Calling all coffee and brunch fiends! Whether you’re brunching with the fam or on a coffee date with a fellow mum (kids in tow of course), these cool child-friendly cafes make chilling out with the tots a breeze
Looking for a family-friendly café in Singapore? At these cool coffee-and-brekky joints, grown-ups aren’t the only ones being pampered (with steaming cuppas and fabulous brunches of course). Forget being frazzled at mealtime; these family-loving cafes include special menus for kids, ample space and play areas for the smalls so you have your coffee (in peace) and drink it too!
Cafe Melba
Located within the compounds of Goodman Arts Centre, Café Melba is a fab place to hang out with family or friends on the weekends. Lots of space for the smalls to run around? Check. Kid-friendly menu? Check. Bouncy castles for the weekend? Check! For the grown ups, its tasty, fuss-free menu featuring paper-thin wood-fired pizzas and the usual brunch staples, rounded off with steaming cuppas, makes this a worthy spot for repeated visits.
Café Melba, #01-5690 Goodman Arts Centre, Block N, Goodman Road, Singapore 439053; www.facebook.com/CafeMelbaSingapore
Food for Thought (Botanic Gardens)
With its tagline of “Good Food for a Good Cause”, Food for Thought is the place to be if you’d like to eat right. Some of its causes include the provision of clean water ansd funding education for underprivileged children. Its extensive menu includes all-day breakfast faves like pancakes and big breakfast options of sausages, mushrooms and hash browns, burgers, pastas and regular mains. As for the kids, the “Food for Tots” menu includes fish fingers and fries, pasta and milk chocolate pancake. No need to rush your food either – there is a climbing frame outside for the kids and you can see them through the large glass windows.
Food for Thought, Food for Thought, #B1-00 Singapore Botanic Gardens, Tanglin Gate, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569; www.foodforthought.com.sg
Wheeler’s Yard
Housed within a spacious, industrial warehouse, the royal blue exterior of this café was the hottest instagram backdrop for everyone who was into the café-hopping trend last year. The interior of the café is just as outstanding; the walls are covered in handmade urban bikes, tables are topped with vintage bicycles and ceilings have industrial-chic lamps hanging from them. The coffee is the real selling point here, but its regular clientele includes the littles, so you know they’re doing something right, family-wise.
Wheeler’s Yard, 28 Lorong Ampas, Singapore 328781; www.wheelersyard.com
Windowsill Pies
Previously located in the rustic streets of Jalan Besar, Windowsill Pies can now be found in its cosy little hideout in Upper Thomson Road. Aside from its well-known pies (we’ll get to that later), the café is an exceedingly pretty place. Step through the doorway and be transported into a fairytale land with its giant wooden tree centerpiece and whimsical wooden fixtures. The pies are masterful creations; our fave of all time is the S’mores pie loaded with gooey milk chocolate, sticky dark chocolate fudge and topped with fluffy marshmellows and homemade salty, crunchy graham crackers. Come here for a quiet afternoon, a smashing slice of pie and a decent cup of coffee.
Windowsill Pies, 95 Soo Chow Walk, 575382; www.windowsillpies.sg
Whisk and Paddle
Relatively new to the Punggol Café scene is Whisk and Paddle, a massive open-air bistro with tranquil views of the surrounding lush greenery and a wide selection of fantastic fare for both the adults and the tiny tots. The kids’ menu includes tomato sauce spaghetti and French toast while the menu for grown ups is rather extensive and features everything from pastas, desserts, bar bites and coffees. With the expansive Punggol Waterway nearby, it’s great for a cozy pop-in after a relaxing jog, bike ride or stroll.
Whisk and Paddle, #01-01, 10 Tebing Lane, Singapore 828836; www.whiskandpaddle.com.sg
The Coastal Settlement
A fave amongst the Easties, The Coastal Settlement is a great hideaway for those who like their café a little obscure, and the food hearty. Situated in an ex-army barrack, the café’s high ceilings are great for illusions of space, while the outdoor patio seating makes for a lush meal out in the tropics. What we also love is the retro-style playground in the café’s backyard, perfect to amuse the smalls as you look on from the comfy couches with a frothy cuppa in your hands.
The Coastal Settlement, 200 Netheravon Road, Singapore 508529; www.thecoastalsettlement.com
Toby’s Estate
Australian coffee chain Toby’s Estate is where you’re guaranteed a good cup of joe. We adore the café’s ample natural lighting (thanks to its massive glass windows and door), high ceilings and simple yet modern industrial décor. The brunch offerings here are a touch pricey but understandable considering the café’s prime Robertson Quay locale. This is where time slows down, so kick back and simply enjoy a relaxing day by the river with the fam.
Toby’s Estate, 8 Rodyk Street, #01-03/04, Singapore 238216; www.tobysestate.com.sg
Kith
Early risers, head to this Robertson Quay outlet with your tribe (it opens from 7am!) for great coffee and decent grub. Bring those scooters and bikes for a ride along the boardwalk. If you’ve got very small ones, introduce them to the toybox but mind where you step – this is a popular café for people with puppies.
Kith Cafe, #01-28 Watermark at Robertson Quay, 7 Rodyk Street, Singapore 238215; www.kith.com.sg
Spruce
This very high-chair friendly establishment offers both indoor and outdoor dining but we the breezy feel of brunching on the deck. A path from here leads down to a playground but bear in mind to bring your coffee to sip if the kids need to be supervised as it’s a bit removed from the dining area. Actually, you could always change that coffee to bubbles – you have the ability to upsize to a sparkling brunch. Don’t forget the bug spray. Warning: You might be spoiled for choice here as the brunch menu is famous for its Eggs Benedict variations, all day breakfast and savouries.
Spruce,, Phoenix Park, 320 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247980; www.spruce.com.sg
La Marelle Cafe
This whimsical café located on the second floor of a Baghdad street shophouse is a pleasant hangout for all, including art-lovers and kids. Brightly-coloured, like the explosion of a “candy crush bomb” (as cleverly pointed out by a reviewer), the café’s walls are decorated with cloud prints and raindrop motifs, aka the perfect backdrop for the young ones as they fiddle with the toys and books available. The selection here may be simpler (don’t worry, you can still order up a mean cup of coffee here) as compared to the others on its list, but it’s scored major brownie points for its quieter location and very kid-friendly environment.
La Marelle Café, 25A Baghdad St, Singapore 199664; www.facebook.com/lamarellecafe