Best kids' menus in NYC
Indoctrinate the next generation of foodies with our favorite picks.
All restaurant information is correct as of press time. However, since hours, prices and other details are subject to change, it's wise to call ahead.
Barrio
Average main course: $15. Average kids' meal: $6.50. High chairs, booster seats, changing tables.
Mexican specialties are simplified for young palates here, so everything's fresh and savory, not saucy or spicy. Kids can order artisanal grilled cheese, ultimate sliders, gargantuan chicken wings, or home made pasta; each entrée comes with a drink and the choice of two sides. In nice weather, your family can enjoy the abundant patio seating facing 3rd Street.
Blue Smoke
Average main course: $24. Average kids' meal: $9.50. High chairs, booster seats, changing tables.
Danny Meyer's 'cue house serves fired-up favorites like grilled salmon and Memphis baby back ribs in addition to more traditional kid fare (mac and cheese, for instance). The hearty prix fixe includes one side (French fries, mashed potatoes, salad or vegetables), plus a drink and ice cream or a brownie.
Bocca Lupo
Average main course: $24. Average kids' meal: $9.50. High chairs, booster seats.
This spacious and welcoming enoteca on a peaceful Cobble Hill corner lets kids enjoy high-quality vittles while their parents ease into happy hour with some vino and bruschetta. The children's meals include a drink and the dessert of the day, along with entrée choices like pasta and sauce, mini cheese pizza, and irresistible mac and cheese. The owners' daughter, Shira Lederman, is sometimes on hand to offer suggestions.
Buttermilk Channel
Average main course: $18. Average kids' meal: $10. High chairs, booster seats.
It's not enough that this restaurant wins raves for its grown-up seasonal fare; it also boasts a fantastic kids' menu. Instead of chicken nuggets, your children can feast on the justifiably praised buttermilk fried chicken. Mini cheeseburgers are also winners, and for very picky eaters the option of butter, olive oil or tomato sauce on pasta comes in handy. The meal includes juice or milk, the choice of a side dish (tasty veggies, noodles or fries) and a clown sundae. Go before 7pm to avoid crowds.
Cercle Rouge
241 West Broadway between Beach and White Sts (212-226-6252, cerclerougeresto.com). Average main course: $23. Average kids' meal: $7. High chairs, booster seats, changing table.
Head straight to the back of this neighborhood resto, where comfy banquettes and plenty of stroller room await. Perfectly executed kid classics include house-made cheese ravioli and pint-size cheese pizzas. Mac and cheese arrives in a cast-iron dish and packs an unexpected punch; ham and cheese is grilled on white bread from Long Island City's Tom Cat Bakery.
Cowgirl
Average main course: $15. Average kids' meal: $6. High chairs, booster seats, changing table.
With its deer-antler chandeliers, plastic gingham tablecloths and Patsy Cline photos, this Southern-fried hangout is kitschy in the best possible way. Though the menu isn't exactly health-conscious, your little cowpokes will happily wolf down the corn dog, pulled pork sandwich, giant hunk of mac and cheese, or decadent Frito pie (a ripped-open bag of corn chips doused in chili). Children's items come with hearty sides like buttery corn on the cob or carrot sticks and dip. One caveat: You'll have to steer the kids past a counter full of old-fashioned candy to get to your table, so be prepared for the “buy-me”s.
Crema
111 W 17th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-691-4477, cremarestaurante.com). Subway: 1, 2, 3 to 14th St. Average main course: $20. Average kids' meal: $8. High chairs.
Quesadillas are a childen's menu staple, so naturally you'll find them at Julieta Ballesteros's upscale Mexican resto, too. Here it's a grilled flour tortilla laced with Chihuahua cheese and accented with black beans, shrimp, grilled chicken breast or steak. Other options include a carne asada entrée and sides like green rice or granielote (corn kernels with cream). Tropical flavored lemonade (ooh, passion fruit), ice cream and sorbet round out the à la carte offerings.
Ditch Plains
• 29 Bedford St at Downing St (212-633-0202, ditch-plains.com). Subway: A, C, E, B, D, F, M to W 4th St; 1 to Houston St • 100 W 82nd St at Columbus Ave (212-362-4815). Subway: A, C to 81st St—Museum of Natural History; 1 to 79th St. Average main course: $20. Average kids' meal: $8. High chairs, booster seats.
At Marc Murphy's upscale fish shack, tykes can get into the seaside spirit with a a whole wheat quesadilla, or stick to dry land with the likes of Sloppy Joe and lemon- and herb-roasted chicken. All kids' meals come with a choice of French fries, sweet potato fries, sliced apples and bananas, or carrot sticks (as if). The menu doubles as a shark-themed coloring page.
The Farm on Adderley
Average main course: $18. Average kids' meal: $8. High chairs, booster seats.
On the locally sourced, superfresh kids' menu here, the Texas-size grilled cheese sandwich made with white American cheese takes a full side of fresh salad greens (though admittedly, it may be you and not your child who eats them), and the organic beef hot dog comes with the restaurant's addictive, if not quite health-conscious, fries. For the discerning young vegetarian, there's crispy tofu with brussel sprouts or buttered egg noodles with broccoli and Parmesan. Moms with newborns have ample space to rock their babes, while squirmy toddlers can stretch their legs in the paved garden out back.
Fatty Crab
2170 Broadway at 76th St (212-496-2722, fattycrab.com). Subway: 1 to 79th St. Lunch, dinner, brunch. Average main course: $19. Average kids' meal: $6. High chairs, booster seats.
At the Upper West Side branch of Zak Pelaccio's trendy Malaysian joint, adults may get a bit jealous of their offspring, who can order“fish fry in a box”: lightly battered strips of fish propped up in a red takeout container, with aioli and tamarind ketchup on the side. Other offerings include crispy chicken with smoked palm sugar, or a bowl of perfect pork dumplings; tamer types can go for chicken noodle soup or sliders. Now if only Pelaccio would offer the kids' menu at his downtown location…
Kelley and Ping
127 Greene St between Prince and W Houston Sts (212-228-1212, kelleyandping.com). Subway: B, D, F to Broadway–Lafayette St; R to Prince St; 6 to Bleecker St. Average main course: $14. Average kids' meal: $5. High chairs.
The well-priced, popular noodle shop takes care of its littlest patrons with cheerfully named Pan-Asian dishes—like “bowl of sunshine” (noodle soup with roasted chicken), “chicken lollies” (satay and sticky rice) and the “Yin Yang” (dumpling, spring roll, satay, edamame)—each $5, or free before 7:30pm with the purchase of an adult meal.
Landmarc
•179 West Broadway between Leonard and Worth Sts (212-343-3883, landmarc-restaurant.com). Subway: 1 to Franklin St.
•Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle at Broadway, third floor (212-823-6123, landmarc-restaurant.com). Subway: A, C, B, D, 1 to 59th St–Columbus Circle. Average main course: $27. Kids' meals: $6–$17. High chairs, booster seats (Tribeca), changing table (Columbus Circle).
Choose from an 18-item kids' list at either location of this French-Italian steakhouse. Options range from the sophisticated (sliced skirt steak with apples and bananas, $12) and the classic (English- muffin pizza or PB&J, $6 each) to the classic-with-a-twist (PB & Nutella, $6) and the downright whimsical (green eggs and ham, $12). There's also a big selection of tiny desserts (nutella eclaire, chocolate mousse, tiramisu, lemon tart and berry crumble), though some children will find the chewy caramels that accompany the check to be treat enough.
Max Tribeca
181 Duane St between Greenwich and Hudson Sts (212-966-5939, max-ny.com). Subway: 1, 2, 3 to Chambers St. Average main course: $15. Average kids' meal: $8.
The intimate Tribeca branch of this trattoria indulges kids almost as much as nonna does. Pasta fiends will have a hard time deciding between the spaghetti with meatballs, meat tortellini in a rich cream sauce, homemade spinach ravioli, and gnocci with the may-I-please-have-that-recipe tomato sauce. Meat loaf with potato pancetta gratin and breaded chicken cutlet with a mountain of mashed potatoes round out the hearty offerings, all of which are $7 at lunch and $8 at dinner.
Megu Midtown
845 U.N. Plaza, Trump World Tower, First Ave at 47th St (212-964-7777, megurestaurants.com). Subway: E, M to Lexington Ave–53rd St; 6 to 51st St. Brunch main course: $22–$48. Kids' brunch: $21.
In the mood to splurge? On Sundays, the midtown offshoot of Tribeca's mega-temple to modern Japanese fare offers a luxe children's prix fixe: two mini Kobe burgers, Parmesan truffle fries, mini tatsuta chicken nuggets (a spin on Japanese fried chicken), plus a small salad. An adult-size Kobe burger–and–truffle fries combo is available for adults, too; but if you want to try a chicken nugget, you'll have to hope your child is feeling generous.
The Mermaid Inn
•96 Second Ave between 5th and 6th Sts (212-674-5870, themermaidnyc.com). Subway: F to Lower East Side–Second Ave.
•568 Amsterdam Ave at 88th St (212-799-7400, themermaidnyc.com). Subway: 1 to 86th St. Average main course: $23. Average kids' meal: $6. High chairs, booster seats.
Both locations of Danny Abrams's urban fish shack are cozily nautical in theme, though the kids' menu offers just one aquatic choice: house-made tilapia fish fingers, served with a green salad or fries (regular or Old Bay–seasoned). Other options include grilled chicken breast, also served with fries or a salad, and melted-mozzarella quesadillas. Color-in activity place mats and crayons should appeal to little ones of all tastes.
Philip Marie
569 Hudson St at 11th St (212-242-6200, philipmarie.com). Subway: 1 to Christopher St–Sheridan Sq. Average main course: $18. Average kids' meal: $7. Booster seats.
Everything about this quaint West Village bistro whispers romance, but if you arrive around 6pm, before the lights dim and couples start canoodling over cocktails and oysters, you'll find a friendly family spot as well as one of the best deals in town. For $7, children get a generously sized entrée such as crispy popcorn shrimp with a heaping pile of fries or penne with a tangy tomato sauce, a soft drink and a scoop of gelato topped with whipped cream for dessert. If you grab one of the window tables, the kids will be entertained by the passing parade of humanity on Hudson Street, which means parents can sit back and canoodle all they want.
Sushi Samba 7
87 Seventh Ave South at Barrow St (212-691-7885, sushisamba.com). Subway: 1 to Christopher St–Sheridan Sq. Average small plate: $4.50–$16. Average kids' meal: $12. High chairs, booster seats.
Sex and the City cocktail-culture reputation and Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian fusion cuisine notwithstanding, this place offers appealing and beautifully presented kids' fare (albeit eyed with some suspicion by picky eaters). Training chopsticks and crayons keep the kids occupied while they await the baby bento box with skewers of chicken, beef, shrimp or vegetables; sushi bites; grilled chicken, steak or salmon; or, for the least adventurous, a pair of mini burgers and sweet- potato fries. Each comes with seasonal fruit, but the real reward is the choice of mochi or a brownie sundae.
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