NYCGuide
NYC's Most Kid-Friendly Restaurants, According to Parenting Expert Dr. Becky
photo credit: Melanie Dunea
When Dr. Becky Kennedy isn’t handing out parenting tips about boundaries, feelings, and empathy to her two million devoted Instagram followers, the Manhattan psychologist is busy parenting her own kids. Naturally, that often involves figuring out which New York City restaurants are actually kid-friendly and ready to accommodate her family of five.
After some extensive eating, Dr. Becky has whittled her list down to the five tried and tested spots that are good for parents and kids alike. They include a not-awful chain that's always good in a pinch, a hibachi restaurant that’ll give you dinner and a show, and an Italian restaurant that splits the difference between what the kids want and what the grownups need.
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
“There’s something about family meals here that feel extra special…maybe it’s because we all share the food we order, or maybe it’s the excitement that comes from an excursion to another Manhattan neighborhood. Maybe it’s the soup dumplings! Whatever it is, Deluxe Green Bo seems to bring out the best in all of us for our nights out with the kids.”
"Whenever we’re downtown, we always end up at Westville. Caesar salad and turkey burgers are my kid's favorites, and I love the Asian Chopped Salad and the vegetable-centric Market Plate. My kids love the Color Factory nearby, so a special weekend outing involves a Color Factory visit and then lunch at Westville. It always satisfies adults and kids so it’s truly become our go-to family spot."
“On those nights when I want ‘adult food’ and my kids want ‘kid food,’ this is the perfect spot. I love the baked branzino, and their margherita pizza is delicious. Everyone’s happy here, especially when we order the Nutella pizza for dessert. It’s even better than you think it would be.”
"My kids are often playing basketball uptown, so we need dinner right afterwards. And sure enough, Shake Shack has become our go-to. A Shack Burger with fries and a shake is the standard order for all of my kids. For what it’s worth, yes, I let my kids get shakes with their burgers and let them eat them in any order they so desire. I've found that when I lead with less control, they respond with more flexibility and responsibility."
“Hibachi for the win: you’ve got food and entertainment covered at the same time. The fun, child-friendly atmosphere here always leads my kids to try foods they wouldn’t usually agree to at home. My “avoid-the-meltdown” tip: give your kids a heads-up about the (contained!) fire on the table and ask the chef to pause before this part so your kid can sit on your lap, or so you and your little one can step aside and watch with more distance between you and the flames.”
