Finding a place to grab coffee or a bite to eat with your baby in tow is surprisingly easy in Indy, an extremely family-friendly city. There are many establishments around town that not only offer a relaxing atmosphere and delicious food and drink, but also understand the needs of parents and their babies. Whether you’re looking for a cozy spot to catch up with your parent friends, or just looking for a change of scenery for you and your little one, these family-friendly places fit the bill!
Best Friends Coffee and Bagels
1060 E. Main St., Brownsburg
Serving an eclectic menu of tasty and fun breakfast and lunch offerings, Best Friends Coffee and Bagels specializes in Bagel Flights: four bagel halves that you can customize from a list of fun bagel flavors and topping combos. For the ultimate sugar rush, try some of Best Friends’ more extreme and kid-approved creations, like a bagel with strawberry cream cheese topped with Oreo cookies. Hang out for a while in the nook that has couches, tables and a bookshelf of games and books.
The Busy Bee Play Cafe
5635 W. 96th St., Indianapolis
This indoor play space has a dual-focus: one for adults and one for kids. The Busy Bee Play Cafe has an indoor play structure for young tots, play houses, and even a mini road for little ones to drive on. Adults will find comfy couches, work tables, gourmet coffee and snacks, so you can sit and relax while your children play.
Eiteljorg Museum Café & Farmers Market Cafe at Indiana State Museum
500 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
The food at these two museum cafes, which are located next door to each other in White River State Park, is way better than it needs to be! And they are great places to relax and get a bite in between visiting museum exhibits. You’ll find lots of fresh food options for parents, like soups and sandwiches, and kid favorites, including pb&js. Dine indoors or sit on the patio, which overlooks the canal and the park.
IKEA
11400 IKEA Way, Fishers
Strap your baby into a carrier, grab a beverage from the cafe, and get your steps in while you both ogle at all of the lovely Swedish homegoods. Or, if you want an hour to shop by yourself, drop off your tot at IKEA’s Småland Play Area, a free, supervised play facility inside the store with play equipment, a quiet area where kids can rest, space to enjoy a G-Rated film, and more.
Rose + Lois
7249 E. 146th St., Carmel
Rose & Lois is a dream for coffee enthusiasts with littles. It features indoor and outdoor seating, a very entertaining children’s play area and a drive-thru window. Their mission is to “Inspire, uplift and bring delight to humanity through the vehicle of exceptionally crafted beverages served with promptness in a clean and beautiful setting.”
Java House at Carmel Clay Library
425 E Main St., Carmel
Visit for baby storytime, then sit down with a latte at Java House, which is located on the ground floor of the Carmel Clay Library. You’ll also find goodies for kids at this library coffee shop, including applesauce squeezers, milk and baked goods.
Nine Lives Cat Cafe
1315 Shelby St., Indianapolis
If you want to enjoy your coffee along with some kitty cuddles, Nine Lives Cat Cafe is your place. Located in the heart of Fountain Square, Nine Lives serves up a menu that includes coffee drinks and locally sourced sweet treats. But what really makes this place magical is that, for a small fee, you can enter the kitty quarters and sit with and pet some furry creatures.
Our Place Coffee
65 S. 1st St., Zionsville
Our Place Coffee’s tagline boasts that it is the place for family, and it’s true. Along with offering kid-sized beverages and non-coffee options like hot cocoa and steamed milk, they also support the special needs community. A good portion of the staff at Our Place Coffee has a disability or special needs — the owners want to create an environment where everyone can build job skills and get experience in the workplace.
Schoolhouse 7 Cafe
12125 Cyntheanne Rd., Fishers
Formerly a one-room schoolhouse, Schoolhouse 7 Cafe in Fishers is a welcoming place for families. Along with coffee and hot chocolate, Schoolhouse 7 offers delicious family recipes, like Sally Jo’s sausage souffle and Grandma Jean’s chocolate cake, as well as kid-friendly goodies like cake pops, cupcakes, muffins and more. Venture upstairs and you’ll find a play area with toys and books for kids, which also serves as the meeting place for storytime events that the cafe puts on.
