The Good Earth Cafe

Address
765 Cumberland Street, North Dunedin 

Opening hours
Monday-Friday
7am-4:30pm
Saturday - Sunday 
8am-4:30pm

Website -  http://www.thegoodearthcafe.co.nz

Accessibility 
Paid street parking - be warned, being close to the University it is a very popular area and parking may take some time to find.
Pram friendly venue with inside + outside street and court yard seating options. 

Features  
Highchair not available.
Change table not available.
Cabinet snacks, fresh organic salads and menu food options.
Daily specials, Gluten free, Dairy free and Vegan menu.
No specific kids menu.

Cost

Coffee - Regular $4.5 

Hot Chocolate with mashmallows - $5

Fluffy - $1

Near by activities
Museum 
Botanical Garden

Review

                     

The Good Earth Cafe was a lovely open and airy sun drenched spot to catch up with friends on a Monday morning. Located in the University area, parking was hard to find but there is usually paid parking within walking distance of the cafe.
Pram friendly access with a wide opening door and ramp up to the counter. Having no highchairs available made it a bit tricky with the two kids in tow.

Relaxed atmosphere with scrumptious organic food options, Good Earth caters for ALL dietary requirements with a variety of Dairy free, Vegan and Gluten free options!
Friendly and quick service of their delicious locally roasted Fair Trade coffees made for a easy place to pop in when visiting the North Dunedin area. This cafe is in close vicinity to the Museum and not far from the Botanical Gardens which both have various child friendly activities to keep your little ones entertained.  

Good Earth Cafe boasts that their unique Breakfasts are their favourite part of the business, we are looking forward to coming back and sampling this soon.

  

Dairy free Menu

             

               Vegan Menu

Gluten free menu

Copper

Address
595 Highgate, Maori Hill

Opening hours
Monday-Tuesday
8am-5pm
Wednesday - Sunday 
8am-11:30pm

Accessibility 
Free street parking - be warned, it is a very popular area and parking may take some time to find.
Pram friendly venue with inside and court yard seating options. 

Features  
1x free standing Highchair available.
Toy box provided for entertainment. 
Books and Magazines. 
Change table not available.
Cabinet snacks, Salads and menu food options.
No specific kids menu, however modified menu options can happily be made to order.

Cost

Coffee - Regular $4 Large $4.5

Hot Chocolate - $4.5

Fluffy - $1

Near by activities

Ross Creek

Review

After laps around Ross Creek we were greeted by friendly welcoming staff, doubled with good background tunes and delicious Strictly coffee made our lunch stop at Copper VERY enjoyable.

Easily accessible table area, with outside courtyard option. Toy box provided for those tricky to entertain moments, sometimes its just the simple things that make for a kid friendly cafe ;)

Scrumptious, creatively presented lunch made the whole experience feel very special. 

We highly recommend Copper for a light lunch, coffee catch ups, or even indulge with a beverage after work - this cafe really does cleverly cater for all.

Portobello's on grain with hummus, spinach + balsamic cream.

Cafe St Clair

Address

1 Second Beach Road, St Clair


Opening hours 
Monday - Sunday
8-6pm

Accessibility 
Free street parking.

Pram friendly venue with inside and outside seating options. 
Outside areas have two spaces available, at the front there are tables with views over the esplanade and St Clair beach, the second area at the back has tables placed over split levels overlooking the pool and ocean.

Features  
Highchair - not available
Change table - fold down bench space available in customer toilet but no specific change table with safety strap.
(During summer there is the option to use family change room in pool area).
No specific kids menu, however toasted sandwiches, bagels and paninis can be made to order.

Costs
Coffee - $4 regular $5 large
Hot chocolate - $4.50 regular $5 large
Kids Hot Chocolate - $3.50
Fluffy - $2

Near by activities
St Clair Salt Water Pool
St Clair Play ground
Kettle Park
Seconds Beach
Coastal Walking tracks

Review

With amazing views of the Esplanade & St Clair beach, this cafe was a fantastic way to spend the morning catching up over a coffee in the sunshine.  Situated adjacent to the St Clair Salt water pool (which has just opened up for the summer Oct 2016). 
The kids enjoyed having a fluffy and a bite to eat while sitting in their prams overlooking the pool secretly wishing they could have a splash around in the toddler pool (next time we promise!)
Plenty of sunny and sheltered seating options, easily accessible by pram, with delicious Allpress coffee why not treat yourself to a visit to the cafe and pool on the next hot sunny day. 
We will be heading back to the Salt water pool for a splash and a coffee soon :)

Fluffy time :)

Miss Tilly checking out the waves.

The Whistling Frog Cafe & Bar

Address
9 Rewcastle Road, Chaslands Highway
Caitlins


Opening hours 
Monday- Friday 
10.30-6pm
Saturday & Sunday 
10-7.30pm

Accessibility 
Ample parking
Pram friendly with plenty of inside and outside seating options. Outdoor area has gas heating and a fire.

Features  
1x Free standing highchair
No specific change table with strap but there is a table available in disabled toilets for changing.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Menu 
Kids menu available
Playground equipment 

Costs
Zee Coffee - $5.00 
Hot chocolate - $5.50 
Fluffy- $3.60














Review

Over the long weekend we headed down to the Catlins and walked along the McLean falls track on our way back to Dunedin. Its about a 40 minute return trip from the carpark to the falls. There was a few stairs throughout the walk so avoid taking a pram. Master Benji loved his dad carrying him in the front pack and looking out at the spectacular falls. 

The Whistling Frog Cafe & Bar is located near McLean Falls off the Chaslands highway. We stopped by on our way back from the McLean falls to grab a coffee and refuel Benji. The coffee, hot chocolate and muffin were delicious and well presented.

The fluffy was on the more expensive side than town cafes but it was huge and was more warm milk than fluff. Perfect for littlies just wanting a drink of milk but perhaps not just for the novelty of a fluffy.

Master Benji loved playing in the playground outside and and crawling around before he had to go back into his carseat.

We would definitely reccommend checking out both the McLean Falls and Whistling Frog Cafe & Bar next time you are in the Catlins area :)
http://www.whistlingfrogcafe.com

Master Benji loving the playground

Wal's Plant Land (Topiary Cafe)

Address
109 Bush Road, Mosgiel


Opening hours 
Monday - Sunday
9-5pm

Website - http://topiarycafe.co.nz 

Accessibility 
Ample parking
Pram friendly with inside and outside seating options. 

Features  
4 x Free standing highchairs
No change table
Kids menu available

Costs
Allpress Coffee - $4.00 regular $4.50 large
Hot chocolate - $3.50 regular $4 large
Fluffy - $2














Review

Wal's Plant and Fun Land is located in Mosgiel and there really is plenty on offer. The nursery is your one stop shop for plants, shrubs and trees. 
The kids enjoyed looking at all the different plants as we walked through to the Topiary Cafe http://topiarycafe.co.nz . Accessible via stairs or a ramp there is plenty of seating and room for prams in the cafe. Once again Dunedin graced us with glorious sunshine and we opted to sit outside on the deck over looking the pond and water feature. The kiddies enjoyed their fluffies while we caught up with their new friend little Miss Addison (6 weeks).

There is plenty of lawn area for the kids to crawl or run around, an 18 hole mini golf course and driving range.

Miniature train rides operate in the summer months. Check out www.walsplantland.co.nz for the schedule.

Wal's Plant Land makes for a fantastic family day out. Next time you're stuck for ideas, why not head on out to Mosgiel to check it out.

Our friend Miss Addison came on our coffee date

Tuppence Cafe

Address
146 Larnach Road, Waverley


Opening hours 
Monday - Friday 
7:30-4pm
Saturday + Sunday 
8-4pm

Accessibility 
Free street parking.

Features  
High chair - 2x free standing.
Kids menu - including GF and DF options.
Entertainment - Kids picture books.
No change table available.

Costs
Coffee - $4.20 small $4.70 large
Hot chocolate - $4.20 small $4.70 large
Fluffy $2
Cabinet food and kids menu with various Gluten free and dairy free options. 

Review

This cute pocket sized cafe tucked in the heart of Waverley is in a sunny quiet location away from the hustle and bustle of town. It proved to be a popular lunch time destination with delicious food made with free range, organic and local ingredients. Cabinet and menu food with gluten free and dairy free options for adults and kids. We stopped by after taking the kids for a stroll in their prams, which made for a tight squeeze at the tables during the lunch time rush. The friendly welcoming staff were more than happy to help out and reheat kids meals brought in by us.

Tuppence made for an easy relaxing pitstop during our lunchtime stroll in the sunshine :)

Miss Tilly keeping an eye on her fluffy while munching down her lunch.

Nectar Espresso Bar + Cafe

Address 
286 Princes Street

Opening hours 
Monday - Friday
7-4:30pm
Saturday + Sunday 
8-3pm

Accessibility 
Plenty of paid parking right outside and surrounding streets.
Pram friendly venue with various seating options split over two levels with outside courtyard.

Features 
High chair - booster seat strapped on to chair (limited amount)
Change table - located in the shared disabled toilets which is accessed via stairs.


Costs
Coffee $4.30
Hot chocolate $5.20
Fluffy $1.50
Kids menu - no specific kid friendly menu, however cabinet food and adaptable toasted ciabatta sandwich options ($12) are available.

Review

Easily accessible cafe, relaxed atmosphere, helpful staff, Supreme coffee and delicious hot chocolate with a yummy Whittaker's treat ;) Ample pram access right up to the tables, if you feel like lounging there are couches available just down a few steps. Limited entertainment for the kiddies while dining, however this cafe is perfect to use when catching up with someone in the Exchange area for a quick bite to eat and a reviving hot beverage.

Master Benji loved his fluffy

Where's easy?

Ever wondered where to go for a coffee with a child in tow? 

 How am i ever going to feel normal again? I'm tired, sore, my care factor is well below zero and yet i feel like i should do something to break the monotonous routine... nothing too adventurous, just something nice, something for you.

You are still you and you use to enjoy coffee and meeting mates in cafes. 

"I still can... right?

Where's easy?"

There's that magic word... EASY...  Such a small word that can mean SO much - 
Where has easy parking? Where has room for prams? Where has a highchair? Where has a toilet with a change table? Where has toys/play equipment? Where has kiddie food? come to think of it HEALTHY kiddie food? Where simply won't mind having kids? 

Most importantly though, where has ALL of that AND does GOOD coffee?

Coffee Mum is a cafe guide for those of us heading out with little ones. 

It is made by Mums for Mums, Dads, Grandparents and Babysitters planning on interacting with society, grabbing a bite to eat and a well deserved coffee + fluffy to slurp.

Our aim is to provide as much information about Cafes throughout Otago that we believe are relevant when choosing a venue to refuel. 

We hope that we can be of some help :)

 

A little about us...

Miss Tilly & Master Benji born and bred in Dunedin.

These two wildlings are the reason we started blogging.

Often wanting to get out of the house on little adventures around Dunedin, we would find ourselves refuelling in a cafe, treating ourselves to a coffee, slice and of course a much desired fluffy. 

Some of our cafe choices and experiences were better than others, which lead to us making a list of preferred places to go with our little ones.

We would now like to share this list with you :)