School holiday yum! Family restaurants in and around Brisbane

Whether you’re off to the movies or heading to the Museum of Brisbane, you’re going to need somewhere great to eat in the CBD that kids and adults will both enjoy. Queensland’s own Betty’s Burgers is that place.

A retro Aussie burger shack with beach vibes, Betty’s serves up a great range of burgers including the typical beef and cheeseburger options as well as the surf-and-turf Noosa Classic Surf and a Spicy Chicken burger.

Nippers are well catered for with kids burgers and chicken strips, as well as a kids size version of Betty’s famous Concrete, a super thick dessert made from frozen custard ice-cream. There are also vegan and low gluten options for families with dietary requirements.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Crispy Chicken Supreme ($15.50)

Want to take the kids somewhere great to eat where there’s plenty of room to move? The Barn Family Restaurant has a rural, friendly charm and is only thirty minutes from the CBD.

Families can explore the bird aviary, kitchen garden and outdoor playground. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll delight in the fact that under 5s eat free. Children under 12 also receive discounted dining, with buffets available for both brunch and dinner.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Brunch smorgasbord (Adults $25pp; Kids under 12 $16pp: Under 5s free)

Eating outside is much more kid-friendly and much less daunting than sharing a meal in a stuffy dining room. Victoria Park offers shaded, outdoor seating overlooking the golf course and, best of all, a playground and plenty of parkland to explore.

Families can book for kids’ parties or plan a visit which aligns with Victoria Park’s entertainment schedule. The kids’ menu is short but sweet, with pub grub-style meals designed to suit even the fussiest little eaters. Adults have more varied choices, with wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and a series of mains like Tasmanian salmon fillet.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Wild mushroom gnocchi for adults ($28) and fish and chips for kids ($14)

If dining in a cathedral hasn’t sold you on eating here, the promise of pancakes will. Since 1979, Pancake Manor has been part of the community and a stalwart of Brisbane’s family-dining scene.

The menu here is stacked (see what I did there?) with plenty of traditional and not-so-traditional pancake offerings, and there are also vegan and gluten-free options which are a godsend for parents of kids who have allergies. You’ll also find salads, steaks and burgers, and the kids will love the caterpillar and funny face pancakes.

Dish Cult’s top picks: Long stack of buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and whipped butter ($11)

An outstanding link in the Bluegrass BBQ chain, the Bluegrass BBQ at Hudson Corner is a great option for families. The restaurant has a fun American menu with reasonable prices that make it affordable for big families.

Whether your child wants BBQ wings, a cheeseburger, or mac and cheese, you’ll pay under ten bucks. And while they eat, you can enjoy dishes like the vegan Impossible BBQ cheeseVurger or the Texas brisket sandwich.

Dish Cult’s top pick: North Carolina pulled pork plate for adults ($29); Cheeseburger for kids ($14)

If your children (or mother-in-law) love a daytime boogie, Greenbank Services Club has live music on the weekends. The venue also has a kid-friendly menu, a fully supervised kids club, and a packed entertainment schedule.

Choose to dine at Eats on Anzac, which blends Eastern and Western cuisine and serves kids meals with chips, drink and soft serve ice cream. Or pop into the venue’s second restaurant, The Gardens, for more pub-style cuisine.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Barra and prawn fettuccine for adults ($31.10); Spring rolls for kids with chips, drink and soft serve ice cream ($13)