Sure, most kids can't get enough of chicken fingers, hot dogs and New York pizza, but developing a more mature palate is a big part of growing up, and NYC is just the place to do it! Kids Eat NYC is partnering with 13 family restaurants in NYC, offering special kids' menus to help young eaters bust out of their comfort zones. The prix-fixe meals, incorporating flavors from American, Latin American, Italian and even South African cuisines, will be available to diners ages 17 and under from August 27 through 30.
Check out the delicious options from six participating restaurants below, then visit the Kids Eat NYC website to see all the menus and find out when they'll be offered. Some spots are just serving dinner, but others are inviting families in for lunch and brunch too. Don't forget to have the kiddos share their meal experiences by tagging @KidsEatNYC or using the hashtag #KidsEatCritics—soon you'll have a little food critic on your hands!
Henry’s (2745 Broadway)
This Upper West Side joint serves up American eats with a twist, but you won’t find regular old burgers on this special menu. Their prix-fixe menu is $14 per tiny diner, featuring appetizers like edamame, crispy baby artichokes and fried calamari. Healthy entrees include a vegetarian brown rice pilaf, cucumber spaghetti (they’ll never know these aren’t noodles!), grilled chicken and Moroccan chickpea stew; all finished off with a scoop of fruity sorbet. Serving dinner Thurs, Sun 5–11pm; Fri, Sat 5pm–12am.
Souen (28 E 13th St)
This Japanese spot’s take on the kids’ menu comes in compartmentalized bento boxes—great for tots who can’t stand their foods touching! Choose the fish or vegan version of their “Better Have My Bento,” each complete with pureed soup of the day, roasted seasonal veggies, quinoa, avocado and squash sushi roll (don’t worry, no raw fish here) and fruit kanten (like Jell-O) or chocolate mousse for dessert. The fish option includes salmon teriyaki and vegan kiddos get buckwheat noodles with veggies in sesame vinaigrette. Serving lunch, brunch and dinner Thurs–Sun 11am–10pm.
Miranda (80 Berry St, Brooklyn)
Introduce youngsters to new flavors with lunch, brunch or dinner at Miranda, which is offering a $23 kids’ menu with Latin American and Italian influences. Start with summery dishes like watermelon salad with pickled red onion or a sweet corn soup, then chow down on wholesome mains, including grilled vegetable Garganelli pasta, Mangu—a Dominican dish of mashed plantains with black beans—or quinoa with sautéed shrimp. Fun desserts like a spicy Mexican hot chocolate and house-made soda top off the meal. Serving brunch Sat, Sun 12–3pm; lunch Fri 12–3pm; dinner Thurs–Sun 5:30–10pm.
Pranzo @ Eataly (200 5th Ave)
With fresh pasta and pizza made daily from the best ingredients, it’s never difficult to find something at Eataly to please young palates, but this special menu ($30 per kid) challenges them to further explore Italian cuisine. First they’ll choose from grilled veggies with ricotta and honey or Panzanella (a bread and tomato salad), then move on to Cavatelli with sweet sausage and broccoli or vegetables with toasted farro and pine nuts. Dessert is a sweet corn panna cotta with peaches and basil. Serving lunch Thurs–Sat 12–3pm.
Andanada (141 W 69t St)
Tapas is a fantastic choice for kids who like to try a little of everything, and this Spanish eatery lets them choose three dishes for their meal ($20 per kid) from options like fried croquetas, gambas al ajillo (shrimp in garlic sauce) and eggplant chips with honey, pine nuts and chives. In lieu of super sugary dessert options, kids can satisfy their sweet tooth with yogurt and berries or rice pudding with cinnamon ice cream. They might even pick up some Spanish terms from the menu during their meal! Serving dinner Thurs–Sun 5–10pm; brunch Sat, Sun 11am–3pm.
Madiba (195 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn)
Probably never thought your kids would crave South African food, but the menu at this Fort Greene restaurant ($20 per kid) will have them begging to come back. To start, decide between a Shebeen salad with greens, avocado, tomato and radish or fried calamari with tartar sauce. Main courses include “Meal in a Pie,” a pot pie filled with chicken and mushrooms, or Vegetable Breyani—yellow rice pilaf with veggies and spicy condiments on the side. For dessert, they’ll try unique Malva pudding, which is a sweet and spongy caramelized pudding made with apricot jam. Serving lunch and dinner Thurs–Sun 11am–10pm.