Just open: Bubbabar child-friendly cafe in Leichhardt

Sydney's new wave of child-friendly venues keeps on growing, with the arrival of a new "play cafe" in Leichhardt.

After running for a five-week trial period last year, Bubbabar on Norton Street reopened on Thursday with a new menu and opening hours.

Owner Natalie Yuen, who runs the cafe with her brother Jonathan, says she wanted to create a venue where she would feel comfortable with her two-year-old daughter.

The all-weather site includes a breastfeeding area, space for prams, baby change areas, toddler toilets and play areas for crawlers and toddlers.

"Bubbabar is a checklist of everything I want in a dining experience," says Yuen, who has worked in television and comes from a family of Sydney restaurateurs.

The menu, designed together with chef Atiporn Piyasuwan (ex Eathouse Diner and MCA Cafe), has a strong health focus and caters from babies to toddlers with options free of dairy, egg, nut, soy and gluten.

Bookings can be made for three "playdate" sessions each day: 9am (morning tea, $16.50), 11.15am (lunch, $25) and 2pm (afternoon tea, $16.50). The cost covers a meal and drink for a parent and child plus a supervised activity class.

Options for adults included in this price include prawn rice paper rolls, parmesan polenta chips or a morning tea plate with cranberry scones, sausage rolls and sandwich fingers. Fruit and vegetable purees cater to babies while toddler options include crudites with dip, smashed potatoes and fruit with yoghurt.

If you're after something more substantial, a separate la carte menu includes dishes such as buckwheat pancakes ($16), green eggs and ham ($18) and breakfast trifle ($14). High tea is also available from $35.

"I want it to be like a play group," Yuen says. "It should just be a place where mothers can feel relaxed and talk with each other and feel comfortable."

Yuen hopes to introduce wines by the glass, guest speakers and a dinner menu on Friday and Saturday nights.

Bubbabar, 102 Norton Street, Leichhardt, Mon-Sat 9am-4pm, bookings via bubbabar.com.au