For a coffee-picky Australian (like, say, my husband), finding a great latte is like discovering a sparkly unicorn living in your neighbourhood. Our favourite cafe to stop by every Sat (and Sun!) morning for coffee is Cafe Pedlar, an artisanal coffee shop in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. Their coffee beans are roasted by Stumptown Coffee Roasters in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and their baristas are all well-trained in the delicate art of making lattes and more. In addition to freshly baked pastries, they also serve some light lunch items such as sandwiches and cut fruit.
Roomy, hipster interior.
As well as making killer coffees, Cafe Pedlar is nice and roomy, with some tables and chairs if you want to sit down. Bonus – they have enough room for you to park your stroller at the tables. Take your coffee and enjoy it on one of the benches outside the cafe, or grab a pastry (on good days they have little pretzel bread rolls) and a window seat for a sweet morning ritual.
Entertaining the kid while waiting for coffee.
Highchairs: No. Stroller storage: Yes. There’s lot of room for strollers of all sizes. Easy access: Yes. Change tables: No. Kids’ menu: No.
Cafe Pedlar
210 Court St
Brooklyn, NY
Phone: (718) 855 7129
Hours: Mon-Sun 7am-7pm
Betty Bakery is the place to stop in Boerum Hill when your sweet tooth is getting the better of you. The bakery was opened in 2006, by renowned cake designers Cheryl Kleinman and Ellen Baumwoll. A touch retro, a touch modern, it’s the go-to place n the neighbourhood for cupcakes, custom cakes, cookies and hot chocolate.
Betty Bakery, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.Kids hoping for snacks. Betty Bakery, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.
What to try: In summer, you absolutely have to have their strawberry lemonade. They also do a strawberry lemonade cupcake that will delight your tastebuds. In winter, get a hot chocolate and mini palmier to go – or perch on a stool in the bakery and take cover from the nasty elements outside.
Mini palmiers. Betty’s Bakery, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.
Betty’s loves to celebrate special occasions and seasons, so it’s the perfect place to drop in and pick up last-minute Easter and passover treats.
Highchairs: No. Stroller storage: No. There is space for a few strollers in the store however – we’ve fit three at once and still had room for other customers. Easy access: No. There is only one step, but it’s a narrow door frame and tricky to manoeuvre the stroller in. Change tables: No. Kids’ menu: No.
Betty Bakery
448 Atlantic Ave,
Brooklyn, NY
Phone: (718) 246 2402
Prices: $$
Hours: Tues-Thurs 7:30am-7pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Closed Mondays. Get directions.
DUMBO (standing for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), is industrial neighbourhood on the verge of gentrification. Old factories have been gutted and turned into luxury condos, hipsters bars and restaurants like Superfine are popping up everywhere. DUMBO is also a haven for those with a major sweet tooth. Here are four places to hit up for an intense sugar hit.
Whoopie pies and spiky cupcakes, One Girl Cookie, DUMBO.
Best whoopie pie: One Girl Cookies
Lovers of cookies will find it hard to restrict themselves to just a few treats when stopping by One Girl Cookie’s DUMBO store (They also have a cosy cafe in Cobble Hill). What to try: Tiny, exquisite cookies give the store its name, but it’s the spiky cupcakes and whoopie pies that are the big drawcard for us. If you’ve never had a whoopie pie before (for the uninitiated, it’s two mounds of cake – usually either chocolate or pumpkin – with a cream cheese filling), get thee to One Girl Cookie now!
Little piggie. Whoopie pies at One Girl Cookie, DUMBO.
One Girl Cookies
33 Main St (corner of Water)
Brooklyn
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-7pm, Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 9am-7pm
Desserts at Almondine, DUMBO.
Best croissants: Almondine
This beloved pastry-haven was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy last year. It reopened a few weeks ago and has been packed ever since with returning loyal customers, desperate for their favourite crossants. What to try: Almondine are well-known for their croissants, macarons and loaves of bread.
Almondine
85 Water St, Brooklyn
Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-7pm, Sun 10am-6pm
Best candy in town – Dewey’s Candy Store, DUMBO.
Best candy: Dewey’s Candy Store Venture into this store only if you’re ready for the smell of sugar and a desire to eat everything in sight. Dewey’s Candy Store is an adorable retro candy store that will make you feel like you’re in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Just don’t lick the wallpaper. What to try: Get a little clear bag and fill it with bits and pieces of everything. Our particular favourites are the cola bottle sours.
Dewey’s Candy Store
141 Front St, Brooklyn
Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri & Sat 12pm-7pm, Thur 12pm-8pm, Sun 12pm-6pm
Best chocolate hit – Jacques Torres, DUMBO.
Best chocolate hit: Jacques Torres Whenever we need a major chocolate hit, there is no place in the neighbourhood like Jacques Torres for really good chocolate. They currently have a huge range of Easter treats like bunnies, chickens and traditional Easter eggs, as well as their usual supply of delicate chocolate bonbons, pastries and chocolate-covered nuts and pretzels. What to try: We’d say one of everything, but if you can’t handle that much sugar, the must-haves are the hot chocolate (think pure chocolate melted in a cup) and the chocolate-covered almonds.
Jacques Torres
66 Water Street, Brooklyn
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 10am-6pm
What are your favourite places to go for sweet treats in your neighbourhood?
After a gluttonous afternoon we decided to end it with … even more food, of course. Our target – the Dominique Ansel Bakery in SoHo, for pastries that would blow our calorie counts for the next month.
Late afternoon sugar hit.Macaron heaven.White Rose Religieuse.Banana Passionfruit Pavlova.
What was totally surprising was how easy it was to stop by here with a toddler. I’d previously only ordered to go from the front counter, not realising they have a large back garden area, enclosed like a conservatorium. Lots of tables free, lots of space – no one caring if our manic toddler ran around like a nut case. Miss Cheese was in heaven with all the treats coming her way – hot chocolate, croissant, cream puffs. No wonder she was manic … My favourite thing to order here is the DKA (“Dominique’s Kouign Amann”). It doesn’t look like much (it looks kinda like a rock cake), but it’s devine. The best description comes from their website: “Tender, flaky, croissant-like dough with a caramelized crunchy crust”. Yes please.
Get away from me, Dad.
Highchairs: No. Stroller storage: No. The front of the store is a bit tight, but they have a large (enclosed) garden out the back where your giant stroller will fit. Easy access: Yes. Change tables: No. Kids’ menu: No. Baby-friendly rating: ♥♥—
Dominique Ansel Bakery
189 Spring St,
New York
Phone: (212) 219 2773
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-7pm Sun 9am-7pm
On a day with torrential rain and a toddler with cabin fever, we ventured out for hot chocolate and snacks at the nearby Nunu Chocolates.
Dreary day outside.
It’s not exactly the most kid-friendly establishment around, but the owners are lovely and adore kids, so made us feel totally at home. Sure we could leave our giant stroller infront of their register. Sure they could fit us at a table (we then watch as they kick their employees off a long bench to continue whatever they were doing elsewhere). We love you too, Nunu!
Menu.
Nunu Chocolates are sold all over the city, and made right here in their flagship store in Brooklyn. They serve a limited menu of beverages, chocolates and pastries, but what else do you want from a chocolate shop?
Baby loves hot chocolate.
Cheese adored the hot chocolate – it turned her mood from feral toddler to charming kid. She also loved grabbing the teaspoon and feeding herself the hot chocolate. Bring wipes if you’re going to attempt to give your small child freedom with chocolately beverages.
Letting Cheese go to town on my hot chocolate.
We had a wonderful break from the nasty weather at Nunu Chocolate, and felt so welcome that we will most definitely return over and over again. Don’t let our low baby-friendly rating stop you from bringing your small kids. Despite physical limitations, it’s a real find for families in the neighbourhood.
Highchairs: No. Stroller storage: Minimal. Bring a folding stroller or carrier if possible. Easy access: No – several steep stairs. Change tables: No. Kids’ menu: No.
It seems like something as simple as a really good crepe can be hard to find. We’ve been obsessed with the Vive La Crepe chain for a while, and last weekend went to SoHo just for crepes.
Little hole-in-the-wall cafe.
The store is run very efficiently. Order and pay at the counter, and your crepe will be ready within about 10 minutes. They’re super friendly towards the babes, and will bring over your food if they see you have your hands full.
Order at the counter – huge selection of crepes.
What makes them so good? The perfect batter, crisp on the edges, soft and slightly sweet in the middle, and plenty of fresh toppings like mozzarella, tomato and basil (my favourite). Their dessert crepes also rock my world – we can never settle at just one savoury crepe, we always need to go back for more.
Crepes – babies love them.
It turns out that babies have good taste and love crepes too. Cheese went wild for the batter as well as the fillings – gooey cheese in particular. They’re fab for kids cos they can hold pieces in their hands and it doesn’t make too much of a mess.
The only downside is this SoHo location is a bit cramped when you bring a baby. The chain has various locations though, and we’ve also been to Vive La Crepe at Union Square, which had lots more space for strollers as well as lots more tables in general, so you don’t have to stalk other diners to get a seat. Note – none of the locations that we’ve been to have highchairs, so prepare to balance your kid on your lap and eat one-handed – which is actually fine because you can easily do this with the crepes (they come folded in a triangle shape in a little paper cone). Vive la crepe! See you again soon!
Highchairs: No. Stroller storage: No. There is a small space next to the counter where you can fold a stroller, or if it’s pretty empty inside you can park the stroller next to your table. Easy access: Yes. One step to get in. Change tables: No. Kids’ menu: No.
Vive La Crepes
51 Spring St,
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (646) 484 6897
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-12am, Sun 9am-12am
I am powerless to resist a good cupcake. The ladies behind Georgetown Cupcakes certainly know what they’re doing. Their cupcakes are almost perfect and my current favorites. What makes them so good? The combination of fluffy, moist base and buttercream swirl, in the perfect ratio. I also love their inventive flavours, like cookies and cream cheesecake.
Cupcakes!Sugar rush just walking into the store.Small eating area.
It was a pleasant surprise to see that the Georgetown Cupcakes in SoHo is great place for an afternoon tea stop with kids. They have a few tables to sit at so you’ll have to strike it lucky to get a spot. The line for cupcakes moves very quickly thanks to their organisation and efficiency, which is another thing I love. You give your order and pay, then move down to the next counter where someone else has already boxed your order for you. Super fast, in and out – perfect when you’ve got a fussy kiddo.
Highchairs: No. Stroller storage: No. You can wheel your stroller in and park it by your table, or fold it and keep it with you if it’s small. Easy access: Yes. Change tables: No. Kids’ menu: No. Baby-friendly rating: ♥—-
Cupcakes, cupcakes, and more cupcakes. Magnolia is still the go-to place for cupcakes in New York. They’re the perfect mix of fluffy, moist base, with just the right amount of buttercream frosting. Visiting the original, and most famous, location in the West Village however, is a bit tricky when you factor in an infant. The shop is tiny, with nowhere to sit down at all. There is just enough room inside for a giant queue of tourists making the Magnolia stop on their trip.
This doesn’t mean that you should skip the deliciousness however. The best method is to come with a friend if possible, who can wait outside with the baby while you duck in and buy the food. Right across the road is a little square with benches and trees, so you can take your treats there to relax and eat. If your baby is more towards toddler age, head to the park attached to the square so you can let your kid run wild on the play equipment and still enjoy your precious cupcake.
Raspberry ice tea and cupcakes.The cupcakes! They are glorious!Entranced by the toys in the playground while we ate our treats.
Highchairs: No. Stroller storage: No. Easy access: Yes – one step. However, the bakery is always packed to the rafters, so you’ll be lucky to be able to squeeze in there with a stroller. Change tables: No. Kids’ menu: No. Baby-friendly rating: ——
If you’re after a place that’s super-girly AND baby-friendly, you can’t go wrong with Sugar & Plumm. If you have a daughter, you simply must check this place out! She will love it Their tagline is “a spoonful of whimsy on the Upper West Side” and it is spot on.
The place is pretty spacious, and divided into a cafe on one side and a little shop and bakery on the other. The staff are dressed in these pretty purple dresses, and are really sweet and friendly. The place is unbelievably baby-friendly, with loads of high chairs, areas to park your stroller, and even super-cute plastic cups with lids that they serve (complimentary) water in for the kids!! LOVE it.
The whimsical Sugar & PlummPretty shop with super adorable eats and knick knacks
Their desserts are the stars of their menu, and the GRASSHOPPER (mint chocolate chip ice cream, chocolate sauce, peppermint patty) was a winner. It came in a tall frosted glass and was pretty luscious. Very filling, so two can probably share a milkshake!
GRASSHOPPER (mint chocolate chip ice cream, chocolate sauce, peppermint patty)
I opted for the SMORE’S SUNDAE (chocolate ice cream, marshmallow, graham cracker, chocolate sauce) and really gave myself an ice cream overdose! It was 3 or 4 scoops of ice cream in there, and basically one gigantic sugar overload
SMORE’S SUNDAE (chocolate ice cream, marshmallow, graham cracker, chocolate sauce)
This sweet little cafe/restaurant is an indoor wonderland, filled with whimsical flowers, trees and fountains. During a long, dreary winter, it’s a haven to escape the bitter cold and pretend spring has already spring.
The food is good, solid French fare, and the omelettes in particular are amazing. The drawbacks to this otherwise great little place are the cramped interior and slow service. Expect to wait for a table for brunch on weekends, particularly if you have a group of people.
Omelette for everyone.
Highchairs: Yes. Stroller storage: No – bring a carrier or umbrella stoller. Easy access: No – stairs down into the main dining area. Change tables: No. Kids’ menu: No.
Le Petit Cafe
502 Court Street,
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: (718) 596 7060
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Sun 6am–10:30pm Get directions.
Their tagline is “a spoonful of whimsy on the Upper West Side” and it is spot on.
