soon find out that life is not quite the same with that little bundle of joy. Something as simple as having a meal can quickly turn into culinary warfare with kids around. Luckily there are some restaurants that have perfected the art of keeping little ones busy while you sit down to have a well-deserved meal.
Panarottis
Manager Reinhardt van den Bergh says this pizza pasta restaurant is 100% child friendly and will go the extra mile to keep the kids entertained. This Ilanga Mall restaurant has a play area inside and outside. There are soft toys, PlayStation games, climbing nets, slides, tunnels and there are always two child minders on duty to make sure everyone has fun. “We also have arm bands that we put on the children that has their table number and parents’ contact numbers on. This way we make sure we keep all our little customers safe. Mall security also keeps an eye out and will quickly return any wanderers to their table.”
When it comes to fun at the table kids can colour in their own chef’s hat while designing and making their own pizza. There are also party combos available that include pizza or pasta, a lucky packet, some ice cream and a cold drink for a low fixed price.
Call Panarottis on 013 742 2087
Wimpy
This family favourite has been around since 1967 and from the beginning every Wimpy Restaurant was designed to make all members of the family feel at home. Your kids will love the Fun Time meals and, according to Chris Savile of Ilanga Wimpy, they also have a play area right next to outside tables with slides, a jungle gym, soft toys and kiddies’ tables and chairs.
The menu also has board games on the back to keep the young ones busy while waiting for their food and if that’s not enough they can colour in too. Wimpy also do birthday parties and have a range of options available to choose from.
Call Wimpy on 013 742 2247
Riverside Mall
Apart from having a wide variety of restaurants, Riverside Mall also has various entertainment options to keep the young ones occupied. There is the Fun Company, bumper cars, go karts, Magic Company arcade, Mafunyane Water Park, movies and Bambino Taxis. There are also some annual events designed for kids that include The Face of Riverside beauty contest, a baby photo competition and photos with Santa from 15 November each year.
Spur
South Africans know that Spur restaurants take their junior customers very seriously and Spur Riverside Mall is a great testament to this. According to manager Blaze Mdhluli they welcome all guests but those younger than 12 are definitely their favourite. “We have lots of fun activities like the newest PlayStation games, trampolines, slides, jungle gyms, a lookout tower, climbing wall, colouring in activities and of course a balloon every time you visit.
On Tuesdays and Fridays at 18h30 the magician David Dee is also there to entertain the young ones and there will always be child minders to keep an eye while parents sit at a table nearby.
The dedicated kiddies menu has a wide variety of options to choose from and party packages include a meal, cold drink, ice cream and a gift for a low per child rate. There is also a kiddies loyalty club and members get a free drink every time they visit.
Call Spur on 013 757 0330
Feast
The handheld food company on the corner of Kaapsehoop and the N4 caters for young and old. The outside area is especially popular with picnic style benches under massive indigenous trees. Its great for kids who prefer the outdoors and there is a modern jungle gym to explore.
On weekends there is also a jumping castle and for birthday parties they arrange everything from cake to clowns so you don’t have to lift a finger.
Call Gareth or Michelle of Feast on 013 741 3602