20+ Most Kid-Friendly Coffee Shops in Raleigh & the Triangle

Coffee shops are LIFE. They have been for years. Not only are they a go-to for us on weeekends, but my husband and I have been working online/remotely since 2011, so needless to say, a LOT of coffee has been purchased.

Our love of coffee shops hasn’t waned since having kids. In fact, having kiddos has caused us to double down; we need that caffeine EVEN MORE!

Luckily, the Triangle area is BURSTING with coffee shops, and tons of them are extremely kid-friendly! Here’s our list of the ones we’ve found to be the MOST kid-friendly. These offer kids play spaces, have a welcoming vibe, and sometimes offer special kids beverages.

While I would consider the vast majority of local coffee shops generally kid-friendly, the ones included here all have that extra touch that makes them our favorite places to go (and to recommend to you!)

Parallax Coffee Lab

📍18 E 3rd St, Wendell, NC 27591 | Website

We finally visited this spot recently. I had seen so many photos on social media and knew I had to check out the vibe. This spot is adorable—a great community feeling. And they have a small table of toys for little kids to play at. So perfect. Yummy drinks, and I’m pretty sure I saw a Kids Steamer on the menu.

Omie’s Coffee

📍2300 N Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27704 | Website

This woman-owned Durham coffee shop is a great little space. It’s not huge, but they’ve made room for a small kids play section with books. Sometimes, that’s all you need! Great coffee, as well.

Daughters Coffee & Books

📍5410 NC-55 AF, Durham, NC 27713 | Website

This new shop opened summer 2025 in Durham and quickly became one of our favorites. As far as a kids play area, Daughters wins the prize, with the perfect corner filled with books and toys.

Their menu has inventive drinks (including some kids options) and they offer pastries as well. Definitely one to check out ASAP.

Groovy Duck Bakery

📍3434 Edwards Mill Rd #110, Raleigh, NC 27612 | Website

This place is so cute and colorful, it just screams kid-friendly. Kids will love the wall of rubber ducks. They only cost a few dollars to purchase, so you can bring home a new friend!

Groovy Duck also offers yummy cookies, excellent drinks, and more. While it isn’t a large space, you can grab your coffee to go and head to a nearby playground! Laurel Hills Park is just a few minutes away.

Mocha Room

📍2145 Ten-Ten Rd, Apex, NC 27539 | Website

There’s quite a lot on the menu at The Mocha Room, including smoothies, waffles, and a whole menu just for kids!

Once you’ve ordered, you can sit on their comfy couches while the kids enjoy some available toys and books.

Fable Books & Cafe

📍219 Raleigh St, Holly Springs, NC 27540 | Website

Fable Books & Cafe is a much-awaited addition to Holly Springs. It just opened (August 2025) and is already thriving in popularity! In addition to books and events, they’ve got a cafe with a few treats. But for kids, the MAGICAL kids nook is where it’s at. Kiddos are going to go crazy for this cozy, adorable spot, filled with whimsy and fun.

Family Grounds Coffee Co.

📍133 Wicker St, Sanford, NC 27330 | Website

We’ve only gotten to visit this spot once as it’s technically outside of the Triangle area, but if you’re doing a day trip to Sanford, don’t miss it! It’s all in the name: this shop is extremely family friendly, with kids drinks and a dedicated play area.

Cafe Soul Cups

📍643 Mills Park Dr, Cary, NC 27519 | Website

Cafe Soul Cups is a Korean dessert cafe you will love. The mochi donuts are fantastic, and I’ve had great lattes here as well. Lots to explore on the menu, and a quaint space to relax. Last time I was there, they had a few small toys next to the couch area, and in general, this space just feels welcoming to children!

Bumble Brews

📍2464 SW Cary Pkwy, Cary, NC 27513
📍1028 Oberlin Rd #242, Raleigh, NC 27605 | Website

You can’t have a list of local kid-friendly coffee shops without including Bumble Brews. This is the ideal combination of both good coffee drinks and an entire space dedicated to playtime for littles.

Now, while there are other indoor playgrounds that do offer coffee, I haven’t found many that offer the high quality of coffee and the range of options like Bumble Brews. Maybe I’m a coffee snob, but I really need my coffee shop to have an espresso machine 😀 Bumble Brews fits the bill!

There’s a location in Cary and one in Raleigh. Always a favorite for us. You can read more about these spots in depth here: Bumble Brews Cary | Bumble Brews Raleigh

The Sipping Squirrel Play Cafe & Protein Bar

📍149 Logan Ct H, Angier, NC 27501 | Website

The Sipping Squirrel is another play cafe I would recommend for the discerning coffee enthusiast. I’ve only been here once, as it is located a bit far from us in Angier, but it’s a wonderful spot on the edge of Fuquay-Varina. It’s a perfect spot for toddlers and crawlers, as it is small and contained.

They are always advertising really unique drink flavors on their Instagram, plus they offer protein shakes, too.

Meeples Brew

📍9545 Chapel Hill Rd, Morrisville, NC 27560
📍821 Bass Pro Ln, Cary, NC 27513 | Website

Meeple’s Brew is a board game cafe with two locations: one in Cary and one in Morrisville. Here, you can choose from hundreds of board games and play the day away while you enjoy snacks and drinks.

This is an ideal spot to go with somewhat older kids (those who are old enough to play board games). The big menu is a great addition, too.

Beow’s Books & Brews

📍8111 Creedmoor Rd Suite 153, Raleigh, NC 27613 | Website

Part pub, part coffee shop, and part Tolkien-inspired bookstore and gathering space, Beow’s is one of our favorite spots in the area. My husband enjoys events here like book club, and I enjoy the delicious breakfast sandwiches and small kids book/play area.

An added bonus: The Lord of the Rings-inspired menu.

Milo’s Cafe

📍10119 Chapel Hill Rd, Morrisville, NC 27560 | Website

I love Milo’s as a place to work and grab lunch. Family-owned, it definitely has a welcoming family vibe as well. We’ve taken our son a few times and he enjoyed sitting on the couch and saying hi to the giant stuffed teddy bears. The drinks here are really good, and the European-inspired menu is also excellent.

Lucky Tree @ Moore Square

📍  225 E Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27601 | Website

The Lucky Tree has a great OG location on Hillsborough Street, but have now expanded to a location at Moore Square in the heart of downtown Raleigh. This makes it an ideal spot to visit with kiddos!

Just steps away from the big green in the square, plus the splash pad during the summer months, you can enjoy all the best of Lucky Tree while the kiddos play.

They serve farm-to-table food, coffee, tea, and local beer, along with ice cream, smoothies, and grab-and-go pastries for breakfast or lunch. Lots for both children and adults.

Jubala

📍450 Honeycutt Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615 (Lafayette Village)
📍 200 Park at N Hills St Suite 140, Raleigh, NC 27609 (North Hills) | Website

A coffee shop set near to a large outdoor space is almost always a win for parents and kids. Jubala has two locations that boast this amenity: one on Lafayette Village and the other in North Hills. (I have not been to their 3rd location).

Terrific coffee and adjacent outdoor spaces perfect for playdates: what more do you need?

Carriage House Coffee @ Fenton

📍23 Fenton Main St, Cary, NC 27511 | Website

The Fenton shopping center is a great choice for a play date with its large, welcoming green space. In the winter, this transforms into a gorgeous ice skating rink. In every season, Carriage House Coffee, the mobile coffee cart, is there to fuel parents! I’ve had nothing but yummy drinks here, both hot and cold, and I never pass it up when visiting Fenton.

Sola Coffee

📍7705 Lead Mine Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615 | Website

Sola is a family-owned, community-focused cafe. They do a lot for the Raleigh area, including supporting local charities. This is another coffee shop that just has a warm and welcoming vibe. That alone makes it feel kid-friendly!

But the hidden gem aspect is that it is located in the

Fount Coffee

📍 10954 Chapel Hill Rd. Morrisville, NC 27560 | Website

Fount Coffee is a beloved coffee shop in Morrisville, that is always packed full of guests. The staff is incredibly friendly here, and often have some of their own kids here with them. The space is great for working remotely, but also a nice spot for gathering with friends and little ones.

Note: There’s not space here for kids to run around, but plenty of high chairs for babies and toddlers. Also, fabulous food and drink.

More Recs from Local Parents

Got a favorite spot we should add to this list? DM us on Instagram!