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Lil' bean n' green
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
1133 Queen St EToronto, ON M4M 1K9
Neighbourhood: Leslieville
(416) 463-2326
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
7 reviews for Lil' bean n' green
7 reviews in English
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Review from Freddy E.
Toronto, ON
3/3/2012
This review is for a parent or someone that will visit with a child. Without a child, it would be a completely different review as most would find the space not relaxing.
Where to take your child that is indoor? Other than the Y or play centres, there are VERY few options.
This place is completely kid friendly. The play area is fenced off from the eating area, and is set up for kids from infant to 4 or 5. There are two washrooms, and a change table. It is unsupervised, but the parent can sit in the cafe and observe or go in the play area. They have sippy cups for drinks in the play area.
The cafe has great food and drinks, local and/or organic. I chose Pricey for the review as an adult sandwich is $10, a kid sandwich is $5.75, plus $5 for play time for the first kid.
Room for strollers, and to hang coats. Staff are super nice and helpful. -
Review from Amar R.
Toronto, ON
4/29/2012
I can't believe that parents are so desperate to take their child somewhere baby friendly that they will rate this a 4! Lil' Beans has a good idea in that it serves organic foods, has some child friendly choices and a play area. The idea is where it all ends.
First off, the prices are way too high for what you get. If I wanted to pay $5 for a latte, I would expect an excellent one or go to Starbucks. Secondly, the food is mediocre and the kids choices are way too pricey and the grilled cheese for example, is half a sandwich! They charge about $6 for a kids meal whereas Playful Grounds, a similar place, charges $3.75 I believe. Lil' Beans also charges $5 for your child to play in their play yard regardless of age. Now if you are buying food and drinks (you are not allowed to bring any in, not even baby food), then why charge to play? I can take my daughter to an early years center or the park for FREE or to an indoor playground for the same price or a buck or two more that has way more toys and is ten times the size.
They make you take your shoes off but the only washroom is on the other side of the play area and you see kids and adults in there barefoot. Gross! The changing table is outside the washroom in the back of the playarea and if anyone is changing poopy diapers, it stinks the place up. Trust me.
The place is tiny and crammed if anyone brings in strollers.
There are 2 owners who usually work there and one is nice, the other should not be in customer service and I won't even get into details.Trust me, others agree.
They do all sorts of classes there and I don't know if it's for extra income, greed or if the baby cafe idea just isn't sustaining them. During the classes, the play area isn't available so call ahead and check to ensure they are open. Too many moms I know have trekked there only to be disappointed to find it closed or their kids barred from the play area.
My suggestion is to bypass this place, go next door to Bobette and Belle, grab some cupcakes or other delicious treats and go to a park.
I agree that we need more child friendly places in Toronto and being from Vancouver, know what a good one is. Too bad Lil' Beans misses the mark. -
Review from Sandra T.
Toronto, ON
3/10/2011
What a cute little coffee shop!
The perfect place for moms and dads to meet for playdates.
There is a little play area (with two hammock swings, a little tree house, reading corner, and various toys) for kids to go wild and play. There is a $4 entry fee for each child/ baby.
The area is a little dim so it is hard to take pictures of your little one.
The store will provide you with crocs because they do require you take your outdoor shoes off - yay!!!!
There is a little baby chair attached to the counter so you have a safe place to set your baby down while you are paying.
Prices for drinks are in the $5ish range.
There is free 1hr street parking along the residential areas.
The only thing I worry about while hanging out here with my little guy is that I've noticed a lot of moms place their hot drinks on the ground while chatting with others ... hot drinks + crawling babies scares the crap out of me!!!!Listed in: Mommy Stuff
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Review from Nicole C.
3/21/2011
This cute little shop in Leslieville is a perfect hang out for mom's and dad's on parental leave with their kids.
In the mornings they have circle time where you can bring the young ones in for some singing, playtime and a chance to network with other parents.
Their tea lattes are pretty tasty and about in the same price range as Starbucks.
The only thing I was a bit wary of was the fact that you had to pay for the play area - about $4 for all day, which is fine - but after dropping $5 on a latte and another $3 on a muffin, racking up more cash for your babe to have some tummy time may not be what a budget conscious mom is looking to do.Listed in: The East End Mom
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Review from Greg C.
Toronto, ON
12/7/2009
Lil bean n' green is a new cafe with a fully equipped playground for the little ones at the back. This new(ish) spot is either the most cynically conceived venture or a gift to the neighbourhood. I'm going with the latter.
The interior is akin to an Ikea showroom for kids bedrooms. Think communal tables and white chandeliers. Essentially something out of a Nora Ephron movie but in a good way.
I can't vouch for my lil' one enjoying the playground as he's either too wary or too old for it but I can say their espressos are phenomenal and always topped with crema.
Will be returning. Dammit, lil bean, where the hell were you when I was on parental leave?! -
Review from Jing K.
Toronto, ON
5/3/2010 1 Check-in Here
If there are any intrepid entrepreneurs out there looking for an opportunity I've got an idea for you: open one of these in each of Toronto's gentrified neighbourhoods. You can start with one close to me, St. Clair and Bathurst-ish. Then get one started at Bayview/Mt Pleasant-Lawrence-ish (close to my mommy-friend I met up with today). And if you are really feeling it, I bet the Junction/High Park could support one of these places.
Besides the playroom make sure you have all the amenities for the little ones like booster seats, bibs, change station, potty seats. And for the adult tag-alongs offer some baked goodies, and great coffee served up by friendly competent staff who also kindly bring wallets and phones left behind at the play area by absent-minded moms, and don't hesitate to dispense a shot of hot water to mix baby food and cereal.
It was a great experience for all, it's just a shame that it is way out of my neighbourhood. On the plus side I did finally get a chance to check out Leslieville on foot.
It would be interesting to see from how far some of the moms (or dads) travelled with their little ones specifically to patronize Lil' bean n' green. -
Review from Wanda S.
Toronto, ON
4/7/2010
Oh rainy days... where to take the lil one when the weather sucks.
Thanks Lil'Bean for making that place. I now can enjoy a good cup of coffee and watch my child play in a fairly fun play space without dealing with the elements.
The place is staffed by friendlies who are there to help you out.
There's a change table, lots of toys, books and things to play with, and they serve some food and good coffee.
I'm now a regular as is my lil'oneListed in: Great Places for Kids and…
