I have this thing for hipster coffee shops. Something about the white subway tile, the Tolix chairs, the perfectly displayed vegan donuts. I just can’t stay away. I’m all like “Take my four dollars for your perfectly crafted almond latte with your beautiful foam art.” Just take it.
Needless to say, we’ve frequented a lot of coffee shops with kids in tow, here are some of our favorites and why:
- Artis on Fourth: Another spacious coffee shop. Grab a cup and walk Fourth Street – we like the toy store and watching for trains. Also, they have a frequent user program and randomly send you texts – “Next coffee is on us.”, “25% off your next drink.” What? Sign me up. Oh wait, I already am. (Free WiFi)
- Bartavelle on San Pablo: Their avocado toast is on point. And, it practically shares a space with Acme. Enough said.
- Blue Bottle on Broadway: Get your cup to go and stroll over to Piedmont Avenue or the Temescal Farmer’s Market. Don’t miss the waffles.
- Casa Latina on San Pablo: The space is beautiful, the pastries are picture worthy, and we get to watch for buses out the huge windows. Have you tried their horchata-latte yet?
- Catahoula Coffee on Fourth (also in Richmond): Pick up a mexi-mocha on your way to Berkeley Aquatic Park. (Free WiFi)
- Coffee Conscious on Gilman: I love the maple oat cappuccino—smooth and sweet, it can’t be beat! Plus, the vegan doughnuts are perfection.
- Farley’s East in Uptown Oakland: Light and bright, the indoor space is for sipping and talking—no laptops allowed. Don’t miss the outdoor seating area. They have a nice selection of magazines to read (for free) if you stay, or get your coffee to go and walk around Lake Merritt.
- Fellini on University: Don’t want to take your kids out of the car? Fellini is where it’s at. Drive-up, order at the outside window and keep a close eye on your kids. They are super fast too. We like to stop here on our way to Totland.
- Hal’s Office on Solano: Old notary office turned coffee shop with the best neighbors possible – As You Wish Frozen Yogurt. Kids get ice cream, you get a latte with your ice cream. (Free WiFi)
- Highwire Coffee on San Pablo (also in Montclair Village and Alameda): They have a cute patio out back perfect for sharing a granola-yogurt bowl on a sunny day. (Free WiFi)
- Highwire Coffee Trailer on Solano: Order your coffee at the cute trailer, then sip and stroll Flowerland Nursery. Such a pretty, pretty place.
- Kaleidoscope Coffee in Point Richmond: In the heart of downtown – big space, comfy couches, big bright windows, AND ice cream. Our boys were sold.
- Philz Coffee on College or Gilman: They don’t have lattes, but their mint-mojitos almost make up for it. The one on College is across the street from La Farine.
- States Coffee X Bread on San Pablo (also in Martinez): With kid-friendly steamer drinks and lots of sweets on the menu, this coffee shop is a place my children thoroughly enjoy. Parent: try smooth espresso drinks like the not-too-sweet Honey Latte.
- The Hidden Cafe near Strawberry Creek Park: A coffee shop next to the park is a parent’s best friend. The cafe often has bubbles to entertain little ones while you sip on your delicious cuppa. Read more >
- Timeless on Piedmont: It’s all vegan—if you’re into that sorta thing—and even if you’re not, just go. The pastries are beautiful AND delicious. Walk through the Piedmont Cemetery after— it’s not creepy, I promise.
Some other favorites – for no other reason than they just make good coffee: Rasa Caffe (try the rose latte) and Alchemy in South Berkeley. Or Equator Coffees near Lake Merritt (highly suggest the caramel latte).
Tell me, where are your favorites and why? I know I’ve missed many, there’s practically a new one popping up every day. Not that I’m complaining or anything. We’ve heard from some of you and your favorites include: Zocalo in San Leandro (woman-owned!), Hive in Dimond, Mo’ Joe Cafe on Sacramento Avenue, Rawr Coffee off Broadway (next to Cat Town cat cafe), and Hasta Muerte on Fruitvale Avenue.
Reader (@Arvi1000) shared this map in 2019, but as some coffee houses have closed since it was created. This list was created by Anna Azimi and Maureen Burke; it was updated December 2021.
20 thoughts on “Where to Grab (Hip) Coffee with Kids in the East Bay”
Gaylord’s Espresso on Piedmont Avenue. I’ve taken my son here since he was a baby. They make the best ever hot chocolate, according to him. Sometimes their Pac-Man machine is operational …
why do you guys never recognize east bay as east bay ? is east bay only Oakland and Berkeley area? it’s such a huge bummer , east bay is huge ya know
Hi Patti,
We focus on the {510} of the East Bay and our core team lives in Berkeley and Oakland with other contributors spread around more broadly. Would you like to add some other favorites to our list?
Excellent post! So many I haven’t tried. I would add the Blue Bottle on Broadway, Bicycle at Jaco London and Coffee Conscious on Gilman (which also has delicious vegan doughnuts!)
Why is Cat Town Cafe (in Oakland) not on this list?
We’ll have to check them out. Thanks Jessy and Caitlin.
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I”d add Actual Cafe on San Pablo — amazing donuts, no laptops on weekends, and next door to a knitting/fabric store (that has a little bird we like to visit) and a cupcake joint.
I notice last time that Mo Joe Coffee on Sacramento in Berkeley has some toys in a corner and seems like it would be very kid friendly!!
Bica is my favorite. What it lacks in space, it makes up with super nice staff who love kids and Trader Joe’s nearby. Also the BART/bus/garbage truck/taxi/bike/dogs/foot traffic can’t be beat (says my one year old boy). In reality Perch on Grand Ave is more practical with kids and has a big room with toys for them. I also enjoy Boot and Shoe, if you go when they open around 8am there are awesome fresh pastries and a large and quiet patio to enjoy.
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Which cafe is photographed in the first photo with the beautiful live edge bench?
I made a map of these locations: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RtmQGAuJ3l-w6R3Q9FJLa141-0w&usp=sharing
Thanks Arvi1000, I embedded your map in the post. Fancy.
Hive on MacArthur! There is a small play area for kids, delicious food and great coffee!
Mission Heirloom is one of my favorite places for coffee in Berkeley. The coffee is really good, but the courtyard is what makes it amazing. The coffee at Cheeseboard is really good too.
Zocalo in San Leandro – much better than Perch, which has such a limited (kid-unfriendly) menu for food.
I have a 6 month old and found that some of my fav spots that were kid friendly didn’t have changing tables or any good option for dealing with a diaper situation. Any of these spots set up for diaper changes?
Hasta Muerte coffee near the Dimond area of Oakland has a kids play area.