Many parents will know that eating out with young children can be a stressful affair, but a child-friendly establishment can be a beacon of hope for parents looking to enjoy a dinner out with the whole family. So, to help you, we’ve put together restaurants in Bali that provide fun activities to keep the young ones happily occupied while parents can enjoy a tasty meal.
Cakes and Colouring at Biku
Situated on the famous street of Petitenget, Biku features a tea lounge incorporated into a gorgeous, traditional Indonesian wooden Joglo. Decorated with antiques and a collection of books, the restaurant specializes in serving afternoon tea with cakes for your little ones. Tea time is no longer just for the adults, as Biku has turned children’s normally pretend ‘tea-parties’ into a reality!
The kids’ afternoon tea set is presented on a classy, miniature three-tiered plate complete with delicious cakes and scones stacked up high, similar to Biku’s usual high-tea offerings. Once they’ve filled up, Biku has prepared a myriad of little activities to keep them occupied: colouring books are very popular, but board games and a huge basket of toys are there for an extra distraction. With the Ganesha bookshop available inside Biku, as well as a little library, parents can enjoy a little down time too whilst the children are occupied. Isn’t afternoon tea supposed to be relaxing? Well, it is again thanks to Biku!
Biku
Jalan Raya Retitenget No. 888 Petitenget
+62 361 857 0888
Benkay’s Kids Bento Box
Whilst going out for Japanese is usually a more mature dining option, Benkay Japanese Restaurant at Grand Nikko Bali has made Japanese food fun for the kids with their specially developed kid’s bento box. The meals even come shaped as an adorable Japanese cartoon character known as Doraemon!
The bento box consists of fresh salad with homemade dressing, assorted sushi including prawn, salmon, crab stick and omelette sushi, prawn tempura, chicken karaage as well as cold udon noodles. Tropical sliced fruits are also served for a simple yet refreshing dessert. An array of refreshing beverage selections include iced ocha, fresh juices and smoothies.
Located at lobby level at the Grand Nikko Bali, the restaurant features a teppanyaki counter, nabemono, shabu-shabu and yakiniku tables and five private rooms. In the ocean-facing dining area, guests can also take pleasure in the scenic Indian ocean view framed through the glass window. A ‘white sand garden’ hallway adorned with an Onyx display leads to a Sushi and Sashimi bar. Open daily for lunch and dinner, Benkay promises an authentic experience that brings the flavors of Japan to the island’s dining scene.
Benkay Japanese Restaurant
Grand Nikko, Jalan Raya Nusa Dua Selatan
+62 361 773377
The Little Rock Show
We know what it’s like: when your children are in full force and having a great time in a restaurant, laughing and shouting, this can lead to a few death stares from neighbouring diners! Luckily, you won’t have that problem at the Hard Rock Hotel Bali. At Splash Bistro restaurant, the kids are actually encouraged to be wild and loud, as they set for the stage to entertain you. If you have children between 6 and 12, sign them up to the Little Rock Fashion Show, every Saturday during dinner time.
As if they were professional models, the kids will dress up and strut their stuff on the catwalk. Assisted by a choreographer from Hard Rock, the whole process is seamlessly organised and a heap of fun for the kids – they’ll probably make some new friends as well. While you watch your new superstar on stage, the live cooking stations are ready to satisfy anyone at any time. A Whole Roast Pig on a Spit and Western BBQ buffet filled with grilled goodies are available along with plenty of sweets and desserts to finish. So, head over to Hard Rock for dinner and a show!
Splash Bistro
Hard Rock Hotel, Jalan Pantai Kuta, Badung
+62 361 761869
A Pirate For The Day
Have your kids ever wanted to be pirates? Well, at Pirates Bay, your kids can channel their inner Jack Sparrow. Pirates Bay can be found sprawled out behind the friendliest white sand of Nusa Dua Beach, in the oceanfront dining complex called The Bay. The whole area, which features an authentic pirate ship, can be likened to something out of Swiss Family Robinson. With tree houses, hanging bridges and little camp sites, this open, outdoor area serves as a great cross between obstacle course, play area and dining destination.
Various activities are wrapped up nicely with that ‘pirate touch’, these include: kite flying, rope walks, zip lines, and the hanging bridge course – walk the plank, anyone? Pirates Bay has also set up an exciting, two-hour treasure hunt activity which has the kids searching for the hidden treasure chest whilst dressed up in full pirate gear. At the end of the hunt, the winning group will receive a chest filled with gold coins! As for you, parents, you’ll be able to go for a quick swim in the blue waters of The Bay or satisfy your taste buds whilst your children enjoy the play area and activities. Don’t be surprised if at the end of the day your little one greets you with “Ahoy, Mum and Dad!”
The Pirates Bay
BTDC, Jalan Nusa Dua, Kuta Selatan
+62 361 8948138
Eat and Shop and the Sunday Market Brunch
Picture the whole family enjoying a lovely Sunday at a local market and sitting down for a meal that has something for everyone – it sounds like a bit of a fantasy doesn’t it? At Feast, in the Sheraton Bali, it all becomes possible. Carrying the concept of an open-air market, every Sunday from 12pm to 3pm, Sunday Market Brunch at Feast is a haven for both parents and children.
Firstly, the huge buffet is truly an international spread; from seafoods grills to make your own salads, there is something for everyone. The buffet also features an actual market selling fresh produce from local farmers and crafts from artisans and vendors. The best part of Feast is that there is a supervised kids-only section with adorable kid-sized tables and chairs, a floor full of toys, games and activities -it even features an area to make their own pizzas with colourful, healthy toppings! However, we’re sure the kids will escape the kids area for the chocolate fountain, rainbow lollipops and the outrageous array of sweet treats that are part of the brunch.
Feast Restaurant
Sheraton Kuta, Jalan Pantai Kuta
+62 361 – 864 5555
Barbecue With The Kids
Everyone loves a day at the beach in Bali; sitting beachfront with your favourite cocktail in hand, soaking in the sun. The Sofitel Beach Bar and Grill is a great little spot for a family day by the sea. Offering delectable barbecue dishes from live cooking stations, both for you and the children, it makes for a grand day outdoors.
The Sofitel’s Beach Bar & Grill offers live barbeque snacks and light a la carte for your family. Send your kids to go for a quick swim at the pool so you’ll be able to enjoy your meal in peace, for once. Watch to your child’s euphoria when they are taking a dip, lolling under the warm sun, and order them the choices of ice cream on a sweltering hot day. As you sit on the outdoor chaise lounges or poolside chairs, enjoy a good read or simply relax and enjoy the great peninsular views. Basking on the hot sunlight with your partner, you will appreciate the special moment with your family. As the sunset beach torches are lit, candlelit dinners pave the way for perfect romantic evenings.
Beach & Bar Grill
Sofitel Nusa Dua Beach, Lot N5, Kawasan BTDC Nusa Dua
+62 361 – 849 2888
Intimate Family Dining
As the newest addition to the various dining experiences offered by the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, Tamarind Kitchen & Lounge is a unique venue found on the Nusa Dua beachfront. The restaurant itself is a huge, stylish bamboo structure that both parents and children will marvel at. Set over two levels, this modern tree house is filled with sophisticated furnishings and comfortable lounges.
It is completely open to allow a cool ocean breeze to flow through, and of course to give panoramic views of the sea out front. It offers a casually elegant dining experience, with a cozy, intimate atmosphere – great for close families who love to talk and eat together. The menu is packed with home-made favourites; many offerings are freshly prepared in the old-style, wood fire oven, seasoned with hand-picked local herbs. The kids’ menu incorporates some educational entertainment, with cross-word puzzles, word searches and some fun, basic Indonesian language lessons for them to try. Or, if you take a seat on the beach deck, sprawled underneath the many beachfront trees, the kids can stick their toes in the sand and play to keep themselves entertained.
Tamarind Kitchen & Lounge
Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, BTDC Lot North 4, Nusa Dua
+62 (361) 771210
Dim Sum Sunday at Happy Chappy
There’s always something different about dining out with family at a Chinese restaurant. One of Bali’s newer establishments is Happy Chappy, who’s name alone invokes good times and fun dining! Walking in is like is like walking into Chinatown, with red lanterns hanging from the ceiling and wooden finishings dominating the interior. Every Sunday from 11am – 3pm, take your kids to savour the Yum Cha style Dim Sum experience, with a large range of steamed buns, this easy to eat, no fuss dining could be just what the little ones are after.
Dessert options abound and a la carte, Chinese food favourites are available as well. What really takes the ticket on this Sunday dining experience is Happy Chappy’s kids club, found in the restaurant’s adjoining bar, The Dragon’s Den. So, while the parents enjoy Dim Sum, the kids can head to their designated area and enjoy a range of activities including a magician, balloon maker, colouring in, bed making, Tamiya cars, foosball and various other games that change every week.
Happy Chappy Restaurant & Bar
Jalan Beraban no 62, Seminyak
+62 361 4741959
THE ONE KIDS MOCKTAILS
Libations are flowing across the island’s south as both vacationers and residents spend time outside, relaxing and enjoying the warm Bali weather. Grown-ups can easily cool off with fun summer cocktails, but what about the kids? Don’t leave the little ones out of the island’s festive fun! In the heart of Kuta, The ONE Legian’s ROOFTOP Dine & Music Lounge and also the Lobby Bar know how to please its young guests with the hotel’s refreshing, special Kids Mocktails concoctions.
Swing by at the hotel during your Kuta day trip, and let your kids have a refreshing sip of favourite cartoon characters, such Barbie (fresh strawberry, strawberry syrup, peach syrup, and apple juice), Chuggington (fresh lychee, rose syrup, and pineapple juice), or Little Pony (fresh apple, mint leaves, mojito mint, and apple juice) to ease off the hot Bali sun.
The ONE Legian
Jalan Legian No.117, Kuta
+62 361 3001 101
FUN DNING AT PREGO
Taking place every Sunday from 11am to 3pm, the Prego Family Brunch features lively activities, entertaining stunts, and the island’s biggest buffet of authentic Italian cuisine. Your young souls are pampered with a dedicated kids’ area including a private buffet complete with fairy floss and pop-corn machines.
For the active ones, worry not, an expansive outdoor playground area is set up to have more fun and excitement. Engaging indoor activities are also at the ready such as cupcake decorating, photo sessions with Pipo the Squirrel and Play Station games. As part of their ‘Fun Dining’ (rather than fine dining) concept, Prego often features pranks, clowns, magicians and more – keeping the dining atmosphere light and enjoyable for all the family!
Prego at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua
BTDC Lot N-3 Nusa Dua
+62 361 771906
