Little Lincoln

Alexander Walk, The Carlton Centre 9, Lincoln LN2 4FN, United Kingdom
+44 1522 452114
$$$ Children's cafe
(83 Reviews)
Price Range £1–10

Welcome to Little Lincoln, a charming children's cafe tucked away in the heart of Lincoln at the Carlton Centre. This delightful haven isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a world where little ones can play, explore, and indulge, while parents sip on expertly brewed coffee and enjoy delicious treats. With a cozy atmosphere and thoughtful design, Little Lincoln invites families to create memorable moments together.

The cafe’s menu is thoughtfully crafted to cater to young palates and growing appetites. On the Lunch Menu, you’ll find options like Cod Bites and Chicken Tenders, both priced at a reasonable £5.85. For the tiniest diners, the Children's Menu offers delightful choices such as Pancakes with Fruit and Honey for just £2.80, and a satisfying Sandwich Platter at £4.85. There's also an array of children’s snacks, perfect for nibbling, including Animal Biscuits and Raisins, ensuring the little ones are never short of tasty options.

But Little Lincoln is not just about food; it’s an experience. Picture this: you sit down with a friend, your coffee steaming warmly in hand, while your children giggle and play in the adjoining play area—a thoughtfully designed space featuring various imaginative play shops like a hairdressing salon and a pizza parlor. You can savor the rich flavor of your coffee, which customers rave about, and keep an eye on your little ones as they unleash their creativity. Victoria Ansell, a delighted parent, said, "It’s small but cosy and perfect for the children. The coffee is very tasty...you can sit and drink your coffee and still be able to see every part of the play area."

The friendly, attentive staff is another highlight that makes your visits enjoyable. Guests like Ellen Williamson have noted how the staff members are always happy to help, adding to the warm, welcoming environment. Whether you're visiting for a quick snack or a leisurely coffee date while your children play, the atmosphere stays calm, clean, and inviting, making it the perfect retreat for families.

For those looking to engage in more than just dining, Little Lincoln hosts special events that make each visit unique. Natasha Jefferson recounts attending a themed "Trolls" event that featured fun crafts and dancing, emphasizing how this venue is not only a cafe but also a vibrant space for children’s activities. Families come to create cherished memories while enjoying homemade cakes and coffee.

This hidden gem deserves recognition not just for its delicious offerings but for the entire experience. With affordable prices and a thoughtful approach to making parents and children feel at home, Little Lincoln stands out in the bustling dining scene. So bring your little ones, indulge in some well-deserved coffee time, and let their imaginations run wild. You may even find it hard to leave!

Service options
On-site services
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Popular for
Lunch
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Coffee
Dining options
Lunch
Dessert
Seating
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Crowd
Groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu
Parking
Free parking lot
Parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

09:30 AM - 11:00 AM

,

11:30 AM - 01:00 PM

01:15 PM - 02:45 PM

Tuesday

09:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Wednesday

09:30 AM - 11:00 AM

,

11:30 AM - 01:00 PM

01:15 PM - 02:45 PM

Thursday

09:30 AM - 11:00 AM

,

11:30 AM - 01:00 PM

01:15 PM - 02:45 PM

Friday

09:30 AM - 11:00 AM

,

11:30 AM - 01:00 PM

01:15 PM - 02:45 PM

Saturday

09:30 AM - 11:00 AM

,

11:30 AM - 01:00 PM

01:30 PM - 03:00 PM

Sunday

09:30 AM - 11:00 AM

,

11:30 AM - 01:00 PM

01:30 PM - 03:00 PM

83 Reviews
Victoria Ansell

13 Sep 2025

Really lovely venue. It’s small but cosy and perfect for the children. The coffee is very tasty, so much better than other places where it’s just a push button machine! I took advantage of the coffee and cake deal for £5. I like that you can sit and drink your coffee and still be able to see every part of the play area. The staff are really nice and go above and beyond every time we visit. A true gem to Lincoln

Ellen Williamson

27 Aug 2025

I love little Lincoln! Perfect space for the children! The food and drinks are fantastic! The staff are so friendly and always happy to help!

Natasha Jefferson

17 Aug 2025

I have visited "Little Lincoln" on several occasions with both my under 1 year old and my 4 year old. My youngest daughter loves the sensory sessions held monthly and really enjoys exploring the space and all the toys. My 4 year old and I recently attended the "Trolls" special where we were able to play, do crafts, have a dance off and take pictures with Princess Poppy. We had a wonderful time and my daughter absolutely loved it, especially when she was given a prize for winning the dance competition. The staff there are always friendly and welcoming and make a big fuss over the children. There are a variety of different play areas to suit most childrens interests whether that be the Theatre Royal, The Beauty Salon, or the local Coop to name a few. There is even a small, closed off soft play area for the under 2's. The prepared food is delicious with many choices of snacks and hot drinks and the cakes are amazing. I would definitely recommend "Little Lincoln" as a place to spend some quality time with your children and to watch them happily express themselves through exploration and role play.

Madeleine Colquitt

09 Aug 2025

me and my little one love it here, big portions, great drinks, friendly staff and atmosphere clean and calm, we love going midweek for their play sessions.

James Brown

09 Jul 2025

Our little boy loves it here, and so do we. Little Lincoln is a hidden gem - too hidden in fact! This place deserves to be a lot more popular than it is, and more/better marketing will almost certainly boost numbers. They can also afford to increase their prices!

Bethan Clarke

02 Jun 2025

My son is nearly 8 now so we’re a bit past coming ourselves but we had so many wonderful times at Little Lincoln…homely, cosy feeling with some of the best coffee and cake! And love that they can play and you are right there, can see them at all times while you enjoy your coffee! Always recommending it to other parents with little ones! Xx

Alex

01 Jun 2025

Our daughter really enjoys this place. It's got a bunch of play shops inside like a hair dressers, pizza shop, grocers, vets etc so they can let their imaginations run and have a great time. There's plenty of seating if you fancy a bite to eat and they do some really nice drinks and coffees, hot chocolates and drinks for the smaller ones. They have some special events on during the year like the Bluey event that went down really really well.

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