Sweetie Pie

19 Greenwich Ave

West Village

212-337-3333
Both Diego and I knew Sweetie Pie was marvelous the minute we entered. It is the perfect place for kids or adults, or both together! The minute you walk into the Old Hollywood joint you feel like you are in a magic bubble. Grab a Cappuccino or not! Order a mocktail or a milkshake and imagine each of the eighteen desserts you have to choose from. Okay, so yes, this place can be categorized as a restaurant but it’s so fabulous we had to add it to our list. Coffee is good but the selection is limited. 



Café Grumpy

193 Meserole Ave

Greenpoint
Café Grumpy in Greenpoint is one of the best coffee shops in New York City for parents because you can do so much with your kids in this massive space.  Bring a book, a board game or lay down on the comfy couch and chat with your little one about the groovy art in the gallery like room.  Grumpy’s also has exceptional coffee and espresso and a huge roaster in the back that might intrigue kids.  For those of you who don’t like to leave Manhattan you can head to the Chelsea store but expect crowds and know that you are going here for coffee, not for fluffy-like Starbucks drinks.   

The City Kid at 71 Irving Place Coffee & Tea 


71 Irving Place 

Gramercy Park


212-995-5252
If you are in the Union Square area surrounded by the three Starbucks between Park & Broadway and you want something a little more authentic then hop on down to 71 Irving Place Coffee & Tea. Enter this café in a living room and show your child how to pretend to warm up next to the non-working fireplace. You can easily escape any city chaos by sliding in here for an outstanding cinnamon waffle. The coffee is pricey but very much worth it (some of the best in town).

The Hippy Child at Flying Saucer Café


494 Atlantic Avenue 

Boerum Hill


718-624-0139
Go here with or without your kid to this Haight-Ashbury like haven, grab a bagel and their Hazelnut Mocha then on your way home travel along Atlantic to browse at the unique businesses in the area. If you need a pit stop for your kid to break loose or you want to check out cool products for parents, head to Gumbo, Acorn Toy Store or drop in to NY City Explorers and see why parents voted it Best Indoor Playspace in Brooklyn.

The Hipster Kid at New York Muffins 


198 Bedford Avenue 

Williamsburg

718-599-0202
Grab a seat at New York Muffins and pick up an unforgettable Vanilla Chai and a scrumptious cupcake or croissant (so many to choose from). If you want to match the high energy of your child you can also energize with the Morning Energizer of beets, pineapple, apple, carrots and ginseng! If you are not a Brooklynite then explore Williamsburg and don’t fret about traveling on foot with a baby or toddler because you can travel short distances and find so many fabulous places to warm up in. Take your chai and visit any one of these and we promise that your kid will find something to do: Mini-Jake’s kids furniture store, and quaint Sweet William. For a longer day hit craft joint the Painted Cloud where you can make something cool to take home.

By Rebeca Ramirez-Haskell, author of thecoffeebeaners.com, a blog where Rebeca (mom) and Diego Max (son) check out New York based independent coffee shops. Rebeca rates the coffee and 4 year-old Diego rates the cookies and pastries.