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Grid wall paneling, modular crate stools, cantilevered bench table, kids cafe branding, minimalist cafe seating, wall mounted sconce lights, stenciled retail logo.

Ruby Niks Kids

A Cafe Designed with Kids in Mind

#Australia
#Sydney
#Westfield URW
#cafés & bars
#Hospitality & Leisure


Ruby Niks Kids is the brainchild of Sarah Johnson, owner of successful Ruby Niks café and busy mother of 3 small children. Sarah spotted a window of opportunity, with a site opening within eyeline of the kids playzone at Westfield, to expand her operation and offer a café targeted especially for grown ups with small kids; a place where kids can play, be captivated and entertained. Adults can relax as kids occupy themselves in the play area. There’s organised activities like cupcake decorating, as well as free play, art tables, and communal tables ideal for parties.

Pram parking is a must along with ample circulation, and perimeter banquette seats easily accessible with space for juggling little ones and all their gear. A self-serve microwave and drinks station is there to assist parents needing bottles warmed. And there’s a takeaway coffee counter for parents on-the-go.

The design of the space features a forest of ‘trees’ like a parkland, with hanging planters, and super bright furniture & wall graphics spanning the colours of the rainbow. Quirky signage sets out a list of friendly playtime rules to encourage harmony. A full-menu is offered from the dual-sided kitchen now accommodating two busy café spaces. Best of all the cakes and coffee are second to none.

An artificial turf floor defines the boundaries of the dedicated play area, keeping children engaged in a safe and soft environment. The zone is positioned safely away from primary dining tables while remaining fully visible to supervising parents.

White retail wall graphics, artificial grass flooring, low timber activity benches, colorful kids plastic stools, crocodile wall panel toy, sensory ball pit pool, hanging timber signboard.
Round timber dining table, colorful bistro chairs, woven rattan pendant lights, brand graphic logo wall, designated pram parking sign, industrial wall sconces, dark wood flooring.

A large circular dining table fosters a communal atmosphere where families can gather comfortably within the open-plan cafe layout. Strategic zoning places this seating group directly adjacent to a designated pram parking area to ensure pathways remain unobstructed.

The main dining floor integrates stylized architectural trees that extend into the ceiling canopy to merge the play and dining environments seamlessly. This open layout allows parents constant visual access to the activity zones while enjoying the central café amenities.

Commercial café dining room, structural tree columns, matte black ceiling, recessed spot lighting, timber restaurant tables, colorful metal bentwood chairs, woven wicker pendant light, integrated indoor playground.
Lime green booth seating, metal divider frame, hanging planters, timber top cafe tables, white slatted dining tables, yellow and blue bentwood chairs, grid feature wall, polished concrete flooring.

A low, double-sided banquette bench structured in a vibrant lime green fabric acts as a central spatial spine to divide distinct seating zones. The positioning organizes the open floor plan into clear pathways while maintaining maximum light flow and visibility across the entire venue.

A wide, curved boundary opens the cafe completely to the main shopping center concourse, creating an uninhibited invitation for passing foot traffic. The design eliminates traditional storefront barriers to ensure effortless access for strollers and large families.

Open plan shopping mall cafe, curved timber shopfront, columns with architectural tree branches, polished terrazzo floor tiles, dark bulkheads with recessed downlights, integrated indoor playground seating.
Commercial kitchen pass, timber service counter, frosted glass window panels, stenciled wall logo, white shaker wall paneling, industrial exhaust hood, open kitchen architecture.

An open kitchen pass bridges the gap between culinary preparation and the front-of-house dining room. The horizontal opening provides customers with a transparent view of the food preparation process while maintaining clear operational boundaries.

A prominent perimeter wall pillar anchors the main entrance sequence, displaying full-scale brand graphics to capture the attention of passing shoppers. This corner transition marks a clear shift from the bright public mall walkway into the warm, textured hospitality environment

Cafe branding column, timber grid wall trim, open storefront restaurant, colorful bentwood dining chairs, timber table tops, woven wicker pendant lighting, sculptural tree pillars, polished mall floor tiles.