The Whitstable Play Cafe

Unit 2, 132 Cromwell Rd, Whitstable CT5 1NQ, United Kingdom
+44 7534 738720
$$$ Children's cafe , Coffee shop , Event venue
(35 Reviews)
Price Range £1–20

If you’re searching for a delightful escape in Whitstable that caters to both joy-filled children's activities and relaxed adult conversations, The Whitstable Play Cafe is your go-to destination. Nestled at Unit 2, 132 Cromwell Rd, Whitstable CT5 1NQ, this vibrant children's café is more than just a place to grab a bite; it's an enchanting haven designed for little ones to explore and play while parents unwind.

As you step inside, you’re greeted by an energetic yet serene atmosphere, echoing laughter and excitement from children engrossed in play. The thoughtfully curated space boasts a treasure trove of Montessori-inspired toys and sensory items, fostering creativity and independent play. Parents can relish in the tranquility of sipping on a perfectly brewed coffee or a refreshing iced drink while keeping a watchful eye on their little ones in this well-designed and spacious environment.

Real customer experiences reveal the charm of this café. Natalie Sarah exuberantly shares her delight, noting how the play area allowed her child to explore independently, granting her precious moments of relaxation and enjoyment. Similarly, Chloe W enthusiastically praises the variety of toys available, underscoring the café's commitment to quality and imaginative play with its selection from renowned brands like Lovevery. It's clear that visitors value not only the energetic ambiance but also the careful consideration of the café's unique offerings.

The menu at The Whitstable Play Cafe caters to both young appetites and adult tastes, featuring a delightful range of delicious food and drink options. Although the food menu wasn't extensively detailed in the input, customers rave about the café’s scrumptious toasties, which evidently pair perfectly with the café's extensive drink selection. Each bite promises to be both nourishing and satisfying, making it an ideal spot for a laid-back meal. Jenjem Bull happily found the café to be a perfect find during their day out, enjoying the food while their daughter was fully entertained.

Additionally, the café is a fantastic venue for celebrating milestones, as evidenced by Lucas Melella, who held his son’s first birthday here. The attentive staff and plethora of toys and play equipment made the occasion truly memorable. His little one’s sheer joy while zooming down the slide is a testament to the wonderful experiences created in this nurturing environment.

Every visit to The Whitstable Play Cafe feels special, thanks to the friendly and dedicated staff who ensure that the space remains clean, inviting, and enjoyable for everyone. Customers like Sophie Austin have commented on the café’s cleanliness and outstanding service, echoing sentiments that it has become their “favourite stop in Whitstable.”

In conclusion, The Whitstable Play Cafe isn’t just another children’s café; it’s a thoughtfully designed space where imaginative play meets adult relaxation. Whether it’s a casual day out with the family, a catch-up with friends, or a special celebration, the café invites you to make memories filled with laughter and joy. Don’t miss it on your next visit to Whitstable!

Service options
Dine-in
Highlights
Great coffee
Great tea selection
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Assistive hearing loop
Offerings
Coffee
Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Dessert
Amenities
Gender-neutral toilets
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Crowd
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safe space
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Kids' menu
Parking
Free parking lot
Parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Tuesday

09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Wednesday

09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Thursday

09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Friday

09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Saturday

09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Sunday

09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

35 Reviews
Natalie Sarah

17 Aug 2025

I heard about the play cafe from a friend and thought it was a fantastic idea. We took our 2 year old not long ago and we loved it! It’s such a lovely space with so much for the children to enjoy - many different toys, books and sensory play items. I loved the fact I could let my son play independently if he wanted and I was still able to see him and keep an eye on him while I could enjoy an iced coffee (which was delicious, by the way) in the cafe area. We didn’t try any food this time but everything looked so good. The staff that were working that day were friendly and it was such a nice atmosphere. I’ll definitely be visiting again and we are contemplating not only getting a membership but also having our sons birthday party there. It’s in a great location, close to public transport links too.

Chloe W

16 Aug 2025

Been here multiple times with my daughter and had a private party here for her 2nd birthday! Absolutely amazing place with so many options of toys in a Montessori inspired environment. Those reviews complaining about cost of play and how the toys require imagination - clearly they don’t understand how much the toys here cost (Lovevery and other wooden toy brands) and don’t understand that Montessori encourages open-ended play which requires and encourages imagination! If you want your child to run around for play, then take them to soft play, not to a play cafe that states it is Montessori-inspired and clearly shows toys and role play areas on their website and social media. Always witnessed friendly staff and the space is very child friendly with spare nappies and wipes and a potty in the toilet room!

Jenjem Bull

09 Aug 2025

Fantastic find on our day out in Whitstable, our little girl was so entertained with all the toys and play areas that we got to enjoy our lovely coffee and matcha in peace! Didn’t try the food but the toasties looked fantastic and everything is reasonably priced…. Will 100% be back !

Katie Wells-Hursey

31 Jul 2025

The perfect place to take your little ones to keep them entertained or to catch up with friends while they play! You book a session and have a table to yourself for the duration, for drinks and food etc. The play area is a really good size, and there was a lovely mix of ages amongst the kids! We'll definitely be back.

Sophie Austin

23 Jul 2025

Such a great spot to take the children. Food and drinks are delicious and well-priced. You can keep an eye on the kids wherever they’re playing and enjoy a hot cuppa at the same time. Staff are always so friendly and helpful and the whole place is clean and inviting. Our favourite stop in Whitstable!

Tomm R

01 Jul 2025

Don’t listen to Rupert the Mug, this place is great!! I’ve been here a few times but having been made aware of a recent negative review I had to pipe up and add something worth while. Let’s be honest, if we took our children to a children themed play cafe and there was a strange man there, with no children, let’s admit it, we would all be wondering if he was on the register, so well done for turning him away! We’ve been here a few times. The halloumi, honey and Harris’s panini is fantastic. The Bonfire latte is also very nice. Play area is big, plenty of activities for the little ones whilst not being too crowded. Everything is clean and well presented. There is a good bit of soft activities for the very small ones and then bits a little bigger for those that are tearing around. All toys and activities are of decent quality and well presented. It gets a little crowded in the seating area, but at least there aren’t any weirdos with no children in there cluttering up the place and let’s be fair, if you’ve got little ones we have far greater concerns than personal space. We love it here and found it by pure chance. So glad we did as it has become a regular place for us to visit. If you’ve have young ones and you want to get them out whilst having a bit of a civil sit down with friends or family then this is the place to come. Ideal for if there is poor weather. It’s also far enough off the main route to not be packed full of tourists. Keep up the fantastic work guys and we will see you all again soon!

Sarah

28 Jun 2025

Lovely place, very impressive set up with super selection of toys and well cleaned. Staff very nice. Will definitely visit again if we happen to be in Whitstable.

Lucas Melella

28 May 2025

We had our son’s 1st Birthday party here and the staff were just brilliant! Loads of toys and equipment for our son to play with. Lots of seating and a wide selection of drinks. He particularly loves the slide! Can’t get him away from it sometimes! Thanks for being such a great venue. Highly recommend!

Join the The Whitstable Play Cafe Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.