St Kilda families are very lucky to have Cowderoy’s Dairy on their doorstep. The café/milk bar/corner shop (and former dairy) has heaps of facilities that make it a great place to take kids without compromising on the quality of the food.

Firstly, the indoor-outdoor space of Cowderoy’s Dairy mean that you can hang out indoors, under the kite-strewn ceiling of the communal table or by the coffee machine, or bask in the sunshine outside on the triangular deck or the pavement tables.

Either way, there’s plenty of room for kids to roam, it’s easy to tuck your pram away or against a table or restrain an active tot with one of the multitude of high chairs. Even the colourful Formica tables and DIY cutlery are family-friendly – messes wipe clean easily with the plastic surface and serviettes are ready to hand.

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The menu is pretty straightforward café standards, with a long kids menu all $6. I chose the corn cakes ($16.50), two fluffy balls of dough studded with golden corn kernels, a fried egg, chorizo, rocket and some fiery tomato chutney.

Lady AB had a babycino with a marshmallow and then the kids shared a plate of multigrain toast with Purcells jam ($5.50). There were a host of takeaway items in the fridge cabinet, from sandwiches to slices to quiche to the aforementioned corn cakes. I liked the look of the all-day jaffles as well plus the cute kids lunch box ($.8.50) where they receive a sandwich, sultanas, juice and a chocolate freckle, all served in the retro lunch boxes (price doesn’t include keeping the lunch box!).

I’m not sure that they’d let you take the lunch box to the adjacent park in Jacoby Reserve (though you can borrow one of their picnic blankets).

Regardless you should definitely make a stop there. It’s a particularly toddler friendly playground as the equipment is fairly low to the ground. Though it’s not fenced so if you have a bolter you’ll need to be extra aware! There’s even a Little Free Library for you to leave a book and take a book.

Cowderoy’s Dairy is a sweet and charming breakfast and lunch stop in an ideal setting for café-going families thanks to an awesome playground nearby. A real gem!

Click here for more child-friendly cafes with outdoor play areas.

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HOT Tips:

• Pram access;
• High chairs;
• Change table;
• Kids menu;
• Standard menu suitable for kids;
• Playground nearby.

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Cowderoy’s Dairy, 14 Cowderoy St, St Kilda West 03 9537 2601

Mon – Fri: 7:00 am – 5:30 pm (closed Tue)
Sat: 7:00 am – 4:30 pm
Sun: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm