The Resy Guide to Kid-Friendly Restaurants in New York

When you’re looking for giant platters of comfort food, there’s nowhere better place than this Tribeca institution. The 30-year-old restaurant is famous for two specialties: pancakes and pies. And while the littlest diners are generally not too picky about either of those, Bubby’s executes both flawlessly. Adults will appreciate the tang in the 1890 sourdough pancakes, while kids are huge fans of the fluffy James Beard variety (especially with Nutella, strawberries, and whipped cream on top). As for the pies: The housemade confections are rightfully famous in New York. We recommend picking up a local apple, and a banoffee (bananas, dulce de leche, and whipped cream) for a sweet end to your meal.

Call (212) 219-0666 to make a reservation.

One of this year’s most talked-about openings is this classic Italian-American joint, helmed by chef Sal Lamboglia, formerly of Bar Primi. Kids will adore the large, colorful backyard — complete with a baby blue Vespa — and the accessible menu of dishes like cheesy cacio e pepe rice balls and the already-famous spaghetti pomodoro, sprinkled with parmesan and basil. Lamboglia is a father himself, to boot: Don’t be surprised to see his two-year-old daughter making the rounds during early evening dinner service.

What happens when chefs who formerly worked the line at fine dining spots like Batard, Ai Fiori, and Khe-Yo set their sights on opening a neighborhood spot? You get Chez Nick: a charming restaurant on a sleepy corner with a stellar menu that will please both picky kids and your friends with discerning palates. Tot-friendly bites include the umami-packed Parmesan fries, lumache pasta with pesto, and for dessert, a giant chocolate chip cookie served with a glass of cold milk. After your meal, you can take a stroll to nearby Carl Schurz Park, whose playground is one of the best in the city.

We probably don’t have to sell this one too hard: The overarching theme of Chocobar Cortés’ menu is … chocolate. An outpost of a famed restaurant in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, the food here is far from gimmicky: Think traditional ham croquetas enlivened with dark chocolate, or a grilled cheese sandwich served on brioche and slathered with chocolate butter. And you’ll obviously want to save room for dessert. Kids will love the traditional lava cake paired with vanilla bean ice cream and strawberry sauce, and will have a blast sampling the seven varieties of hot chocolate.

Call (718) 841-9310 to make a reservation.

Bringing a bit of Texas hospitality to downtown is Cowgirl, a favorite in the West Village since 1989. The menu is fun for the whole family, with dishes like state fair-style corn dogs, cheese quesadillas, and a particularly tasty rendition of classic macaroni and cheese. Apart from the accessible menu, the restaurant also attracts families with plenty of community-building events. Recent parties have included live country music sessions and Sunday afternoon dance parties.

Call (212) 633-1133 to make a reservation. 

While perhaps best known as one of the neighborhood’s hardest-to-snag date night tables, Don Angie is very accommodating to young pasta lovers, as well. Plus, if you’re not keen to bring a toddler into the main dining room, the outdoor and temperature-controlled dining cabins make it easy to have a more private family night out. The restaurant may not have a separate kids’ menu, but many of the items are surprisingly tyke-approved: After all, who doesn’t love a stuffed garlic flatbread? As for the entrees, the garganelli pasta served with a broken meatball ragu is a fan-favorite with the under-10 set.

Pro tip: Here’s a primer on getting a coveted Resy at Don Angie.

The newest outpost of beloved taco spot Empellón Taqueria delivers a welcome infusion of kid-friendly fare to this far west stretch of Lincoln Square. And since Empellón’s tacos are known as some of New York’s finest, eating here is a delight for grown-ups, too. (Did we mention there are seven different margaritas on the menu?). Some of the standout dishes include the melty and rich queso fundido, served with fresh corn tortillas; the carnitas tacos topped with salsa verde; and, perhaps the favorite of kids everywhere: crunchy tacos stuffed with ground beef or veggie chorizo. And don’t miss exploring Waterline Square Park right next door; it’s one of the city’s most underrated.

Call (212) 380-1232 to make a reservation. 

One of the city’s most innovative Indian spots is this bi-level space located just a few blocks from Union Square and Gramercy Park. The menu is a mix of traditional Indian dishes created with contemporary techniques; think fries tossed with a masala spice blend, or carrot-halwa ice cream. But brunch is perhaps the best time to bring little ones, who can feast on breakfast plates like fried chicken and waffles, lamb burgers, and omelets served on top of flaky paratha bread.

The Upper West Side is family-central, so it should be no surprise that many of the restaurants in this neighborhood are more than prepared to deal with frequent water spills and toddler tantrums. But to do that with aplomb and serve an elevated American classics menu is squarely the territory of only Maison Pickle. The enormous portions here make it easy to share plates among a pack of rambunctious kids, and everyone will enjoy the signature dishes like the ultra-creamy mac and cheese — one of the best in the city — the chicken and eggplant parmigiana, and the pillowy shrimp dumplings.

The newest location of this beloved sushi group is a gorgeous, soaring space on the enviable corner of Mulberry and Prince Streets. The high-quality fish and attentive and understanding staff also make it a wonderful place to introduce your kids to maki rolls, sashimi, and chirashi. But if you’re looking for a few non-fish options to hedge your bets, head here for brunch. Dishes include a jaw-dropping French toast made with matcha chocolate, whipped cream, and red bean paste; and the very Instagrammable yuzu-ricotta soufflé pancakes, served with yuzu honey and seasonal fruits.

Dim sum is the perfect food for little eaters: They’re (mostly) handheld, adorable, and considering the fact they can be stuffed with anything from shrimp to chicken to veggies, an excellent way to introduce your kids to new foods. While Chinatown is, of course, known for its bevy of first-rate dim sum parlors, one of the easiest with kids is the venerated Nom Wah Tea Parlor. Since opening more than 100 years ago, the restaurant has consistently churned out exemplary versions of Chinese pastries, steamed buns, and some of the city’s best dim sum.

Chef Greg Baxtrom burst onto the national scene with his farm-to-table spot Olmsted. And his newest venture, the uber family-friendly Patti Ann’s, applies the same level of precision to old-school Midwest American dishes. We’re talking blooming onions with ranch dressing, cherry ketchup-glazed duck meatloaf, and desserts like root beer floats and lemon bars. Oh, and in case you’re wondering: Patti Ann’s is named for Baxtrom’s mom, a retired elementary school teacher.

Two words: mozzarella sticks. OK, a few more: Penny Bridge is a seasonal American restaurant opened up by the king of seasonal American cooking, chef Dan Kluger. But unlike his Greenwich Village spot Loring Place (also wonderful for kids, by the way), Penny Bridge’s menu is inspired by the classic American diner. The aforementioned mozz sticks — made with mozzarella, fontina, and parmesan — are the best in New York, but much of the menu is excellent for young diners. Brunch here is especially fun, especially the double chocolate waffle served with caramelized bananas, and the bread pudding French toast topped with Meyer lemon curd.

A groundbreaking pioneer in a new wave of New York-style pizza, Roberta’s is now solidly in the pantheon of the city’s finest pizzerias. While the original Bushwick location is a blast, their newer spot in Domino Park is the most kid-friendly of any location. The airy and bright space is great for groups of little ones, as is the nearby playground inside the park. But you came here for the pizza: grab a Rosso for those who don’t like cheese, the Margherita for the purists among you, and try the Bee Sting for anyone who loves a touch of sweet heat (it’s sprinkled with chili and drizzled with honey).

If you’re a New Yorker, we know what you’re thinking: Isn’t this place tourist central? Sometimes, yes, but the whole menu — not just the famed frozen hot chocolate — is both whimsical and delicious. Plus, once your child digs into one of the towering frozen drinks or sundaes, you’ll finally understand what the phrase “kid in a candy store” truly means. While the laughably large desserts are the main draw here, don’t leave without trying one of the five varieties of mac and cheese, or at brunch time, one of eight different waffle creations.