OTHER COUNTRIES: SOUTH MELBOURNE WITH KIDS

WHERE TO EAT WITH KIDS IN SOUTH MELBOURNE?

This is just my South Melbourne kid-friendly list – see here for full list of where we like to eat with our kids in other parts of Melbourne. And if you’re looking for our favourite things to do in Melbourne as a family?- Read here.

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St Ali is my favourite breakfast spot in Melbourne by far. “My Mexican Cousin” corn fritters is what I order every time. To me, this spot is just SOOOO Melbourne. Grungy, arty, neighbourhood vibes but with incredible food. The perfect mix of casual but high end quality.

Needing an esim while in Melbourne? Use my Holafly link here and use the code TOKYOCHAPTER for a 5% discount.

My Mexican Cousin & French Omelette at St Ali, South Melbourne

South Melbourne Market
And if you’re in South Melbourne on Wednesdays, Fridays or weekends – it is DEFINITELY worth visiting South Melbourne Market (I like it more than Queen Vic Market – at least during the day time – the summer and winter night markets at Queen Vic are pretty epic). See here for the latest on opening hours at South Melbourne Market. The South Melbourne tram stop is just 1-2 mins away from the market.
With kids, hit the food hall first and then have a bit of a wander.

Panini at Pieno Di Grazia within the South Melbourne Market Food Hall.

Proper & Son, South Melbourne Market (this is in the food hall.

The Food Hall at South Melbourne Market. This is the sit down dining part of the market but there are restaurants and fruit n veg shops all the way around the outside of the actual market too – lining all the outside borders of the market’s “lot”

Call me boring but my favourite flavour at Fritz Gelato in the food hall at South Melbourne Market is my favourite.

There are public toilets just next to the Food Hall and they are also equipped with a baby change table.
South Melbourne Market is such an amazing place to buy souvenirs but also to get some amazing fresh produce to eat with friends – cheese, meats, sundried tomatoes, fruit and veg, pastry items and cakes as well as fresh bread (for bread – the Woodfrog Bakery just across from the market is also amazing.) Also just across the road from the market is “Chef’s Hat” -definitely visit here if you like beautiful cookwares and glasses etc.

For really cute Melbourne souvenirs, I recommend checking out the Suki McMaster store at South Melbourne Market. I like the prints and the tea towels most, personally. Ohh and the reusable coffee cups and baby onesies.

Suki McMaster at South Melbourne Market.

And, although it’s not in the food hall – probably the most popular food option at South Melbourne Market are all of the pastry options sold at Agathe French Patisserie.

Agathe French Patisserie, South Melbourne Market.

The fruit’n’veg shops on the outside of the market are also some of my favourite places to buy fresh produce.

One of the fruit stands at South Melbourne Market

I like how at Rod’s Fruit & Vegetables you can even buy pre-chopped fruit platters.

Rod’s Fruit & Vegetables . I love how the also sell pre-chopped fruit platters. So good when you’re on the go with kids.

Cheri Patisserie
If you are after incredible French Patisserie with the most beautiful desserts – I recommend Cheri Patisserie. It is just 2 mins walk from South Melbourne Market. They also do lovely breakfast options and gnocchi, pizza and steak frites for lunch. See the full Cheri Patisserie menu here. For kids – definitely get the Cookies & Cream milkshake.

The croissants here are exceptional.
Cheri, South Melbourne.

Just some of the stunning cakes and pastries at Cheri, South Melbourne.

Croissants at Cheri. Ask them to warm them for you too!

Juniper
This is a fab option for breakfast or lunch (warning: very very popular for brekkie on weekends and they don’t take reservations so you might want to get takeaway or get there early.) The matcha here is super popular.
I love how their sandwich menu changes daily – they use high quality ingredients and everything here is so good. If dining in, get the soup of the day. Just one min walk from South Melbourne Market.

Curried Cauliflower sandwich of the day at Juniper, South Melbourne.

The specials board outside of Juniper, South Melbourne.

Hector’s Deli
This is a Melbourne institution and the South Melbourne branch is no exception. My faves are the Tuna Melt and the Mushroom Melt. See the full Hector’s Deli menu here. They are open from 7am-3pm everyday.

And the bookstore just a few doors down sells pinwheels that are so cute to buy for kids to take with them to the park.

Pinwheels sold just a few doors down. South Melbourne.

If you are walking from Port Melbourne to South Melbourne Market ( you can also drive or take public transport) this little playground is also on the way – 13 mins walk from Port Melbourne Library and then a further 6 mins afterwards to South Melbourne Market. The park/playground is called Sol Green Reserve.

Sol Green Reserve, South Melbourne
This corner park has a medium sized adventure playground with lots of climbing structures as well as a flying fox (my kids’ fave!). There is also a basketball court here – it is quite busy from 4pm onwards though. There are no public toilets at this park though – so you’ll need to go to buy a drink and use the facilities at The Golden Fleece if you don’t have any other options.
There are water drinking fountains and public barbeques here.

The Flying Fox at Sol Green Reserve, South Melbourne.

Remember that, when in South Melbourne- you are also close to my family-friendly dining options in Port Melbourne, St Kilda, Brighton and Albert Park (and not too far from the Melbourne CBD either.)

Needing an esim while in Melbourne? Use my Holafly link here and use the code TOKYOCHAPTER for a 5% discount.