The 5 Best Coffee Shops in East London

You've tried that trendy new café everyone's raving about, only to realize they have exactly one wobbly high chair and staff who wince when your baby makes noise. Been there, done that, never going back.

Finding coffee shops that genuinely welcome families—not just tolerate them—takes serious testing. After months of outings (someone's got to do it), here are the five East London spots that actually get it right. Great coffee, proper facilities, and staff who smile when you walk in with your buggy.

The Top 5 Family-Friendly Coffee Spots

1. Tamping Grounds Coffee - Cann Hall Road

This Leyton gem consistently tops the list for good reason. Exceptional coffee meets genuine family-friendliness. The changing facilities are actually clean (wild concept, we know), there's space for multiple buggies without creating a fire hazard, and the staff genuinely enjoy having little ones around. The brunch menu has proper options for kids—not just beige food thrown together. Pro tip: the avocado toast is worth the hype, and kids' babycinos come with a biscuit that buys you at least five minutes of peace.

Best for: Morning coffee runs (8-11am) | Ages 0-3

2. Wild Goose Bakery - Forest Gate

Famous for sourdough that people travel across London for, but the family-friendly setup deserves equal credit. This outdoor café space was designed with parents in mind—proper changing facilities, relaxed atmosphere, and pastries that justify the trip alone. The cinnamon buns are legendary (get there early on weekends—they sell out). Reasonable prices and easy parking nearby seal the deal.

Best for: Weekend brunch | All ages | Outdoor seating lovers

3. Tun Coffee - Leyton

Don't let the compact size fool you—this specialty coffee spot punches above its weight for family-friendliness. Cozy atmosphere with high chairs ready, changing facilities that actually work, and coffee quality that justifies the price. Perfect for those times when baby's napping in the pram and you just need a proper flat white in peaceful surroundings. Staff are patient and understanding, which matters more than you'd think.

Best for: Quick coffee stops | Sleeping baby outings | Coffee snobs

4. The Leyton Engineer - Daytime Coffee Counter

Primarily a pub, but the daytime coffee service deserves recognition. The game-changer here is the massive outdoor space and dedicated play area. When your toddler needs to burn energy, this is your spot. Garden seating means noise isn't a concern, and weekend brunch here with other parent friends is genuinely relaxing. The coffee's good (not specialty-level, but solid), but you're really here for the space.

Best for: Active toddlers (1-4 years) | Weekend meet-ups | Outdoor space

5. Back to Ours - Bushwood

Hidden gem in the Good Shepherd Building with a secret garden that feels worlds away from the high street. Specialty Assembly Coffee (carbon neutral, B Corp), fresh sourdough, and seasonal vegetarian brunch in a calm, artistic environment. Perfect for those mornings when you need somewhere peaceful to read books with your little one. The garden is properly lovely, and the vibe is relaxed without being chaotic.

Best for: Quiet mornings | Ages 0-2 | Secret garden vibes

The Quick Assessment Test

Before committing to any coffee shop visit, do the 30-second check: Can you see high chairs? Is there buggy space that won't annoy everyone? Do the staff look pleased or stressed when they see you? These three things tell you everything about whether a place genuinely welcomes families.

Try one of these five spots this week. You deserve good coffee in places that actually want you there, baby chaos and all.

TotSpot shows you detailed info about changing facilities, high chairs, and buggy space at coffee shops near you—so you can skip the guesswork and go straight to the good ones.