Restaurants NOT to be missed with children in NYC

[bhoffman]

We are headed to New York (city) next month and looking for really fun/different places to go with the kids to eat in NYC. We are staying in Times Square and will be hitting Mary Poppins one night. Going to the Statue of Liberty one day just for ideas of where we will be. I would LOVE ideas where to eat as neither of us have either been there before either.

Also, if you know of activities to do with the kids near those restaurants looking for ideas for that too. Kids are 12, 10 and 7. Would love to be on a budget but would definitely pay for something cool as well. THANKS!!!!!!!

 

[FergieTCat]

I can tell you where NOT to eat -- Mars 2012. Do not be swayed ... it's overpriced and the atmosphere and the food are not that great.

Everyone seems to like Ellen's Stardust Diner in the theater district. I like John's Pizzeria on 44th and 8th.

 

[bamor]

Agree, on the John's Pizza (very close to mary poppins)
Times Sq (Toys R Us, walk around Rockefeller Ctr, maybe head to the top of the rock, very cl to Am Girl Place on 5th ave)
Central Park Zoo is about a 15 min walk down 5th from the Am Girl Place
www.menupages.com look at west 40's and 50's for choices near Times Sq
Chinese, Pizza are always good choices
Angus McIndoe has a nice JR menu

www.hopstop.com will help with walking/subway directions

Walking around Chinatown, Little Italy, Soho

 

[Bren's Mom]

The food is nothing to write home about...but we liked Mars 2112 although it's been a few years since we went. My dss thought it was great fun.

I love Max Brenner's in Union Square. Not to eat so much, but for dessert it's awesome. You can check out their sweets menu and kid's menu (with different kid sweets) at maxbrenner.com.

 

[lisaross]

Jekyl n Hyde might be fun - again over priced, but its NYC!

 

[simpilotswife]

Another big NO!!! for Mars 2112. It is seedy inside and the food is atrocious. Ellen's is a lot of fun. Jekyll & Hyde's is good too (not so much the food though) and is reminsicent of the Adventurer's Club at Disney. Carmine's is also good. Family Style & very big portions.

 

[robsmom]

We went to NYC and Mary Poppins for my son's 10th birthday. he loved Dave and Buster's which is right next to Mary Poppins. Food was actually decent and casual. The evening was not cheap as the arcade games really add up, but DH, son and I had a ton of fun. I am a fan of the hamburgers and milkshakes at the Hard Rock Cafe, but am not a fan on the lines and wait for tables. Had i not promised my son, I would not have waited. On the day that we went to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, we took a train line back that let us get off in Chinatown. We then walked through Chinatown and Little Italy. We had a late lunch/early dinner in Little Italy. There are a ton of choices for restaurants so maybe someone can suggest one. I can't remember where we went but it was good.

 

[mominwestlake]

Jekyl n Hyde might be fun - again over priced, but its NYC!

We really enjoyed this place! My dd did too.

 

[mjkacmom]

The best food is found away from Times Square - just don't waste a meal on a chain restaurant. Go down to Little Italy and/or Chinatown. I remember there was an area with all Indian restaurants. The menus are posted on the window, so that helps.

 

[iluvjus]

John's Pizzaria is good!! My 9 yr old loves Planet Hollywood, overpriced but he enjoys it so much we tend to go each time we are there.

 

[curseofcurves]

I'm not sure of the age or gender of your kids, but Alice's Tea Cup was a fun little place to spend some time. Would be especially fun for kids since the remake of Alice has been released. http://alicesteacup.com/

 

[lisaross]

if u like Chinese and r in China Town go to Wo-Hops on Mott st. downstairs restaurant! GREAT FOOD - Cheap Prices - not atmosphere but always crowded so go off hour..

 

[crashbb]

I'm not sure of the age or gender of your kids, but Alice's Tea Cup was a fun little place to spend some time. Would be especially fun for kids since the remake of Alice has been released. http://alicesteacup.com/

The OP said the kids are 12, 10, and 7. And the OP has two princesses and one prince in her signature, so odds are good that at least some of the kids would enjoy it.

I was there in May and it really is a cute place.

 

[java]

Virgil's BBQ is one of my kids favorite.

We also enjoy Ellen's Stardust diner for breakfast.

And I AGREE NO MARS2112!!!

Other things to do - there is free Sony Wonder Labs.
They are opening a new Lego store (huge one) right in Rockefeller Center but I don't know when it's opening.
ToysRus in Times Square is fun-

When you you go to Statue Of Liberty that is a good time to go to Chinatown- or eat in the village- tons of great places and much less expensive!

Have a great trip! Just walking around is fun.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Most kids (most not all) will be more excited with the surroundings than the food. We have dones Mars 2112, Ellens Stardust Diner, Jeckyl and Hyde, ESPN Zone - RIP; closed now, and Serendipity. We have also been to Lombardi's pizzeria, John's pizzeria, and Carnegie Deli. The last 3 were all good food, but not "kids have to go" places.

If your kids are adventurous eaters and the surroundings are not important, here is a great link to restaurants:

http://nymag.com/urban/guides/family/food/listings/manhattan1.htm

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Another vote here for John's Pizzeria--it's in a converted church and is really a pretty building on the inside. Great pizza too. This is the place I always suggest.

 

[Ava]

If your family likes seafood there is a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co in Times Square, I think at 44th St. It's a chain, but it's fun. (I live here and we still occasionally go to Bubba's, haha.)

Dallas BBQ is good for a budget - huge portions for cheap prices. They also have huge adult beverages.

Also second the recs for Ellen's Stardust Diner (not the best food but where else will you find singing waitstaff?), Jekyll & Hyde, and John's Pizzeria.

 

[digitalsiren]

Jekyll and Hyde is one of my favs!

 

[java]

Oh and when you get sick of fast foody type food my favorite upscale but kid friendly place early is

BeccoNYC
here is there spring menu
The pasta special (unlimited 3 choices) are YUMMY!! They change often.
http://becco-nyc.com/fCMSBackend/imgRoot/pdf/1_8_10__2_.pdf

 

[bhoffman]

Thank you to all that have answered! Keep them coming all you New yorkers! I know we will get there and not starve, there are just sooooo many choices and good places I would hate to "waste" a chance to do something fun or get some great food.

Not sure China town or Indian will work for us. We have a family member deathly allergic to peanuts/nuts so we MUST be able to fully communicate with the staff about food ingredients, cross contamination, etc. I'm going to look some of these places up tonight. I'm getting excited!