popkin's artistan popcorn, elwood
Are you ready to taste THE most AMAZING artisan popcorn?! Well get set, cos you’re in for a TREAT!
Are you ready to taste THE most AMAZING artisan popcorn?! Well get set, cos you’re in for a TREAT!
This new ‘popcornery’ specialises in the most deliciously crisp and tasty small batch popcorn. It’s made fresh daily, with a range of flavours. Mamma’s fave is the Caramel Gold, this is sweet and crunchy and very moreish! Mamma’s crew couldn’t decide between the Buttery or the Country Cheddar as their faves - both are equally delectable.
You are free to sample whichever flavour you like - so give them a try! The Chilli and Cheddar and the Chocolate Gold are also amazing.
You can pick up some old fashioned sodas and Choc Tops as well - all the essentials for your next movie night or picnic!
Mamma's special mention: Grab some popcorn and head for a picnic at St Kilda Botanical Gardens
kaiju cantina, huntingdale
Mamma can’t decide what is better - the cool paintings on the wall, the great tasting beer OR the cool van-slash-kid magnet at the NEW Kaiju Cantina!
Mamma can’t decide what is better - the cool paintings on the wall, the great tasting beer OR the cool van-slash-kid magnet at the NEW Kaiju Cantina! These magical ingredients work so well together, making the brewery space a great place to visit with the family.
The Cantina specialise in pizzas and they know how to feed a crowd. We can recommend Cheeseburger and the Calabrese, plus the crew gets a double thumbs up as they have kids options too. The dining area is super laid back, with beer-hall style tables, more intimate booths and even an outdoor roadside zone for those awesome summer arvos.
Oh, how could we forget, the cantina has 16 taps of the brewed stuff as well. You have to try a few of the different beers from the Kaiju range. There are some cool flavours you might not find elsewhere - so HOP to it, and book a table for the crew today!
Mamma's special mention: Head down the road for a play at the colourful Galbally Reserve
nitty gritty
OPEN
Wednesday and Thursdays
4pm - late
Friday - Sunday
12 pm - Late
Wanna know more?
click here
dandee donuts extra, cranbourne west
How good are these delicious morsels dusted in sugar and pumped full of sweet, warm raspberry jam!
How good are hot jam donuts? Little delicious morsels dusted in sugar and pumped full of sweet, warm raspberry jam! Mamma could be wrong, but arguably the absolute BEST jam donuts are those from the Dandenong Market! Well - good news folks! You don’t need to head into the market JUST to get donuts anymore!
You can head to Dandee Donuts Extra in Cranbourne! Serving their much loved Hot Jam donuts - and more.
Along with the absolute delectable hot jam donuts, they also have iced donuts of assorted colours and toppings, hot filled donuts - with nutella/custard, donut sundaes, mini donuts and even a Tim Tam donut burger!
And vegan and gluten free donut lovers are catered for as well.
Everyone is a winner here!
Mamma's special mention: Grab some to go and head to the awesome Trueman Reserve Playground.
nitty gritty
Sunday to Thursdays: 10am-5pm
Fridays: 10am-8pm
Saturdays: 9am-8pm
Public Holidays: 10.30am-4.30pm
Wanna know more?
click here
grazing moments, cranbourne west
This BRILLIANT new shop lets you choose your own masterpiece while they make it up right before your eyes! How good is that?!
If you thought grazing boxes were something you had to pre-order and have delivered - think again!
This BRILLIANT new shop lets you choose your own masterpiece while they make it up right before your eyes! How good is that?! If you’re off on a picnic - stop in on the way! Need to surprise someone with a last minute gift? No worries - they have you sorted. They also offer a two-hour same day delivery service, too.
You can choose from a savoury, sweet or a mixed box and can even get a little lunch pack or sweet box for one. As well as Commonfolk coffee and a cupcake!
You can pick up some gifts to go along with the grazing box, like locally made candles, gift-boxed macarons, wine, dried flowers and even purchase a gorgeous picnic blanket or wooden grazing board.
There will soon be the option to order little kids packs - perfect for parties and picnic lunches too!
Mamma's special mention:
Choose your box and head down the road to the awesome fully-fenced Livvi’s Place Playground.
nitty gritty
Delivery Hours
Monday - Closed
Tuesday- Wednesday 10am-3pm
Thursday - Saturday
10am-5pm
Sunday 10am-3pm
Pickup Hours
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - Saturday
10am-5pm
Sunday 10am-3pm
Wanna know more?
click here
stomping ground, moorabbin
Here’s the perfect spot for the whole family - even the fury kids are welcome!
Here’s the perfect spot for the whole family - even the furry kids are welcome! Whether you’re after lunch, dinner or just a laid back Sunday session - you’ve found your place.
Having recently opened their new permanent brewery and beer hall, it is already proving to be a favourite with the locals, and it is easy to see why!
Great food (the pizzas!!), great beer and a GREAT play area for the kids.
There is a multi-level cubby house that has a slide and rope swing on the bottom level, a busy-board on the wall inside and a lookout. Whilst the levels are quite minimal, it is a great chance for imaginative play! Note that inside the cubby house is recommended for kids 5+
So while the kids are busy playing, you can sit back and sample some of their 25+ rotating craft beers on tap, sit out on the sundeck or beer garden, play some shuffl board and have a delicious meal.
Mamma's special mention:
Head down the road to have a play at Karkarook Playground.
nitty gritty
OPEN
Sunday - Thursday
11.30am - 11.30pm
Friday/Saturday
11.30am - 1am
Wanna know more?
click here
Morris Moor Building
9 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin
the bay mordi, mordialloc
What could be better than a beach side location, watching the sunset, dining on delicious food and washing it down with a glass of wine - or a cocktail? Kids eating FREE!
What could be better than a beach side location, watching the sunset, dining on delicious food and washing it down with a glass of wine - or a cocktail? Having the kids be entertained AND eating for FREE is just the icing on the cake!
Every Wednesday night, kids can dine for free (with a main meal purchased) and they are provided with these really cute little kids packs - a colouring book and crayons - and when you finish your colouring you can download an app and watch them come to life - very cool!
So while they are happily distracted, you can enjoy your meals and conversations! The food here is great. Big, yummy burgers that come with amazing chips, steak, a Tapas menu, roasted vegetable salads, vegetarian parmas and lots more. Keep your eyes out for different weeknight specials like Pot and Parma nights, and nightly Happy Hours!
Fantastic location, terrific service and great food - make for the perfect spot for your next meal!
Mamma's special mention: If you need a play before/after your meal head across the road to the beach and Peter Scullin Reserve Playground (currently being upgraded).
the nitty gritty
OPEN
Monday to Wednesday 12pm - 10pm
Thursday - 12pm - 10.30pm
Friday/Saturday - 12pm - 1am
Sunday - 12pm - 10.30pm
2 Centreway, Mordialloc
(just off Beach Rd)
fratelli italian restaurant, frankston
Mamma has been to Italy and has eaten spaghetti in Rome and Pizza in Venice and yes it was incredible - BUT - have you tried Fratelli’s in Frankston?
If you don’t know many Italian words, make sure you know this one - Bellissimo - as this is what you will be saying after one of these delicious meals touches your tastebuds.
Mamma has been to Italy and eaten spaghetti in Rome and Pizza in Venice and yes it was incredible - BUT - have you tried Fratelli’s in Frankston? If not - check it out!
This restaurant has been owned and operated by a gorgeous family since 2008, who pride themselves on humble Italian classics that the whole family will LOVE.
There’s a great kids menu with very generous servings and incredible flavours (get the spaghetti!) and an extensive menu full of amazing pizzas, delectable pastas, tender ribs, salads, cocktails, GELATO and heaps more. PLUS - every Wednesday night kids meals are FREE with a main meal purchased!
You can sit outside - undercover - and listen to the water trickle from fountain, relax on the lounge suite or sit inside in some booth-style tables. There’s also great take-away options.
Mamma's special mention: If you need a play before/after your meal head across the road to Ballam Park.
the nitty gritty
OPEN
Monday to Sunday
11:00am – 10:00PM
cafe omnia, murrumbeena
A cafe with the kids in mind, that’s what this Mamma loves... and Cafe Omnia ticks all the boxes.
A cafe with the kids in mind, that’s what this Mamma loves... and Cafe Omnia ticks all the boxes.
Once you’ve taken a pic of the insta worthy flower wall and checked out the delicious looking pastries and sandwiches at the counter, make your way out the back to the sun lit courtyard featuring a cubby house, slide and grassed area that will be hard to get your child back from - trust Mamma!
The coffee is good and the food has a great selection from wellness bowls to calamari salads to oozing truffled mushroom toasties!
The kids have a broad range of options too - if you can get them back to the table long enough to eat!
Mamma's special mention: head down the road and explore Urban Forest!
the nitty gritty
OPEN
Monday - Sunday
7am - 3pm
fresko gelato and waffle house, highett
If you are a gelato lover - you NEED to check out the delicious flavours and indulgent waffles here!
Nothing satiates the taste-buds quite like delicious, creamy gelato, right? It doesn’t even have to be a warm summer’s day to enjoy it - any day is ice cream worthy!
If you want to treat yourself, you MUST have a visit to Fresko’s. This exquisitely made artisan gelato is made on site by a second-generation gelato maker, and just an outright lovely family.
There are lots of delicious flavours on rotation, some of them incredibly unique like choc baklava, sour cherry, Rafaello, passionfruit and a lot more. Mamma can HIGHLY recommend the frappe artisan gelato if you are a lover of coffee - it’s made with over a litre of freshly brewed espresso - yum.
And the WAFFLES! Wow! They are made-to-order, huge and packed to the brim of pure decadence.
You can also order hot drinks, milkshakes and artisan gelato cakes. Arrive hungry!
Mamma's special mentions: Grab a scoop to go and cross the road to the very little - but very cute - Train Park Playground!
the nitty gritty
OPEN
Sunday - Thursday 2pm - 9pm
Friday/Saturday 2pm - 9.30pm
Closed Monday
Shop 10/284 Highett Rd, Highett
Wanna know more?
click here
sebastian's food & wine, hampton
This Hampton institution is situated right on Hampton Street next to the train station, you can’t miss it! Welcome to Sebastian’s.
This Hampton institution is situated right on Hampton Street next to the train station, you can’t miss it! Welcome to Sebastian’s!
The all day menu features great breaky staples like a chilli scramble and smashed avo as well as some fun and tasty lunch options such as crispy chicken bao or a poke bowl. It caters to a broad range of dietary requirements with plenty of vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and dairy free options. There is coffee, tea, juices, smoothies and homemade spritzes to choose from, as well as an extensive alcohol list.
But let’s not forget the kids! A menu come colouring page will let your children choose from eggs on toast, ham and cheese jaffles, pancakes or even fish and chips.
There’s bike racks out the front and plenty of bench seating with heaters - if you’ve got a train mad child, Mamma recommends a seat out the front to watch them all go by. Out the back there’s a beautiful sunlit, umbrella filled courtyard surrounded by greenery and decked out in a Hampton-esque blue and white stripe theme.
Mamma's special mentions: Once you’re full of good food and drinks, make sure to head to the nearby Gipsy Village Park to burn off all that energy!
naked racer cafe & bar, cheltenham
If there is a lover of all this auto in your fam - you need to bring them to this great cafe for a meal!
If there is a lover of all things auto in your fam - you need to bring them to this great cafe for a meal!
From the moment you arrive you are enveloped by the Wild Wild West. From the front courtyards desert feel - complete with cactus and road signs - to when you enter the country saloon style cafe.
But there’s so much more to this quirky cafe - it is also home to hundreds of antique motorbikes. It’s great to take a wander through and marvel at the magnificence of these machines. It is also a dealership and workshop, too!
The cafe serves delicious food - with a great kids menu (the most fancy kids ravioli this Mamma has seen!), it’s also a bar and can host functions, too!
Mamma's special mentions:
Head down the road for a play at Kingston Heath Reserve OR check out the awesome Aviation Museum
the nitty gritty
OPEN
Monday - Thursday 7am–4:30pm
Friday 7am–1am
Saturday 7am–1am
Sunday 8am–5pm
Wanna know more?
click here
beachcomber, st kilda
This is a slice of paradise that the whole family will enjoy. Sit back, enjoy great food and even a cocktail - while the kids can play in the sand right in front of you.
Relaxing at the table, feet in the sand, sounds of waves gently crashing, you could be forgiven for thinking that you have stepped onto a beach in Queensland - or perhaps even the French Riviera - but no, it is right here in sunny St Kilda!
This is a slice of paradise that the whole family will enjoy. You can sit back, enjoy the sunshine, great food and even a cocktail - while the kids can play in the sand right in front of you. There’s even a bucket of sand toys that the kids can borrow!
You can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner options and the kids have their very own - rather extensive - menu to chose from as well.
You can opt to sit at the bench tables, under the cover of a bamboo cabana - or soak up the sun on a colourful deck chair. Should the weather turn, there’s also undercover seating away from the sand as well.
Fresh air, great food, sunshine, kids playing on sand - and cocktails, what more could you ask for?!
Mamma's special mentions:
There’s a heap to do here in St Kilda. Head across the road to Luna Park. Walk down St Kilda Pier. Go on the Solar System Trail walk. Explore Catani Gardens. Go to The Esplanade Market and Pony Rides on a Sunday!
vue bar & restaurant @ settlers run golf and country club, botanic ridge
Here’s a great restaurant that the whole family will enjoy!
Here’s a great restaurant that the whole family will enjoy!
Surrounded by stunning views of the Settlers Run golf course, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you pick the right time, you may even spot a few curious kangaroos.
It’s a great relaxed feeling, with plenty to keep the kids happy. They have their own dedicated menu, colouring in packs with meals, toys and - kids eat free Tuesday nights!
They have Sunday sessions with music, food/drink specials and lawn games for kids like giant Jenga, Connect Four, Quoits, Bowling and more.
There’s also a playground out the front, with a permanent coffee van beside it. Not to mention the spectacular golf course - perfection for the whole family!
Mamma's special mentions:
Settlers Run also offers Tennis, Golf and swimming lessons for both adults and kids PLUS Kids Sports classes on Wednesdays by Happy Kids sports - Also offers rooms to hire for functions
check out more HERE.
the nitty gritty
OPEN
Breakfast
Saturday & Sundays
8.30am – 11.30am
Lunch
Tuesday to Sunday
12.00pm – 5.00pm
Dinner
Tuesday to Sunday
5.00pm – 8.30pm
Wanna know more?
click here
only mine chocolates, cranbourne west
Calling all chocoholics - there’s a new chocolate factory in the south that you are going to want to visit, your taste buds will thank you!
Calling all chocoholics - there’s a new chocolate factory in the south that you are going to want to visit, your taste buds will thank you!
If you’re anything like Mamma and her crew, when you hear that there is a brand new chocolate shop opening in your hood - you know that a visit there will be imminent! Especially when you already know that this particular chocolate is delicious. Only Mine also has a shop in the beautiful hills of Olinda.
This latest addition offers beautiful hand made chocolates that are almost as stunning to look at as they are delicious to eat! There’s also their famous hot chocolate, chocolate blocks, bars and pastilles; plus cute little chocolate animals as well.
Whilst this is only a takeaway shop, you can still get delicious food like chocolate drizzled waffles and ice cream, brownies, cookies and more. Pure decadence!
Mamma's special mentions:
Grab some to go and picnic in the park at Trueman Reserve not far away.
modu, clayton
Modu is great little family-friendly restaurant, that offers a HUGE menu with so many incredible options to choose from.
If you love exquisite Chinese cuisine - you are in for a TREAT!
Modu is great little family-friendly restaurant, that offers a HUGE menu with so many incredible options to choose from. Whilst there is no dedicated kids menu as such, there are plenty of meals they will enjoy - like an assortment of dumplings, noodle dishes, rice and popcorn chicken.
Mamma’s little ones labelled it as “the best meal” they have eaten! Now, that’s a big call!
Our crew can highly recommend the dumplings, pork belly, ribs, noodles and the AMAZING fried rice. The food really is delicious and the staff are lovely and attentive.
Makes for the perfect dining experience!
Mamma's special mentions: Head around the corner for a play and explore at Namatjira Park.
le bar supper club, beaumaris
Encapsulating all that was brilliant about the romantic 1920s glamour era, you will feel like you have stumbled across your own private speakeasy.
Hidden behind a dramatic black door is this STUNNING new bar and restaurant in Beaumaris.
Encapsulating all that was brilliant about the romantic 1920s glamour era, you will feel like you have stumbled across your own private speakeasy.
With no signage out front, only a gold ‘Le Bar’ sign on the pavement, you will be blown away by the decadence once you open that beautiful black door.
Drenched in black and gold decor and dazzling lights you will find multiple tables with bucket chairs, a few booths and chairs at the bar. Gold frame paintings adorn the walls, and stunning gold chandelier lights hang from the ceiling.
The menu is quality, not quantity. French inspired and amazing - Mamma had the oysters, the truffle pomme frites and an amazing fillet mignon - everything was perfection.
The cocktails are delicious - Mamma loved the theatre of the The Flapper with its smokey flavour gun. Impressive!
The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable and make sure you have a complete experience - even finishing off the meal with a complimentary chocolate!
Mamma's special mentions: This is the perfect spot for a night out with the girls - a date night and even a great place to bring your parents!
loosie's diner, mornington
There’s a new diner in town, folks - and you are going to want to check this out!
There’s a wonderful new place to dine in the south - and you are going to want to check this out!
Loosie’s Diner is serving up delicious American-inspired food in the most spectacularly cool little restaurant!
The decor is a visual treat, you wont know where to focus your eyes on first. From the stunning lantern lights, the green booth seats, the vintage black and white photos covering the walls, to the lightboard showcasing the menu and COCKTAIL list. There’s just such a great vibe here.
The menu is simple and perfect. The southern fried chicken is a MUST! You can have it in a yummy burger - or on top of golden waffles (with maple syrup if you dare!). And the FRIES, are something else! Deliciously golden and crispy on the outside, yet fluffy and soft on the inside. SO GOOD! There’s also a dedicated kids menu.
The staff are super friendly and helpful and know how to make some KILLER cocktails! This is the perfect place to meet up with friends, a date night and a great family night out, too!
Mamma's special mention: Keep the fun times rolling and head around the corner for a hit of golf at the family-friendly X-golf Mornington!
the nitty gritty
OPEN
Wednesday - Sunday
5pm - late
wanna know more?
click here
sugar buns bakery cafe, hampton park
Attention all sugar lovers - indulge in some serious DECADENCE here!
Attention all sugar addicts - here is a place to truly indulge in some serious DECADENCE! As the name implies, this cafe is definitely a TREAT, a place to really splash out, if you choose their sugary items - however, there are also healthy options on the menu too!
Sugar Buns are famous for their mega shakes, which are as much a feast for your eyes as they are for your tastebuds! Bright and FULLY LOADED, they are perfect for sharing. The shakes come with a delicious flavoured milkshake, a scoop of ice-cream on top and covered with an assortment of lollies, chocolate, rainbow popcorn and fairy floss - and yes, they’re VERY sweet!
Mamma loves chocolate, so when there’s a mega hot chocolate on offer, it needs to be ordered. It is HUGE, and full of Nutella, and covered with a choc chip cookie, chocolate and fairy floss. It is pretty spectacular.
The burgers are also AMAZING! Mamma’s crew had a chicken schnitzel and it was the tastiest, yummiest chicken we’ve had in a while!
The littlies are also covered with a kids menu offering a healthy plate (something to counteract all that sugar!). This comes with vegemite sandwich fingers, fruit and yoghurt.
There’s also fresh juices and smoothies and breakfast til 3pm.
Mamma's special mention: After all that sugar, head down to the stunning Banjo Paterson Reserve and burn off some energy!
the nitty gritty
OPEN
Monday - Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday -Saturday 7am - 8pm
Sundays- 8am - 5pm
wanna know more?
click here
Hampton Park Shopping Centre, 1a/55 Hallam Rd, Hampton Park
cup cup and away coffee shop, hallam
If you have a little super hero lover - you need to bring them in for a milkshake and let them be immersed in bundles of super hero fun!
Wham! Bam! It’s Superhero time!
If you have a little superhero lover - you need to bring them in for a milkshake and let them be immersed in bundles of super hero fun!
They’ll love the cool memorabilia displayed on the walls and statues and figurines all around them; there’s even a TV playing movies too.
Parents can grab a coffee and watch the faces of their little ones in complete wonderment of their heroes.
This venue used to be a milk bar, and as such - there is no actual kitchen - so the menu is either air-fried things like hash browns, chips, potato gems - or oven warmed sausage rolls, pies etc. There’s also a fridge with some sandwiches and assorted cakes and slices. It’s very much snack food with yummy coffee, milkshakes and spiders!
You can even purchase some merchandise like drink bottles, backpacks, games, clothing, books and more.
So superhero up and check it out!
Mamma's special mention: Make a day of it and head over to Paint a Pot
the nitty gritty
OPEN
Monday - Friday
7.30am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sundays- closed
wanna know more?
click here
the tradesman, moorabbin
This little cafe is tucked away in the heart of Moorabbin’s industrial area, with polished concrete floors, brick walls and wooden features to match the locale.
This little cafe is tucked away in the heart of Moorabbin’s industrial area, with polished concrete floors, brick walls and wooden features to match the locale. The interior is light, bright and friendly, as are the staff.
They have indoor and outdoor seating that is fully accessible (plenty of room for prams), toys for the kids (win) and a great menu with a wide range of options from acai bowls to red velvet pancakes (don’t forget to take a picture), there’s something for everyone.
The Tradesman has gone a step further than most when it comes to catering for children, with a separate children’s menu that doubles as a colouring page, pencils and a toy box, plus plastic cups and cutlery which this mumma found very helpful when dealing with a strong willed toddler who wants to drink from a cup and feed themselves.
Mamma's special mention: Once you’ve fuelled up on their delicious food and coffee, head on over to Sir William Fry Reserve to burn it all off again!
the nitty gritty
OPEN
wanna know more?
click here