These cafes are serving up great coffee and family-friendly features in true Brooklyn style.
When you hear “Brooklyn” and “coffee shop” in the same sentence, images of side-eye-heavy hipsters and freelancers hunched over their laptops often come to mind. Luckily for parents, nannies, and sitters, however, there are also plenty coffee shops in Brooklyn that are totally kid-friendly.
Not only do you not have to worry about being judged when your toddler presses their nose against the pastry case, but many places welcome families to come in, take a load off, have some treats, and socialize. Check out these 10 Brooklyn coffee shops your kids will enjoy!
Baked
Address: 359 Van Brunt St., Brooklyn, NY 11231
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Phone: 718-222-0345
If your little one has a sweet tooth, they will be on cloud nine when they get to choose from decadent options like the Monster Cookie (a chewy delight chock-full of oats, peanut butter, M&Ms, and chocolate chips), Twix Bar, Sweet and Salty Brownies, and a slew of other rotating specials Martha Stewart herself has been known to indulge in.
Grab a cup of Stumptown coffee or a rich hot chocolate and sprawl out in one of their spacious booths, which are also ideal for when you’re seeking a place to stow shopping bags after a pilgrimage to the nearby IKEA.
Postmark Cafe
Address: 326 Sixth St., Brooklyn, NY 11215
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Closed Sundays
Phone: 718-768-2613
Postmark has become a neighborhood institution in Park Slope, in part because of how welcoming they are to families. During the school year, they host a storytime every Friday at 10 a.m., as well comedy on Friday evenings, though they’ve cautioned some of the acts aren’t always suited for small kids.
One of the best perks about visiting this cafe is that they are committed to giving back to the community. Every tip the baristas receive is donated to charity, and Postmark is also dedicated to helping provide jobs to teens across the city who are looking to earn professional development. Be warned, the inside can get a little tight for strollers, though, so you’ll either have to lock yours up outside or leave it at home.
Blue Bottle Coffee
Address: 203 Seventh Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11215
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Phone: 510-653-3394
Based in California, and boasting locations in Manhattan, Williamsburg, Bushwick, Clinton Hill, and even Tokyo, this wildly popular chain has expanded to Park Slope, aka “Stroller Central.” If you’re looking for a place to unwind with your little one after a brisk walk or morning jog in Prospect Park, the newest outpost is conveniently close and very family-friendly. In addition to their pour-overs and cold brew, they’ve taken special care to make sure parents and little ones are accommodated with designated stroller parking and high chairs.
I went for breakfast and had the homemade English muffin with honeycomb and butter and can attest that it’s pure comfort with a hint of decadence!
Joyce Bakeshop
Address: 646 Vanderbilt Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 718-623-7470
Situated next to a Montessori school, it’s common to see many young smiling faces here devouring cookies, cupcakes, and pastries right after class lets out. A welcoming staff, highchairs, and space in the back for strollers make this a great choice for families, especially if you’re looking for somewhere that’s open a little later than most coffee shops.
In addition to a massive coffee, tea, and espresso drink menu, they also offer soups, paninis, and a dizzying selection of desserts. Bonus points for the “Cutie” printed baby onesies for sale on the way out!
Lark Cafe
Address: 1007 Church Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11218
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 718-469-0140
With kid construction classes, sing-a-longs, child yoga sessions, and new parent meet-ups, it really doesn’t get any more family focused than this. Lark Cafe’s reason for being is to serve as a social hub for the community, providing a creative, warm, and engaging space for parents and kids.
They’ve also stocked their menu with Brooklyn favorites, like Stumptown Coffee, Dough doughnuts, Four and Twenty Blackbirds pies, pastries from Ovenly, and homemade pop tarts from Magpies.
Georges-André Vintage Café
Address: 558 Halsey St., Brooklyn, NY 11233
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Sunday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 347-762-5578
Come for the miniature figurine of Mogwai from Gremlins hiding in the corner, stay for the cozy atmosphere and children’s play area. At this cafe, your child can stay occupied and goof around while you enjoy the luxury of sipping on a reasonably priced latte, kicking back with a book, and finding your own little bit of zen.
The décor of this coffee shop will capture the imaginations of both nostalgic parents and curious kids, creating an inviting, quirky vibe for families in this Bed-Stuy cafe. They also host events like SuperKids Chess Club, so be sure to inquire about the schedule when you drop in.
PLG Coffee House & Tavern
Address: 499 Rogers Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11225
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m | Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 347-413-7944
With a local, organic food menu and a Brooklyn Kitten coffee selection, this family-oriented cafe in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens is a godsend for parents looking for a healthy place to eat lunch in addition to their daily dose of caffeine. Another plus? The tavern also caters to dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free options.
On top of that, they also have a dedicated play area for youngsters and a casual, easy-going staff, so don’t think twice about dropping in with little kids and hanging out for a couple hours.
Berg’n
Address: 899 Bergen St., Brooklyn, NY 11238
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, 10 am. – 11 p.m. | Sunday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 718-857-2337
OK, it’s not technically a coffee house, but it’s worth not getting caught up in semantics on this one. This massive beer garden has a barista serving Parlor coffee and pastries from opening to about 6 p.m. — though if your nerves are raw after a day at the nearby Brooklyn Children’s Museum, they have a fantastic craft beer selection to help take the edge off.
The amount of space alone makes this a great option if you’re lugging around a stroller and several shrieking children, but Berg’n also specifically caters to families with its monthly sing-a-longs during the day, pinball machines, and spacious family bathrooms with changing stations. It’s also a great lunch option if you have picky eaters, as they house four different food vendors that rotate throughout the year.
Elk Cafe
Address: 154 Prospect Pk. SW, Brooklyn, NY 11218
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 718-853-5500
Elk Cafe is especially loved by parents in the Windsor Terrace neighborhood of Brooklyn for its backyard set-up, which caters especially to kids with fun toys and playsets. They also host popular sing-a-longs for kids and meet-ups for parents, which are dedicated times for moms and dads to socialize, so be sure to ask about their family-oriented programming.
If you’re hungry after visiting the Prospect Park Zoo, this is a great place to nosh. Elk Cafe’s menu has sandwiches from Branaccio’s Food Shop, including a classic grilled cheese and flat-iron steak sandwich with onions, as well as sweets from Colson, Magpies, and Ovenly — all kid-tested and mother-approved Brooklyn staples.
The Coop
Address: 9504 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11209
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Phone: 718-680-0269
The Coop is a celebrated haven for local families and an unexpected delight for visiting parents privy to the out-of-the-way attractions in Bay Ridge, like the Narrows Botanical Gardens and Owl’s Head Park. This coffee shop welcomes children with open arms, supplying both indoor and outdoor child-safe play areas, toys, an allergen-free menu, and family-oriented events.
The menu is on another level from most coffee shops, with dishes like the Deviled Egg Smash, baked goods from Balthazar, and La Colombe lattes and cold brew on draft. They also serve adult beverages if you’re looking to to wind down versus caffeinate up!
