Brooklyn Crab Before dinner (there’s always a wait), parents can belly up to the bar while their kids play minigolf, shoot basketball, clamber around on the restaurant’s playground, and generally have a ball. The food is seafood with some kid-friendly options (like mac n’ cheese), and to get here from Manhattan you take a boat! What could be more fun?
Gyu Kaku and Shabu Tatsu. For older kids who can safely be around flames and hot metal. At the first, a Japanese BBQ chain with a convenient Times Square–area location, the food is simple enough for even the most picky kid to like, and all kids enjoying cooking it themselves over the hot grill. At Shabu Tatsu the meal is cooked by dredging meats and vegetables through boiling water—and eventually creating a delicious noodle soup with the broth.
Landmarc The kids' menu features pigs in a blanket, PB and Nutella, and green eggs and ham pesto, not to mention cotton candy for dessert. For the grown-ups, there’s more sophisticated fare and fine wines. A win-win place for families.
Norma’s Half-a-dozen types of pancakes (many with ice cream) make breakfast the most fun meal of the day. An over-the-top exercise in gluttony . . . but fun.
Serendipity 3 It's hard to resist this whimsical restaurant and ice-cream shop (no matter your age), which serves up a huge menu of American favorites, followed up by colossal ice-cream treats.
Shake Shack Burgers and shakes, consumed outdoors (perhaps in the playground that shares this park)—what could be more tyke-pleasing?
John's Times Square The pizza here is first rate, the location right off Times Square and the tables well-spaced enough that no matter what type of a fuss your kid kicks up, nobody will be disturbed.
-Pauline Frommer
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
