Little Beans Cafe

This place is a mecca for parents that hate themselves on a Saturday morning. Shockingly enough, the food was actually very good (ham, cheese, and Swiss croissant panini) as was the coffee. Our daughter is only ten months old, but we could see this being a place where people with older children would pay $ 15/​day (that’s the pass price) to let their kids go apesh! t while they themselves sit at a table and partake of the last drug that’s socially acceptable to do in public.
There’s an ice cream purveyor as a part of this joint and apparently birthdays are a big thing here. With this business model, this place has to be KILLING IT.

Just had our boy’s 1 yr old birthday party at LBC! Everything was handled extremely well, and made it very special for our little guy! Highly recommend them as a venue.

We have been coming here for years as my son absolutely loves Little Beans. We decided to have his 4^th birthday party here and could not have been happier! Both the kids and parents had a great time, everything was well organized, and the staff was super attentive. They were very helpful with setup, clean up, and throughout the entire party. There are always one or two kids who don’t want playtime to be over at the end of the party and the staff was very thoughtful about how to gently close down the play area and wrap up the party — something you want to see at a children’s place. Would definitely recommend!

We decided to try out Little Beans this morning and I’m so glad we did! The play area is adorable and there are more than enough toys and activities to entertain a wide range of kids. My 18 month old was in heaven with all the ride on cars and slides and the train table. Love the relaxed feel and the café. We will definitely be back!

We have been going here for years, even hosted our daughter’s birthday party here a couple years back. Always a great experience, kids have so much fun, and when we had our party here the people who worked the party were so extremely helpful.
After having less than stellar customer service at another play space in the city, so thankful to have little beans around!

Was at the Easter party tonight that Little Beans threw, and it was so great! You had to register for the party, because it included food (delicious pizza!, play time, and a photo with the Easter Bunny!). Seriously, I got to take my boys and let them play until we got in line to see the Bunny. waited maybe 5 minutes (not 2 hrs like you would at a mall), hugged the bunny, got a photo, went back to playing. That’s a major win in my book. The playspace is awesome, clean, functional, great clean toys, super fun. The owners were there and were super nice. I love this place. I’ve been there several times (their Evanston location is awesome too), and have always had great experiences with their staff, toys, playspace. Some of the other parents can be annoying sometimes (like today, some crazy lady came in without registering, yelling at everyone left and right, because she’d been told at the door that it was a closed event. The owner came out and was very awesome about it, let the lady and her kid come in to play and see the bunny. If that were me, and this lady creamed at me and called me an a$$hole, i would have happily shown her the door). I was getting some yummy coffee from the café while this was happening. But, other than some entitled parents, this place is a must see, especially on rainy chicago days… or the super hot ones we’re going to be getting soon.

I was looking forward to trying Little Beans — looked like a cute concept. I took advantage of a free promotion day sponsored by a third party vendor such that the third party paid for the admission in exchange for discussing their service with the guest.
Sadly, my little guy fell sound asleep in my arms as we arrived at Little Beans. Having clearly made an effort to get there and with the sleeping baby in my arms, I asked the manager for a raincheck as the admission had already been paid by the third party. To my surprise, the manager told me no — with no logic and certainly had no customer service skills. He was under no obligation to offer a raincheck, but again, what’s the big deal if the admission had already been paid? In what way is that a bad deal for him?
Disappointing experience and won’t be going back. There are other places to play where the staff is as enjoyable as the environment.

I went here for the first time this week. I came for a special «moms group» so we were in a separate room but walking through the main play area it looked great for kids to get some energy out on a rainy day.

Most places you expect more and get less. Here I was expecting less was mostly not going to like the place but was still visiting because wanted a different place for Valentine day celebration for my son.
Last time we went to Sod room and no play area has matched up to it. this one did
This is like anti sod room — it’s not stylish but bigger. Not creative you but pretend plays not a knowledgable and likes ke staff but a good café — but equally good. It is huge, had a nice café. There are not many toys but lot of pretend play. My son who is 20 months enjoyed the slides, the pretend play and the numerous toy car in this place. And light game also.
The place gets my thumbs up and the event– Valentine day was value for money for 14 $ it was totally worth it. But not special.
Few things which I found lacking but will not take the star out
Staff seemed a little lost maybe it was because there were too many people, there was no one managing.
There were few places which I thought were a little dangerous like the slide which ends on wooden floor — my son did get hurt a little, you have to be careful
My son has passéd crawler stage but the crawler area was strictly ok.
Overall I will come to the place again

I heard only great things from a friend. So me and my little guy decided to check it out. When we first visited, he was only 4 months. Non crawlers are free, with a purchase of something from the café.
We had a blast. We pretty much played in the blocked off little kid section, which I think is geared towards crawlers. Beni, my son, had so much fun. We played with new toys, watched the kids run around, Beni especially enjoyed the «screen interactive» room. There is an interactive screen on the floor, he just glared at it.
Staff was extremely friendly. It being my first visit there, I had no idea how it worked. The staff explained everything to me and even engaged with Beni.
Only complaint is parking. It’s not really a complaint because I did find street parking, I do wish they had a bigger lot.
We’re actually thinking of going back sometime this week.
Thanks Little Bean.

I like that I can take my kid somewhere during the colder months. This place is a bit expensive, but rather convenient. However, I wish parents would watch their kids a bit more carefully. Some of the older kids are too aggressive and my kid hurt her hand. Some of the parents choose not to take their shoes off, so that was a bit disgusting. The food is kind of expensive, but understandable. I wish they would clean or replace some of the deteriorating toys. My kid had a great time and that’s all that matters.

We are from Chicago :) we will definitely come back again. I’m also going to bring along a friend with her 1 year old because I know they will enjoy it.

Little Beans is very tired and seems dirty! It needs a makeover. The toys are wonderful except sometimes lacking for the different areas and not working. A new carpet, freshly brighter painted walls, soap in the bathrooms!, new cleaner entry way for shoes and cozier place for parents to sit to work or converse with friends. Overall, they could use a bigger space! Play cafes are lifesavers for Moms and Nannys in the City on winter or rainy days. My daughter needs a change of scenery everyday. I’m just waiting for them to close to say they are moving to a bigger space or renovating the current space. The food is okay, pastries yummy. The café is cold and not so comfortable.

Really kind of average and fell short of my expectations. Not sure why really other than the fact that it seemed like a collision course between my toddler’s play room and a quirky kinda café. Perhaps this is the intent. I tried the food which was… yeah, ok, and the play area was fine. Kudos on cleanliness and keeping our crumb snatchers from getting infested with who knows what out there! Appreciated the wifi which allowed me to get on with a much needed project!

Was here yesterday on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Met with a friend and her daughter so the kids could have a play date. Parking, I was able to find a spot in the little lot so I was lucky. Walked in and the place is huge. You walk in and it’s a café up front and then the play area is separate and in the back and there is a door to get in which is nice. My daughter was so excited when walking in and immediately started running around the café. My gal is 20 months old and into everything these days. So we walk into the play area where there are a bunch of little wooden houses set up, toys galore and tables for adults to sit. The play area is HUGE. My daughter was so excited, she didn’t know where to go first, her reaction was priceless. She loves all the little houses, the slides, the shopping carts, so many things to explore! We spent about an hour and a half there because a party was renting the place out and I think that was enough time for my little lady.
My only issues were some parents don’t watch their kids. It sucks. My daughter got pushed hard and fell by a bigger kid and ended up crying. This was within 5 minutes of being in the play area. Not Little Beans fault. Only complaints is that I felt the place was a little dirty. The bottom of my socks and daughter’s socks were filthy. I also didn’t like having to change my daughter’s diaper in the restroom and having to walk around it in socks, the floors in there were kind of gross. I also think there should he an area to separate older kids from little kids. There was a much older kid trying to get in and out of those houses and he was being pretty rough, I was afraid he was going to knock one of the younger kids over.
Overall, a nice place and I will take my daughter back her and will also check out the Evanston location. I love the concept, café/​play area and parents can watch their kids from the side… problem is, some parents forget to watch their kids while messing with their gadgets.

I absolutely love this place. They are always cleaning and keeping things up to date. My son tells me i can leave when we get there. He loves it that much he feels its ok if i leave. Lol. They have date nights/​xmas shopping babysitting once or twice a month.

Loved it!
The children I nanny had a great time. Only had to pay for the 3 year old– entrance for me and the 8 month old was free! Yay!
Bring socks! I had to buy a pair for $ 2 they won’t let you go without.
Great café selection of food and coffee. The play area was clean and constantly monitored for cleanliness by the staff.
Places for adults to sit while kids play.
Very creative toys.
Parking is small but we found some just around the corner for Free!
The little guy I nanny still talks about this place and wants to go back!

Great place for the little ones. The chocolate banana bread is delicious when warmed. Staff is awesome for the most part a couple workers seem lifeless. The coffee is good. I don’t like that they close so early and that the food is so expensive but I definitely love this place and hear the one in Evanston is bigger and better.

This place has really gone downhill. We used to come here all the time when we lived in the city two years ago, and my older son really wanted to go back. So yesterday we made the trek to visit a friend on the northwest side and then down to Little Beans. NO AIR CONDITIONING. I walked in and the guy at the counter apologized for mopping his brow but it’s really hot. I said, «The AC is working in the playroom though, right?» «Oh yes, «he said, «We’re trying!» I plunked down $ 27. (2 kids plus socks for one.) Walked in — no AC. IT WAS COOLER OUTSIDE ON AN 80+ DEGREE DAY. But now we were there, and we live 40 miles away, so it’s tough to leave — we’ll make the best of it. Back door of playroom was open to let in the air — not so safe.
There were awful smells in certain areas of the playroom, like dirty sewage or something. When I arrived there were no open tables except in smelly areas. It was miserable. Plunked down another $ 13 for lunch for hungry kids before the long drive home. Said to the gal behind the counter, «So your air conditioner is broken.» She said, «No it’s not. We’ve had the guys out today twice to fix it and no one can figure it out.» Um, I think that means it’s broken. «What’s that area roped off for?» I ask. «The AC was leaking,» she said. «But it’s just water.» I hope so, but my guess is that it was refrigerant. The AC was running, it’s not cool, and it’s leaking. Doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. A lot of little kiddos walking through it and getting wet socks — another hazard. They should have been closed yesterday — or at least given everyone a 50% discount.
On the way home I asked DS 5, «So was Little Beans as great as you remember it?» He said, «No — it was too hot. Mommy, I don’t want to go back there again.» Nuff said.

The little bean is my favorite place so far to take my daughter to play. We have been to most of the museums and other play centers in the city and suburbs. The play area is great for toddlers that have a lot of energy to expel. There are plenty of cars to ride in and play houses to pretend in.
There is a sign that asks parents to take their child home if they show symptoms of being sick. I did notice a girl constantly coughing and snot running down her nose. However no worker enforced this rule as she stayed and ran around. I just kept my daughter far away from her.
The parking is very scarce as expected in the city. The first time I visited I left because I could not find a spot. This time around I managed to get a spot right in front after someone left. The coffee and food was decent. It was nice to be able to have food and drinks in the facility. Other places usually do not allow drinks, let alone food in the play areas. I am excited for the Evanston location to open.