Having children around while eating out in Ballarat doesn’t have to be difficult or stressful. An Italian meal is one of the finest family dinners for the colder, chill days of Ballarat in the relaxed atmosphere of family dining. Cooking goodies like pasta, pizza, garlic bread and desserts are a familiar treat for most kids, and Italian restaurants are generally easygoing and inviting for their parents.
Since 1972, guests of the eureka bistro have been able to dine at a family-friendly Italian restaurant that has been a local favourite for generations. From those who like a bit of the easy stuff at their meal, to those who have started being adventurous and now love feasting the pasta dishes with seafood to the top of the plates, there’s something out there that everyone in your home can appreciate. Families looking for an italian restaurant in ballarat often enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and wide variety of meals available for both adults and children.
Why Italian food is a winner for kids
The flavour of Italian food is familiar, comforting and it seems very kid friendly and this is why it is always a popular choice for family dinners. Children are already familiar with ingredients such as cheese, tomato sauce, pasta and pizza, so ordering is easier for parents and more enjoyable for children. Not only is it fun to share these at the table in Italy, but it’s also a great interactive family time around otherwise.
Families can expect a great food selection at Eureka Bistro catering to informal dining for various age groups and various preferences, such as:
- Cafeteria for finicky foodies!
- Sheirings with mild sauces, pasta with mild sauces
- Appropriate finger foods and starters
- Desserts and milkshakes
- You can request gluten free pasta.
Perhaps one of the other reasons behind all the kids’ needs to succeed when it comes to having Italian dinners is that the menu doesn’t seem intimidating. The majority of recipes feature familiar and easy-to-name ingredients to make it more relaxing for young ones to make their meal selections without fretting about the flavour they are about to taste.
The Eureka Bistro Kids Meal- Great value at $18
One of the attention-grabbing, family-friendly feature meals at Eureka Bistro is their children’s Meal, for kids aged under 12. The four-course menu is a complete meal for families at an affordable price of $18, making it a great value out of the home.
Step 1 – Select a Main
Children have a selection of popular family meals such as:
- Spaghetti Bolognese, a favourite pasta recipe among the youngsters
- Penne Napoli: light, delicious, simple tomato sauce that fussy eaters will favour.
- Kids Pizza (Small Margherita or Tropical) – a stalwart that never fails to get the job done.
- Pancakes (no paras) – soft, fluffy, and delicious!cinnamon Cone Breakfast – breakfast with a super-creamy, delicious cone!
- Fried Calamari – A great option for the more adventurous little ones
Step 2 – Select a Side
A side option is also available on each kids meal:
- Italian Salad
- Vegetables
- Chips
Step 3 – Choose a Drink
Children are given the choice of:
- Glass of Soft Drink
- Glass of Juice
Step 4 – Dessert
Make ice cream using one scoop.
The all inclusive set up allows parents to feed their kids with ease, and after their main meal, they will be enthralled by the experience of the entire dining journey on their own.
Pizza – The Ultimate Kids’ Crowd Pleaser
Pizza has continued to be one of the more fun kid-friendly restaurant options that kids know and love, and can be tailored to their preferences. Eureka Bistro offers a variety of warm pizzas that are great for both little and big ones.
Popular varieties of pizzas are:
- In “Margherita,” the tomato is seasoned with cheese and oregano.
- A tangy, South Italian-style condiment made with tomato, cheese, olives, anchovies, and oregano.
- Mushroom – tomato, cheese, mushrooms
- Tropical – tomatoes, cheese, ham, pineapple
- European – cheeses, meats, salads, sandwiches, etc.
The 9-inch size pizzas are ideal for younger kids and the 11-inch size is great for sharing among siblings or those in a larger family. Additional requests include food for dietary needs, such as for:
Gluten Free Base (+$3)
Vegan Cheese (+$2)
The options are flexible and enable a more inclusive and less stressful family dining experience for everyone. Many local families also consider Eureka Bistro the perfect place for your next celebration, whether it’s a birthday dinner, casual family gathering or weekend outing with kids.
Pasta dishes the whole family can enjoy together
Ideal for families that love to share a meal around the table, pasta dishes provide rich tastes and a bit of indulgence for both genders and all ages. Eureka Bistro takes pleasure in making mild pasta dishes that are full of acquainted stuff which is liked by the young ones.
Some common family favourite pasta dishes are:
- The rich napoli sauce with simple comforting flavours from napoli (Ent $21 / Main $25).
- Perfect sauce for pasta, enjoyed by all ages, Bolognese (Ent $22 / Main $26) slow-cooked beef and pork.
- Faroo Piccante Broccoli: creamy broccoli and accompanying cheese sauce (Ent $22/Main $26) Guests will find it easy to eat as it is hearty and kid-friendly.
- Lasagna Housemade ($26) – layers of mozzarella and bolognese that are best served to-gó-go sharing
- Chicken & Mushroom (Ent $23 / Main $27) – creamy mild sauce ideal for younger diners
- In addition to each guest’s ‘soup-to-nuts’ meal, which includes all the items listed below, every one of the children’s four-year-old meals at the restaurant includes ‘meatballs’ (Ent $23 / Main $27) handmade meatballs in napoli sauce that kids are well known for loving.
It can even be a fun way to make dinner more hands-on by letting children pick out their favorite pasta shape:
Fettuccine
Gnocchi
Penne
Spaghetti
Tortellini
Empowering kids to choose their food at the restaurant makes it easier and more fun for them.
Starters to keep kids happy while waiting
One of the best family dining ideas is to take the side dishes first, so that hungry kids will not be bored waiting for the main meal. Eureka Bistro offers a selection of delicious appetizers that are ideal for sharing with friends.
Examples of good family friendly starters:
- Chip Bowl ($8) – fast, easy and enjoyed by all.
- The classic Italian staple – and favorite dinner staple – is served up in a garlic and cheese topped basket for $9.00.
- Arancini ($16) – chicken and mushroom rice balls this are good to eat with your hands.
- Freshly cooked mineral soup delicious on a cold evening, Ballarat (also served as a part of the Bartley Multi-Centennial Hot Beds concept, but also on its own) (soup $16.00).
These appetizers are easy to share, which makes for a fun and easy family meal without making the kids wait until the main course is ready before they get some enjoyment out of eating.
Sweet finish – Desserts kids will love
When eating out, children love dessert and Eureka Bistro does not disappoint with dessert items to choose from aside from the ice cream offered with the kids meal.
Some of most popular dessert options include:
Gelati
Split cone piezo breads (up to 2 flavours) – $7
Orange fruit ice loaf, satay, and Frank lemonade – $10 each (up to 3 flavours)
Frozen Desserts
- Cassata -$10
- Mint Ice -$10
- Tartufo -$10
- Bacio -$10
Housemade Desserts
- Chocolate Brownie – $12
Pancakes
- Jamaican pancakes stuffed full of banana, nuts & maple syrup.Banana stuffed pancakes with a dose of nuts and maple syrup made with jam.
- Blueberry Pancakes – $14
Milkshakes & Thickshakes
Available flavours include:
- Chocolate
- Strawberry
- Caramel
- Vanilla
- Banana
- Blue Heaven
Milkshakes are $7 and thickshake options are $3 each for an extra topping.
Alternatively, families may also want to keep in mind that the kids meal at the $18 price is already a dessert of ice cream, so it’s one of Ballarat’s top value-for-money family meals.
Practical tips for families dining at Eureka Bistro Ballarat
Dinner out of the home is something that families enjoy, and Eureka Bistro has a range of options to suit, such as dinner in, take out and delivery.
Opening Hours
- Monday–Thursday: 5pm–9pm
- Friday: 5pm–9:30pm
- Saturday: 12pm–9:30pm
- Sunday: 12pm–9pm
Lunch sessions on the weekend work well for the convivial family with younger children who want to eat at earlier hours.
There are more tips for families:
- 10% surcharge on Sundays & Public Holidays
- The wine is available at BYO ( $7 corkage)
- Substitutes of gluten free pasta on request
- Buy them online at eurekabistro.com.au
Let staff know there are dietary requirements when ordering ensures that orders run more smoothly to accommodate any families.
Conclusion
With its delicious menu of pizza, pasta, and desserts, there’s something for everyone at Eureka Bistro: Pizza is big for kids, pasta is big for them, dessert is big for them, and who can forget that good old fussy eater that’s always looking for something to make variations in? Known since 1972 to be a long-standing staple offered to Ballarat’s families, the restaurant has an established and much-embraced reputation, providing light-hearted Italian meals for both parents and family.
Eureka Bistro brings together families for a great dinner, a shared plate and a relaxed evening together with good food and it’s all the same thing that Italian dining has always been all about.
