We visit New York regularly and have both family and friends who live there. Although we don’t have the seasoned experience of long-time residents, we are glad that many waiters actually know us, remember our favorite dishes and make new suggestions of ones we might like. Since many of us have kids in tow, we often head to kid-friendly restaurants, pizza spots and even some vegetarian dining establishments.
These are our favorites, in no particular order. I suggest you read the details on each and find ones that will fit your taste and preferences.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
When it comes to pizza, you really can’t go wrong with Grimaldi’s Pizzeria when it comes to family-friendly dining spots. True, you may have to wait during busy times so plan ahead before visiting here. There aren’t a lot of tables and they are packed pretty tightly. Of course,you can always grab your pizza and take it outside to eat – as we often do.
Also, if you like to buy your pizza by the slice, that is not an option (or wasn’t when we visited, might want to check for updates). A major selling point for Grimaldis? Not only is it a family-friendly dining spot but the prices are among the lowest around, especially for New York. The atmosphere is casual and you almost expect to hear Frank Sinatra songs greet you at the door ( entirely possible, if the jukebox is turned on). No need to dress up to go here, either.
Prices are in the very affordable range of ten to fourteen dollars. There isn’t a huge variety of items, true, but there are a large number of incredible toppings for pizzas. Basic choices here are pizza and calzones and antipasto. That is enough for us, though. Kids love the pizza and adults go for the antipasto, rich with mozzarella, salami, roasted peppers and olives. If you check out the topping available for pizza, you’ll be amazed. If you get a craving for pizza, be sure to stop by Grimaldi’s Pizzeria. You won’t be disappointed.
Location and hours: 19 Old Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201-1322
Phone (718) 858-4300
Hours: Mon – Thurs : 11:30 am – 11 pm
Fri: 11:30 am – 12 am
Sat: 12 pm – 12 am
Sun 12 pm – 11 pm
Website and menu: brooklyn.citysearch.com/profile/7330989/brooklyn_ny/grimaldi_s_pizzeria.htmlSkip#
Bubby’s Brooklyn
A relative in Brooklyn Heights got us to try this restaurant and we were so glad she did. Bubby’s was voted Best of Citysearch in New York for Family-friendly dining in 2007. We could certainly understand why! Whether you come for breakfast, lunch or dinner, there is always something superb on the menu. At breakfast, dieters can opt for fresh fruit while the kids (or even adults) might decide to splurge on the huge pancakes or raisin French toast.
At lunch or dinner, there are the usual staple items that make this a family-friendly restaurant, from fried chicken to macaroni and cheese. You’ll find the atmosphere to be just as relaxed as you’d want, with nice waiters who know how to cater to kids. No snobs here, something our kids appreciated. Adults should have a look at the surprisingly generous wine list, if they happen to want a drink. We didn’t try the Bloody Marys but we were told they are considered special.
Location and hours: 1 Main Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone (718) 222-0666
Hours:
Mon – Tue, Thur: 11:30 am – 3 pm
5:30 pm- 9pm
Fri – 11:30 am – 11 pm
Sat – 10 am – 4 pm and 5:30 pm – 11 pm
Sun – 10 am – 9 pm with a break from 4 to 5:30.
Jessie’s Brooklyn Kitchen
If you are totally into food which is organic and hormone or pesticide-free, go Jessie’s Brooklyn Kitchen as your family friendly destination. Not only is the restaurant owned by family members but they really care about providing healthy food which won’t put harmful chemicals into your – or your childrens’ – bodies.
This makes it extra appealing to families.
There are people who eat here daily and a friend considers it almost an extension of her very small kitchen. She’d rather be eating at Jessie’s most nights of the week and we certainly understand why. Great atmosphere and service and the food is delicious. Out of four meals eaten here, only one resulted in slow service but we’re willing to give any restaurant with such a commendable goal (providing healthy food) extra chances. We loved the burgers and tuna selections. Remember, organic is the focus for the food here.
Website: jessiesbrooklynkitchen.com/
Location and hours: 200 Smith Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 858-8807
Hours: Mon – Fri: 7:30 am – 9 pm
Sat – 11 am – 6 pm
Houlihans – definitely family friendly!
We were glad to see this “old friend” in New York. Yes, you’ll find Houlihans at many other places across the country but sometimes you just have a craving for the familiar and predictable. That was how we felt when we entered the door, after a busy day (maybe too busy) shopping, sight-seeing and touring New York. We were happy but exhausted and Houlihans welcomed us inside.
The fare is standard and traditional American food and prices range from $12.99 – $19.99. A nice basic steak and potatoes place, fine for kids and familiar to many adults who’ve eaten there before, probably before setting foot in Brooklyn.
Location and Hours: 139 Flatbush Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 398-2232
Hours: 11 am – 10 pm weekday
11 am -11 pm weekends.
Noodle Pudding
Not always so easy to see, this one is worth seeking out. It is a bit of a neighborhood secret and were we ever glad that our friend lived in the neighborhood!
I’d call this one “eclectic” with a quirky atmosphere, a favorite of locals in the area. It can also be very noisy at the height of dinner hour but we found the food to be worth any noise factor. Definitely a family-friendly restaurant, too.
The food? Simply sublime. Try the mussels or gnocchi entrees. Save room for the tiramisu. If you’re craving Italian food with some sophistication, you’ll find what you want while your kids will be equally satisfied, being able to find noodle and pasta dishes for even the pickiest eaters. They can get pasta with plain tomato sauce, not much simpler than that for those finicky eaters. Prices range from $11.95 for chicken breasts to over $22.00. You should expect to rack up a fair amount of money eating here – but oh, did we find it worth the price!
Location and Hours: 38 Henry Street
Brooklyn, Ny 11201
(718) 625-3737
Hours: 5:30 – 10 pm
Open a bit later on weekends. Call ahead to make sure.
Parking is on the street.
Le Petit Marche
Got a hankering for French cuisine? Try this family-friendly restaurant and up your child’s gourmet dining skills. While children are welcome, they should be old enough to be well-behaved and the space doesn’t accommodate strollers. Still, I’m including this one because we found it perfect for children able to handle the basics of restaurants and the staff was willing to cater to them.
Be aware that a fair number of people come here for romantic evenings so do make sure your children are “restaurant-friendly” and prepped on proper behavior. If so, they are in for a treat (and not just gawking at young lovers, either). I ordered lamb chops and my husband went with the calamari salad and a fish dish. Prices range from $18 on up, so do factor for that in your budget. We aren’t talking “cheap food” here, sorry.
Location and hours: 46 Henry Street
Brooklyn, Ny 11201
(718) 858-9605
Caffe Buon Gusto
This may be my most controversial family-friendly restaurant because I’ve talked to a fair share of people who didn’t like eating here. We loved the food, each and every time. So that is my take. The fact that they offer fixed price food choices is a real plus and any children who came along with our friend were always treated well. The kids and adults were always happy. Expect to pay $20.00 for flat price menu choices or as little as $12.95 for chicken dishes. Choices range from Eggplant Parmiagiana to sole to Chicken Piccata.
Location and Hours: 115 Montague Street
Brooklyn, Ny 11201
(718) 624-3838
Hours: 11:30 am – 11:30 pm daily.
Special tip: Check out the weekend brunch here!
Aunt Suzie’s Restaurant
Hey, if with a relative cooking in the kitchen, it has to be family-friendly, right? Okay, I won’t push that analogy too far (some aunts aren’t great cooks, perhaps) but this one really is a winner. It has been a neighborhood staple for 20 years and Southern Italian cooking is the focus. Prices range from about eight to fifteen dollars and you can get a steak here for about 20.00 (a bargain in New York, based on our experience). Our entire family went with the lasagna but we hear the chicken dishes are also quite good, including Chicken Vagabond.
The atmosphere? Homey, of course. Casual – and the wine flows freely. Consider yourself warned – or excited about that.
Location and hours: 247 Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 788-2868
Hours: Always open from 5 pm to 10:30 pm, staying open till 12 am on weekends (Fri- Sun).
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Another family friend here, one we have in our own neighborhood back at home. We found that kids were much more willing to try some new family -friendly restaurants if we occasionally visited some ones they already knew – and loved. So we made sure to make a beeline to Chipotle. Nothing surprising there, which was just what we wanted. Standard fare, reliably prepared. Happy kids, happy adults.
We always order tacos and burritos that are made the way we like them, custom made. The prices are almost always under $20. In New York, you’ll see the atmosphere of exposed pipes (yes, intentionally) and hear salsa and mexican music.
Tip: Remember that the actual salsa, that spicy topping or dip, can be hot, if desired. If not, ask for the mild salsa. Your taste buds will thank you, either way.
Location and Hours: 185 Montague Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 243-9109
Nature’s Grill
While in New York, we indulged – did we ever!. From ice cream to hot roasted chestnuts offered by street vendors, we ate it all. Finally, smitten with guilt, we headed over to the very family-family restaurant, Nature’s Grill. Although we expected to find diet food, we were pleasantly surprised at how delicious healthy food could be (we already knew how tasty unhealthy food was).
We also got a jolt of color when we saw the orange walls and the yellow ceiling. It was an instant wake-up call and energy booster before we put a bit of food in our mouths. If you’d rather drink your food, smoothies and protein shakes are made to order. Because we were trying to achieve balance, we opted for salads and smoothies.
Location and Hours: 7417 Third Avenue
Brooklyn, Ny 11209
718 – 680-6900
Hours: Mon- Sat : 10 am -9 pm
Sun – 11 am – 5 pm
