Mugg & Bean @ Broadacres Lifestyle Centre, Fourways (JHB)

The Mugg & Bean brand can be found all over South Africa - you will spot it in most of the major centres, and with it comes the mark of a good quality meal and great coffee, at an affordable price.
It is not normally the type of establishment that would appear on Plebs with Kids, but this branch is one with a difference.
Read on...

Date last visited

June 2011

Location and Setting

Broadacres Lifestyle Centre is situated on the corner of Cedar and Valley Roads, Broadacres, Fourways, In Johannesburg.
It contains a variety of restaurants, shops and venues, one of which is the Mugg & Bean about which this post is being written.

You can view a map here.

For the kids...

Mugg & Bean is not usually all about the kids.
Sure, the new branch in Harrismith (at the Bergview Engen One-Stop) gives out crayons and drawings for the kids to colour in, but this is not common for the franchise, at least not in my experience.

Mugg & Bean Broadacres though, is totally kid-oriented.
Make your way through the inside area, and beyond lies an idyllic outdoor playground for the little ones.
Taking centre stage is the giant plastic jungle gym, with its twisty slides and giant ball pool.
There is also a really cool riding track that encircles the play area - ideal for kid-racers on plastic ride-on bikes.

Moving to the back of the playground, you will find an old favourite - the ever-popular jumping castle.
If that doesn't do it for the tots, then they can head over to the other side of the playground where there is a huge wooden jungle gym type structure.

Add some animals to this already successful mix, and it's all starting to look like a winner - there are some geese and rabbits who live near the playground in an animal enclosure, and they make for great entertainment for the kid who demands a lot from their Sunday outing :)

As for the kids menu, Mugg & Bean offers a great spread which will likely satisfy even the most fussy eaters - you can view their menu online here.

During our visit, the restaurant was setting up for a kids party in their own private party venue behind the playground - for details about hiring the venue, please contact them directly using the details at the bottom of this post.

Just as you walk out of the Mugg & Bean, be sure not to miss the kids fancy dress costume shop on your right.
Here you can get anything from a kids cowboy outfit to a fairy princess costume - they really do have a lot on offer, so be prepared to spend a good few minutes in there once your little ones realise what a goldmine they have just stumbled upon... :)

For the slightly older kids, there is also an awesome model shop just a few steps away from the Mugg & Bean, offering a wide variety of radio controlled toys.
Aircraft, helicopters, cars... I almost didn't get out of the shop myself... ;)

For the adults...

I tend to think with my stomach before all else - whenever we need a place to go to, I am thinking about the food and coffee offerings before we even set off :)

Mugg & Bean is great because their standards are consistently high - I cannot think of a time when I have had a bad meal at any of their branches, and the Broadacres branch is no exception.

From a great breakfast spread, to a decent menu for lunch and dinner options, to their extensive coffee menu, Mugg & Bean have a wide variety of meals to cater for just about anyone.
If you want to check out the menu right now, you can view it online here.

After a great meal, you can head out of the Mugg & Bean and take a walk around the Lifestyle Centre itself.

Outside you will find a well-stocked nursery, a large indoor Garden Shop (where you can buy gardening equipment, some novel kids outdoor toys, decorations and more) and several other restaurants (one of which also has a very nice kids play area of its own).

Walk a bit further and you will come across the beautifully manicured gardens of Buitengeluk - a traditional Cape Dutch style venue and restaurant - you can view their website here.
The Broadacres Lifestyle Centre also offers convenience, in that you can bring your shopping bags along and stock up on groceries at the Woolworths or Spar in the centre.

Finally, the Barnyard Theatre on the premises offers some evening entertainment options, that is if you still have enough energy after a day out with the kids :)

Anything else?

If you want to get in touch with the actual Lifestyle Centre for more information about the other stores and restaurants onsite, you can call them on (+27) 11 467 2070.

There are also child-minders on the playground, and a baby changing room at the Mugg & Bean - just 2 things less to think about :)

Final words

Sometimes you just want to go somewhere without having to second guess the kind of food you will get, or what condition the kids play area will be in. 

The Mugg & Bean in Broadacres is a great way to do this, with the added benefit of being within the Lifestyle Centre itself.

Getting in touch

Telephone:
(+27) 11 465 0155

Fax:
(+27) 11 465 9223

Website:
http://www.themugg.com

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