Outdoor family dining in the courtyard at Bodega Eatery, Henderson
Family dining · Henderson, West Auckland

A family restaurant with room for the kids to run around.

There's a children's menu, a wide open grass field out the back, and a covered courtyard you can watch it from. Dogs are welcome too.

Why families come here

What makes it work with children

The setup tends to make things easier with young children, mostly because there's somewhere for them to go while you eat.

A grass field out the back

There's a wide open grass field directly behind the restaurant. Kids can run around on it in full view of the courtyard, so the adults can stay at the table.

A dedicated children's menu

It's $16 for a meal and a drink, listed in full below. A lot of the main menu also works for children: pizza, chips, calamari, meatballs.

Park and walk in

Ample free on-site parking at the door. You can pull straight in, which helps when you're arriving with prams and car seats.

For the kids

The kids menu

One meal and one drink per child, chosen from the list below.

$16

Choose one meal and one drink.

Burger

  • Beef pattie, cheese, tomato ketchup and brioche bun, served with fries and aioli

Pizza

All pizzas with tomato base and mozzarella cheese

  • Hawaiian (ham and pineapple)
  • Chicken (free-range chicken and mushroom)
  • Cheese
  • Salami

Pasta

All pastas garnished with parmesan cheese

  • Spaghetti Carbonara (homemade spaghetti, bacon and mushroom in a creamy sauce)
  • Beef Bolognaise (homemade spaghetti, beef mince and tomato sauce)
  • Chicken Festonate (festonate pasta, chicken and mushroom in a creamy sauce)

Fritto

  • Crumbed popcorn chicken or fried fish, served with fries and aioli

Drink (one included)

  • Lemonade, Coke, raspberry lemonade
  • Apple juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, cranberry juice

Add ons

  • Smoothie (strawberry, mixed berry or mango)$13
  • Iced Chocolate$13
  • Pink Panther$6
  • Hot Chocolate, regular$5.50
  • Hot Chocolate, large$6
  • Italian Hot Chocolate, regular$6.50
  • Italian Hot Chocolate, large$7
  • Helado (one scoop, chocolate sauce, sprinkles)$7

Helado flavours: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and coconut (vegan).

From the main menu

A good chunk of the main menu also goes down well with kids, and because everything is designed to be shared, nobody has to commit to a whole plate of something they've never tried. These are the ones that usually work:

  • Margherita Pizza$27
  • Polenta Chips with Aioli$14
  • Breads and Dips$14
  • Potato Bombas$17
  • Bodega Calamari$16
  • Meatball Linguine$29
  • Churro Lava$15
  • Gelato$15

Dietary requirements or allergies: tell our staff when you order and the kitchen will work around them.

Sunday lunch with the whole family?

Before you come

Planning the visit

Best times with young children. Sunday lunch and weekday lunch are the quietest, warmest options, since the courtyard gets the sun and the field is dry. Friday and Saturday evenings are our busiest service, so if you're bringing little ones, earlier is easier.

Book if you can. Walk-ins are welcome when there's space, but a booking means you get a courtyard table with a view of the field. Groups of eight or more should always book ahead.

We're at 99 Parrs Cross Road, Henderson. Free on-site parking, open Wednesday to Saturday 10am–10pm and Sunday 10am–8pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday. See more about our Henderson location, or read about bringing your dog.

Questions

Family dining, answered

Is Bodega Eatery kid friendly?

Yes. There's a dedicated children's menu at $16 for a meal and a drink, a wide open grass field behind the restaurant for kids to run around on, and a covered outdoor courtyard so you can sit outside year-round. Free on-site parking means no circling the block with a car full of children.

Does Bodega Eatery have a kids menu?

Yes. It's $16 for one meal and one drink. Choose from a burger, four pizzas, three pastas, or fritto (crumbed popcorn chicken or fried fish), plus a soft drink or juice. Smoothies, hot chocolates and a helado dessert can be added on. Plenty of the main menu also suits kids: Margherita pizza, polenta chips, potato bombas, calamari and meatball linguine.

Is there anywhere for the kids to play?

There's no built playground, but there is a wide open grass field directly behind the restaurant. Kids can run around on it in full view of the courtyard, so you can finish your meal while they burn off energy.

What are the best family restaurants in West Auckland?

Bodega Eatery in Henderson is a popular choice for West Auckland families, rated 4.5 stars from over 780 Google reviews. The share-plates format lets everyone order what they want, and the grass field and covered courtyard make it easy to bring young children.

Do I need to book for a family meal?

Walk-ins are welcome when space allows, but booking ahead is recommended, especially Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday lunch. Online booking covers up to nine guests; for a bigger family gathering, call (09) 835 9904 or see group bookings.

Is there parking?

Yes. There's ample free on-site parking at 99 Parrs Cross Road, and you can pull straight in, which makes arriving with prams and car seats easier.

Can we have a kids' birthday party here?

Yes. You're welcome to bring a birthday cake (cakeage is $10) and table decorations, though nothing can be attached to the walls, ceilings or deck blinds. There's no room hire fee, and a private room seats 15. Group bookings and functions →

Can we bring the dog as well as the kids?

Yes. Dogs are welcome in the covered outdoor courtyard, though not inside the restaurant. Give us a call first so we can check there's courtyard space free for a dog. More on bringing your dog →

Reservations

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for the family

Pick a time that suits.

Or call us to book: (09) 835 9904
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