Cafés in London That Welcome You + the Baby
Picture this: you’ve had a broken night’s sleep with the baby, your toddler is in full chaos mode before sunrise, and all you want is a decent cup of coffee.
You head out, double buggy in tow, only to be met with a room full of flat-white drinkers giving you the side eye like you’ve walked into a meditation class mid-tantrum.
I’ve been there.
After frantically texting my mum group and searching for “child-friendly coffee shops near me,” I quickly realised London actually has more options than you might think.
More and more cafés are starting to welcome little ones, and their sleep-deprived parents, with open arms, offering toys, play corners and space to breathe.
Here are some of the best child-friendly coffee shops in London where you can sit down, sip your coffee in peace (mostly), and let the kids be kids.
Here is our round-up of the best baby-friendly cafés and coffee shops across London:
Bertie & Boo – Adventure Island
Located in Balham, SW17, Bertie & Boo’s Adventure Island is a dedicated play centre aimed at kids aged 0-6yrs.
The café offers a delicious varied menu from breakfast to small plates and brunch (the Truffle Mushroom Toastie sounds divine), there is also a good children’s menu and eat and play deals on offer.
They serve all the beverages you could ask for – tea, coffee, smoothies, juices and even wine if you feel particularly stressed.
Magical Storytime sessions feature Monday to Friday.
Entry to soft play is £5.50, under 6 months go free.
Bear + Wolf – Tuffnell Park, NW5
This modern-looking establishment is open seven days a week for all your refuelling needs.
Their menu offers breakfasts, toasties and even smoothie bowls for the kids at reasonable prices.
At the back you will find a children’s play area with toys, but we usually get caught up looking at the delicious range of sourdough before we get there.
Rude Health Café – Fulham, SW6
It’s all about the food at this baby friendly café in South West London.
Nothing artificial or refined is added to their foods so you won’t feel guilty popping in for a wholesome afternoon snack.
Child-friendly, dog-friendly, and beautiful looking food, what’s not to like?
Little Highness Play Café – Highbury N5 (check opening times)
A family-run, super clean soft play centre with a good range of toys, jigsaws and books for the little ones.
This place is ideal for kids who can’t keep still; you won’t find any disapproving looks if your child is crawling on the floor whilst you’re waiting for your food order to arrive.
The café itself offers a great range of breakfasts, pastries, cakes with vegan and gluten-free options available too.
Baby and Toddler music classes feature three times per week.
Yummy Yummy in my Tummy – Stoke Newington, N16 (currently closed)
This kids café was designed especially for families, and their aim is to make parents lives easier while the kids have as much fun as possible.
Opened in 2016, the friendly staff have created a café with a weekly timetable of classes and entertainment for little ones including music, art and language sessions.
The café can provide baby food, breakfast, lunch and snacks and have a delightful kids menu.
They have a soft play area downstairs which is child heaven, you can also hire the space for private parties.
The Arts Depot – North Finchley, N12
A multi-award-winning cultural venue that incorporates a 395-seat theatre, a 148-seat studio theatre, creation space, gallery, drama, dance and art studios, free children’s play space plus café and bar.
A great place to bring the kids to let off some steam, the soft play area is just around the corner from the café and features a book corner and chalkboard wall in addition to plentiful buggy parking.
The centre offers a varied range of shows and events for the whole family to enjoy.
This rustic café is located on the Hackney city farm with a strong Italian influence.
Ideal for family days out in East London, the children take enjoy time at the farm and afterwards, you can refuel at the café.
The menu is produced using homegrown and local produce almost entirely from the farm itself and offers a delicious breakfast and lunch menu.
Kids love their toast and jam option for breakfast before heading off to see the animals.
Teahouse Theatre – Vauxhall, SE11
The Teahouse Theatre is based in a Victorian public house and prides itself on being different which is enjoyably refreshing.
The charming performance art venue in South London is a tea house by day and transforms into a theatre by night providing monthly events.
The staff are laid back when it comes to children offering highchairs, a chest of toys and milkshakes to calm your kids.
They make their own marmalades and jams; meat is sourced from the local butcher and the fruit and veg are from local market gardens.
Apple Tree Café – Herne Hill SE24
Situated opposite the lovely Brockwell Park, this baby friendly café was designed for parents with babies and children up to five years old as a safe, and super clean environment to enjoy great food and a good coffee.
The play area has a climbing frame, ball-pit and giant toadstools and they can enjoy role play in the fire station or flower shop, there is even a sensory basket for babies.
The kids are always within full view so you can enjoy a catch-up with friends and relax over a coffee or three knowing the kids are enjoying themselves safely.
Lots of high chairs and Bumbo seats are available with a full menu to suit big and little people’s tummies.
If you’re looking for more than just a café but still retaining the informal child-friendly vibe give Big Easy a try.
With venues in Canary Wharf, Covent Garden, Stratford and Chelsea, it’s a good option if you’re out and about in London.
The kid’s menu for kids under ten includes a main, side and ice cream for dessert plus there’s a good selection of milkshake flavours to choose from.
A chocolate cookie milkshake is always a good bargaining tool. There are colouring-in sheets and child-friendly staff.
A child friendly cafe is a popular choice for families looking for a relaxed and inclusive dining experience suitable for all ages
If you have a baby-friendly café near you that we haven’t mentioned, please let us know in the comments below.