Family dinners don’t need to bust the bank in the Illawarra. Photo: D-Keine.
Parents, guardians, carers of young humans: if the prospect of dining out with the family seems a touch out of reach in a cost-of-living crunch, here’s a list of Illawarra venues where lunch and/or dinner is on the house weekly (sometimes biweekly!) for kids.
From Helensburgh in the north to Kiama in the south, and almost every day of the week (sorry, Fridays and Saturdays are too busy), the region’s clubs, pubs and restaurants are offering a solid discount on the bill for families.
Aside from free food and family-friendly vibes, many of these venues have spaces where the little ankle biters can run amok, while you eat in peace.
Mondays
Head to Headies on a Monday night for free kids’ meals. Photo: Nutthaseth Vanchaichana.
Headlands Hotel
When: Mondays (except public holidays), from 5:30 pm
Where: Corner Headland Avenue and Yuruga Street, Austinmer.
Wondering what to do for dinner on Monday night in the northern suburbs? Grab your mains, and the little ones eat on Headies on a Monday night (order at the bistro till as this offer is not available through QR ordering). There’s plenty of green space for the kids to run around, and you’re surrounded by beautiful beaches to stroll along afterwards.
Kids’ lunch is free on Mondays at this beloved northern suburbs gem. Image: TBH.
Towradgi Beach Hotel
When: Monday, from 5 pm
Where: 170 Pioneer Road, Towradgi.
Towradgi Beach Hotel has long been loved by locals for its pleasant dining spaces and family-friendly vibe. Bring the kiddos down and enjoy a Monday night bargain: with every main meal ordered you can claim one kid’s meal free. The hotel also has a cute outdoor playground where the little’uns can have some fun before, after and (heck, no judgment) during, dinner.
Monday night family dinners are a done deal at The Frat. Image: The Fraternity Club Facebook.
The Fraternity Club, Fairy Meadow
When: Mondays, from 5:30 pm
Where: 11 Bourke Street, Fairy Meadow.
The Frat invites you to start your week with fun, food and family time. Family Mondays at The Frat include a free meal for kids when members purchase a meal at La Trattoria. Little ones can burn off some energy in the playground and arcade while you enjoy your dinner.
Classic family dining is made a bit more accessible at Rashays on Mondays. Image: Rashays.
Rashay’s Warrawong
When: Mondays, lunch and dinner
Where: Tenancy 1, Warrawong Plaza, corner King and Cowper streets, Warrawong.
Kids of Rashay’s members aged under 10 get one “Lil Rascals” meal free for every main meal purchased when you dine in. All the classic kids’ favourites are on the menu – chicken nuggets, fish and chips, spag bol and burgers plus a drink and an optional ice cream add-on. The Rashay’s chain delivers the quintessentially casual family restaurant vibe.
Dinner is dandy at Dandaloo on a Monday. Photo: reanas.
Dandaloo Hotel
When: Mondays, dinner
Where: 336 Kanahooka Road, Dapto.
Aside from its suburban pub charm, chilled vibes and an awesome line-up of live music, The Dandaloo Hotel offers free kids’ meals with the purchase of an adult main meal on Mondays. Customers say this is one of the few joints left where prices are still very affordable for the family meal. And if you miss out on Monday, read on – you get a second chance every week.
Tuesdays
In addition to free meals for kids on Tuesdays, The Block provides weatherproof play at The Shellharbour Club. Photo: The Shellharbour Club Facebook.
The Shellharbour Club
When: Tuesdays, lunch and dinner
Where: Corner Wattle and Shellharbour roads, Shellharbour.
Members’ kids eat free with the purchase of a main meal from Fiftysix Dining during both lunch and dinner on Tuesdays. Kids can also play in one of two play areas in the building including the “The Block House”, designed with colourful shipping containers providing indoor weatherproof play.
Wednesdays
The Illawarra’s northernmost suburb comes to the rescue on Wednesdays. Image: Helensburgh Hotel.
Helensburgh Hotel
When: Wednesdays (excluding public holidays), lunch and dinner
Where: 112 Parkes Street, Helensburgh.
When you spend $19 or more on a main meal (excluding lunch, dinner and blackboard specials) a free kids’ meal is available to children under 12 at Helensburgh Hotel. This classic Aussie pub includes an outdoor playground where kids of all ages can blow off some steam, while parents enjoy their meals.
Family dinners are deliciously affordable on Wednesday nights at Ambiance Ristorante. Image: Ambiance Ristorante.
Ambiance Ristorante
When: Wednesdays, dinner
Where: 4/63 – 67 Princes Highway, Unanderra.
Ambiance Ristorante offers a delizioso deal on Wednesday nights when kids under 12 get their meal free. Being an Italian restaurant, there are delicious pizza and pasta options that even the fussiest little eater will love. Buon appetito!
Thursday
Kids eat free at The Dandaloo Hotel two days of the week. Photo: Diy13.
Dandaloo Hotel
When: Thursdays, dinner
Where: 336 Kanahooka Road, Dapto.
No, it’s not a double up: the Dandaloo Hotel offers its kids eat free deal not one, but two days of the week. So, if you missed out on Monday, or you need the backup more than once this week, Thursdays is your second chance to take advantage of not only affordable pub classics but a nice little discount on the bill.
Sundays
Sundays are a big day for “kids eat free” deals, including up north in Corrimal. Image: Corrimal Hotel.
Corrimal Hotel
When: Sundays, from 5 pm
Where: 268 Princes Highway, Corrimal.
Sunday dinner is sorted in the northern suburbs at Corrimal Hotel, where kids under 12 eat free with any main meal purchased. Included in all kids’ meals is a drink, ice cream and a “kids’ pack” to keep your little rascals busy while you dine.
Fancy a steakhouse family meal without the massive bill? Photo: Husam Cakaloglu.
Outback Steakhouse Wollongong
When: Sundays, lunch and dinner
Where: 228 Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow.
With the purchase of a full-priced adult main, kids eat free from the “kids’ menu” at Outback Steakhouse Wollongong every Sunday. They can also enter the restaurant’s monthly colouring-in competition for the chance to win a $50 Outback voucher. That’ll keep the little tykes busy while you enjoy your steak.
Dream come true: kids eat free on Sundays at this Wollongong CBD joint. Image: Dreams on Crown Facebook.
Dreams on Crown Bar & Restaurant
When: Sundays, lunch
Where: 156/160 Crown Street, Wollongong.
Every Sunday kids eat free at this buzzy venue in the heart of the CBD. Parents can enjoy anything from snacks to pub classics, with an assortment of beer, wine and delicious cocktails, while the kids can order from the kids’ menu without charge. Meals can be taken in the rustic bar and dining area on the balcony overlooking Crown St Mall for a bit more atmosphere.
Alongside free kids meals on Sundays, the all-weather playground at Lake Illawarra Hotel is a big bonus. Photo: Lake Illawarra Hotel Facebook.
Lake Illawarra Hotel
When: Sundays, lunch and dinner
Where: 193 Windang Road, Windang.
Lunch and dinner are easy-peasy lemon squeezy on Sundays at the Lake Illawarra Hotel, where kids eat free with any main meal purchased. The covered all-weather playground has four slides, climbing and play equipment, all on soft flooring and is fenced for your peace of mind. There’s plenty of outdoor seating next to the playground and comfortable cabanas adjacent so you can keep an eye on the rug rats while you dine.
Kids can eat free overlooking a green at Kiama Golf Club. Image: Kiama Golf Club.
Kiama Golf Club
When: Sundays, lunch and dinner
Where: 79-81 Oxley Avenue, Kiama Downs.
While the family golf enthusiast plays a few rounds, why not nip over to Mystics Dining for lunch with the littlies? With views to the pristine greens of the Kiama Golf Club where it’s situated and delicious food, there are worse ways to pass the time. The restaurant offers a free “Kids Corner” meal with every full-priced main meal on Sundays.
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