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The Best of New York · With kids · Eating with kids

The best kid-friendly restaurants in New York City

Updated November 2026. 9 places.

Finding kid-friendly restaurants in New York City that don’t make you want to cry into your overpriced chicken fingers is harder than it should be. I’ve dragged little ones to enough restaurants to know which places actually welcome families and which ones just tolerate them. These ten spots get it right, with food that keeps the adults happy and enough excitement to hold a five-year-old’s attention through an entire meal.

Let’s be honest, as much of foodie paradise New York City might be, most kids couldn’t care less about someones food expertise. Regardless of the years of grueling school and travels around the world to perfect a recipe, if the food isn’t shaped like a dinosaur you’re out of luck.

Antonina PattizWriter and photographer · how I decide
Best of New York 2026, New York Dearest

Best kid-friendly restaurants in New York City, 2026

  1. Black Tap Craft BurgersRestaurant · MidtownBlack Tap Craft Burgers & Beer gained popularity largely thanks to the absurd milkshakes they make.
  2. Bubby'sRestaurant · TribecaOften referred to as a trip to grandmas house, Bubby’s ranks highly on a list of kid-friendly restaurants in New York City.
  3. Chelsea MarketMarket · ChelseaOne of the best kid-friendly dining halls in New York City is none other than the popular Chelsea Market.
  4. Juliana'sRestaurant · DUMBOLocated in picturesque DUMBO, Juliana’s is a family-style pizzeria that offers full pies and a few salad, soup or pasta options.
  5. Junior's CheesecakeRestaurant · Times Square
  6. Maison PickleRestaurant · Upper West SideMaison Pickle is one of the best family-friendly restaurants in NYC thanks to the portions alone.
  7. Serendipity 3Restaurant · Upper East SideI can attest from first hand experience, you won’t find a better family-friendly restaurant in New York City for dessert than Serendipity.
  8. Carmine'sRestaurant · Times Square
  9. Max BrennerRestaurant · Union Square

On the map

Where they are

9 neighborhoods, Times Square and Midtown most of all.

Times Square

Chelsea

DUMBO

Midtown

Tribeca

Union Square

Upper East Side

Upper West Side

Best of New York 2026, New York Dearest

The Best of New York 2026

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The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 10 Kid-Friendly Restaurants in New York City (NYC Guide).