Coffee with Kids

8 of the best child-friendly cafes in Singapore

Thursday, 10 Jan 2013

We’ll have one flat white with kids on the side, please.

Good strong coffee? Check.
A play area to keep the kids busy whilst you drink said coffee? Check.
Too good to be true? Not necessarily.

Here’s our selection of some of the best places to indulge in that much-needed caffeine hit, whilst keeping the kids out of your hair.

Spruce
Tucked away in the greenery at Phoenix Park is Spruce. Part café, part bakery, and part restaurant, Spruce delivers on location – think leafy surrounds and cool breezes – whilst serving up a mean cup of java. The best part is the shady outdoor playground, complete with slides and climbing equipment that will keep active bodies busy.

Spruce, Phoenix Park, 320 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247980, p. 6836 5528. Open Mon-Fri 1030am-1030pm & Sat-Sun 830am-1030pm.

Kith
Kith already scores bonus points for opening early, but add its picture perfect location along the banks of Robertson Quay and you have yourself a cool café complete with a box of toys for the little ones to play. Do remember to bring the scooters as well as there is ample outside space for mini racers.

Kith, #01-28 Watermark at Robertson Quay, 7 Rodyk Street, Singapore 238215, p. 6341 9407. Open Mon-Sun 7am-7pm.

The Pantry Cookery School
Long time favourite amongst the Tanglin contingent is The Pantry at Loewen Gardens. Kids can enjoy jumping on the trampoline, climbing on the swing set, or riding around on the ride-on bobby cars, whilst you kick back with a coffee and a sweet treat. You’ll want to pack the mozzie spray too to keep those nasty little biters at bay.

The Pantry at Loewen Gardens, 75 Loewen Road, Singapore 248844, p. 6474 0441. Open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm & Sat 9am-4pm.

Food for Thought
An outdoor playground that’s big enough for the kids to run around but not so big that you end up chasing after them incessantly, oh yes it does exist – at Food for Thought. Pull up a table outside (under the fans no less) and enjoy an iced latte whilst the kids play on the playground or ride their scooters in the courtyard. Psst they even have free wifi!

Food for Thought, #B1-00 Singapore Botanic Gardens, Tanglin Gate, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569, p. 6338 4848. Open Mon-Sun 8am-9pm.

Toby’s Estate
Another favourite on the Robertson Quay stretch is Toby’s Estate, where parents can enjoy a seriously good cup of coffee (read: nice and strong), and little ones are free to play with the toys provided or ride their bikes outside along the river. The large indoor space also allows for plenty of pram parking space for those with babies.

Toby’s Estate, #01-03/04, 8 Rodyk Street, Singapore 238216, p. 6636 7629. Open Mon-Sun 730am-6pm.

Rochester House
It might not be the best cup of coffee in town, but the small outdoor playground (with trampoline) and the indoor supervised play area mean Rochester House is worth a visit. Send the kids off to play for an hour so you can enjoy your coffee in relative peace.

The Rochester Park Playhouse, 7 Rochester Park, Singapore 139218, p. 6776 6683. Open Mon-Thu 10am-7pm & Fri-Sun & P.H. Eve 9am-930pm.

Prive
Eye off all those million dollar yachts (we can certainly dream), chow down on a freshly baked cake and savour your cup of coffee as the kids play on the small outdoor play area. The location is one of the best on the island, and is the ideal spot for the kids to watch the boats in the marina.

Prive, 2 Keppel Bay Vista, Singapore 098382, p. 6776 0777. Open Mon-Sun 9am-12midnight.

Riders Café
Hidden away in the lush greenery of Bukit Timah is Riders Café. Perfect for a late breakfast with the kids, parents can order a cup of coffee (or two), whilst the kids keep busy looking at the horses in the Saddle Club ($10 rides on Sundays too!). Older children can play on the outdoor playground located at the side of the café.

Riders Café, 51 Fairways Drive, Singapore 286965, p. 6466 9819. Open Sun-Thu 8am-9pm & Fri-Sat 8am-10pm.