NYC BABY FRIENDLY RESTAURANT GUIDE - MIDTOWN MANHATTAN
We all have the same concern when it comes to going out to eat with our little ones. It's an ordeal to dress them, pack the supplies, decide on stroller or a Snap N Go with Car Seat and then wander around your hood looking for a restaurant that has the right amount of noise, space to hide you in a corner, enough room up front for your stroller, perhaps a booth for your carseat...
Below are reviews of Midtown Manhattan restaurants that are Baby and Stroller Friendly, and will get you in and out fast if your little babe has a melt down in the middle of your appetizers. It's safe to assume these restaurants are also kid friendly for your toddler or just plain noisy elementary school set.
Baby and Stroller Friendly Restaurants are reviewed with the following criteria in mind:
Room for Stroller at Table
High-Chairs Available
Steps/Stairs
Changing Station in Restroom
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Benihana of Tokyo - (212) 593-1627 - 120 East 56th Street (Between 5th and Sixth Avenue)
Though you may want to skip the sake bombs when you bring your baby, Benihana in Midtown is equipped with high chairs and booster seats so you could feel comfortable having lunch or dinner with your entire family. The downside to this location is the space between tables so you will likely need to fold up your stroller. The Snap N Go or umbrella stroller for older babes is recommended for this purpose.
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Churrascaria Plataforma - (212) 245-0505 316 West 49th Street (Between 8th and 9th Avenue)
Don't let your infant keep you from feasting on a Brazilian BBQ Buffet. You won't want to miss the nonstop steak action at this Midtown Churrascaria. They have high chairs and booster seats, and the restroom area has a nearby lounge large enough to do a diaper change and nurse if necessary. The restaurant is spacious to take a stroller to your table or check it at the coat check. Sundays are slower traffic for family meals.
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Ellen's Stardust Diner - (212) 956-5151- 1650 Broadway (51st Street)
This retro 1950's diner is a fun experience for the whole family and is most well known for its singing waitstaff. Old movies are shown on a huge screen for guests. Ellen's has a changing table in the restroom, high chairs, booster seats, and even sippy cups for your juice drinking bub. There is a decent amount of room for strollers at the table.
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Hard Rock Café - (212) 489-6565 - 221 West 57th Street
Beware the tourists but Hard Rock Café being the well known chain that it is accomodates little ones with high chairs, stroller space around tables, a large section of the restroom could be used as a changing station and/or nursing station and is one of the few restaurants in the city that provides sippy cups.
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Jackson Hole - (212) 679-3264 - 521 Third Avenue at 35th Street
Delicious burgers of all varieties, tasty breakfast blueberry pancakes, shakes and grilled chicken sandwiches, this classic staple is friendly for the entire family. High Chairs and Sippy Cups are available for your infant, booster seats and crayons for your toddler. This location accomodates strollers as well. Try the mushroom burger with a comforting side of fries and a pickle.
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Mars 2112 - (212) 582-2112 - 1633 Broadway at 51st Street
Escape with your little ones to another planet. Mars 2112 in Midtown is literally a walk through a spaceship ride. It's an amusement park/restaurant in the middle of Manhattan. But for a tiny infant, it may be stimulation overload. Still, if you are bringing your entire family to please your 5 year old, Mars 2112 is family friendly. High Chairs and Sippy Cups are available as well as stroller space. For older kids there is a kids menu and crayons and coloring book to keep them occupied during lunch or dinner.
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Manhattan Chili Company - (212)730-8666 - 1500 Broadway at the corner of 43rd Street
It's not just chili at this midtown establishment, there are tasty apps, guac, wraps and hot dogs. Kids receive their own menu and sippy cups and crayons are available. For the little ones, high chairs and boosters are on hand, though you have lots of room to pull your stroller to a table. This is one of those rare restaurants with a changing table in the restroom, so feel free to change baby's nappy before heading off for your afternoon adventures.
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Mickey Mantle's - (212) 688-7777 - 42 Central Park South
Yes, you can bring your entire brood to Mickey Mantle's between their high chairs, boosters, room for your Bugaboo, and a spacious restroom area that offers room for nursing and diapering. Hurrah! Your hubs can rejoice as he drinks beer and watches whatever game happens to be on. Or you can skip the restaurant and order food off of their website online.
Rosa Mexicano - (212) 753-74071063 First Avenue at the corner of 58th Street
The East Side location of this Mexican favorite does accommodate infants, but they only have two high chairs on-hand, so bring your carseat and try to get a booth. You can check your Snap N Go at the front. As with most popular NYC restaurants, when coming with a little one the best time of day is the 5-6pm meal. This avoids the crowds and gets you in to many other NYC restaurants that would not ordinarily be baby friendly.
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Stage Deli - (212) 245-7850 - 834 Seventh Avenue (53rd & 54th Street)
NY Style Deli at this popular tourist destination caters to little babes by providing high chairs and a spacious dining room which strollers could maneuver. There is also a kids menu for older babes. Try the pastrami sandwich and take in the theatre crowd. __________________________________________________________________________________
T.G.I. Friday's - (212) 922-5671 - 47 East 42nd Street, (212) 944-7352 - 1552 Broadway at 46th Street, (212) 630-0308 - 484 Eighth Avenue at 34th Street, (212) 767-8335 - 604 Fifth Avenue between 48th and 49th, (212) 767-8350 - 761 Seventh Avenue at 50th Street
With this many locations all over Manhattan, it's no wonder this franchise restaurant does what it can to appeal to families, both locals and tourists. There is your typical TGIF American cuisine menu, a special menu for the kiddies, high chairs and booster seats. Most all locations are wide enough to accommodate your stroller.
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Virgil's Real BBQ - (212) 921-9494 - 152 West 44th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues
With plenty of room for strollers at the table and high chairs and booster seats galore, the entire family can enjoy some finger lickin' good BBQ. Try the hush puppies and the pulled pork sandwich. Older kiddies get a coloring menu which is a nice touch.