Perth Breakfast & Brunch: Cubby Cafe, Forrestdale, is a kid-friendly cafe that’s foodie-friendly too

Every parent knows that you grade on a curve when the brunch cafe is kid-friendly. Playground out the back? Sure, I’ll chew this plate of lukewarm eggs and be glad about it. That bit of shell? I’ll eat around it. Kids’ menu that’s not just chicken nuggets? Of course I’m fine with this dry burnt toast, it’s terrific. Sometimes the price of having your kid sufficiently entertained for you to finish your meal without anyone sitting on your lap or drink your coffee all the way to the end without hearing “I’m booooored” repeated at an ever-growing volume is a lacklustre meal. Plenty of parents pay it willingly. So when I learned about the existence of Cubby Cafe, a sprawling venue in Forrestdale that features a massive play area and a small animal farm out the back, I was braced for a so-so meal. So long as my kids were being happily distracted, I’d choke down some dry pancakes and pay for the privilege. It was both a surprise and a delight to find that the food at Cubby Cafe is actually very good. Not grading-on-a-curve very good, just very good, even if it wasn’t for the play opportunities. Those play opportunities, though. Cubby Cafe’s playground comprises a series of cute cubbies made up to resemble everything from a police station and a beauty salon to a train carriage and a ticket booth. There’s also a rock climbing wall, slide and fireman’s poll. An extra $20 will buy you entry to a small animal farm out the back, where you can hand-feed goats, brush llamas and nostalgic mums can relive the breastfeeding years while watching an enormous sow feed her brood of piglets. The restaurant at Cubby Cafe is good enough to visit without kids in tow. Scrambled eggs on toast are great: buttery yellow, generous and well-seasoned. A side dish of mushrooms are nice but the side of greens are a standout: lightly charred broccolini and bok choy makes for a nice change from the half-wilted baby spinach that so many cafes love to serve. A halloumi burger is great: a fat wedge of halloumi, with onion bhaji and a fried egg that turns my plate — and face — into a crime scene at first bite. The kids are kept well-entertained by a fried egg on toast, waffles with cream and a “picky plate” to share: a segmented dish offering a spread of fruit, veggies and other nibbly bites designed to tempt tricky eaters. Coffee is good and the only truly sour note of the meal is that the tea comes in mugs, rather than pots. This is a personal peeve, rather than a fireable offence. Cubby Cafe also has a variety of sweet treats and pastries, designed to be scarfed down on the lawn under the guise of supervising the kids. Cubby Cafe is that rare brunch venue that feels like a family destination and not just a cafe. No grading on a curve required. The verdict: 16/20 A kid-friendly cafe that’s foodie-friendly too. Cubby Cafe, Forrestdale 11 Acre Farm, 448 Nicholson Rd, Forrestdale OPEN Wednesday to Friday, 7am-3pm; Saturday and Sunday 7.30am-3pm. CONTACT cubby.cafe BOOKINGS Yes