Sooo what’s better than coffee?… A child free coffee of course!!!… But let’s be honest… these are rare so the next best thing is a cafe with a designated play area! Keep reading to see my favourites in Dubai.
Play cafes in Dubai
Here is my list of our favourite cafes with play areas/facilities for little ones! Note; these are not soft play centers! *yay! Entry and access to facilities are free as paying customers for the below cafes/restaurants!
Enjoy!
Phileas Fogg
Location: Montgomerie Golf Club, Emirates Hills
Parking: Free parking.
Menu: Breakfast, lunch and dinner… And a dedicated kids menu… AND KIDS EAT FREE!! Perfect for all day dining… They have a pork/alcohol license and serve a mean roast dinner too! Free wifi, indoor & outdoor seating available.
Play area: Air conditioned gated play area best suited for 7/8 years old and below. Clean, new and lots of space. It’s basically an outdoor park play area that’s inside the AC’d tent area. Inside they also have the private booths which are great to pen in activity little ones, we take games and colouring etc to keep them entertained. In the winter time/cooler months the tent is removed and this area is outside.
Sanderson‘s
Location: The Sustainable City
Parking: Free parking.
Menu: Breakfast, lunch and dinner… And a dedicated kids menu. Perfect for all day dining, coffee catch ups and a flexible work space with their free wifi! The cutest decor and both Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
Play area: Indoor dedicated partially gated play pen best suited for younger ones age 4 and below. Clean, new and lots of role play toys. Outdoor seating overlooks the square with lots of space to run around. Kids menu doubles up as a colouring sheet and they provide the crayons! They also give you veggies after if you want to go and feed the goats/donkeys at the down at the sustainable city farm which is free to go to! We love sustainable city, it feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of Dubai life!
Caya -UPDATE, THIS PLAY AREA IS NOW CLOSED 🙁
Location: Town Square Park
Parking: 3 hours free under the apartments/carrefour.
Menu: Breakfast, lunch & dinner… kids menu and amazing coffee… perfect for all day dining, coffee catch ups and a flexible work space with their free wifi!
Play area: Indoor dedicated gated play pen best suited for younger ones age 4 and below. Clean, new and lots of role play toys. Outdoor seating overlooks the green and also the big park. Perfect for older ones that you just need to keep an eye on so you can enjoy a coffee and watch them. Or if you need to supervise them Caya do take out coffee too!
The Pangolin
Location: Els Club Extension
Parking: Free parking.
Menu: All day dining and coffee. Kids menu available. Everything is made on site, even their cheese!
Play area: Dedicated gated play pen best suited for younger ones age 4 and below. Clean, new and lots of role play toys. The ground floor terrace also looks out onto the pool area and park. These can be accessed with a day pass but Pangolin have plans to open their own outdoor play area soon. We can’t wait! P.S – Their baby changing area is also stocked with Pure Born nappies and wipes making nappy changes that little bit easier!
The Scene
Location: Pier 7, Dubai Marina
Parking: 3 hours free at Marina Mall with elevator and indoor bridge access to Pier 7.
Menu: Think British pub vibes! Kids eat free all day, everyday! Kids menu includes favourites like pasta, bangers and mash and fish fingers and chips. For the grown ups at the weekends they serve a lovely roast dinner and also unlimited coffee for two hours with Breakfast bookings. Advised to book as especially at weekend as seating near the kids area is often popular.
Play area: Dedicated gated play pen best suited for younger ones age 4 and below. Clean, new and lots of role play toys and chalkboards! AND paw patrol playing on a big screen… winner! (we went in July 2020)
StepUp Ceramic Cafe
Location: Apex Building, Motor City.
Parking: Free Parking at the back of the Apex Building.
Menu: Tea, coffee, kids drinks, snacks, light meals and the fluffiest jacket potatoes! Not to mention their ice cream, cookies and popcorn!
Play area: This is more an activity cafe as opposed to a play area. Children can paint their chosen ceramic models, canvas or go into the splatter room. Best suited for age 2+ although Ellis happily sat in a highchair and played whilst Mason painted. AND I got to do their matching handprints on coasters!! If you fancy going you can use code TCM10 for 10% off! (Once painted the staff take the ceramic creations away to be baked and glazed in a special oven, they’re usually ready within a week and they text you to let you know!)
Cafe Confetti
Location: JLT Cluster U
Parking: RTA parking
Menu: Fresh leaf teas and gorgeous coffee along with light snacks, lunches and breakfast. Not forgetting their ice cream!
Play area: Dedicated open plan space play structure, take socks and be sure to check availability before you go as they’re sometimes booked for parties! Perfect for age 5 and below. During the cooler months the small outdoor seating area also has a mud kitchen and water table.
Pots, Pans & Boards – SEP 2020 UPDATE, THIS RESTAURANT IS NOW CLOSED 🙁
Location: JBR Walk
Parking: limited time free with a validated parking stamp
Menu: Breakfast, lunch, dinner… light snacks, delicious pancakes and everything in between. It’s often on the entertainer too!
Play area: A gated kids area with low level toys and colouring etc. There are also tables inside the gated area so you can sit in there whilst your little ones play. Again I would say this is suited for ages 4 and below. If you visit during winter months there’s also the beach park opposite and it’s in view from the outdoor seating area, perfect for older ones who can be trusted to play on their own but still need to be in view.
Tom & Serg – NOV 2020 UPDATE, THIS PLAY AREA IS NOW CLOSED 🙁 the venue is still open serving food and drink.
Location: Sheikh Zayed Road
Parking: RTA parking
Menu: Hot drinks, shakes, juices and healthy and alternative foods even for the kids!
Play area: It’s on the first floor of the cafe and there isn’t a lift… but don’t worry the staff are always happy to help with strollers etc. A gated play area with low level toys tables etc. Brilliant for under 4’s! *Be mindful as the stairs are not gated so if you have a little runner who is fearless of heights you may need to keep an eye out!
Brambles
Location: Citadines Metro Central Hotel, Barsha Heights.
Parking: Free hotel parking and valet!
Menu: Where to start?! Delicious food, allergen friendly with vegan, dairy free and gluten free options. Lots of choice including their guilt free brownies which taste soooo good!
Play area: A small area with a table for colouring etc, books and toys. I would say it’s suitable for ages 3 and below as it’s quite small.
Bakers Kitchen
Location: Dusit Hotel Marina
Parking: Free underground parking
Menu: Hot drinks, shakes, juices and healthy and alternative foods even for the kids! Oh and let’s not forget their endless variety of freshly baked sour dough bread and delicious cakes! They even do little baking classes here for kids!
Play area: A dedicated room with a small soft play, a play house and lots of toys and books! The food and drink is fab too! Brilliant for kids 4 and under, maybe even age 5 depending on how easily entertained they are!
Jones The Grocer – Nov 2020 update. The restaurant is open but the play area is temporarily closed due to Covid.
Location: Dubai Mall, near the Apple store and fountains
Parking: Free mall parking
Menu: Restaurant meals along with snacks, sweet treats, coffee, juices and mocktails. Breakfast, lunch or dinner it’s perfect. They often have kids eat free deals on with every two paying adults.
Play area: Outside you’ll find a designated play area with a slide, play house, books, toys and bean bags. It’s perfect for the winter months in Dubai! And views of the fountains depending on where you sit! Suitable for ages 4 and below although older ones would enjoy it too!
Organic Foods and Cafe
Location: City Mall (Near Global Village)
Parking: Free mall parking. Although during global village open season be mindful of traffic and peak times.
Menu: Lots of options and a quirky kids menu. They do a breakfast buffet deal too which includes a hot drink and kids go free. You can also buy stuff from the attached organic food shop and eat and pay for it in the cafe!
Play area: Gated with a soft floor. Lots of floor level play including kitchens, work bench, train tracks etc… and a big red slide… it’s a little steep but great fun. Best suited for ages 4 and below.
Mondoux DXB
Location: Dubai Harbour Creek
Parking: Free underground. Follow Marina parking and head to bays in the 61 area. There’s a lift there that takes you to level P and Mondoux is just as you exit to outdoors. (The cafe is in indoors)
Menu: All day casual dining. Coffees, shakes, breakfast, lunch/dinner and dedicated kids menu. The cucumber lemonade is a favourite of mine!
Play area: Dedicated indoors kids corner. It’s ungated so if you have a little runner be mindful, although there’s lots in there to keep them busy and occupied. *Added bonus for the cooler months… the Dubai Harbour Creek play structures and photo walls are just to the left as you step out of the cafe.
Tania’s Tea House
Location: Jumeira Road
Parking: Free and Valet
Menu: From scrummy breakfasts to delicious lunches. Not forgetting their extensive tea and coffee menu! You’ll be spoilt for choice!
Play area: No dedicated play area as such… But this is one for older ones, I would say from 5 and above. The decor is amazing, it has an Instagram Polaroid wall, board games and books. And it’s PINK! It’s been voted the 7th most Instagramable cafe in the world so definitely one to check out!
Disclaimer
Just a quick note to say that the above is based on our own personal experiences, I’m in no way affiliated with any of the above cafes/restaurants. I will try to keep this post updated but be sure to check with venues as facilities may have changed since I’ve uploaded this article. If there are any other play cafes that I’ve missed out please let me know! Lime tree cafe on SZR is on my list to visit! Watch this space.
Whenever I visit new places that I like I always share them on my Instagram page… follow me here! @thecareymum
Thanks for reading and I hope you get to enjoy a hot drink whilst your little ones are kept busy!
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