Java Mama Baton Rouge

Overall the place is okay. Pros — drinks and food are good. Play area is nice.
Cons– supervision in the play area is hit or miss. One day it was great with 2 women; another day with lots of kids, only 1 woman. Prices for drinks and snacks are high. This is in addition to the kids play prices. The area by the slide is not safe. They have some pillow type things that keep getting moved around.
The supervision of the children is quite laissez faire. Children and adults can move freely in and out of the play area.
Biggest drawback — lack of hygiene with the toys. At other play places there are bins for toys that have gone in children’s mouths so they can be cleaned. Not here, little ones chew and suck on toys and the workers say «let’s not bite on this» and then put it back on the shelf. There is no policy enforced for not allowing sick kids to play.
During the 3 times we visited, there were sick kids who came in after us every time. If I had seen sick kids when we got there, we would’ve not stayed. I didn’t leave because I had paid and my child was having fun. We’ve played at other places and haven’t gotten sick. After our last visit here, our whole family is now sick.
All they would have to do is have a policy and ask. However, one of their baristas has been sick and coughing during our last 2 visits. I was uncomfortable having a sick person fix my drink, but I didn’t say anything.
As we are all now still sick, I will skip visiting again until it’s spring or summer so we don’t get sick again.

Java Mama advertises itself as a coffee shop where your kids can play, but when you get there you’ll discover that they actually consider themselves to be an indoor play place where you can also buy coffee – note that there’s an $ 8 charge for for first child and $ 5 for each subsequent child. Those fees are in addition to any drinks and snacks.
No thanks. I was expecting a coffee shop where my child could play for a few minutes while I drank my coffee; if I wanted an indoor play place I’d hit up Area 51, It’s My Party, or even Chik Fila. Or better yet, I’d pick up Starbucks and head to the park or take them to Barnes and Noble and get coffee there while my kids play and then we can buy books to take home for the price that Java Mama charges in admission.
Disappointed.

Super fun place, but be aware of the price to play!
Amazing concept– a coffee shop with a playground. The space is beautiful with lots of neat things for the kiddos and a really extensive, thought out menu.
However– be prepared to pay!!! Your first child will cost $ 8 and $ 5 thereafter. Even if it’s close to closing time. This is not advertised anywhere and once you are inside with your kids, good luck leaving without playing! It would be nice if I’d knows before I walked in with two small children.

Going to be my Monday morning ritual! I brought my laptop and was able to get some work done. My two year old DID NOT want to leave. Snacks were kid friendly. The lady watching the kids was so sweet! Very happy this is down the street!

We stopped in just to check it out, I thought it was a coffee shop with a play area for littles and we had time to kill. There was less than an hour left before closing and there were no sitters in the play area. But don’t worry, they still want to charge just as much as if you were going to be there for a while with «supervised» play. The not-​so-​friendly lady behind the counter said «it’s for unlimited play.» Perhaps she didn’t realize the time. Either way, not a good first impression and I think I’ll stick to the book store down the street.

So excited Baton Rouge finally has another option for a play and eat type restaurant. My family of four went here today for lunch, and no doubt my 6.5 and 3.5 year old girls loved it. They were able to play their hearts out while their dad and I ordered food and yummy coffee and tea drinks.
The play area was very big with a male attendant supervising and assisting the kids there from 9 – 2. I somehow thought it would be free since we were buying food, but I guess since we didn’t have to tend to our kids much, that’s what we were paying for. It was $ 8 for one kid then $ 5 for additional kids for unlimited time as long as parents don’t leave. This would actually be a steal of a deal for a work from home mom/​dad like the moms I saw today working/​doing schoolwork with their laptops while their kids played.
There were lots of play options such as small monkey bars and slides, a puppet show area, a caterpillar tunnel, etc. Great for toddlers to perhaps 8 year olds. Compared to other food places with free play areas (like George’s on George O’Neal with their outdoor play area), I would choose this one in a heartbeat. No worrying about weather, and the food here was healthier and just better in my opinion. The location on Bluebonnet just past Perkins is close proximity to the mall and much of BR population too.
The service was exceptional, especially with the sweet owner, Melissa, there answering all my questions about the biz and making sure we were satisfied with everything. She informed me that this is only the 3^rd Java Mama franchise in the US, and she clearly has freedom to change up her menu as 3 of the 4 paninis were named after her sons — so cute! I chose the chicken salad on croissant, and my husband chose the ham, turkey, avocado, etc. on croissant, both with fresh fruit as our side. I’m a chicken salad sandwich lover, and hers was definitely unique and scrumptious. I tried my husband’s too, and it was so fresh and delicious.
My girls tried the Wow butter and jelly and the 5 for $ 5 mix in muffin pans. My oldest flipped out when she discovered that the Wow butter was actually a type of peanut butter (which she loathes), but have no fear, the owner quickly made her an actual butter and jelly sandwich that my daughter gobbled up. The 5 for $ 5 was perfect for my 3.5 year old too and had great quality and heathy options.
Overall, (meaning I’m ready to wrap up yet another epic review lol), I would definitely recommend this new business, especially for families. Not sure it will cater to people without kids unless you just decide to grab a quick bite of some yummy options. The prices were definitely higher than expected, but then great quality does warrant higher end cost. Pretty sure this will be my family’s new favorite lunch hangout.