Another New York City Thread - Eating Out (with fussy kids)
Discussion
I know there are a lot of NYC threads on PH, but a lot of them seem quite old and a lot of the restaurants recommended don't exist any more.
Have been a few times before, but never with the kids (10 and 15) who are rather fussy eaters so am after some recommendations for good places to eat out - Would rather avoid the really touristy midtown fare and go to some more individual places that give a better, more authentic experience.
Can't go wrong with Italian restaurants, possibly Mexican, and the usual steak / burger / hot dogs etc.
Want to try and book at least a couple of restaurants for the evenings before we go just so we're not wandering the streets looking for somewhere when we're hungry and getting annoyed with each other
Any recommendations?
Have been a few times before, but never with the kids (10 and 15) who are rather fussy eaters so am after some recommendations for good places to eat out - Would rather avoid the really touristy midtown fare and go to some more individual places that give a better, more authentic experience.
Can't go wrong with Italian restaurants, possibly Mexican, and the usual steak / burger / hot dogs etc.
Want to try and book at least a couple of restaurants for the evenings before we go just so we're not wandering the streets looking for somewhere when we're hungry and getting annoyed with each other
Any recommendations?
Cyder said:
You’ll fit right in with the rude New Yorkers. 
Keens steakhouse close to Empire State Building and Pershing Square just outside Grand Central for Breakfast we’re both excellent.
Yep, got Pershing Square on the list already, thanks, it looks really good ….. only rude to people that deserve it Keens steakhouse close to Empire State Building and Pershing Square just outside Grand Central for Breakfast we’re both excellent.
Edited by Joyrider1 on Saturday 23 July 22:11
Buy yourself a book called “Not For Tourists”. They are invaluable city guides in my opinion. We went to NY before we had a child, but even so, these books just break down every area of a city giving great reviews of what to expect off the beaten track. You may get find this useful searching out child friendly places.
Either way, get along to Stella’s Stardust Diner. Staff sing all the big show tunes during the evening, many of them are Broadway actors. Great fun for all.
Either way, get along to Stella’s Stardust Diner. Staff sing all the big show tunes during the evening, many of them are Broadway actors. Great fun for all.
Just got back from NYC earlier this weekwith the OH and a 4 year old.
Eating out in NYC with children is probably easier than most places… also the US is very good for customising dishes unlike Europe- so if you see something on their menu just tell them exactly how you want it ( add or remove ingredients). Never had a restaurant refuse.
Always something available for all tastes. A lot of places have kids menus but may not necessarily be on their websites.
Some recommendations based on this visit:
Jacks wife Frieda ( have goods Kids menu) and adult menu is great.
Penelopes ( old classic and a little overpriced but good variety of menu)
Food Halls - Chelsea food Market, Urbanspace etc - you can always find something that your group will eat)
Emily Squared - casual sit down pizza place as opposed to a hole in the wall ( Detroit Pan style).They do burgers as well..
BndSt - Japanese fusion. Much more upmarket than the others but really enjoyed it - so did our 4 year old.
Russ and Daughters - good breakfast
Breaks Bakery - only for their Chocolate Babka Bread
Ess a Bagel - great bagels and good for breakfast
S’Mac - casual -only does mac and cheese and lots of different flavours - great for the kids and adults for something simple.
Personally I avoided the places around Times Square etc but am sure you will find stuff there the kids will like ( Juniors comes to mind from past visits).
Did Clinton Street Bakery for the first time this time around - extremely disappointed.
As an aside one thing that really surprised me and disappointed me was a) the city seems to have got dirtier than I ever remember and 2) as cannabis has been legalised it felt like there is a cannabis truck or shop on every corner and felt we could smell it every 5 minutes wherever we went. Noticed it in the parks and walking around. People working and on their breaks would just be lighting a joint and didn’t appear that anyone was being discreet about it.
Eating out in NYC with children is probably easier than most places… also the US is very good for customising dishes unlike Europe- so if you see something on their menu just tell them exactly how you want it ( add or remove ingredients). Never had a restaurant refuse.
Always something available for all tastes. A lot of places have kids menus but may not necessarily be on their websites.
Some recommendations based on this visit:
Jacks wife Frieda ( have goods Kids menu) and adult menu is great.
Penelopes ( old classic and a little overpriced but good variety of menu)
Food Halls - Chelsea food Market, Urbanspace etc - you can always find something that your group will eat)
Emily Squared - casual sit down pizza place as opposed to a hole in the wall ( Detroit Pan style).They do burgers as well..
BndSt - Japanese fusion. Much more upmarket than the others but really enjoyed it - so did our 4 year old.
Russ and Daughters - good breakfast
Breaks Bakery - only for their Chocolate Babka Bread
Ess a Bagel - great bagels and good for breakfast
S’Mac - casual -only does mac and cheese and lots of different flavours - great for the kids and adults for something simple.
Personally I avoided the places around Times Square etc but am sure you will find stuff there the kids will like ( Juniors comes to mind from past visits).
Did Clinton Street Bakery for the first time this time around - extremely disappointed.
As an aside one thing that really surprised me and disappointed me was a) the city seems to have got dirtier than I ever remember and 2) as cannabis has been legalised it felt like there is a cannabis truck or shop on every corner and felt we could smell it every 5 minutes wherever we went. Noticed it in the parks and walking around. People working and on their breaks would just be lighting a joint and didn’t appear that anyone was being discreet about it.
Thanks Fizz, have bookmarked a few of those - We'll tend to steer clear of Times Square (will no doubt walk the kids through it just so they've been there, but will be making a swift exit, horrible place). Know what you mean about the smell of weed everywhere - Found San Francisco the same a couple of years ago.
Have a good selection of places to go now, just need to book a couple of them up - don't think we'll be going hungry that's for sure
Have a good selection of places to go now, just need to book a couple of them up - don't think we'll be going hungry that's for sure
MrB. said:
Either way, get along to Stella’s Stardust Diner. Staff sing all the big show tunes during the evening, many of them are Broadway actors. Great fun for all.
It’s an experience but IMO the food was greasy fried crap, kids liked it though 
Took our kids here
https://www.palmanyc.com/about/
Found it on a food tour and went back a couple of times (two separate trips).
Cyder said:
You’ll fit right in with the rude New Yorkers.
We're not rude, we just have to navigate a million tourists each day Here are a couple that our kids have enjoyed.
https://www.robertaspizza.com/
https://sylviasrestaurant.com/
fourstardan said:
You will have every ounce of fast food outlet available for your fussy kids to stuff down their throats.
How fussy can TGI's be?
Its the Big Apple, I find planning anything pointless.
We’re not going all the way there to eat TGIs or from crap fast food chain outlets. The idea is to go and experience new things, not something we can go to in any retail park or motorway service station in the UK. Maybe I overplayed the fussy eaters a bit in this thread, they do eat, but like with most kids there’s no point taking them to a Michelin star restaurant and paying a fortune cos they just wouldn’t appreciate it and would likely leave half of it on their plate. I’m just after some recommendations on good restaurants to try out rather than wandering around trying to find somewhere to go.How fussy can TGI's be?
Its the Big Apple, I find planning anything pointless.
Thanks to all those who gave some good advice, you’ve given me some good ideas.
Edited by Joyrider1 on Monday 25th July 16:51
Alexandra said:
Another vote for Sylvia’s. We went Ona Sunday and the place was packed with the after church crowd. Great atmosphere and good food.I live in NYC and have a 4 year old who still struggles with a lot of foods. Nearly everywhere will do a kids menu or sides (a big bowl of mashed potato is often enough to keep him happy).
Any of the famous pizza restaurants (a walk over the Brooklyn bridge to Grimaldi's builds an appetite) are good.
American Chinese food is super sweet and not spicy, try Red Farm. The dimsum shaped like pacman will get a smile.
PJ Clarke's or JG Melon for burgers.
Mermaid Inn is seafood and American classics, good kids options too.
Kids love fast food - you can try Chick-Fil-A or Shake Shack for something different I dont think you can get in the UK.
Any of the famous pizza restaurants (a walk over the Brooklyn bridge to Grimaldi's builds an appetite) are good.
American Chinese food is super sweet and not spicy, try Red Farm. The dimsum shaped like pacman will get a smile.
PJ Clarke's or JG Melon for burgers.
Mermaid Inn is seafood and American classics, good kids options too.
Kids love fast food - you can try Chick-Fil-A or Shake Shack for something different I dont think you can get in the UK.
I was in NYC a couple of weekends ago, with my kids (14 and 12). We had a brilliant meal at Gallaghers Steakhouse (possibly the best Porterhouse I have ever had). Great wine list too.
We also had a lovely pizza and salad lunch at Vezzo (178 Lexington, which was about 5-10 mins walk from Empire State Building).
We also had a lovely pizza and salad lunch at Vezzo (178 Lexington, which was about 5-10 mins walk from Empire State Building).
one other NY thing kinds like - there are all these food courts in areas like midtown that have tons of pop-up restaurants in them.
So letting the kids run around with $20 to choose their own meal within a closed environment could be fun. Gansevoort Market, Gotham West, etc.
They have little pop-up shops selling everything from tacos to donuts to ramen.
So letting the kids run around with $20 to choose their own meal within a closed environment could be fun. Gansevoort Market, Gotham West, etc.
They have little pop-up shops selling everything from tacos to donuts to ramen.
Joyrider1 said:
We’re not going all the way there to eat TGIs or from crap fast food chain outlets. The idea is to go and experience new things, not something we can go to in any retail park or motorway service station in the UK. Maybe I overplayed the fussy eaters a bit in this thread, they do eat, but like with most kids there’s no point taking them to a Michelin star restaurant and paying a fortune cos they just wouldn’t appreciate it and would likely leave half of it on their plate. I’m just after some recommendations on good restaurants to try out rather than wandering around trying to find somewhere to go.
Thanks to all those who gave some good advice, you’ve given me some good ideas.
Ok I get you mate so Non adventurous rather than just ones that eat beige food.Thanks to all those who gave some good advice, you’ve given me some good ideas.
Edited by Joyrider1 on Monday 25th July 16:51
TBH, the big apple never disappoints food wise and food is always well publicised online/outside.
Steak houses tend to be good but can rack up, I don't envy you taking a family of four over there at the moment.
I've never gone into chain restaurants tbh while there for the reasons you say i.e. its crap you can buy anywhere. I'd say avoid All Day Diners for dinner though as it will most likely be boring beige stuff.
fourstardan said:
Ok I get you mate so Non adventurous rather than just ones that eat beige food.
Steak houses tend to be good but can rack up, I don't envy you taking a family of four over there at the moment.
Yeah that’s probably a better explanation. Steak houses tend to be good but can rack up, I don't envy you taking a family of four over there at the moment.
Am fully expecting it to cost me an arm and a leg - it was bad enough when I last went 5 years ago, and a lot different to when I first went there in 1999 with nearly $2 to the pound, but sod it, you only live once
Edited by Joyrider1 on Monday 25th July 19:01
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