Let’s face it: Parents of young kiddos need (and deserve) a good ole’ caffeine fix every now and then — as do their babysitters and nannies. But it’s not exactly any parent or professional child wranger’s dream to walk into a quiet coffee shop playing soft music with a couple screaming toddlers in tow.
But, if you’re in Austin, though, you’re in luck! While there are plenty of hipster coffee shops and Starbucks in town, there are tons of great kid-friendly coffee shops, too. No need to sacrifice style or taste just because the kids are coming along. Austin’s best family-minded coffee spots are in some of the most picturesque places in town, and there’s always tasty java on tap.
Need help differentiating between the too-hip coffee joints and the kid-friendly ones? Here are our picks for the best kid-friendly coffee shops in Austin.
Cenote
Address: 1010 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX 78702
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Saturday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Sunday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Phone: 512-524-1311
Want to languidly sip lattes while the kiddos frolic and play? Cenote is one of your best bets. Built in 1887, this historic home-turned-cafe is an East Austin coffee gem — with an incredible, locally sourced brunch to boot. Children and parents alike will love Cenote’s famed Apple Butter Pancakes, and the Eggs Florentine are a must-get. Most important, there’s plenty of room in Cenote’s fenced-in outdoor area for the kids to run around.
Alta’s Cafe
Address: 74 Trinity St., Austin, TX 78701
Hours: Open daily, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Phone: 512-499-0470
Located on picturesque Lady Bird Lake, Alta’s Cafe is a place for the whole family to enjoy. Adults will love the beautiful views of the lake and the famed South Congress bridge from Alta’s wraparound deck, and the kids will love feeding the ducks off the boat dock. If you go for breakfast, we recommend noshing on the breakfast tacos, and there are always dozens of freshly-baked pastries that the kids will love. Wash it all down with one of Alta’s signature delectable smoothies or cold-pressed juices.
Bonus! Want to combine your coffee outing with a family adventure on the lake? Waller Creek Boathouse is right next door, where you can rent canoes or kayaks. Alta’s is the perfect spot to take a break with the kids and get your caffeine fix.
Cups & Cones
Address: 2900 N. Quinlan Park Road, Ste. 290, Austin, TX 78732
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Sunday, 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Phone: 512-266-2444
Cups & Cones is known for being one of the most kid-friendly coffee haunts in all of Austin. Why? Because this beloved joint has everything from a play area to storytime events to Amy’s Ice Cream! (And if you aren’t familiar with Amy’s Ice Cream, what are you waiting for?) Cups & Cones has plenty of kids meal offerings, from two types of yummy quesadillas to grilled cheese, in addition to a plethora of other menu items. And, while we know you adults are on the prowl for caffeine, if you’re also in the mood for something sweet, the Peach-Pear-Apricot-Strawberry-Banana smoothie is simply scrumptious.
Radio Coffee & Beer
Address: 4204 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78704
Hours: Monday – Friday, 6:30 a.m. – midnight | Saturday & Sunday, 7:30 a.m. – midnight
Phone: 512-394-7844
By the way…we have FRESH merch for your HOLIDAY shopping needs! pic.twitter.com/PvdLeZQTg8
— RADIO COFFEE & BEER (@RadioCoffeeBeer) December 12, 2015
You can always find awesome live music and good coffee at Radio Coffee & Beer. In fact, we highly recommend taking the kids to Bluegrass Night, held on Mondays at 8 p.m. Every week, families flock to hear world-class musicians play old bluegrass tunes on Radio’s patio and munch on yummy tacos from Veracruz, a local food truck (on site and open daily, from 7 a.m. to midnight). The kids will adore dancing up a storm to the fun, rollicking tunes! Radio serves delish Stumptown coffee every day, and they’ve always got an array of seasonal brews on tap, if you’re in the mood for an adult beverage.
Mozart’s Coffee Roasters
Address: 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin, TX 78703
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – midnight | Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. – midnight
Phone: 512-477-2900
Situated on lovely Lake Austin, Mozart’s is undoubtedly one of the most idyllic java joints in the city. Hang out on the patio and soak up the views while you and the little ones devour baked goods from the famed in-house bakery. Come for the Better Cupcakes, stay for the Canoli and Mozart’s Cheesecakes (really though, you can’t go wrong with anything from the bakery). They also roast their own coffee on site. Yum!
Cherrywood Coffeehouse
Address: 1400 E. 38th 1/2 St., Austin, TX 78722
Hours: Open daily, 7 a.m. – midnight
Phone: 512-538-1991
Cherrywood Coffeehouse is another one of those family-friendly, quintessentially Austin gems. Join tons of other parents here on the weekend and prepare to jam out — there’s an official FREE Kid Show every Sunday at 10 a.m. (Because what’s cuter than dozens of toddlers bopping around to live music?) Brunch is held every Saturday & Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and while it’s all delish, we’re very partial to the Huevos Rancheros and the Fresh Waffle. Cherrywood’s communal feel, family-centric vibes, and good eats are beloved by both adults and children alike!
Jo’s Coffee on South Congress
Address: 1300 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704
Hours: Open daily, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Phone: 512-444-3800
Jo’s Coffee on South Congress is an Austin institution, most notable for its “I love you so much” graffiti and positively delicious locally roasted coffee. There are other locations in town, but the South Congress locale is our pick for most family-friendly, thanks to its proximity to all the fun of Austin’s famed SoCo district. Head here on a Sunday with the fam and catch a free concert in the parking lot — put on by the Jo’s House Band with special guests — to go along with your house made breakfast tacos and the famed Belgian Bomber, a sweet concoction of chocolate, hazelnut, coffee, and cream served over crushed ice.
Irie Bean Coffee Bar
Address: 2310 S. Lamar Blvd. #102, Austin, TX 78704
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 512-326-4636
Let the kids run wild on the back patio at Irie Bean Coffee Bar while you enjoy a lovely caffeinated beverage or two. We adore Irie Bean for their uncanny ability to preserve an authentic Austin feel while still remaining kid-friendly. You’ll love the laid-back vibes and yummy coffee here…and did we mention the Peanut Butter Rice Crispies? Irie’s signature gluten-free pastry items are equally delicious (the Zucchini Bread, yum!), and all of it pairs well with a Cortado — think espresso and warm milk. There are also weekly live music events (hey, it’s Austin!), making this one of the best coffee-fueled hangout spots in the city.
Halcyon
Address: 218 W. Fourth St., Austin, TX 78701
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 2 a.m. | Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Phone: 512-472-9637
Located downtown in Austin’s warehouse district, Halcyon is known for its simply perfect cups of coffee, city-chic decor…and truly awesome kid-friendly menu. The kiddos won’t know what to devour first — the Nutella Crepes stuffed with bananas and strawberries, the S’mores platter, or the Bowl of Holes, warm donut holes tossed with chocolate and cinnamon sugar. (Don’t worry, parents, the coffee is pure artisanal goodness, too!)
Caffe Medici on South Lamar
Address: 1100 S. Lamar Blvd. #2125, Austin, TX 78704
Hours: Open daily, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 512-445-7212
Caffe Medici is run by a couple (Alison and Michael Vaclav) with five children — which should tell you a thing or two about their ability to run a kid-friendly coffee joint! There are a few Caffe Medici locations scattered around town, but we like the South Lamar spot the best, in terms of kid friendliness. Parents can opt for an espresso (the Orion blend by Spyhouse Coffee Roasters) while the kids chow down on Caffe Medici’s highly-recommended cookies and milk and sip hot cocoa. Better yet, come here after taking the family to see a movie at Austin’s famed Alamo Drafthouse, which is right next door.
Did we hit all your favorite coffee shops in town? Let us know in the comments below!
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