5 Best Family-Friendly Cafes in Downtown, Springfield MO
Updated 11 October 2026 · 5 cafes in Downtown, Springfield MO considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide lists five cafes in Downtown Springfield, Missouri, that Google lists as family friendly, for people who want a relaxed spot to eat or grab a drink with children in tow. The list is ranked by Google rating, weighted by how many people left a review, from 6 qualifying businesses considered. Each entry gives the address, the hours on the listing, and themes reviewers mention. Hours and menus can change, so check before you visit.
#1
El Cafecito - The Little Coffee Shop
★ 4.8 (901 Google reviews)Coffee shop$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
El Cafecito - The Little Coffee Shop is listed as family friendly and sits at 2462 S Campbell Ave, with a 4.8 rating from 901 reviews and a $10 to $20 price range. The listing shows outdoor seating, drive-through, takeaway and dessert. Reviewers mention a Saturday breakfast one called worth the drive, churros ordered during a busy stretch, and staff who stayed focused and kind. Hours run until 4 pm on most days, and wheelchair access is noted throughout.
Best for: Weekend breakfast and churros
- Address
- 2462 S Campbell Ave, Springfield, MO 65807, United States
- Hours
- Fri 6 am–4 pm; Mon 6 am–4 pm; Sat 7 am–4 pm; Sun 8 am–4 pm; Thu 6 am–4 pm; Tue 6 am–4 pm; Wed 6 am–4 pm
#2
Dancing Mule Coffee Company
★ 4.7 (838 Google reviews)Coffee shop$1–10 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Dancing Mule Coffee Company is listed as family friendly at 1945 S Glenstone Ave, rated 4.7 from 838 reviews, with a $1 to $10 price range. The listing includes drive-through, dine-in, a restroom and Wi-Fi, and describes a casual, cozy and quiet setting. Hours run 6 am to 7 pm on weekdays and 7 am to 6 pm on weekends. Reviewers mention a rich cappuccino, a drive-through attendant who suggested a drink, and a bagel that one reviewer found only okay. Another found a smoothie too sweet.
Best for: Drive-through coffee on the go
- Address
- 1945 S Glenstone Ave, Springfield, MO 65804, United States
- Hours
- Fri 6 am–7 pm; Mon 6 am–7 pm; Sat 7 am–6 pm; Sun 7 am–6 pm; Thu 6 am–7 pm; Tue 6 am–7 pm; Wed 6 am–7 pm
#3
Travellers House Coffee and Tea
★ 4.7 (796 Google reviews)Coffee shop$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Travellers House Coffee and Tea is at 2151 W Republic Rd with a 4.7 rating from 796 reviews and a $10 to $20 price range. The listing includes a fireplace, live music, a private dining room, outdoor seating, and breakfast, brunch and lunch options. Hours run from 6 am to 6 pm on most days and 6 am to 1 pm on Saturdays, and it is closed Sundays. Reviewers mention a purple smoothie, a macchiato praised as among the best around, and a spacious room for studying.
Best for: Breakfast, lunch and a spacious room
- Address
- 2151 W Republic Rd, Springfield, MO 65807, United States
- Hours
- Fri 6 am–6 pm; Mon 6 am–6 pm; Sat 6 am–1 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 6 am–6 pm; Tue 6 am–6 pm; Wed 6 am–6 pm
#4
Roots Coffee Bar
★ 4.7 (510 Google reviews)Cafe$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Roots Coffee Bar is a cafe at 1645 W Republic Rd, Unit G, rated 4.7 from 510 reviews. The listing shows drive-through, kerbside pickup, a fireplace, and beer and cocktails, with hours from 7 am to 2 pm on weekdays and 8 am to 2 pm on weekends. Reviewers mention a kids' box with toys, couches for seating, a breakfast sandwich and burrito, French toast, and sweet potato fries. One reviewer was not impressed by the drip coffee or a Honey Bee Latte.
Best for: Sandwiches and a kids' play corner
- Address
- 1645 W Republic Rd Unit G, Springfield, MO 65807, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–2 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 8 am–2 pm; Sun 8 am–2 pm; Thu 7 am–2 pm; Tue 7 am–2 pm; Wed 7 am–2 pm
#5
Café Cusco
★ 4.6 (3,031 Google reviews)Peruvian restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Café Cusco is listed as a Peruvian restaurant at 234 E Commercial St, rated 4.6 from 3,031 reviews, with a $20 to $30 price range. The listing includes outdoor seating, takeaway, a fireplace and a wine list. It serves lunch and dinner, opening at 11 am daily and closing at 9 pm, or 8 pm on Sundays. Reviewers mention a gluten-free menu, a fried avocado appetizer, a glass noodle chicken dish, lomo saltado, and booths with stained glass windows in a historic building.
Best for: Lunch and dinner with a gluten-free menu
- Address
- 234 E Commercial St, Springfield, MO 65803, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–9 pm; Mon 11 am–9 pm; Sat 11 am–9 pm; Sun 11 am–8 pm; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 5 cafes in Downtown, Springfield MO with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Family friendly”, then by rating. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 11 October 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- El Cafecito - The Little Coffee Shop, Roots Coffee Bar and Café Cusco take reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- For an early start, El Cafecito - The Little Coffee Shop opens at 6 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated cafe on this list?
El Cafecito - The Little Coffee Shop ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.8 from 901 reviews. Dancing Mule Coffee Company is second at 4.7 from 838 reviews.
Which cafes in Downtown, Springfield MO are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Café Cusco, at 9 pm.
How much does it cost at these cafes?
Google lists these price ranges per person: El Cafecito - The Little Coffee Shop $10–20; Dancing Mule Coffee Company $1–10; Travellers House Coffee and Tea $10–20; Roots Coffee Bar $10–20; Café Cusco $20–30.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for El Cafecito - The Little Coffee Shop, Dancing Mule Coffee Company, Travellers House Coffee and Tea, Roots Coffee Bar and Café Cusco.
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