Hopscotch
313 Glenhuntly Road
Elsternwick, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
+613 9532 7688
open: 7 days: Mon-Wed 7am-5pm; Thurs-Sat 7am-11pm; Sun 8am-6pm
SUMMARY RATING
highchair: Y
change table: N
friendly enough? 4/5
fast enough? 4/5
pram friendly? outside
This place was a recommendation and I thank you for it! Our little brood rolled up with grandparents early on Sunday morning. So early in fact, that it was sheer luck that we helped open the place. It is amazing how quickly we forget that for a certain portion of the population, Sunday is a day of rest.
Little man was beside himself with excitement – here was a nice friendly waitress, giving him many a big smile, a very quick frothy bubachino, a view of dogs being walked along Glenhuntly Road AND his grandparents fussing over him!
For us, the parents, the experience was topped off by quick service and Grandmother was almost as excited as the little man with her extra frothy, extra hot cappuccino. My chai was as good as a chai latte has ever been and Hubby tried to rival his mother in the raving over the coffee stakes. Our commitment to value for money was also satisfied here with big portions. Lucky I was starving!
There is Polish foodstuffs available for lunch or dinner, which along with meeting the owners, gave this place a friendly ‘have we met before, and if not why not and do you know of anyone for my single cousin?’ feel to it.
We will be back to try those piroshkis. With a courtyard that has a dedicated play area and toys and rear access via a laneway (and I must mention my current obsession, WiFi), it will be as easy as a hop, skip and jump!
All the Fun of the Fair
Carousel
22 Aughtie Drive
Albert Park Lake, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
+613 846 6000
open: 7 days 8am-4pm (ish)
SUMMARY RATING
highchair: Y
change table: N
friendly enough?4/5
fast enough? 4/5
pram friendly? Y
Does it show my age to mention that I remember Carousel as the nightclub? There were a few less than wholesome nights hanging over Albert Park Lake in those days ... My how we've changed.
Now, I spend the morning's breakfast desperately trying to prevent my mobile little man from also hanging over the Lake. I have never been more wholesome as I order chai lattes and chat about sleep patterns.
What a treat it is when a place grows up with you!
We spent a delightful breakfast with friends - all of us with mobile men (and the babies!). We needed a lot of space, flexibility and quick service as we are all on the mid morning nap routine. Carousel delivered it without a fuss.
The food was great - perfect sizing and did those boys demolish the mushrooms and avocado! Hubby was 'not in love' with the coffee but because everything else was easy, he forgave them.
We took it in gender teams to run with the little ones outside, skipping over dog poo and cigarette butts, so there was as much time as you could hope for to have extra coffee and a good gossip. I understand that to mention staff is always precarious in case they leave, but in this case, the staff really made it one of the easiest breakfasts we have had in a group.
While it is not really a child-friendly park at this end (or rather not an early-toddler friendly park), the outside certainly buys you some extra brekkie time and little man fell straight to sleep for his nap once we were home. Dreaming no doubt about those swans and dipping into that lake while holding on a babychino and a crust of banana bread!
22 Aughtie Drive
Albert Park Lake, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
+613 846 6000
open: 7 days 8am-4pm (ish)
SUMMARY RATING
highchair: Y
change table: N
friendly enough?4/5
fast enough? 4/5
pram friendly? Y
Does it show my age to mention that I remember Carousel as the nightclub? There were a few less than wholesome nights hanging over Albert Park Lake in those days ... My how we've changed.
Now, I spend the morning's breakfast desperately trying to prevent my mobile little man from also hanging over the Lake. I have never been more wholesome as I order chai lattes and chat about sleep patterns.
What a treat it is when a place grows up with you!
We spent a delightful breakfast with friends - all of us with mobile men (and the babies!). We needed a lot of space, flexibility and quick service as we are all on the mid morning nap routine. Carousel delivered it without a fuss.
The food was great - perfect sizing and did those boys demolish the mushrooms and avocado! Hubby was 'not in love' with the coffee but because everything else was easy, he forgave them.
We took it in gender teams to run with the little ones outside, skipping over dog poo and cigarette butts, so there was as much time as you could hope for to have extra coffee and a good gossip. I understand that to mention staff is always precarious in case they leave, but in this case, the staff really made it one of the easiest breakfasts we have had in a group.
While it is not really a child-friendly park at this end (or rather not an early-toddler friendly park), the outside certainly buys you some extra brekkie time and little man fell straight to sleep for his nap once we were home. Dreaming no doubt about those swans and dipping into that lake while holding on a babychino and a crust of banana bread!
Another Brick in the Wall
Wall Two 80
280 Carlisle Street
Balaclava, Victoria, Australia
+61 3 9593 8280
open: Mon-Sat 7.00am-6pm; Sun 7.30am-6pm
SUMMARY RATING
highchair: N
change table: N
friendly enough?4/5
fast enough? 4/5
pram friendly? NA (outside only)
There are many reasons to love the Wall – not least that I used to go here in mythical life before baby boy (MLBBB). It’s a clever refurb in a tight space with often a jam-faced perky toddler weaving through the tables.
In MLBBB I often met my friends and their babies here and now, I fit right in with my own. Little man is less happy inside than I would like, but more than happy sitting outside facing the action, which if you have brought a pram is the better option.
It goes without saying that husband LOVES his coffee here. He often pushes me out of the slowly moving car to get a takeaway while we drive crazy boy to sleep. The food is always tasty: from pides to pastries. Most importantly it is all pretty quick allowing for us to make a get-away if required.
While you are on a road (if outside), the place is very pro-child. There is no extra-bonus coffee park time, but you will have a delicious and quick breakfast, lunch or snack with plenty of people for your little one to talk to or see.
280 Carlisle Street
Balaclava, Victoria, Australia
+61 3 9593 8280
open: Mon-Sat 7.00am-6pm; Sun 7.30am-6pm
SUMMARY RATING
highchair: N
change table: N
friendly enough?4/5
fast enough? 4/5
pram friendly? NA (outside only)
There are many reasons to love the Wall – not least that I used to go here in mythical life before baby boy (MLBBB). It’s a clever refurb in a tight space with often a jam-faced perky toddler weaving through the tables.
In MLBBB I often met my friends and their babies here and now, I fit right in with my own. Little man is less happy inside than I would like, but more than happy sitting outside facing the action, which if you have brought a pram is the better option.
It goes without saying that husband LOVES his coffee here. He often pushes me out of the slowly moving car to get a takeaway while we drive crazy boy to sleep. The food is always tasty: from pides to pastries. Most importantly it is all pretty quick allowing for us to make a get-away if required.
While you are on a road (if outside), the place is very pro-child. There is no extra-bonus coffee park time, but you will have a delicious and quick breakfast, lunch or snack with plenty of people for your little one to talk to or see.
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