When choosing a place for lunch, the first thing I do as a parent of active toddlers is to suss out the child-friendly restaurants near me.

I’m not just talking about if they have high chairs or a kids menu (Buy-one-get-one-free kids meals are an added bonus for those of us with multiple children).

By ‘child-friendly’, I mean, does the venue:

• have sprawling lawns, gardens or an area where the kids can run or play without disturbing diners?
• offer toys, games or play equipment?
• have animals or intriguing qualities for kids to look at?

I’m lucky, as a wine-lover, to live in one of the best winery regions in the world and savour a glass (or three) on a relaxed weekend.

However, while I am enjoying my glass of bubbly or devouring a cheese platter, I still want to see, play and explore with my kids in a safe and relaxed environment.

After painstaking research of stuffing my face with delicious food and beverages this year around Melbourne, in no particular order, here are my top five venues to take your kiddies to for your next family lunch outing.

Stumpy Gully Vineyard, Moorooduc

Stumpy Gully’s restaurant has recently been transformed from fine dining to casual fare, including delicious wood-fired pizzas, cheese platters and charcuterie boards.

With dining options inside, outside on the deck or out on the lawn amongst the vineyard under beautiful umbrellas, there is plenty of space for the kids to run around. The venue provides outdoor games and a spectacular ice cream cart for your little ones to enjoy. The recent update from fine dining has made this one of my favourite locations to visit with the twins or even to pop in and do some work while enjoying a take-home bottle. Don’t forget to stop in at the cellar door beforehand and have a wine tasting of your favourite red or whites.

Green Olive, Red Hill

Endless lush lawns, the beautiful dam front and centre of the restaurant, generous outdoor seating, incredible food, wine and the abundance of animals make this winery a must-visit with your little ones and family. With the option to dine in, sit outside under the shade or even bring a picnic rug and snack on the amazing grazing platters while sipping a glass of crisp white wine, Green Olive caters for all. The twins were obsessed with the animals, rolling down the hill and playing with the resident pup. I enjoyed being able to lay on the lawn and take advantage of all the space has to offer.

Devilbend Farm Beer Co, Teurong

We spent the twins birthday here after I read a tonne of reviews online from local Mums about it being such a kid-friendly venue. And it did not disappoint!

There is playing equipment, a real dismantled boat the kids can jump in and pretend to drive, toys, animals and plenty of space to run around, this was the perfect venue for active toddlers and kids. All enclosed, your little ones can roam free without being ‘helicopter-parented’. I recommend securing the long table by the doors – you’ll be protected from the elements if the weather is not ideal. Everything was reasonably priced and the staff and management were fantastic to deal with.

The Cosmopolitan, Trentham

The Cosmopolitan was a recent find. We don’t often venutre out of the Mornington Peninsula as there is so much to offer near home, however, this was worth the 2 hour drive to the Daylesford region.

Full of class, history and breathtaking decor and gardens, this venue was my kind of place. The kids absolutely loved running around amongst the garden – it truly felt like a beautiful fairy forest – overgrown, covered in flowers and trees protecting little ones from the sun and following the garden trail was quite magical.

I of course opted for a cheese platter and parma and devoured both with ease. We enjoyed plenty of wine and the team bent over backwards to make our trip worthwhile. Even if you can only stop in for a drink, make sure to take some time and wander around the venue – it is truly one of a kind. I will be returning soon for cocktail hour in the gorgeous private sitting room – you should too!

T’Gallant Vineyard, Main Ridge

After a significant hiatus, T’Gallant recently reopened under new owners. Still offering amazing woodfired pizzas, platters, full-size meals, snack foods and some of the best Pinot Grigio around, T’Gallant offers plenty of space for the kids to play outside while you sit under big white umbrellas on a beautiful summer’s day, enjoying a crisp glass of pinot grigio. T’Gallant offer beers as well for those who aren’t wine drinkers and the $10 wine tasting in the stunning cellar door is worth every dollar.

Leave your thoughts on this post below or join in the conversation and tell me, where is your favourite lunch spot?

Also, check out @wineanddineVictoria on IG for all your venue needs around Melbourne, Victoria.