Jemma Reynolds of Little Eats knows how to find the best kid-friendly cafes in and around Melbourne, and she has found one that book-loving parents and their little bookworms are going to love. She kindly shares her review of this sweet little bookshop-come-cafe that welcomes the little ones with open arms.
Stieg Larsson? Check. Gorgeous looking cookbooks? Check. All the latest kid’s books? Check. Sound like any standard bookshop? Wrong. Teatime & Tales is a sweet little bookshop come cafe, located in lovely tree-lined Rathdowne Village. But what is extra special about this place, is that they specifically cater for little ones. In fact, it’s not a stretch at all to say that they go out of their way to provide a friendly, warm and inviting environment for kidlets (and their parents too of course).
Keeping with the fun and frivolous book and kiddie theme, the menus are presented inside the covers of vintage Little Golden Books. There’s a “Good Morning” breakfast menu, “Tasty Tales” lunch menu and for the little ones a “Tiny Tales” menu with Toy soldiers (toast fingers and an egg for dipping), Jack’s Beans (house made baked beans on toast) and Polly the Pelican Pancakes (served with fresh strawberries and ice-cream). And the very little ones, who have just started solids are not forgotten either with a special baby menu of house made stewed and pureed fruit and veggies. However if you have your own baby food with you, the staff are more than happy to heat it up for you. How very sweet.
You can sit and sip your cuppa inside whilst you admire the lovely hand painted murals adorning the walls, street side on the footpath watching the world go by, or out the back in the sheltered and heated courtyard. The back courtyard is probably the best spot for little ones as there is fake grass underfoot, toys strewn about and cosy cane furniture. The furniture is comfy, although is probably a little too big and bulky for the space, making it a bit squishy and hard to manoeuvre prams and strollers, so might be best to try and leave the pram in the car or on the footpath.
Not only are there toys scattered about everywhere (including a Magna Doodle which was flavour of the day with our little one), there are also highchairs and booster seats and a change table complete with emergency wipes and nappies.
Babycinos come complete with a side of marshmallows and ours was served in a cute little red and white spotted mini tea-cup and saucer. To nibble along with the cino, your little one could indulge in a home-made gingerbread man, scone, muffin or a daily selection of other baked goods.
Keeping with the lovely local vibe, Teatime & Tales is fast becoming a community hub. They run French classes for the petite ones and story-time sessions, and are available for Mother’s (and Father’s) Group and Book Club catch-ups, however bookings are essential.
Name: Teatime & Tales Cafe & Bookshop
Address: 412 Rathdowne St, North Carlton
Phone: 9939 6983
Website: www.teatimeandtales.com.au
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8am – 5pm
For more detailed information read the full review at Little Eats
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