The Best Kid-Friendly Cafes in Hampton Roads 

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The Best Kid-Friendly Cafes in Hampton Roads 

Playdates and latte’s… few things get me more excited! If you are looking for kid-friendly cafes in Hampton Roads, look no further. Here is my own list of the best places I like to plan a playdate, get coffee and let my kids be kids. Enjoy!

Coaster’s Coffee

8418 Tidewater Dr, Norfolk, VA 23518

Coaster’s come’s in at number one because, at this point, it feels like a second home. This coffee shop isn’t just “kid-friendly”, but it has its own kid’s corner! The kid’s corner is usually stocked with puzzles, kid’s books, a play kitchen, and little trains and trucks. The best part about the corner is the fact that it is surrounded by couches so you can sit and relax while keeping a keen eye on your littles. Outside there is a picnic table but more importantly, there is an epic garden filled with flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables. The staff at Coasters are friendly and if people are in the cafe to do business, there is a separate closed-off workspace in the back where people can retreat.

Favorite Treat: Blueberry Scones

COVA Brewing Company

9529 Shore Dr, Norfolk, VA 23518

Speaking of friendly staff, COVA has one of the best customer service I have seen. Want to know how “kid-friendly” this cafe is? They have an event every Monday from 7-11 am called “Monday Mini’s” where you can bring in your kid for a FREE little breakfast and craft with the purchase of a coffee. They don’t “tolerate” kids, they welcome them! I mean, they even have a kids menu! 

The inside of the cafe is small but the outside area is huge! There is a huge open lot behind their cafe and a pretty big covered and uncovered areas outside with plenty of patio chairs and picnic tables. Another perk of this cafe is the fact that they don’t just serve coffee, but beer and wine! My favorite time of the day to go is about 5:00 pm. I get my meal in the instant pot at home, head down to Cova’s, let my kids burn off the rest of their energy, and drink a beer as the sunsets. It’s a win-win-win.

Favorite Drink: The Norfolk Fog (earl grey latte)

Sawdust Road

1791 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456 

If my kids were rating cafes, this would be their number one! Sawdust Road, hands down, has the best outdoor area of any coffee shop I have ever been to. There is a ton of space out back where the kids could play soccer or tag, multiple swing sets, playhouses, picnic tables, chairs, and a super steep slide. Right now they take your order outside and bring it to you wherever you are. It might take me 40 minutes to drive here but it has never disappointed! I normally bring my big waterproof picnic blanket and order a few Prosperity Kitchen baked goods if they have any in stock.

Try Something New: The Sawmill Latte, dark chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut

Mea Culpa Cafe

2410 Colonial Ave, Norfolk, VA 23517

Mea Culpa Cafe is in my top five because of two things- hammocks and oatmeal. Let me explain, the cafe itself is pretty small, but the look of the cafe is stunning. It’s located in an old historic house near Downtown Norfolk and is surrounded by a stunning wrap-around porch covered in vines and plants. The backyard has gorgeous weeping willows with benches nearby and two dreamy hammocks. My kids of course are obsessed with the hammocks; I’m obsessed with their savory steel cut oats. Don’t question me- order it yourself (and a waffle sandwich). Their menu is absolutely delicious, I could go bankrupt at this place.

Must-Try: Savory Oatmeal, (steel cut oats, confit shallots, golden raisins, toasted walnuts, chili spice)

*Covid19 update- currently take out only*

Sage Kitchen 

1925 Fisher Arch, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Sage Kitchen is a close second to my kid’s favorite places to play while mommy eats/drinks. Hang out in their Hobbit hut, climb and swing on their mini-ropes course, play soccer pool, or chill in their cute kid-sized cabana. Sage Kitchen is a kids’ paradise. Unlike the other cafes I mentioned previously, Sage is more like a restaurant. Their food is creative, fresh, and definitely a favorite of the local health nuts. Not in the mood for a whole meal? They also sell coffee and fresh-pressed juices.

Something Healthy: Green Monster Juice, (spinach, coconut water, pineapple, lemon & organic agave syrup)

Marigold and Honey Cafe

6700 Azalea Garden Rd, Norfolk, VA 23518

Have you been to Norfolks Botanical Gardens? Well, just in case you are wondering, it is worth the visit (we’ve had a membership since 2016). Open from March 1st- October 31st, this cafe has a garden-inspired menu with fresh gourmet salads, soups, sandwiches, fresh-squeezed lemonades, fruit plates, smoothies, and even has a kids menu! The beauty that surrounds the cafe in spring is almost unbelievable and their back patio is pretty spacious, providing an awesome space for the littles to play.

Something Sweet: Frozen Lemonade

Cafe Blanca

4117 Granby St suite a, Norfolk, VA 23504

Cafe Blanca is a neighborhood cafe with locally roasted coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Their cafe is modern, adorable, and teeny tiny. They do however have a little side patio that is pretty private and has a few picnic tables with umbrellas. Because Cafe Blanca is pretty small the side patio is normally not packed out so my kids have enjoyed bringing their coloring books, stickers, or sidewalk chalk and entertained themselves.

Favorite Seasonal Item: Cinnamon Buns 

La Brioche

765 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23510

La Brioche is a French bakery in Norfolk that has incredible pain au chocolat, ham and cheese croissant, baguette, sweets, and coffee. This wouldn’t be the place to buy a fancy latte, but their baked goods are to die for and there is an upstairs story that is often empty. My kid’s favorite part of La Brioche is peering into the back of the cafe to see the bakers making their daily treats. This is another quintessential cute and quirky cafe in the Neon District of Norfolk and if the upstairs is empty it’s an awesome place to bring your little ones.

Something Classic: Pain Au Chocolat

Three Ships Coffee

607 19th St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Three Ships Coffee has to be the most beloved coffee in Hampton Roads but did you know that behind the building is a picnic table and a super long swing tied into a tree? I don’t know about you but that is all my kids need to have a good time. The inside is small but the area out back is the perfect size. I love meeting one or two of my friends there just to sit under the trees, sipping iced lattes and watching the kids swing.

Something Vegan: The Vegan Wedding Cake Cookie (I have driven embarrassing distances to buy one…ok two of these cookies… I actually ate one this morning!)

Prosperity Kitchen & Pantry

532 Virginia Beach Blvd suite b, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Prosperity Kitchen & Pantry uses seasonal, organic, local, and fresh and delicious ingredients in everything they make. They have very skilled bakers who bake everything in small batches in an open kitchen so you and your kids can look in on the beauty they create. This was our number one most visited places this summer because of its incredible menu and its big open area outside with picnic tables. My kids are obsessed with gravel landscaping and could spend hours there with a few beach toys or empty cups. 

Something Savory: Bacon, Pear & Blue Cheese Pizza

 

Well that is my list of the best kid-friendly cafes in Hampton Roads but if you want to add others please drop them in a comment below!