Reviews Bambanani

Facebook
Frieda Maria Gonzalez-Fernandez
+5
Loved loved loved this place! We went with my 2 year old nephew and he wasn't in the greatest of moods so it didn't start off too great when we arrived, but as soon as he went back there to the play area his mood completely changed and he was so happy - which made us all happy too. That was the number 1 reason why I loved my experience here. Secondly the food was absolutely perfect. I can't think of anything that wasn't good. Definitely the best place for kids - and for adults too as you can enjoy the best of both worlds. I highly recommend Bambanani. ��
Facebook
Stephanie Polly Simbo
+5
The concept, the choice of color, the food. Everything was impeccable. Really enjoyed having a real alternative where kids can play freely and parents can enjoy and relax ! I strongly recommend it :)
Facebook
Marian Kerkhof
+5
Love this place. Great for the whole family. Great food ( even for me as a vegan). Excellent service and very secure and safe play areas for the kids. I highly recommend this place.
Facebook
Kira-Ciel Zack
+5
Went there yesterday for the first time for breakfast, food is amazing and the staff and facilities are fantastic for your little ones :)
Facebook
Elize du Toit
+5
We had our first Bambanani experience today, traveled all the way from Heidelberg for it. I was very impressed with the way they put safety of the kids first. Sandile, our waiter, your service was excellent, thank you. From the moment we walked in, we had lovely service, friendly staff, delicious food. THE PLAY AREA is the best! Love how well Bambanani is geared for the family specially for kids - your attention to detail is amazing. We were also amazed at the variety of things for the kids to do. We will be back very soon! Xxx
Facebook
Bronwyn Pillay
+5
Visited bambanani on Saturday 2 September 2017; the food is great, the service was excellent and most importantly, my son was kept entertained throughout! Definitely will visit again and recommend bambanani to others!
Facebook
Lisa Matteucci Nurse
+5
We had a stunning afternoon here. The lovely childminder kept our grumpy teething toddler entertained complete with dress up and sand art while my husband and I enjoyed some good food. It came highly recommended and didn't disappoint!
Facebook
Prudence Basson
+5
Awesome experience. Kids loved it and wants to go back again. Waiters were on point and more importantly the security is excellent! Food is good and reasonably priced.... Will defnitely visit again.......
Facebook
Samantha Okell
+5
Awesome place for kiddies. Great food and nannies is so amazing with the kids. Super IMPRESSED :-)
Zomato
Zee Mgazi
+4
Great place to go if you’re a large family with with kids. The food does take a while to prepare but it’s all worth the wait!!!
3 days ago
Zomato
Zani Bormann
+4
Bamabani has truly improved in the last year. The food now matches their fantastic childcare staff. This is the go to spot if you and your partner/friends enjoys eating together. Nothing makes a mom happier than having her hot coffee and breakfast hot. The Jozi scramble hits the spot!
May 18, 2019
Zomato
Tegan Turner
+5
Lovely place to take baby and the little ones. The food is great and they have excellent child minders. If you sit outside you have an excellent view to see your little one play at all time. The play area is top notch and is clean regularly. They got awesome baby chair and they don't mind if you ask for warm water to warm up baby food or ifyou baby decides to empty out the suger all over the table. Definitely will be go there again.
Nov 18, 2018
Zomato
Charlene Govender
+4
Awesome kid friendly restaurant, good service and good food! Desserts were delicious. We spent 2,5 hours there for dinner, the kids were fully occupied and happy!
Nov 18, 2018
Zomato
Jay
+4
Great venue for kids, child minders are superb. Could enjoy our breakfast while the little ones were being entertained. Food not brilliant but above average. Will definitely be back.
Sep 02, 2018
Zomato
Kristy Prevette
+4
So happy to have found this place. Kid friendly restaurants are few and far between in Jozi. They have a great play area and a lovely menu, such variety. We shared the Vietnamese spring rolls to start, absolutely phenomenal. So tasty. And then the Chimchurri steak and Morroccan lamb for mains. Really great. Will be sure to return time and time again.
Jan 21, 2018
Zomato
Samantha-Jane McClure
+5
Great atmosphere, the most amazing place to take tour children as they have child minders that watch them constantly. They not only have an amazing outdoor set up, which includes an insane jungle gym and play area, but they also have an indoor games room for those rainy days.
Jan 05, 2018
Zomato
The Schoeman Brothers
+4
This place is awesome for breakfast. There is a large playground with child minders and it has good food. My meal was spicy mince on toast and it was very tasty, but service was not the fastest. I enjoy the food and parents can have a calm breakfast while children play.
Dec 31, 2017
Zomato
Aimee Lloyd Fowler
+4
Have been coming here for years - bit they seem to be under new management as a few things have changed.
All definitely for the better.
It wasn't ever bad before, the food has always been rather good, but the service was always lacking.

Today, it has been a great experience.
The food ( I had poached eggs, asparagus and bacon) was delicious, service was better and of course, the main reason is parents frequent the place is due to the wonderful playground and kids activities that are available.
There is decent WiFi so you can even get a little work done while your kids happily play in the background.

All in all, a great place for parents to come and bring the kids
Aug 08, 2017
Zomato
Jozi Poppy
+4
There aren't meant kid friendly restaurants in Johannesburg. This one is also baby friendly. What a nice surprise. Such a fun play area for the Kids and lots of toys to play with. When busy it's rather cramped though. Extensive menu available
Jul 28, 2017
Zomato
Hot Or Not
+4.5
I would suggest this place to any family with kids who want to enjoy a good meal while kids are busy playing. Fireplaces created perfect ambiance on a cold and wet winter day. Lovely food and great service. My suggestion, try the Singapore noodles. Keep up the good work !
Jul 08, 2017
Zomato
Carel Frederik Kallie
+5
Myself and wife with our "co-parent" friends were blown away today. Food was amazing at affordable prices and our waiter Singbongile was just so attentive ! Best place for parents to relax and unwind while the good trained child minors watch after the little ones. Only issue was there was one group that was "Vaping" which in our eyes is seen as a form of smoking which must not be allowed specially in a child orientated setup.
Jun 24, 2017
Zomato
Debbie McMillan
+4
Amazing place to take your child. Child minders are fabulous and the ratio of child minders to children is perfect. The waiters took a bit of strain once the restaurant got busy so the service was slightly slow but friendly nonetheless. The food was great so we will definitely go back
Apr 30, 2017
Zomato
Charmel Flemming
+4.5
This is our regular spot for obvious reason....play areas!!!! The outside area has been upgraded which is great. The inside area works for rainy days and chilly evenings. It does get rather busy over weekends, so my favourite time is week day evenings. The menu is good
Mar 21, 2017
Zomato
Rsubroyal
+4.5
I was at Bambanani to celebrate my mums 72nd birthday. All I can say is that the food was amazing and the service truly impeccable. I had the lamb chops, my wife had the salmon and my mom the chicken. 10/10 for all 3 dishes. I have only before had service like this at Pigalle in Melrose. Well done to the team!
Mar 04, 2017
Zomato
Corné Van Der Nest
+4.5
With two young daughters it was the ideal dinner with great service and delicious food. Definitely to be recommended for an evening out with kids.
Oct 14, 2016
Zomato
Steven
+4
Great lunch, menu has expanded since my last visit. If you have kids and want to have good adult food, try Bambanani.

We will definitely be back.
Oct 01, 2016
Zomato
Lisa Pi
+3.5
Please can i be a kid and go to Bambanani
?!  I have no kids, however got invited by friends, with kids. The play areas for the kids is very interesting, and different.  It made me want to be a kid all over again, and the food was the best i have had any kid friendly restaurant of this kind.  
The decor is fresh and welcoming with a lovely fireplace, perfect for a winters day or night.  It's very charming.
The starters were excellent, the mains average. I'd go back to try some other mains.
We shared the plates of halloumi popcorn (crumbed fried halloumi with relish made complete with freshly squeezed lime juice), and the chicken and vegetarian gyoza (dumplings with a sweet soya sauce).
For mains i had their special, a lamb pie which was accompanied by a salad, i found this rather bland. My husband had a caesar salad which he thought was pretty good, and our friends had a parma ham and rocket pizza and the lamb pie.  They enjoyed their meal too.
Pretty sweet place .... Oh, and they serve Horlicks! 

Food - 3.5/5
Ambiance/Decor - 4/5
Location - 4/5
Service - 2.5/5 (service was slow)
Sep 26, 2016
Zomato
Kevin Purves
+4
What a great concept for families with young kids. You get to have a great meal while the kids have a blast in their extensive 'play area'. The child security element is also very reassuring. Great venue and the kids are always asking to go back!!!
Sep 15, 2016
Zomato
Sydney King
+3.5
It is hard to come by child friendly restaurants that aren't absolutely manic. Bambanani offers tables right near the play area as well as inside if you need some space from the noise! The menu has a decent amount on offer. The food is good. The flapjacks are rather yummy I must say! The service is rather laid back, not sure how it translates on a busy day.
Sep 02, 2016
Zomato
Claudia McGregor
+4.5
Loads of fun for children with dedicated child minders and interesting areas for them to play. Wide variety of options on the breakfast menu and well suited for the family. The parmesan mushrooms on ciabatta was tasty although the ciabatta slices were rather small. French toast with fruit and nuts was a nice choice for the kids. Reasonable prices and service was good at this visit, previous visits on weekends were not great in this regard. Inside is warm and inviting and there is a fireplace for colder days.
Aug 12, 2016
Zomato
My TwoCents
+4.5
What a gem!  I popped in on a Sunday with my two toddler nieces in tow.  The restaurant is geared towards the little people and their attention to detail is spectacular.  Like serving hot chocolate in a plastic cup with a lid for little hands to pick up with ease, unlike the heavy glasses most restaurants give to children.  The playground area is a delight (even for the big kid in me!) and the decor does not assault you with bright primary colours like other similar restaurants.  I may have to go back - with or without kids!
Aug 03, 2016
Zomato
Khelan Dahya
+4.5
Excellent place for mothers to bring their little ones for some play time and a scrumptious meal .
The service is excellent and the caretakers watching over the little ones as they enjoy play time are friendly and compassionate!
Definitely a playful vibe and a wonderful place for the kids to play around with friends and have a good time

The milkshakes were delicious and I recommend the Tasty Slushies for a summer treat . The pizza's are delicious although I found the tomato base to be a tad bit sweet ,other than that I was impressed with the food and service . Not to mention the little ones thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Bambanani.
Jul 20, 2016
Zomato
Hettie Potgieter
+4.5
I must say that we have found the best place to eat out with the kids!!! They have so many axtivities that the kids won't be bored at all...which makes it nice for mommy and daddy to have a chill session.

The staff was quick and efficient, and the manager assisted every waiter where needed.

The food was delicious...I had the Argentina steak, which was so soft that it melted in your mouth on every single bite 😍

The kids loved making their own pizza, and playing in the sand art corner. They felt asif they were in "play-heaven".

The cakes were absolutely delicous...if I could, I would have scraped the plate out with my mouth.

Truly a gem for a family outing! 🍾
Jun 09, 2016
Zomato
Paul Von Zeuner
+4
You must have the lamb cutlets. It's by far the best I have ever had. Come prove me wrong!! It's a really great place to take the family and perfect for the little ones.
Jun 05, 2016
Zomato
Tam Loves Food
+3.5
What a lovely place for kids to play while the adults eat. The play area were wonderful for my 18 month old and the child minders full of energy and very attentive. I ordered the Vietnamese spring rolls with peanut ginger sauce and they were spectacular,highly recommended. My partner orders the salmon linguine which was sadly lacking some flavour and needed spicing up. All in all a good experience otherwise.
Jun 04, 2016
Zomato
Noni Demetriou
+3.5
Very nice place to go to with kids. Better quality food than the regular kiddie restaurants. Nice to sit outside by play area. Very cute little shop for kids to go play shop shop in. Nice play area and sand art for kids.
Jun 04, 2016
Zomato
Hloniphile Ratale
+4
Sunday afternoon was busy so we waited a bit for the food, maybe because we were so hungry, my son ran to the play area as we walked in, which was unusual as he always takes about 10 to 15 minutes to warm up to a place. He ran and he was moving from one area to the next. He found his favourite spot that was by the book shelves, he found a couch and he was in paradise. I loved everything about the restaurant it is child friendly but doesn't comprise of deco and food. Excellent and will be going back soon. Child minders are awesome and waiters are great too. Maybe go a bit earlier on a Sunday to get a good table close to the play area.
Apr 25, 2016
Zomato
Vee Mabuto
+4.5
Bambanani is a charm I hadn't prepared myself to when I drove to Melville on a Wednesday night. I needed a quiet area to read my book whilst having a "bottle" of wine. After a good walk I finally found this charm, and I needless to say, I was satisfied. I was served by Tino, a young gentleman who suggested the pasta campagnola to go with the wine. It also caters to families and children. Luckily this evening it was very quiet, just what i needed but i assume it gets busy during weekends. Great venue for a party as well.. (already thinking I could have my fiancé's birthday at Bambanani in August).
Feb 27, 2016
Zomato
Gigliola Conte-Patel
+4
This is a restaurant that really caters for parents. It's beautifully designed with lovely kiddy play zones. The food is good and the service is fair. What makes it exceptional is that it gives parents adult time while kids run feral.
Feb 13, 2016
Zomato
Bienie
+4.5
Amazing FRESH food! Really great place with tasty food! Had the avo wrap which was full of fresh veggies and avo! came with a garden salad that was topped with proper Danish feta! Will def be back to try out the rest of the menu!
Feb 05, 2016
Zomato
Marika_Mav
+4
A lovely little spot perfect for couples our families with young kids! I love the setting. Great service and food. Lots of activities for the little ones! It's a must if you have small children. Average pricing.
Jan 14, 2016
Zomato
Connie Boshielo
+4
A lovely restaurant for the entire family. Was here after the Avon walkathon. Although it was full, it was well managed. My second time here and we thoroughly enjoyed it
Dec 27, 2015
Zomato
Maxwell Gauld
+4
Bambanani is strictly a family and kids affair. We have visited this place before and on this occasion we were with family friends and their kids.

Ambience = 5. For what it is, a definite 5. Not only is this place a kids friendly haven, it is about them. The most distinguishing feature from all other kids' places, is the book-room where little ones can unwind and enjoy Roald Dahl books among others. Cool stuff...

Food = 2.5. Normally, the food is good here. I used to enjoy their salmon teriyaki which I no longer see on the menu. All around the table agreed that on this occasion, the food was bland and not much effort put into it. They were serving a buffet meal - roast lamb, roast chicken, greens, roasted potatoes with cream, and corn. The seasoning didn't quite come through and the meat was tough.

The deserts saved the day though. I found their tiramisu quite delectable. The chocolate cake also seemed to be a favorite around the table.

Wine = 3. The wine has been selected with caution. You can tell only the firm favorites around feature on the list, which means even though there's Merlot there, it might not be your brand 😅

Service = 5. Service was on point on the day. There was a dedicated waitron to the table, and more importantly, the kids were well looked after, which was a big plus 'cause they left the parents to hobnob in peace.....

All things said - Bambanani is an entertainment paradise par excellence for kids. This is the sole mission of this place. All other things said - they are just extras. My view.
Dec 26, 2015
Zomato
Nhlanhla Khumalo
+3.5
Visited Bambanani for my niece's 3rd birthday yesterday and this restaurant has to be the creme de la creme of kiddies entertainment. I was really happy with the way you check your kids upon arrival to ensure that your child is safe. I enjoyed the pizza but found the pasta to be a little oily. And although I wasnt too happy about the service, the kids had the time of their lives. My favourite thing about Bambanani is the reading corner that is filled with Roald Dahl books - I mean, we all grew up loving  Roald Dahl. They also have a cot for you to put your little one once they have passed out. I also enjoyed their happy birthday day song. Bambanani really is every child's paradise and every parents dream.
Nov 16, 2015
Zomato
Genna Hansen
+3.5
Spent the morning at Bambanani, at what a lovely spot hidden in Melville! The atmosphere and food were great, the play area is incredible and the child minders are very attentive! Service was a little slow but it was super busy so that might have been the contributing factor! Will definitely be back, a must for play dates and family lunches
Nov 08, 2015
Zomato
Janey
+3.5
Such a stunning concept ... Excellent play area & activities for kids of all ages plus lots of care staff to help/watch over the kiddies
And the food is excellent- lots of variety & everything is so yummy.
We had a brilliant waiter (unfortunately forgot his name) so friendly & helpful
Oct 27, 2015
Zomato
Caryn Juanita Walker
+4
Just have to praise Bambanani - the acceptance and care of children with special needs is amazing. Came today with our friends little girl with cochlear implants - she is busy and can't hear anything when she takes her 'ears' off. She was so well taken care of and it was relaxing to know that she couldn't escape the restaurant - despite her best efforts. During the few hours we spent there I saw a visually impaired child and a child with cerebral palsy. They were well looked after but also given freedom by the caregivers - the patience these ladies showed to all the children playing was remarkable. Not to mention the food was great! Most impressed.
Sep 24, 2015
Zomato
Jonathan Starmer
+4
Always an absolute pleasure going to Bambanani's. One of the few restaurants that has managed to maintain an excellent food quality whilst also providing the kids play area. To often one forgoes good food to entertain the kids!
Aug 03, 2015
Zomato
Marc Schmidt
+4
We were looking specifically for a toddler friendly restaurant so that our little one could have some fun. We found this restaurant on Zomato & it met all our requirements perfectly. It's a kids heaven. Kids stuff everywhere.

It was a chilly Sunday morning & the place was packed to the ceilings with kids & parents. We ended up sitting outside on the upstairs platform. It was chilly in the shade but it was close to all the kids fun toys so we could be with our little one all the time.

The main gate to the restaurant is locked & admission is controlled because of the safety of the kids. There's an inside & multi-level outside with wooden tables & plastic chairs. There are inside & outside kiddie play areas & also TV's.

We ordered eggs benedict & an omelette for breakfast. The eggs benedict consisted of poached eggs & crispy bacon on a muffin. The hollandaise sauce was in a bowl on the side. It is an unusual presentation of this classic dish but tasted really good.
My wife loved her bacon & ham omelette. They not shy with the filling.

This restaurant is a brilliant spot for a kid orientated meal & visit. I highly recommend it for this purpose.
Aug 02, 2015
Zomato
BonVivantMary
+4
Bambanani is one of my favourite family friendly restaurants. It's also perfect for hosting a babyshower or kids party. I love that my kids can play, watch movies or read and still be safe while we enjoy our meal.
They have a great menu and I especially love the baby marrow laces and their grilled salmon is always my main course choice.
Jul 31, 2015
Zomato
Nicola Slyper
+4
We were meeting up with friends who all had children. This is how we landed up going to this baby friendly restaurant. It has a noisy buzz filled with lots of kiddies running around. They have little play areas and child minders which is fantastic for parents.

The service was very good, never mind having to navigate around kids, they were also able to get our food and coffees to us in a timely manner. The portions were decently sized and tasty. I had the smoked salmon bagel which could have done with a little more salmon and cottage cheese. Other than that the eggs were done to perfection. The meals were also very reasonably priced. If you have kids, I would definitely recommend this bustling spot.
Jul 26, 2015
Zomato
Stuart
+4
I don't usually have to go to children friendly restaurants so this was a rare occasion for me.

A wise man once told me that you're only getting old when your friends start getting pregnant on purpose. I seem to have reached this age...

I had Eggs Benedict (it seems this is my usual when it's available). It was done really well, the eggs were poached just to my liking and the hollandaise was yummy (slightly more toffee tasting than others though). The waitress did a great job of managing a large(ish) table where 3 of the patrons were insistent on throwing and banging their cutlery while dismantling their food on the table. Her effortless calm amongst the carnage caused by small children can only come from practice. The parents among us seem to have been issued with tickets which I think allowed them to later reclaim a child of their choice from the carers.

All in all an eye opening, and abstinence encouraging, experience for me :-) A really good restaurant that allowed the parents to relax for a bit.

P.S. I have a new found respect for my parents. They are clearly SuperHuman
Jul 26, 2015
Zomato
Juanita Van As
+3.5
Nice venue for kids, not overcrowded which gives u peace of mind - assistants are great with the kids. Found the waitrons a bit slow - food was mediocre (mince on toast could be improved) but overall it is a great venue
Jul 25, 2015
Zomato
Jacqui Reynolds
+3.5
Dessert saves the day! Bambanani is usually a good spot when you need somewhere to entertain the kids and have a decent bite to eat. I like my aloo gobi (cauli veg curry) cooked for longer to create a more complex flavour so last week's visit unfortunately wasn't as good as previous. I'm pleased I ordered dessert - a delish triangle cheesecake from the same recipe my mum used to make :) Thursday pottery is a great drawcard.
Jul 20, 2015
Zomato
Anthea Chittenden
+3.5
School holidays can bring panic to any working parent, but not with Bambanani around. The decor is elegant and warm in winter with fireplaces adding a country feel. It easily caters for frenzied kids with a comfi TV room, fab little library as well as a contained outdoor play area. The Wifi allows for work to be done or enough privacy to have a chinwag with friends. Flapjacks were ordered with syrup, cream AND ice cream, all beautifully presented before the kids tucked in. They passed their test and of course they wanted more! I had Florentine with an English muffin, poached egg, buried under Hollandaise sauce with fresh rocket. All fresh and hit the spot. The Americano had a kick being a dark roast. Baby sitting three kids is no easy feat but my morning has been a breeze with kids having fun as their spoil day begins.
Jul 10, 2015
Zomato
Nomty
+4
Love this little gem. Breakfast was amazing and the service was great!
Will definitely be recommending it to all my friends. Will be coming back
Jun 27, 2015
Zomato
Carla Nel
+3.5
Found this little gem by accident as we were looking for a place close by in Melville for a quick breakfast. Had no idea of the wonderful play area hidden in the back. Dont have kids myself but I will be recommending it to everyone that does. It has to be said that the place is pretty packed on weekends so service is a tad slow, but I think this is the kind of place u visit more for the setting and experience than the food (not that the food was bad, just not anything to write home about)
Jun 23, 2015
Zomato
Nosipho Simelane
+4
The chicken quesadilla heavenly!!! Pity about not having hot chocolate & chicken livers. Come on guys! A lovely place being spoilt by silly things! The cappuccino super though! I can't remember when I last enjoyed a cappuccino
Jun 15, 2015
Zomato
Manus
+3.5
Very nice vibe with good food. The service with the kids and the play area is great. A worthwhile visit for parents seeking a lunch or dinner in peace.
Jun 14, 2015
Zomato
Santana De Melo
+3.5
Such an awesome vibe here. Their chicken curry is to die for, I order it every time I go without fail. The kids area is among the best in Joburg with the biggest jungle gym and all sorts to play with indoors for the colder days - even books.
Pricy but worth it
Jun 09, 2015
Zomato
Santhuri
+3.5
I don't have any kids but this is a great place if you do. I have been here a number of times for breakfast with a friend of mine and her child. The kids love the large play area and there are enough child minders overseeing their activities. The food is not outstanding, their cappuccino and cakes are good but to be honest you don't go there for the food but rather for the child friendly environment.
Apr 27, 2015
Zomato
Nicki Dadic
+4.5
The service and quality of food on a busy day can be questionable, but this morning it was great. Attentive waitress, perfect eggs and crispy bacon! Kids wolfed down their pancakes and the coffee was just was the doctor ordered :)
Dec 14, 2014
Zomato
Em Hassall
+3.5
If you have kids this is possible the best place in the universe for you to go. I have never seen a restaurant more equipped to cater for kids, from libraries to TVs to toys to sand painting to a three story, massive jungle gym (that's all netted and safe of course) it just can't be beaten. The food there is also good, with a nice variety in the menu from Israeli dishes to thai curry. It's the best family restaurant around.
Oct 28, 2014
Zomato
Kefilwe Mpote
+5
If you have kids this is the place to go. The food is fantastic fresh plus the service is excellent. They have great entertainment for kids.
Aug 31, 2014
Zomato
Genevieve Meghan Van Staden
+4
We went to Bambanani's for breakfast this morning. I love the set up and, having two kids with us, this is a great place for children! I had the salmon, goats cream cheese & rocket bagel with poached eggs- The Royal. The food was really delicious! We also enjoyed cappuccinos, carrot & ginger juice and a pot of tea. Our waitress was really lovely and the service was great. Overall, I think this is a great spot for families/parents/kids. We can't come wait to bring the kids back - and get enjoy more of their delicious food too! This is a real gem.
Aug 10, 2014
Zomato
Sharifa Keita
+3.5
I took my niece and her adorable son for lunch to this here venue on Voting Day. Yes, I did do my duty as an upstanding citizen and casted my all important vote - two weeks after I still have my ink to proof it lol.

Bambanani is a family-friendly eatery where everyone gets to have a good time - Moms especially. Kids get to play in the spectacular triple story jungle gym / kids apparatus thingy to their heart's content and under the very watchful eye of the childminders. Foodwise, It was pasta all round for us : my niece had the chicken and mushroom penne, I had penne arrabiata and Riyadh had mac-n-cheese (all of which were very tasty). The waiters were a bit on the slow side though, they took long to take our order and they weren't attentive after our meals arrived. Other than that - it was all good. Bambanani has moved to the top spot of my 'kids friendly' restaurants.
May 19, 2014
Zomato
Sammy D
+4
Found this place accidentally whilst in Melville once. I don't have children, but if I did (or if I was a child), this is where I would go, all the time. The service was a bit slow when we were there but the food was really good, and I still think about it sometimes. They have a children's area and child-minders, dont know what the kid's menu is like, but will be sure to take someone small with me next time to try it out.
May 30, 2013
Zomato
Shannon Niebuhr
+3.5
Bambanani is the best-known child-friendly restaurant in Johannesburg. It has its strong and weak points, but I'm giving it a 3.5 until somebody comes up with a better formula than this:

- kind childminders
- tables that look directly onto the play area
- children's menu (I know, it's not perfect, and sometimes the food is cold, BUT it's palatable)
- a wine/beer license (sometimes Mommy would also like a treat)
- open in the evenings (a real boon and someplace easy to go after a stressful day)

The 3-story climbing gerbil maze of tunnels and nets appeals to children, and they can always call down to their parents to say, "Look at me!"

Bambanani is tolerable for those who don't have children, so it's a good place to meet with your single friends while your own children run about.

I particularly appreciate the basement pretend-play area with a shop and a dress-up cupboard. It's thoughtfully constructed.
Apr 12, 2013
5
Zoe Hinis
+5
What a lovely gem, with such a special play area for children! Truly a wonderful place for children to safely explore, and the child minders are excellent. Food has improved a great deal since my first visit - the chips are especially excellent.
4
Sunil G
+4
Child minders are really good with the kids so parents can actually have a break. Beer selection needs to be improved as it was very limited perhaps just on that day stock was low. Overall service and food was good.
5
Thobile Ntombela
+5
Lovely place for a family outing. The humble street view is very deceptive. Once you enter the establishment, you find a whole new world inside. My child loved ALL the amenities on offer. We spent a good three hours there. The service and food were good. I also think that we may have had the best seats in the house :) The kiddies' burger and chips portion was a little smaller than expected but delicious. It was an afternoon well spent. We'll definitely be back!
5
Natasja Prinsloo
+5
The perfect place for parents to enjoy themselves with their kids and friends whilst the kids are playing in a safe and fun environment. I won't recommend Bamanani unless you want to enjoy a meal out with your or friends' kiddos. It is very much family orientated. The menu caters for a variety of dietary needs and drink options are extensive from coffees, juices to wines and beer. Unfortunately what I wanted to order was not available and communicated to me slightly late but other than that, I had a pleasant time with friends and their toddler.
5
Taneil Perumal
+5
Place is great and child friendly. Service and food was good. Unfortunately,there was no water on the day we went. Otherwise, it's a great restaurant.
5
Elana Vanstaden
+5
1st Time we went there. What a nice place. We ordered chicken livers, nachos and a pizza. All delicious. Great wine selection. Best part is the play area for kids and great staff to entertain the kids. We will return soon.
5
Zola S
+5
Fantastic place, great atmosphere. There aren't many child friendly restaurants with child minders in Joburg. My daughter had the most fun, I was able to play with her and also spend time with my sister and gran while she was taken care of. There will be many more visits.
5
Greg Brink
+5
Bambanani is a family-friendly paradise! The lively, colorful ambiance is perfect for kids and adults alike. Their menu caters to all tastes, with delicious options from burgers to healthy salads. The staff's warmth and attentiveness make dining here a joy. Parents can relax while kids play in the safe play area. It's a place where family time and good food combine seamlessly, making every visit a delightful experience. Bambanani truly lives up to its name - bringing families together with great food and fun.
5
Joeline Twaibu
+5
I loved the aesthetic of this place, I took some really great pictures, we were a big group and they accommodated us. We were comfortable and free with no restrictions, the manager is doing a great job honestly, she even came to bid farewell as we were leaving. The pizza is top tier! And everything is super affordable
4
Webster Mtshali
+4
Not the best food I have tasted, I enjoyed nothing and was not impressed with our (waiter), Child minders are good, and environment is most friendly and welcoming for the kids, security is good too.
4
Simamkele Madikane
+4
Very family friendly... and like most super family friendly places the focus is on entertainment for kids. This is one of few establishments that takes kids entertainment seriously - they have a calendar of events just for them. On our visit on 29/01/2022 they had organised a disco night for the little ones and a mini indoor games night. The other upside is that their food menu is designed to keep the adults happy too. I was very impressed with their menu options which cater to different pallets and budgets. The food experience was chalk and cheese compared to my previous visit (they've definitely upped their game since I was there in 2020). There are plenty child minders on-site (please don't forget to tip them 😊), so you can literally sit down for adult chat over a good meal, knowing your child is safe and well taken care of.
5
Brenton Reed
+5
Great family orientated space. So many different toys and activites for the kids to enjoy while parents chat it up. Outdoor area very relaxing and lots of fun. Child minners are super friendly and good with the kids. Load shedding restricted some items on the menu but overall great outing. Will definately be back
5
Sheila Bischoff
+5
So lovely to go to a place where kids and parents can relax, the kids can have fun and adult can really get done work done if that is required! Delicious food.. try their fresh garden salad for your green energy boost.. and their home made pasta is outstanding! Best for this cold weather!! Its also frozen, take some home and pop out in the oven for dinner.
5
Sulette Theron
+5
Lovely spot. Was so warm and toasty inside with the fire place going. Beautiful decor and aesthetic.
4
Belinda Barkhuysen
+4
What a great experience. Adults can sit back and relax, have a good meal while the kids are enjoying themselves under the watchful eyes of caring ladies minding them. Truly a win-win situation 😁.
4
Deon Kruger
+4
Nice family restaurant for Melville and its residents. Food and service were good. The play area for kids seems to be a big attraction. The "make your own pizza" for kids is an interesting option.