Dining out with kids can be an intimidating task and in order to enjoyably do so, some key factors go into the entire process.

For one, finding a restaurant that makes you feel comfortable bringing your little one(s). A few weeks ago the three of us went out for brunch to one of my favorite newer restaurants in Brooklyn. I’ve been there for dinner before, but never for brunch and never with Nate. I figured it would be a good option, especially early in the afternoon. Well it turned out to be quite the unpleasant experience. They (the restaurant) made the entire process seem like we were burdening them; from asking for a high chair (which they didn’t have) to trying to simplify an item on the menu so Nate could eat it (they couldn’t accommodate). While I completely understand that some places should be labeled as ‘adults only,’ I left the restaurant feeling turned off and vowing to never return, with or without Nate.

{Dining with a Toddler} Kid-Friendly Restaurants in NYC

In general, NYC is not the easiest city to dine with kids; it requires some strategic planning. Spaces are small and most restaurants are not geared for families with little kids. My 20-year-old self would have rejoiced in the kid-free atmosphere or would have rolled my eyes at parents trying to impose on my boozy brunch. But these days, things are different and when dining with Nate, we often find ourselves returning to our comfortable favorites.

In an effort to branch out from my go-to’s, especially in the city, I reached out to my NYC mamas to find out their favorite child-friendly spots. Normally, I try and create helpful blog posts for all of you but in this case, I’m selfishly very excited for this list!

These are the places, both in Brooklyn & Manhattan, that were recommended numerous times. I’ve been to a lot of them, in most cases without Nate, so we’re pretty excited to start checking a few more off the list.

If any of you have a recommendation that’s not listed here, please let me know in the comment section and I’ll be sure to edit this list so it’s helpful for everyone!

And as the below photos indicate, aside from picking a comfortable spot, we always come equipped with cars, stickers, snacks (in case food is taking too long), and other odds and ends to keep Nate sitting still & distracted. Our very last resort is a video on the iPhone, which we try not to do unless meltdown mode ensues; we’re certainly not above it. In the end, it’s also about us and if it means that we’ll get a few minutes of adult conversation without hysterics, so be it! 

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Manhattan

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THE SMITH

Where: East Village, Lincoln Square, Midtown, & Nomad

Lively place for classic American fare & specialty cocktails. It’s also large and noisy, so even if your child has a meltdown, chances are, no one will hear.

ROSEMARY’S

Where: West Village – 18 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011

Airy spot with a rooftop farm for seasonal Italian dishes, house-made pastas & notable wines. Because god knows, when dining with kids, wine is a must.

MORANDI NY

Where: West Village – 211 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10014

Rustic, buzzy trattoria from Keith McNally with Italian fare & sidewalk seating.

SARABETH’S

Where: Upper East Side, Central Park South, Park Avenue South, Tribeca, & Upper West Side

Posh chain serving American fare, including brunch & dessert. Some offer dinner & cocktails and always one of the most popular choices for families with kids.

ALMOND

Where: Flat Iron – 12 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010

BUBBY’S

Where: Tribeca – 120 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013 + High Line – 73 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014

Weekend brunch hot spot serving homestyle American eats with many locally sourced ingredients.

THE DUTCH

Where: SoHo – 131 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012

Regional American fare, including oysters and much-hyped fried chicken, in a lively, modern space.

TAVERN ON JANE

Where: Greenwich Village – 31 8th Ave, New York, NY 10014

This casual spot offers bar snacks, steak dinners & plenty in between, plus varied wines & spirits.

EASTFIELD’S

Where: Upper East Side – 1479 York Ave, New York, NY 10075

Sibling to The East Pole serving oysters, seasonal dishes & cocktails in a smart setting.

LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN

Where: All NYC locations here

Classic light fare & organic breads fill out the menu at this rustic-chic bakery/cafe chain.

MÉMÉ

Where: West Village – 581 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014 + Hell’s Kitchen – 607 10th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Mediterranean tapas, Moroccan-style entrees & a full bar served in a cozy, relaxed setting.

SERAFINA

Where: All NYC locations here

Casual, intimate Roman trattoria serving rustic Italian faves, including housemade pasta.

BRUNETTI

Where: West Village – 626 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

Neapolitan eatery serving brick-oven pizzas, small plates & wine in a woody, garden-enhanced space.

ROSSOPOMODORO

Where: West Village – 118 Greenwich Ave, New York NY 10011

Cozy spot founded through an ongoing passion for creating Neapolitan cuisine with the freshest and most organic ingredients possible.

LEXINGTON BRASS

Where: Midtown East – 517 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10017

Sleek-but-casual bistro offering up hearty New American fare & creative cocktails.

ESTANCIA 460

Where: TriBeca – 460 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

Argentinian bistro with Italian influences serves regional wines in rustic whitewashed space.

BLACKBARN

Where: Madison Square Park – 19 E 26th St, New York, NY 10010

Locally sourced, upscale American cuisine served in a barn-inspired setting with a chef’s table.

TANNER SMITH’S

Where: Midtown West – 204 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019

Watering hole with a Prohibition theme serving craft cocktails, beer, wine & bar bites.

OTTO

Where: Washington Square Park – 1 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10003

Bustling, gourmet pizzeria & wine bar from Mario Batali with Italian train station decor.

LOCANDA VERDE

Where: Tribeca – 377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

TriBeCa hot spot showcasing rustic Italian cuisine in a lively atmosphere.

BOUCHERIE

Where: West Village & Union Square

Bistro for dry-aged steaks & other French fare, with a bar that’s strong on absinthe.

EATALY

Where: Flatiron & Fidi

Danny Meyer’s spacious barbecue joint matches its signature ribs with deep beer & bourbon lists.

LURE FISHBAR

Where: Nolita – 142 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012

Upscale fish restaurant famous for its luxury yachtlike interior & hopping bar scene.

EL VEZ

Where: Tribeca – 259 Vesey St, New York, NY 10282

A casual space sets the scene for American meat & seafood staples, plus a busy weekend brunch.

EL TORO BLANCO

Where: Soho – 257 6th Ave, New York, NY 10014

Refined Mexican fare like made-to-order guacamole & a long tequila list in a dimly-lit spot.

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BROOKLYN

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SCOTTADITO OSTERIA TOSCANA

Where: Park Slope – 788A Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Northern Italy touches Brooklyn via this eatery with hearty fare & a rustic, farmhouse-like setting.

KRUPA GROCERY

Where: South Slope – 231 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Seasonal American dishes served in a spiffed-up former newsstand space.

FAUN

Where: Prospect Heights – 606 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Stylish eatery with an Italian-American menu based on local ingredients, plus a leafy back patio.

WESTVILLE

Where: Dumbo – 81 Washington St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

COLONIE

Where: Cobble Hill – 127 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

American fare is locally sourced at this sociable wood-accented spot with an open kitchen.

THE FREEHOLD

Where: Williamsburg – 45 S 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Coffee, cocktails & American gastropub fare served in a hip cafe & bar with a grassy outdoor space.

BAR TABAC

Where: Cobble Hill – 128 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

A hip Parisian-style neighborhood bistro popular for late-night bites & brunch. This happens to be one of our favorite restaurants, with or without Nate. Again, loud and noisy, which is always a plus when dining with kids.

BLUE RIBBON BRASSERIE

Where: Park Slope – 280 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Buzzy New American eatery with an expansive menu, oyster bar & late-night weekend hours.

BUTTERMILK CHANNEL

Where: Carroll Gardens – 524 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Quaint eatery offering a hearty American comfort-food menu & a popular weekend brunch. If coming with kids on weekends, get there early as it gets very crowded by noon.

LA VARA

Where: Cobble Hill – 268 Clinton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Spanish tapas with Moorish & Jewish influences draw crowds to the stylish storefront restaurant.

LEUCA

Where: Williamsburg – 111 North 12th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Southern Italian fare from Andrew Carmellini served in a rustic-chic space anchoring a swanky hotel.

GRAZIELLA’S

Where: Clinton Hill – 232 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205

Pizza from a wood-burning brick oven plus other Italian classics at s family-owned spot.

CAFE MOGADOR

Where: Williamsburg – 133 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Buzzy atmosphere serving traditional Moroccan tagines, couscous & more in comfy yet charming quarters.

EGG

Where: Williamsburg – 109 N 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Locally sourced Southern breakfasts & lunches draw crowds to this rustic-industrial hangout. Known for their best breakfast: biscuits, grits, country ham, and homemade granola.

PEACHES

Where: Stuyvesant Heights – 393 Lewis Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11233

Modern spin on Southern comfort food plus brunch & a full bar in a historic brownstone neighborhood.

LA VILLA

Where: Numerous locations throughout Brooklyn. 

Easily, one of our most frequented easy, Italian restaurants. We’ve been going to the original location for over a decade and they’ve remained consistently good and consistently comfortable, with or without a child. We always get the penne alla vodka, eggplant sticks and a chicken dish that we all share. They also have great pizza and inexpensive house wine!

SWEET CHICK

Where: Williamsburg – 164 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211 + Prospect Heights – 341 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Gourmet chicken & waffles star at this hip, down-home Southern comfort-food resource with cocktails.