Article Updated: September 2026
Finding somewhere the whole family is happy to eat can make a holiday much easier. Fortunately, the Shoalhaven has plenty of options where children are welcome and adults can still enjoy good food, local produce and a relaxed South Coast setting.
As locals, we know the places that work well when you have little ones in tow. Some have dedicated kids’ menus or play areas, while others make a good stop because they are casual, spacious or easy to fit into a day of exploring.
From waterfront dining in Huskisson to hot cinnamon donuts in Berry, these are five family-friendly dining spots in Shoalhaven worth adding to your holiday plans.
If you are building a family itinerary around your meals, our guide to things to do in Jervis Bay with the family has plenty more ideas.
Family-Friendly Dining in Shoalhaven
1. Huskisson Hotel
Sitting close to the waterfront in the centre of Huskisson, Huskisson Hotel is an easy choice when you want a relaxed family lunch or dinner with a view.
The pub bistro serves a broad menu that includes local seafood, steaks, pizzas and classic pub favourites. There is also a dedicated kids’ selection, which makes ordering simpler when younger diners would rather stick with familiar flavours.
Families can dine indoors or take a table on the large wrap-around deck overlooking Jervis Bay. The casual setting is especially useful after a beach day, when no one feels like dressing up or travelling far for dinner.
The central Huskisson location also means you can combine your meal with a walk along the waterfront or an afternoon exploring the town rather than making a separate trip just for lunch or dinner. The bistro currently serves both lunch and dinner seven days a week, although it is always worth checking current hours before your visit.
Why families like it
The combination of waterfront views, familiar kids’ meals and a casual pub atmosphere makes Huskisson Hotel particularly useful for mixed-age family groups. Parents can enjoy a proper South Coast meal while children have straightforward choices of their own.
2. The Dairy Bar, Berry
For a slower café stop while exploring Berry, The Dairy Bar brings together country hospitality, sweet treats and plenty of local character.
It is located within Berry’s historic Central Creamery precinct alongside The Treat Factory. The café serves handcrafted gelato made on site, Devonshire teas, espresso coffee, cakes and a selection of café favourites.
The setting is part of the appeal. Rather than rushing through a takeaway stop, families can settle in and enjoy the rural outlook before continuing their day in Berry. It works particularly well as a morning or afternoon break when younger travellers need some downtime between shops, sightseeing and other activities.
The Treat Factory next door also runs experiences and produces an extensive range of chocolates, confectionery and gourmet foods, giving families another reason to spend some time at the precinct rather than treating it purely as a meal stop.
Why families like it
Gelato gives younger visitors an obvious reason to be enthusiastic, while the café setting gives parents somewhere comfortable to stop for coffee or something more substantial. Its location also makes it easy to include in a wider day exploring Berry.
3. Cupitt’s Estate
Dining at a winery might not immediately sound like a family activity, but Cupitt’s Estate, near Milton and Ulladulla, has been designed to welcome families as well as visitors interested in the estate’s food and wine.
Families can choose between the Dining Room and the more casual Wine Garden. The Wine Garden is particularly well suited to a relaxed meal outdoors, with garden and deck seating and a menu that includes share plates, pizzas and dedicated children’s options.
Cupitt’s confirms that kids’ meals and high chairs are available, with lawn space where younger visitors have room to move. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices are also available across its dining menus, making it easier when a family group has different dietary requirements.
Live music is another feature of the Wine Garden, with regular Sunday sessions and selected Friday and Saturday performances. Because menus, service times and music schedules can change seasonally, check the current Cupitt’s Estate menus before you visit.
Why families like it
Cupitt’s gives adults the chance to enjoy one of the South Coast’s established food and wine destinations without needing to leave the children behind. The Wine Garden offers the most casual experience, while families celebrating something special can choose the Dining Room.
4. Huskisson Bakery & Cafe
Some family meals need to be simple. Huskisson Bakery & Cafe is a useful option for breakfast, lunch or a quick refuel while you are exploring Jervis Bay.
The bakery has a long history in Huskisson, with baking on the site dating back to around 1917. Today, the range includes traditional breads, pies, sandwiches, wraps, rolls, cakes and coffee.
What makes it particularly useful for families is the children’s playground. Little ones can spend some time playing while parents sit down with a coffee or something to eat. The bakery also has accessible ramps at the front and rear, along with an accessible bathroom.
Its Currambene Street location puts it close to the centre of Huskisson, so you can easily pick something up before heading to the beach, pack bakery favourites for a picnic or sit down before continuing your day.
Why families like it
There is very little ceremony involved. You can stop for a quick snack, choose something familiar for a fussy eater or have a casual café meal. The play area is an added advantage for families with younger children.
5. Berry Donut Van
If you are visiting Berry with children, the Berry Donut Van is one of those South Coast stops that has become part of the experience.
The van has been serving its hot cinnamon donuts since 1964 and remains a Berry landmark. Alongside the signature donuts, there are drinks and savoury choices including coffee, milkshakes, pies and hot dogs.
Located on Queen Street in the centre of Berry, it is easy to add to a day spent browsing the town’s shops and local food businesses. It also works well when the family wants a treat without committing to a full café or restaurant meal.
A bag of warm cinnamon donuts is easy to share, although convincing everyone to share equally may be another matter.
Why families like it
It is quick, casual and distinctly Berry. For children, there is the simple appeal of a freshly cooked donut. For parents, it offers a long-standing local food experience that fits easily into a day exploring the town.
Prefer to Dine at Your Holiday Home?
Eating out with children can be enjoyable, but there are evenings when getting everyone cleaned up and out the door after a full day at the beach feels like more work than anyone wants.
A private dining experience lets you enjoy restaurant-quality food while making use of the kitchen, dining spaces and outdoor areas at your holiday property.
Supercalla guests can arrange private dining with Season & Savour, whose team provides tailored dining experiences at Supercalla properties across the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands.
Menus are created around seasonal produce and can be adapted to dietary requirements. Private dining can include professional chefs and waitstaff, with the team handling set-up and clean-up. Drop-off banquets are another option when you want a relaxed family dinner without needing full table service.
For extended families or groups travelling together, dining at your accommodation can also remove the challenge of finding a restaurant table large enough for everyone. Younger children can keep their usual routines, and the adults can settle in for the evening without organising transport home.
You can browse more Supercalla experiences or explore the Supercalla holiday accommodation collection when planning your stay.
FAQs About Family-Friendly Dining in Shoalhaven
What are some good family-friendly restaurants in Shoalhaven?
Huskisson Hotel and Cupitt’s Estate are two strong options when you want a sit-down family meal. Both offer dedicated choices for children, while Cupitt’s also provides high chairs and outdoor lawn space. For more casual stops, The Dairy Bar, Huskisson Bakery & Cafe and Berry Donut Van are easy additions to a day of exploring.
Where can you eat with kids around Jervis Bay?
Huskisson is a convenient place to start. Huskisson Hotel offers casual waterfront dining with a kids’ menu, while Huskisson Bakery & Cafe is useful for breakfast, lunch or a quick snack and has a children’s playground. Both are centrally located, which makes them easy to combine with the beach and other Jervis Bay activities.
Is Cupitt’s Estate suitable for children?
Yes. Cupitt’s Estate welcomes families and provides kids’ meals, high chairs and lawn space. The Wine Garden is the more casual outdoor option, while the Dining Room suits families wanting a longer sit-down meal.
Where can families eat in Berry?
The Dairy Bar is a relaxed option for café food, coffee, handcrafted gelato and sweet treats within Berry’s Central Creamery precinct. Berry Donut Van on Queen Street is ideal for a quick snack and has been serving its well-known cinnamon donuts since 1964.
Do family-friendly restaurants in Shoalhaven cater for dietary requirements?
Options vary between venues, so it is best to check directly when booking. Cupitt’s Estate states that vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available across its Dining Room and Wine Garden menus. If someone in your family has an allergy or specific dietary requirement, contact the venue before your visit rather than relying solely on an online menu.
Can you arrange private dining at a Supercalla holiday property?
Yes. Season & Savour provides private dining and catering at Supercalla properties across the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands. Menus can be tailored to dietary needs, and options range from a fully serviced private dining experience to relaxed drop-off banquets. Supercalla recommends arranging private dining well ahead of your stay.
Find Your Family-Friendly Base in Shoalhaven
Good family holidays are easier when meals can fit naturally around the rest of the day. Whether that means waterfront pub food after the beach, gelato during a day in Berry or dinner prepared at your holiday home, there are plenty of family-friendly dining options across Shoalhaven.
Once you have decided where to eat, explore Supercalla’s South Coast holiday accommodation and find a base for your next family escape.