Eats on the East: Family Friendly Dining on the East Coast

The many hip neighbourhoods that make up the East Coast are renowned for having the largest and most diverse concentration of food options. Foodies are spoilt for choice in this breezy seaside locale! If you’re craving some top quality grub that is also suitable for mini foodies in the making, here’s our top 10 suggestions for Eats on the East Coast the whole family can enjoy!

 

Al Forno

Cuisine: Italian
Kid’s menu: No, but plenty of options on the menu for minis
Baby chair: Yes
Space for strollers: Yes
Playroom: No, but pencils, colouring sheets and paper are provided at the table
Highlight: Best wood-fired pizzas on the island!

Located in a small row of shop houses on East Coast Road, Al Forno’s has been serving families in the area authentic pizzas and pastas since 1995. Expect a warm and friendly casual family dining experience surrounded by the delicious aroma of pizzas baking in the wood fire ovens.

400 East Coast Road, Singapore 428996
Tel: (+65) 6348 8781

 

 

Brussel Sprouts

Cuisine: Pub grub
Kid’s menu: Yes
Baby chairs: Yes
Space for strollers: Yes
Playroom: No
Highlight: Free flow chips!

With a dedicated children’s menu, free flow chips and plenty of space for the little ones to move around what’s not to love about Brussel Sprouts? Set on the East Coast Parkway with breezy ocean views and a large grass frontage, parents can relax at an outdoor table, sip on an icy cold Belgian beer and chow down on some fiery mussels while the kids run around (but not before they make the occasional stop for those free flow chips!).

902 East Coast Parkway, #01-27 Block F Big Splash, Singapore 449874
Tel: (+65) 6346 4344

 

Jumbo Seafood

Cuisine: Singaporean and Hong Kong style seafood
Kid’s menu: No, but loads of options available on the main menu
Baby chairs: Yes
Space for strollers: Yes
Playroom: No, however its location on the East Coast Parkway means there is plenty of space to run, ride, swim, and scoot after lunch!
Highlight: Did we mention the location?

There are several Chinese seafood restaurants located in this Seafood Centre but our pick of the bunch is always Jumbo. Reservations are a must — especially on weekends — and if you can, always try and book a table outside so you can keep an eye on the kids as they run, ride and scoot along the parkway. With service starting at 5pm every night (except Sunday where they are open from lunch), gorgeous ocean views and an occasional sea breeze, it’s the perfect spot for a seafood dinner (please do give the Chili Mud Crabs a try mama!) before you send the wee ones off to bed.

East Coast Seafood Centre, #01-07/08 Block 1206 East Coast Parkway, Singapore 449882
Tel: (+65) 6442 3435

 

 

La Barca

Cuisine: Italian
Kid’s menu: Yes
Baby chairs: Yes
Space for strollers: Yes
Playroom: Yes, but only open on weekends from 10am to 2.30pm
Highlight: The homemade sausages — very special!

This gem can be a little tricky to locate but is worth the effort to find! Set in the grounds of the Goodman Arts Centre, this fabulous Italian restaurant really caters for the little ones. As well as having a kid’s menu, the restaurant also has an indoor playroom plus a ton of space outside for active tots to run around while parents dines al fresco on the terrace.

90 Goodman Road, Block C Goodman Arts Centre, Singapore 439053
Tel: (+65) 6346 5813

 

Loysel’s Toy

Cuisine: Western café fare
Kid’s menu: No, but plenty of options available on the main menu
Baby chairs: Yes
Space for strollers: Yes
Playroom: No, but its location next to a park and the river provide plenty of space to run, ride and scoot!
Highlight: The coffee – some of the best in Singapore!

This Papa Palheta spin off is no doubt well known among coffee loving mamas (and papas!). Located beside Kallang River, this fabulous café serves pastries, salads and sandwiches alongside their famous coffee. For the little ones, there’s popsicles and a park! Enjoy your coffee al fresco while you watch your tots play in the park or scoot along the river.

66 Kampong Bugis, #01-02 Sam Tat Building, Singapore 338987
Tel: (+65) 9451 0236

 

The Coastal Settlement

Cuisine: Hearty Western fare
Kid’s menu: Yes
Baby chair: Yes
Space for strollers: Yes
Playroom: Not specifically but they do have a children’s playground and plenty of curios for little eyes to admire.
Highlight: Not leaving hungry!

On the upper end of the East Coast and just 5 minutes away from the popular Pasir Ris Park, this casual dining restaurant, café and bar has fantastic food for adults and kids, as well as plenty of space for strollers (it’s set in an old army barracks so is huge!). While it does get quite busy on the weekends (and service can be a bit patchy) the food is well worth the trek – just don’t leave without trying the truffle fries!

200 Netharavon Road, Singapore 508529
Tel: (+65) 6475 0200

 

Two Fat Men

Cuisine: Burgers
Kid’s menu: No
Baby chairs: Yes
Space for strollers: Yes
Playroom: No
Highlight: The 3 Plain Joe — the way a beef burger was meant to be!

If your slightly older children love a burger but you just can’t face a burger of the chain store variety then Two Fat Men is the place to go. This no frills street side establishment on East Coast Road serves delicious back-to-basics burgers that are made with quality ingredients and served alongside designer beers to quench the parental thirst. Friendly staff also serves Thai snacks from a simple Thai joint up the road. This is a great place for a cheap but good quality meal.

376 East Coast Road, Singapore 428984
Tel: (+65) 6346 0046

 

 

Udders

Cuisine: Ice cream
Kid’s menu: It’s kind of all about the kids here!
Baby chairs: Yes
Space for strollers: Yes
Playroom: No, however children can draw all over the whiteboard covered walls with neon markers. Hours of entertainment right there!
Highlight: Their ice cream making master classes with an all you can eat buffet!

The team at Udders proclaim they are ice cream artists and rightfully so! Their very original and sometimes cheeky flavours make them a stand out in the frozen treats market, where you’re bound to find something for everyone. Kid classic flavours like Cookies and Cream and Strawberry Fields are always a hit, as are Baileys and Bourbon and Horlicks Balls for the grown ups.

87 Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 455223
Tel: (+65) 6448 8732

 

Zaffron Kitchen

Cuisine: North and South Indian
Kid’s menu: Yes
Baby chairs: Yes
Space for strollers: Yes
Playroom: Yes (a small one)
Highlight: The dedicated nursing room with a proper change table and a children’s toilet.

Craving a curry? This family-friendly Indian resto won’t break the bank and looks out for young taste buds by providing several non-spicy and not-too-spicy options. There is also a dedicated kid’s corner with a wooden playhouse, play kitchen and an array of wooden toys to keep the littlies occupied so parents can enjoy their meal in peace!

135/137 East Coast Road, Singapore 428820
Tel: (+65) 6440 6786

 

Melissa Bujtor, originally from Australia, now based in Singapore, is an ex-banker turned mum and budding food and lifestyle photographer. She is extremely passionate about all things food, especially when she can combine it with her other love – travel! You can view Melissa’s work and contact her via her blog here.