Baby-Friendly Cafes + Coffee Shops in SW Ohio

Finding a place to grab coffee or a bite to eat with your kiddo in tow is surprisingly easy throughout southwest Ohio, a geographical area that’s extremely family-friendly. 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!

Graeter’s Lil Pints Indoor Playground

8533 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati

Sip on a coffee (or savor a scoop of coffee-flavored ice cream) and let your baby explore the Lil Pints indoor playground, located inside Graeter’s ice cream shop. The indoor playground features multiple ice-cream-themed slides, a banana-split-inspired teeter-totter, plenty of room to play and a fun, ice-cream-truck photo opp.

Graeter's Lil' Pints Playroom

IKEA

9500 IKEA Way, West Chester
ikea.com

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.

LilyPad

2008 Madison Rd., Cincinnati
574 Buttermilk Pike, Crescent Springs, KY
lilypadplay.com

This indoor play space is geared toward kids 6 and younger. Children can play in an open area that includes an art studio, sensory activities, games, a small climbing structure and a climbing wall. Pre-walkers have their own space with floor activities and toys. Parents can relax while their kids play with a coffee, tea or treat from the snack bar.

LilyPad Play Cincinnati

Purrfect Day Cafe

25 West 8th Street, Covington, KY
purrfectdaycafecovington.com

All ages are welcome at the Purrfect Day Cafe, where you can visit with adoptable kitties at this cat cafe. Play, cuddle and sip on a beverage, then step outside of the cat sanctuary and enjoy one of the cafe’s cat-themed treats. This is a great place to relax with a kiddo who loves cats!

Sidewinder

4181 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati
sidewindercoffee.com

Parents can relax in Sidewinder’s cozy cafe or courtyard, peruse rotating art exhibits, take advantage of the free wi-fi, or order a drink to-go while walking with baby to browse the unique shops in the Northside neighborhood. The menu also includes kid-friendly drinks, like hot apple cider, hot chocolate and steamed milk.

Terrace Cafe at Cincinnati Art Museum

953 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati
cincinnatiartmuseum.org

The food at the cafe inside the CAM is way better than it needs to be! This is a great place to relax and get coffee, or a bite in between visiting museum exhibits. You’ll find a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches inspired by works in the museum’s collection, plus a kids’ menu. Enjoy views of the museum’s Alice Bimel Courtyard and seating on the outdoor terrace during warm weather.

Nicole Sipe
Nicole Sipe
Nicole Sipe is the editor of Indy's Child and Southwest Ohio Parent magazines. She has a BA in Journalism from California State University Northridge, and has been involved in the print and digital publishing world for most of her life. Born and raised in Southern California, Nicole traded the city and sun for corn and creeks, and now lives in central Indiana with her husband, two sons and Collie. Her latest book for children, “All About Me! Art Journal” was published in 2022 by Walter Foster Jr. In her spare time, she likes traveling with her family, enjoying good food and drink, volunteering at her children’s schools and around her community, and practicing yoga.

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