If you’re a caffeine-free parent, babysitter, or nanny, you’re an absolute god(dess). However, us mere mortals need the jolt from a strong cup o’ Joe every now and then to keep up with the controlled chaos of daily life. We all need a break—whether it be a coffee break, tea break, hot chocolate break, or just a few moments to sit and chat with good friends.
Phoenix’s wide array of coffee shops provide all of that and more, but not every coffee shop is known as being kid-friendly. A few, however, fit the bill as places you can take the kids when you want to relax with a latte. In the winter, order a hot tea and let kids be kids in an outdoor playground. When temps begin to rise in the spring, settle onto a patio with an iced latte and let the little ones run through water fountains. And in the summer, opt for a cold brew and a good book while your kids play in an indoor playroom.
Here are our five favorite kid-friendly Phoenix coffee shops that offer all of this and more.
Luci’s Healthy Marketplace
Address: 1590 E. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014
Hours: Open daily, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Phone: 602-773-1339
Luci’s Healthy Marketplace is a central Phoenix favorite for a post-hike coffee and quick bite to eat, a remote worker’s second home, and a meeting place for business associates, friends, and family. The coffee shop and eatery is also a marketplace of a myriad of healthy packaged foods and beverages, plus a wide assortment of unique gift items and kids’ toys.
When the weather’s comfortable, the walls open to let in the breeze and add room to the quaint space. No need to whisper inside this lively café; kids will feel right at home here. But, a word of advice: It’s possible that you may be convinced by your little one to purchase a coloring book or knick-knack from the children’s-eye-level displays of goodies.
An all-day breakfast menu is available (try the Açaí Superfood Bowl!), plus sandwiches, burgers, salads, and kids’ flapjacks, cheese crisps, and melts. Beverages range from lattes and other coffee specials (both iced and hot) to teas and smoothies. You can’t go wrong ordering an iced tea here — green or black, they’re both delicious — and the iced toddy is a smooth way to wake up in the morning.
Luci’s at the Orchard
Address: 7100 N. 12th St., Phoenix, AZ 85020
Hours: Open daily, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Kitchen closes at 7 p.m.
Phone: 602-633-2442
Luci’s at the Orchard, a sister venture to Luci’s Healthy Marketplace, is a tucked-away urban oasis. The spacious and bright café shares the central Phoenix property with an ice cream and candy shop called Splurge, and the modern lunch and dinner eatery Pomelo. Centered between the three is a lusciously landscaped courtyard with plenty of seating for café-goers to settle down and enjoy the sunny mornings and cool afternoons.
Luci’s is the perfect destination for a playdate and coffee break with friends. And in the warmer months, kids love playing in the small splash pad at the back of the courtyard, so be sure to bring a towel.
The menu ranges from breakfast to lunch fare. A few standout menu options include the Morning Run Burrito with sautéed kale, black beans, and peppers; the Funky Monkey French Toast (gluten-free available); and the Green Chili Burger. Dishes are perfectly paired with classic coffee beverages, and a wide variety of smoothies and fresh-pressed juices. Not hungry? Treat yourself to a creamy mocha and lounge on the patio while the kids play.
SoZo Coffeehouse
Address: 1982 N. Alma School Road, Chandler, AZ 85224
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 480-726-7696
This community coffee shop caters to the whole family. An indoor kids’ playroom keeps little ones entertained, while adults mingle and relax over lattes. The coffees served by SoZo Coffeehouse are roasted by locally loved Cartel Coffee, so you can’t go wrong with a mug of freshly brewed drip coffee. If you need an extra pick-me-up, SoZo’s Turkish coffee should do the trick. Ghirardelli hot chocolate, juices, and sodas are a nice treat for the kids between rounds of playtime.
Be sure to visit Friday and Saturday evenings, from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m., to enjoy live music with the whole family. Need another reason to stop by? A portion of every purchase is donated to a local or international cause.
The Teapot
Address: 818 N. 5th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Closed during summer months
Phone: 623-522-6027
Located inside a restored home in the historic Roosevelt neighborhood of Phoenix, The Teapot was recently voted as one of nine of the most kid-friendly coffee shops in America by Fatherly.com.
The Teapot is a one-of-a-kind, family-friendly coffee shop, eatery, and event space. Open seasonally (closed during summer months), the shop serves healthy dishes with an English twist, along with a variety of coffee and tea beverages. The iced chai tea latte is a refreshing favorite. For an extra boost, order it “dirty” with one shot of espresso.
A $2 “play ticket” for each child (ages 1-8) is added to your check, and gives children free range to the indoor play space and outdoor playground while parents relax. The picturesque property, built in 1906, is perfect for private birthday parties, baby showers, and other events, too.
Elevate Coffee Co.
Address: 2530 W. Happy Valley Road, Phoenix, AZ 85085
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Friday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Saturday, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Sunday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Phone: 602-341-5480
The 3,400-square-foot facility offers plenty of space for all types of coffee drinkers. Whether you prefer to sit inside or out on the patio, you’ll be able to find a table where you can settle down and open up a reading or coloring book for the kids, while you mingle with friends or find time to read a chapter of your own.
Coffee beans are roasted on-site and make for smooth brews. Try the nitro cold brew or the toffee-mocha Frappe to cool down a summer day. Non-caffeinated beverages include flavored steamers, caramel-apple cider, Italian sodas, juices, smoothies, and hot chocolate. There are a variety of breakfast and lunch plates available, and the crêpes are a specialty.
Elevate Coffee Co. is located within The Shops at Norterra in North Phoenix, and sits adjacent to a Harkins movie theater, providing plenty of pre- or post-coffee break fun.
