Whether or not you have children, when visitors come in from out of town it is always fun to WOW them with a great restaurant. Of course, when your friends or loved ones have kids it is another story – they want their kids to be entertained…a happy kid is a happy parent!
Here are some of MiniMunchers top restaurant picks for tourists (and even jaded NYers) to check out that will be sure to please the whole family
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1. Ellen’s Stardust Diner OK, so the wait can be a little long at this Times Square institution, but kids of all ages get a kick out of the singing waiters and waitresses. The food is nothing to write home about – but the menu is extensive (even the pickiest eaters will find something) and the built-in entertainment just can’t be beat.
2. Blue Smoke – Tots love digging into the RIBS at this Murray Hill “Urban Barbeque” joint – and the Wikki sticks and cool communal bathroom sink are fun kid features. A great addition – the server brings your child a cookie to decorate, which is baked during your meal – and presented in a “to go” bag with the check. Most weekends it is difficult to find a table without kids – must be the varied children’s menu that includes dessert (the cookie is a bonus!) and uber-friendly staff. Sunday’s Blue Smoke’s Jazz Standard has a kid’s jazz brunch (all the musicians are kids too!) that is a real treat for kids 3 and up!
3. American Girl Café – No visit to NYC with a girl aged 5-10 is complete without AG! The food is surprisingly good (for both adults and kids!) and who can resist the teeny highchairs for your tot’s doll! I personally love the questions on each table (“What do you want to be when you grow up”, “Who is the person you admire most”, etc.) to stimulate fun and entertaining conversation between you and your mini!
4. Moomah – Moomah is a unique spot in TriBeCa. Not only is the extensive menu local, seasonal AND organic (with dairy-free and gluten-free choices) but kids are encouraged to play while they eat with incredibly beautiful and engrossing art projects! What’s more, if you visit on a Saturday, the back room, usually reserved for private classes, is transformed into a “funky forest” for children to explore and use their imaginations. NOTE: they are closed on Sunday’s for special events so make sure your visit is on a Saturday or weekday!
5. Russian Tea Room One of the LAST remaining iconic restaurants in Manhattan, the Russian Tea Room is a treat for children and adults! Just step into this jewel-box restaurant, and your tot will know it is a special day! Conveniently located on the same block as Carnegie Hall, it is a great place to come after a trip to FAO or a carriage ride in Central Park. The children’s tea is $25 a child (under 12) and the multiple courses will be sure to please any budding foodie.
To peruse these restaurants menus or do some research on your own, visit MiniMunchers.com today!
