Kid-Friendly Coffee Shops in Charlotte

Parenting calls for early mornings, late nights, and an endless amount of energy. These Charlotte coffee shops offer zip in a cup and perks to keep kids happy.

Grow Cafe

5342 Docia Crossing Road, Highland Creek

As working parents of three, including two daughters under 4, Stacy and Michael Baker struggled to find a place in Charlotte where they could work remotely while their children played. It inspired them to open Grow Cafe, a Highland Creek coffee shop that caters to parents and toddlers. They serve Enderly Coffee and treats from Beyond Amazing Donuts (B.A.D.), plus juice boxes, hot chocolate, and cookies for the kiddos. They also host story times with local children’s authors and expert-led workshops. The Floral Arrangement Latte, inspired by their bouquet workshop, has notes of lavender, blueberry, honey, and mint and pairs marvelously with an open laptop and no interruptions from a rambunctious toddler.

Coco and the Director

100 W Trade St.

With built-in stadium seating, bean bag nests, and a stash of board games, it almost wouldn’t matter if the coffee was lousy. And it’s not. This is the place to go on coffee play dates if you actually want to be able to get a word in with your fellow parent-friend. There are no shortage of snacks and you can feel good about getting caffeinated while your kid sips on one of the offered Green Brothers Smoothies.

Amelie’s 

Uptown, NoDa, Park Road, South Charlotte, and Rock Hill

Each of Amelie’s four locations have the kid-friendly formula – their space is large, loud, full of fun furniture and decor, with eye-catching goodies for kiddos to gobble.  

Wild Roots Coffee

500 E. Morehead St., Ste. 160, South End

The space alone will dazzle the kids. The ’70s-themed coffee shop has a record player, beaded curtains, and lattes served in vintage mugs and bubble glasses. Seasonally, you’ll find speciality drinks like a Barbie-themed latte with strawberry cold foam or a Robin’s Nest Latte, topped with whipped cream, toasted coconut flakes, and chocolate eggs.

Wildroots Coffee owner Jasmine Koch, Photo by Peter Taylor

The Giddy Goat

1217 The Plaza 

This Plaza Midwood gem offers a few things that you can’t find at other coffee shops in town – a vast selection of empanadas and the full coffee-roasting experience in plain sight. With high chairs, large open windows, and ample patio seating, kids will have much to watch while they nibble on chocolate coco bites, blueberry bites, or peanut butter bars.

Backyard Brew

1218 East Blvd., Dilworth

As you approach Backyard Brew’s counter-service window on the covered front porch of a historic house in Dilworth, smiling co-owner and roaster TK (full name: Tariqu Khalil) greets you and, just for fun, hands you a teeny, plastic, yellow “lucky duck.” “We’re not a coffee shop,” he says. “We’re a make-you-happy shop! So don’t worry—order anything, and if you don’t like it, we’ll make you something else.” If you need a bite to eat, try the Jordanian Short Stack, four hyper-fluffy pancakes topped with cardamom, crushed pistachios, and rose-water simple syrup. Inside, the white walls are covered in Sharpie’d names, messages, and drawings. A perfect spot to take the kids.

The Hobbyist

2100 N Davidson St.

Located in Villa Heights, this NoDa hot spot is a true neighborhood coffee and spirits gathering place. General Manager Alice Pilch says their tiniest customers rave about the hot chocolate, bagels, kronuts (croissant dough pastry), banana bread, muffins, and mini doughnuts (served Saturday and Sunday only). Enjoy fresh air and social distancing on the patio and catch live music every Friday starting at 7 p.m. For the grown-ups, The Hobbyist offers an extensive coffee, espresso, tea, wine, and beer list.

Julia’s Café and Books

1133 N. Wendover Rd.

Grab coffee and a bite, and peruse the large selection of used books for sale. All purchases help fund Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region’s mission of building homes, communities, and hope in our area.

3115 Freedom Dr.

For those days when you NEED coffee and the baby is finally asleep and the idea of getting all three kids out of the car just seems like too much, hit the CupLux Coffee Drive-Thru. Treat yourself to an espresso (with two shots), cold brew slushee, breakfast, baked goods, tea, coffee (hot or iced), or a delicious cold brew recently added to the drink line up.

Caribou Coffee (Park Road Shopping Center)

4327 Park Rd.

An afternoon of errands calls for a tall cup of something warm and wonderful. Reward (read: bribe) your littlest helpers with something from Caribou’s kid offerings like frozen cookies & cream, a reindeer drink, hot chocolate (warm or frozen), strawberry banana yogurt smoothie, or silly soda. If your four-legged friend is joining you, treat them to a Caribou Pup Cup with 4 ounces of whipped cream. On the opposite side of the counter is a Brugger’s Bagels, where you can grab a quick breakfast or lunch. Go ahead and make it the best day ever with a visit to the toy store a few doors down.

Mac Tabby Cat Café

NoDa and downtown Concord

The café menu includes espressos, smoothies, coffee, snacks, and sweets, all served with a side of adorable CATS! Make online reservations to hang with the adoptable felines during normal business hours for children over 7. See what to expect on their website.

Enderly Coffee

2620 Tuckaseegee Rd.

Looking for motivation to head out of the house? How about a s’more hot chocolate from Enderly Coffee? The special winter menu features hot chocolate served with a spoon of marshmallow fluff rolled in graham cracker crumbs. While you’re there, fill up on coffee, espresso, tea, smoothies, snacks, and free wifi. Don’t leave without a free lollipop and stickers!

Bitty & Beau’s Coffee

1930 Camden Rd., Ste 236

Amy and Ben Wright opened Bitty & Beau’s Coffee in Wilmington in 2016. The parents of four children (one with autism and two with Down syndrome) staffed the coffee shop with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in hopes of creating a path where they can be seen as valued, accepted, and included. Families are invited to sit and stay awhile and enjoy a hot or cold beverage, frappe, smoothie or snack. Be ready for an impromptu conga line or pop-up dance party.

Not Just Coffee

Multiple locations

Since Miracle and James Yoder opened Not Just Coffee in 2011, this popular coffee shop has expanded to include six stores across the city, including the popular 7th Street spot in uptown. Order ahead with their Odeko app, grab a specialty drink, then head across the street to First Ward Park and let the kids play.