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New York City is one of the most child-friendly cities in the world, offering a wealth of things to do that keep your kids happy, from playgrounds and movie theaters to toy stores and of course, the many major attractions all over Manhattan and beyond. But between all that fun, learning and play, where are the best places to grab a bite to eat with your kiddos?
Here are five of our favorite child-friendly restaurants in Manhattan.
Shake Shack
With locations all over the city—including the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side, Grand Central Terminal, Battery Park, Madison Square Park, the Theater District and Brooklyn—this is a handy go-to for child-friendly eating, no matter where you are. The menu may stick to the basics—burgers, hot dogs and shakes—but this is lovingly-prepared fast food that pays close attention to detail and is always a fun environment for families. The fact that this now-booming business started as a single food cart in Madison Square Park is a good indication of the quality on offer at Shake Shack.
Alice’s Tea Cup
With three Uptown locations to choose from (one on the West Side, two on the East), Alice’s Tea Cup is glorious fun for any little girls who enjoy the delicate nature of tea parties and fairy wings, but offers satisfying food options for adults. With a great selection of sandwiches, salads and soups, as well as good breakfast options and a predictably delectable dessert menu, Alice’s Tea Cup is heaven for girly-girls and a delight for any parent with a sweet-tooth. According to InTouch magazine, Nicole Richie and her little ones love the desserts here so much, she has been known to have them shipped all the way to her home in Los Angeles! Call ahead and make a reservation in advance, if you can.
Brooklyn Diner
With locations on West 57th and West 43rd Street, Brooklyn Diner offers up a traditional 1940s diner vibe with milk shakes to match and a huge Ebbets Field mural inside the restaurant, to entice any baseball-lovers in your family. The menu has basics—burgers, hot dogs, pasta—for kids, but plenty to satisfy parents too, thanks to highly-experienced Italian Corporate Executive chef, Brando de Oliveira. What’s more, sign up to Brooklyn Diner’s Friends of Fireman mailing list and you’ll be entered into a regular draw to win tickets to family-friendly Broadway Musicals, like Annie. A chance for you to step back in time with the children.
Ninja New York
If you have a child whose palette is already sophisticated enough for sushi, Ninja is one of the greatest places to grab dinner in the whole city. Sure, we assume this place was originally intended for grown men to live out their martial arts movie fantasies, but it’s a surprisingly great treat for children now. This is thanks in large part to the servers—who are all ninjas, naturally—who are happy to perform magic tricks for your young ones, while serving up treats from the kids’ menu. Adding to the experience is the exquisitely exotic interior design—or “Ninja Village”—and if you order any of the Ninja Art Dishes, you basically get a mini Ninja performance—with knives and all—right there at your table. Ridiculous fun at any age.
Big Daddy’s
A Technicolor 1950s diner experience, with colorful booths, neon signs, toys on display and walls that honor big figures and brands from popular culture all the way up to the late ‘80s, Big Daddy’s is an assault on your senses in the best possible way. The menu is hearty, American fun, but there’s a gluten-free section as well. You’ve got three locations to choose from: Upper West Side, Upper East Side or Gramercy, but your kids will have fun at each and every one of them. Don’t miss the daily Milkshake Happy Hour (when all shakes are half off)—great value for money.
Big Daddy’s rules
Alice’s Tea Cup sounds like a lovely place for a tea party for little girls.