Oliver's Garden

Basic Info:

Name: Oliver's Garden Cafe at Queen's Park
Address: Queen's Park, Mt Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds
Phone: 9372 0438
Website: www.oliversgarden.com.au
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday - 8.30am - 4.30pm

Saturday & Sunday - 9am - 4pm

Little Eats ‘soundbite review’:

A fun spot to visit in an awesome lake-side location when you all need to re-fuel or a hit of caffeine, and the little ones need to burn some energy, run wild and spend some time playing in the playground.

Highchair: Yes
Change table: Yes
Pram access: Yes
Separate kids menu: Yes
Normal menu suitable for kids: Yes
Friendly staff: Yes
Play area for kids: Yes - two playgrounds
Activities provided for kids (eg: crayons): No
Vibe/atmosphere: Inside - simple, conservative, country-esque, Outside - playground fun
Prices: Standard

Other: Children's birthday party venue too

Little Eats detailed review:

It was a Saturday morning (well late morning) Mummy had had a few vino’s with her sis the night before and was feeling a little foggy, we had stayed in our jim-jams for too long and missed the boat to head out for breakfast. And to be honest, the tea and toast at home had just not sufficed. So off we all went to Oliver’s Garden for a very late breakfast, which actually ended up being an early lunch, some caffeine and some fresh air.

With the toddlers eyes on the prize (the playground) we thought it would be wise to sit and eat inside first, then head outside after for a play, otherwise there would have been no hope in trying to get her to leave the slide for a minute to sit down at the table and eat.

Inside the heritage listed building, which is like an old country homestead, it is quite small and cosy, with room for just a couple of prams. It was warm and relaxed, and the crackling open fire and the cruisy jazz playing in the background added to the casual country-esque vibe.

Ordering was easy... it was well and truly lunch time by now, so it was two latte’s, two foccacia’s, two babycino’s (served in mini paper coffee cups to prevent breakages and with a marshie on the side), and for the little one’s seeing as it was the weekend (and treats are always aplenty on the weekend) a toastie to share, followed by a serve of Tinkerbelle bread to share. This was a huge hit, especially as we have a new pink fairy door that our garden fairies use to enter in the night and deliver little surprise pressie’s, notes and treats for the little ones to discover in the morning. So anything fairy related at the moment goes down well.

As well as the fairy bread, tiny patrons can tuck into special kids sandwiches or toasties with all the usual fillings eg: ham and cheese or peanut butter and honey, mini sausage rolls, chippies (yes, the fried variety), spaghetti bolognese, or eggs on sourdough toast. There are also all kinds of sweet treats to indulge in from mini cupcakes to lemon slice, to chocolate fudge brownies to freshly baked muffins.

This cafe is very well-equipped for families, with highchairs, baby change facilities, coloured plastic tumblers for the kids drinks, a good little kids menu, and of course the awesome location in the centre of Queen’s Park overlooking the lake. There is a playground right next door, a window in the cafe to order from outside, and plenty of tables outside so you can enjoy your Di Bella coffee in the fresh air, and watch over the kids safely playing in the playground. There is also another playground (newer, more adventure playground style) just a little further around the lake. Then there are the ducks, geese, birds and other wildlife around that you can look at and learn about, just please don’t feed them as the signs say... as it is not good for their tummies. (Feeding them bread causes poor bone development, malnutrition and excessive thirst).

Because of the location, this cafe is truly family friendly, and would go off in summer, when everyone is out and about rocking the park! A great spot to visit when you all need to re-fuel or a hit of caffeine, and the little ones need to burn some energy and run wild.

Oliver’s Garden also offer traditional high teas with all the trimmings - ribbon sandwiches, macaroons, cupcakes, scones and bubbly, (perhaps a nice treat for a baby shower, Mother’s Day, or even something fun to do with a group of other Mummies). They also offer kids birthday parties too.