Destination Dining: 4 Must-Visit Gourmet Trails In The Region
Add these insider recommendations from chic Insta-mums to your travel itinerary for a delectable escapade the whole family will enjoy
Sandi loves styling her daughters, Bella and Giselle, in the latest trends.
Sandi Zalijevic @kidsfashionblogger
Country: Melbourne, Australia
Mother of two beautiful girls, Bella, eight, and Giselle, five, Sandi Zaljevic shares, “When it comes to dining spots, Melbourne is a treasure trove of hip cafes and cool new restaurants that seem to pop up all over the city, every other day. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes here that are located near parks or open spaces, so kids can roam around, or run and play when they feel like it. Mealtimes are usually enjoyable for both parents and kids.”
SANDI RECOMMENDS:
Chill out along the beach front at West Beach Bathers Pavilion.
“At West Beach Bathers Pavilion, there are seats on the beach, and a whole lot of space for kids to run and play. This place was built in the ’20s, and after seven years of careful restoration, it’s now a popular spot with beachgoers. I like how it overlooks the sea with a spectacular view. It’s probably why it’s gotten a reputation as a great beach wedding spot.”
The Boathouse is known for its pizzas.
“If you’re looking for a quiet spot, The Boathouse opens seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is further out from the city, but the massive park and great kids menu make it worth the trip. Sitting on the banks of the Maribyrnong River, it’s a little off the beaten path, but that’s precisely why it’s a hit with the locals, and those who don’t mind travelling for good food and ambience.”
Jerry’s Milk Bar specialises in delicious milkshakes.
“The heritage-listed Jerry’s Milk Bar still keeps its original signage from the ’60s when it first opened shop. It has evolved from a milk bar to a modern cafe, serving breakfast classics such as eggs benedict, chorizo and yummy milkshakes from a great kid-friendly menu. The service is good, and it’s next to an open park (so restless kids can burn off excess energy before coming back for more food)!”
Moreland Hotel serves up hearty portions that are great for sharing.
Jennifer relaxing with her kids, Kiyomi and Kenji.
Jennifer Bachdim @jenniferbachdim
Country: Bali, Indonesia
This lifestyle, fashion, and travel blogger relocated with her family from Japan to Bali at the beginning of the year. The mum to four-year-old Kiyomi Sue and two-year-old Kenji Zizou says, “I love Bali; I feel like I’m living in paradise. Having the chance to experience the beautiful places here—the awesome hotels, family restaurants and quaint little cafes—is an experience of a lifetime, and de nitely something that I treasure.”
JENNIFER RECOMMENDS:
Seaside dining at The Lawn is an experience not to be missed.
“Sitting right along Canggu beach, with gentle waves lapping along the shore and soft music playing in the background, The Lawn is easily one of the most scenic places to dine at, with or without kids. The view, the atmosphere, and the food... everything here is great. Our kids love it here as much as we do.”
The beautiful interiors of Nook are bathed in natural light.
“Nook is really near our house, and the view is breathtaking. You can literally dine in the midst of beautiful rice fields. The eatery is so popular that they’ve now added an extension to the place. Go during off-peak hours if you want to avoid the crowds. This family-friendly restaurant serves up food that’s really healthy and tasty.”
Start your day with great coffee at Milk & Madu.
“Milk & Madu is a brunch hotspot in Canggu, and you should visit not just because it serves awesome coffee. If you want to get a table, it’s best to make an advance booking, especially during the weekends. The food is super delicious! I love the acai bowl and the house special, a dish called “The Madu”. This eatery has a little garden with toys, so little ones can be kept happily entertained while parents kick back and enjoy their meals.”
The pork ribs at Warung Nia are tender and tasty.
Elise with her husband, Matt, and kids, Eva and Isabel.
Elise Hu-Stiles @elisewho
Country: Seoul, Korea
Seoul-based bureau chief of American broadcaster NPR Elise Hu-Stiles is mum to two kids, Eva, four, and Isabel, two, and has a third on the way. Says Elise,“Contrary to what popular culture may have you believe, South Korea is not just home to K-pop stars and dramas. It’s a family-friendly destination that is full of cafes, where kids can be kept occupied indoors with sand pits, ball pits and ride-on toys. There’re usually attendants on standby, parents can sit around, and enjoy the co ee and food without worrying about their kids.”
ELISE RECOMMENDS:
Playtime at i-Play at Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
“With its iconic futuristic architecture designed by the late Zaha Hadid, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is a surprisingly great place for kids. Not only are the exhibits constantly changing, the expansive spaces are excellent for running around, both indoors and outdoors. The plaza has an all-wood kids cafe called i-Play, where little ones can dress up in the costumes provided and play on slides. My kids are both big fans of the play areas at DDP.”
Follow your nose to Grandma Jin Okhwa’s Original Chicken Restaurant.
“The aroma of the food prepared at Granny Jin Okhwa’s Original Chicken Restaurant is so fragrant that you can smell it when you enter the tiny alley where this restaurant is located at, even before you see it. This eatery specialises in dakhanmari, which is soup made by boiling a whole chicken with green onions, potatoes and tteokbokki (thick Korean rice noodles) in a large cauldron. This place fills up fast and always has a line, so come early and be prepared to wait!”
Elise’s daughters love the many kid-friendly facilities in Seoul’s eateries.
“Korean barbecue places are a must-visit when you’re here. Prices at Busan Galbi are a little steeper, but the service staff will help you to grill the meat over charcoal, which saves parents a lot of hassle! I love their barchan (free side dishes that accompany most Korean meals), and various cuts of meat. I recommend the chadol bagi, which is thinly cut beef brisket. After the meat is grilled, it’s usually wrapped with fresh lettuce, topped with some caramelised garlic, bean sprouts and samjang sauce.”
Linus’ Bama Style Barbecue serves up delicious comfort food.
Yoko’s kids, Motoki and Keito, enjoy food-hunting in Japan.
Yoko Inoue @yokoinouephoto
Country: Okayama, Japan
Freelance photographerYoko Inoue is mum to 10-year-old Motoki and three-year-old Keito. After calling Brooklyn, NewYork, home for 15 years with her husband, the couple uprooted and returned toYoko’s hometown, Okayama, in April 2010.The family of four reside in a house overlooking the Asahi River.“My kids love it here, and so does my husband-the food is good and the pace is slower.”
YOKO RECOMMENDS:
Nap, Inc. retails a limited line of stylish kitchenware.
“Hidden away in the mountains of Okayama is a cafe-cum-shop called Nap, Inc. The owner, Makoto Kawai, lives in the same compound and treats his customers as family. This cool outfit also has a workshop where original leather and denim goods are produced in limited numbers. When we visited, there was a farmers’ market, where we sampled locally crafted cheeses and sausages. My kids love it there—every time we visit, they look forward to learning craft-making from Makoto and playing with his two dogs.”
Bicycles form part of the decor at Onomichi U2.
“Onomichi U2 is a fun destination to visit because of the bicycle-themed decor. This repurposed warehouse located just minutes from the train station—you can take the direct train from Okayama to Onomichi in the Hiroshima prefecture—it houses several shopping and eating establishments under one roof, with huge windows that provide a view of the boat-filled port.
Delicate presentation is a hallmark of Japanese cuisine.
In Onomichi, you’ll also find a hotel, a boutique store, a seafood restaurant, a market and a huge bicycle shop. The last time we visited, we had lunch at The Restaurant, and got to enjoy the delicious oysters that Hiroshima is famous for.”
Work up an appetite with a stroll through the indoor garden beside Apron Café.
“Art fans will love Naoshima, which has world-class art destinations set in the Seto Inland Sea. Check out the Setouchi Triennale, an art festival that attracts visitors from all over the world. When it’s time to take a break for lunch, pop into Apron Cafe. The dishes are a great balance of East meets West, and it serves up fantastic desserts too. I love the cranberry and coconut scones, which are served with Naoshima sea salt butter—they’re really delicious!
By Chia Sihan
Photography: Apron Café; Jerry’s Milk Bar; Moreland Hotel; Nap, Inc; Onomichi U2; West Beach Bathers Pavillion