Kid-Friendly NYC Restaurants?

[minnie56]

My friend is off to NYC with her 2 boys ages 10 and 13. Anyone know of restaurants that kids would like and the food is good? I only know some finer places that children likely wouldn't get a whole lot out of. I recall there being one that had the wait staff dressed as Aliens or something?

Any help appreciated!!

 

[LtlTee]

Mars 2112 in Times Square is what you're thinking of -- 51st street, I think. I went with my kids when they were 9 and 11 and they loved it.

 

[Princess89]

Mars 2112 in Times Square is what you're thinking of -- 51st street, I think. I went with my kids when they were 9 and 11 and they loved it.

That is my first thought as well. Also the Jekkyl and Hyde club on Broadway is a fun place for those ages. There is also a J & H in Greenwich.

 

[minnie56]

Mars 2112 in Times Square is what you're thinking of -- 51st street, I think. I went with my kids when they were 9 and 11 and they loved it.

Oh thank you!
Was the food good? Often with these places the theme is the selling point and overshadows the fact that the food is lousy!

 

[VioltePrincess]

the food in Mars is a bit overpriced for what you get, the theming is the selling point. I never ate in J & H. there's a Planet Hollywood in times Square, I'm sure the kids would love it. another choice would be Ellen's Stardust diner, on 51st street -- the home of the singing waitstaff (and the food is great). John's Pizza on West 44th. Serendipity on East 61st(/) -- frozen hot chocolate! and there lots of chains around -- TGI Friday's, Olive Garden, Applebee's.

 

[minnie56]

the food in Mars is a bit overpriced for what you get, the theming is the selling point. I never ate in J & H. there's a Planet Hollywood in times Square, I'm sure the kids would love it. another choice would be Ellen's Stardust diner, on 51st street -- the home of the singing waitstaff (and the food is great). John's Pizza on West 44th. Serendipity on East 61st(/) -- frozen hot chocolate! and there lots of chains around -- TGI Friday's, Olive Garden, Applebee's.

Thank you! Lots of good places here..I mentioned Serendipity to her and have dined at Johns Pizza in Times Sq, is that the same chain??

 

[charlie,nj]

www.mars2112.com

Great place my kids love it.

(I as recall no ressies and the waiting line could get long.)


Planet Hollywood also great over looking Times Square.



.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

A few places my kids like, serendipity3 (they really enjoy it here).
Hard Rock cafe
Mars 2112
Lexington candy Shop - Burgers, fries, shakes
Nadine's
Ruby Foo's
Virgil's - BBQ

 

[ckay87]

the food in Mars is a bit overpriced for what you get, the theming is the selling point. I never ate in J & H. there's a Planet Hollywood in times Square, I'm sure the kids would love it. another choice would be Ellen's Stardust diner, on 51st street -- the home of the singing waitstaff (and the food is great). John's Pizza on West 44th. Serendipity on East 61st(/) -- frozen hot chocolate! and there lots of chains around -- TGI Friday's, Olive Garden, Applebee's.

Thank you! I've been trying to think of the name of that place for so long. DS and I are seeing Spamalot for our birthdays next week! Was looking for a non-chain, fun place to eat with "regular" food for a picky eater (not me!)

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We ate at Mars about 1 1/2 years ago and had a terrible experience. The food was horrible (tasted like it was frozen and heated up), service very slow (took about an hour to get the food and the place was not busy), forever to get the check, and everything was very overpriced. I don't mind paying for decent food, but that was anything but.

 

[Missy1961]

Someone mentioned Virgil's BBQ, I second it. One of my favorite places to eat in NYC. Very good food at reasonable (for NY) prices. We took my nieces ages 3 & 7 there this June & they loved it, the little one ate most of her burger in no time.

 

[Sherrypooh]

for Jekyl and Hyde or hard rock cafe.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I must be a big kid at heart b/c just this past saturday, my best friend and I went for breakfast at Stardust on the corner of Broadway and 51st and dinner at the Jeckyll and Hyde Club on The Avenue of America's (6th ave) b/w 57th and 58th (left side if walking north). I would recommend both. If the boys like haunted houses, they'll love J and H.

 

[rkrivas]

Another vote for Ellen's Stardust Diner! We were just there last Saturday and my DD7 didn't want to leave even after there being there for almost 2 hours!
It gets crowded, but the singing waitstaff keeps everyone entertained.

 

[frndshpcptn]

I vote J and H and Virgil's. Just ate at Virgil's last night - it's always great BBQ food and fun atmosphere.

 

[Magickndm]

We love Ellen's too, as well as Jeckyl and Hyde, though if the younger one gets spooked by low light and loud noises, J&H could be a problem. Ollie's Noodle Shop is also very good with huge [size=-1]portions.
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[bjgrazi]

J & H are fun for the kids. Ellens Stardust is a must for us. I'd never do Mars 2112 again. Overpriced, lousy food, terrible service as already said. I know many who have gone and wouldn't again.

 

[ckay87]

I have another question, then, since a lot of you have been to Ellen's. Is there usually a long wait? Our visit is the day before Thanksgiving. We'll be having dinner, I hope, right around 5:00. This could be a very good thing or a very bad thing, you know?

Sorry, OP, I don't mean to hijack.

 

[Magickndm]

We went there just about 2 weeks ago, got there at 5:30 and it was almost empty. Being a holiday weekend it could mean a longer wait though. They'll only take reservations if the party is larger than 8.

 

[debbi801]

Surprised no one has mentioned Chocolate. Check out their kids' menu.