Cody Milo

Cody Milo, owner of Milo Studios, had a simple idea: to help busy couples find a way to entertain their children while also having some quality time together. So he created the Kid’s Table, a space where families can enjoy a meal, games, and activities with their children present. In addition to the restaurant chain, the company also runs the Camp Tako summer camp in New Zealand and the Milo Kids private school in London.

Attracting A Larger Audience

Unlike other restaurants in the area, which catered only to hospital staff and their families, the Kid’s Table was launched with the aim of reaching a larger audience. And it works! According to the restaurant’s website, about 65% of the restaurant’s visitors are made up of families, and about 35% are solo travelers.

In an interview with Travel + Leisure, Milo said that when the restaurant was first launched, it received mostly positive feedback, but that there were also some negative opinions. “People either loved it or hated it,” he said. “But in the end, it doesn’t matter what they thought because it’s doing so well.”

He attributes the restaurant’s success to its simplicity. “It’s a really simple concept – we want to create a space where families can dine and socialize,” said Milo. “So we don’t really need to complicate it with decorations or too many different flavors. We just want to provide high-quality food and service and make sure that our customers feel comfortable and relaxed.”

The restaurant’s decor is simple yet effective – the walls are mostly made up of plain brick, and the furniture is designed to look like it was found at a garage sale, with mismatched chairs, tables, and storage benches. Despite the minimal décor, there’s still a hint of luxury in the form of oversized chairs and cushions, and soft lighting.

The Menu

The restaurant’s menu aims to please both parents and their kids, with a combination of familiar dishes along with some unique creations. The food is served family-style, so that everyone can share, and children can help themselves to the buffet, as well.

There’s plenty of variety, with options such as fish, chicken, and beef, alongside pastas, salads, and veggie options. Dishes are paired with homemade potato gnocchi and broccoli rabe, as well as a choice of two desserts – a brownie cake and an oatmeal cookie sandwich. Topped off with a side of crispy fried spinach, the combination of food and décor is sure to please visitors.

The Experience

Customers often comment on how welcoming and relaxed the restaurant is. Some even say that it’s changed their whole family’s outlook on eating out – that it’s made them more open to trying new things. According to the website, each family is given a tour of the restaurant before they eat, so that everyone can get to know each other and establish some ground rules for the night.

After the tour, guests are free to choose their food and leisurely linger over their meal or pastries, in oversized chairs with colorful scatter cushions. When they’ve finished eating, children are offered a treat in the shape of a cardboard pizza or brownie before being sent off to bed. Mom and dad are then free to meet in the restaurant’s private room for a coffee, and chat about their day or evening while enjoying a view of the Melbourne nightlife.

With the aim of further expanding its customer base, the Kid’s Table has also opened a second restaurant in London, England, serving largely the same menu as the Melbourne location. Another restaurant is set to open in Sydney, Australia, later this year.

The Family-Friendly Attractions

One of the greatest attractions for parents is that the Kid’s Table is a place where they can socialize with their children while also enjoying a meal. The restaurant’s website features a family-friendly video, which shows off some of the attractions – such as a slide, trampoline, and sandpit – that are designed for kids. There’s also a children’s menu with offerings such as fish, chicken, and beef alongside some of their favorite pasta and rice dishes. Adults can also get a burger or sandwich, in case they’re feeling a bit peckish after all that child-related activity.

Parents are able to keep an eye on their children while they eat, with the table’s location close to a door that leads to the restaurant’s outdoor area. This way, if there’s any choking or allergic reaction, they can be quickly and efficiently attended to.

Beyond the food and ambiance, one of the biggest draws at the Kid’s Table is likely to be the staff. Guests comment on how helpful and kind the restaurant’s employees are, which makes them want to come back for more. According to the website, employees receive training to work with children, and are also given access to further education if needed. So if your kids are particularly active or noisy, you can be sure that everyone will enjoy a meal at the restaurant without any stress or anxiety.

Alongside the restaurants, the company also runs Camp Tako, a summer camp for children where they can make new friends, explore the outdoors, and engage in exciting activities. Milo said that the idea behind the camp is for people with children to have some quality time away, away from their everyday routines, and the camp provides exactly that. The week-long camp includes outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing, as well as indoor activities such as art and craft, swimming, and basketball.

What’s Next?

Having kids doesn’t mean that your life is over – it’s just transformed. Just as Milo found, there are a million ways to have quality parent-child time during the day, and it doesn’t have to be extravagant or complicated. Simple ideas that are effective and enjoyable are what we crave as parents, and that’s exactly what the Kid’s Table provides.