The best fun restaurants in NYC for kids and families

S’Mac elevates a childhood staple to the gourmet level. There are a dozen varieties of mac 'n cheese to choose from, like the Cheeseburger, with ground beef and burger toppings. The “nosh” size is perfect for kiddie appetites; order the “mongo” and enjoy leftovers tomorrow (and the next day). Any variety on the lengthy menu here, from the textbook all-American to the Spanish-accented La Mancha (Manchego cheese, fennel and onion), can be made gluten-free or reduced-lactose.

Share a pie with the family at this Bushwick pizzeria that offers the classic Margherita all the way to more adventurous selections like the Nightmare on Moore Street, which has taleggio, marinated radicchio, pickled shallots and habanada peppers. Picky eaters can create their own pizza masterpiece with more than 20 different toppings to add to their pie.

What began in the ‘80s as a mobile concession stand has evolved into a go-to BBQ spot for families. There are plenty of pork, burgers and brisket options, but the typical staples are accompanied by selections with flair—creole deviled eggs, bronzed catfish and the smoked portobello sandwich. Littles will feast on sides such as mac & cheese and creamed corn, though parents will want their kiddos to opt for the simmered greens or broccoli chickpea salad (wishful thinking).  

If you have a hankering for some BBQ, this outdoor Brooklyn venue is the perfect place to munch on some savory dishes in a fun picnic-style setting. Your mouth will water at the possibilities—baby back ribs, the Pig Beach Burger (which comes with delicious secret sauce), brisket and so much more. Sides including mac n’ cheese with Goldfish, house pickles and smoke jalapeno coleslaw. Added bonus? Pups are welcome in the outdoor space, too!

The menu at this whimsical restaurant is sure to delight all ages! From the signature "Frrrozen" drinks like hot chocolate, strawberry supreme and pink ice to the pies, banana splits and pie, every sweet tooth will be plenty satisfied. Kids can choose from several different burgers and a variety of sandwiches like the Ultimate BLT on challah bread. 

This neighborhood "finer diner" is perpetually lively and family-packed: Little ones love the kids' menu (for just $9, your tykes can scarf a cheeseburger, flapjacks, grilled cheese and other tasty mains, complete with a side and a drink), and parents are able to peruse the extensive menu that offers burgers, salads, breakfast sandwiches and soul-warmers like bacon-wrapped meatloaf.

Burgers, shakes (and craft beer for the 21+ crowd). Is there anything else a tried-and-true New York foodie needs? Black Tap channels a classic American luncheonette and gives it a New York twist, meaning it has an edge. The décor is old-school hip-hop and rock & roll, and the food is anything but boring: burgers made of beef, bison, lamb, turkey, chorizo, and falafel, and sides that include Teriyaki Broccoli, Crispy Brussels Sprouts and Mexican Avocado. The signature “Crazy Shakes” have been well-sought after with names like The Cotton Candy Shake, Sour Power, Sweet n Salty and The Cookie Shake.

The super tasty burgers at this joint are perfectly sized for little hands. Not only can families choose from offerings flavored with special “ShackSauce” or crisp-fried portobello burgers, but also chicken sandwiches and hot dogs for those picky eaters. A side of crinkle-cut fries is a must along with any of the rotating shakes and frozen custard concrete flavors. All food is dished out to go, so grab a park table and enjoy your outdoor dining.

Come for the food and stay for the tunes at this kitschy midtown diner. Singing waitstaff—many of them Broadway actors—will keep the kids entertained while they wait for their pancakes or burgers. The performing servers even take requests. Just think how much your little ones will adore hearing a live rendition of “Let It Go” during their meal. There are also nightly scheduled performances.

Decked out to look like an apothecary of yore, Brookyn Farmacy invites kids to pull up a stool at the counter and make friends with the modern-day soda jerks who whip up root beer floats and chocolate egg creams using artisanal sodas and syrups. 

Consider this your ticket to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. At this cute café, little ones can enjoy service tailored especially for them. Breakfast and brunch are prime time for visits—you can order delicious omelets, eggs, scones, smoked salmon benedict and a variety of pancakes and waffles. On the menu, you’ll find delicious sandwiches (think curried chicken salad, black forest ham and gruyere, tuna melts, BLT) and tasty tea service options.

Got a star-struck kid? The funky chain of celeb-worshipping restaurants offers American food (including kid faves like cheese pizza and spaghetti) in a tourist-saturated setting. Little ones will love checking out the restaurant's iconic Hollywood memorabilia from famous films—flicks like Planet of the Apes, Titanic, Terminator and Wayne’s World. Be prepared: Entrees can get pricey, but you probably knew this before coming to Times Square.

At this canine-themed mini-chain of luncheonettes, even Fido can tag along for family brunch. There’s really something for everyone: a Philly cheese steak wrap, po boy sandwiches, burgers, hearty salads, fried chicken and special desserts like the Barking Dog Banana Split, Barking Dog Sundae and Chocolate Brownie Sundae. Although pups aren't allowed inside, they can munch on doggie treats and wait for a tasty morsel of human food to drop from your family's patio table (and have access to water bowls). With such a hearty array of pancakes, waffles, omelets, frittatas and wraps, there might even be enough leftovers for a doggie bag. (See what we did there?) 

From the ambiance to the portions, everything is larger than life at this amped-up diner! Kids can enjoy hot dogs and chocolate chunk mini pancakes, then check out the pop culture memorabilia that lines the walls while they wait for their food. Most adult entrees are between $15 and $20! Bring your whole clan for one of the monthly family trivia nights, or throw your child’s next birthday bash in the restaurant’s party room.

The kids’ menu at this Southwestern spot features lots of reasonably-priced dishes, including the famed Frito Pie, which little ones will enjoy eating straight out of the bag. Other old frontier-themed favorites include “corndoggies” and pulled pork sammys, served with French fries and corn on the cob. Finish off a gut-busting meal with the “#1 best dessert ever,” a sharing-sized ice cream sundae that looks like a baked potato.

We know, most New Yorkers avoid Times Square, but this Hard Rock Café is nirvana for little music fans raised on the Beatles and the Stones. While you wait for your table, ooh and ahh over the memorabilia filling the walls: James Brown’s golden suit, Billy Joel’s motorcycle, the doors from the Abbey Road studios and signed guitars everywhere. The music is loud and the beats are rockin’—even the most cynical New Yorkers will be air drumming and chair dancing.

Keep a tight hold of your little warrior’s hand as you follow the way of the Ninja over wooden bridges and through castle-like halls to find your table at this lantern-lit theme spot. Yes, it’s hokey, and yes it’s a splurge, but action-loving kids will love having the beejeebers scared out of them by the restaurant’s black-masked martial-artists who leap out and yell, Ninja! 

This stylish joint opened in August 2010 and harkens back to the good ol' days of family road trips—and significantly lower fuel prices. At first, the auto-body shop and gas station theme may strike you as less than appetizing, but the onetime garage serves up an inviting atmosphere along with some pretty choice patties, not to mention a lengthy gluten-free menu.

Take your little fiends to the Jekyll and Hyde and socialize with the cast of ghoulish characters—such as a sinister butler, bloodthirsty vampires and groaning mummies—who make the place a fun-filled horror show. The wait can be long, but once inside you’ll find a creepy club packed with gargoyles, haunted pictures and eerie wax figures that come to life and chat to the guests. Young Explorers and Mad Scientists can chow down on Jekyll burgers, spaghetti, mac 'n cheese, cheese pizza and chicken fingers, then finish it all off with a killer dessert like Death by Chocolate cake or classic cookies and milk.

Order at the counter of this taqueria, grab a seat and enjoy piquant Mexican dishes like braised Hudson Valley duck tamales with roasted poblano chiles or, for brunch, chilaquiles with sunny-side-up free-range eggs strewn with Amish chicken and cotija cheese. Tots may enjoy the queso fresco and epazote-leaf quesadilla almost as much as the colorful lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) decorations.

Cereal is a Saturday-morning staple for all kids that oftentimes includes a Kellogg's product. But make no mistake, this Union Square hotspot is no ordinary breakfast outpost. Expect a unique twist on classic flavors you know and love, such as Life in Color (which is a combination of Fruit Loops, lime zest, marshmallows and passion fruit jam). Did you know that Milk Bar’s Christina Tosi created the menu selection, so you know you're in for something special. But for those with a creative mind (and appetite), use your visit to the restaurant as an opportunity to create your own wonky morning meal. Sure it's a cereal restaurant, but by the time you're through, expect a sugar rush. (But no complaints here!)

The next time you're venturing on a family outing, make sure your kids' American Girl Dolls are in tow. Rockefeller Center's American Girl Place Cafe offers patrons a chance for little ones to dine with their dollies, whether that includes afternoon tea with scones and buns, or a satisfying chicken tender lunch (perhaps Bow Tie pasta for those with a more mature palette). Once you've finished up your meal, let your crew explore the store and find cute outfits and accessories for their BFFs. 

When street gear and sneaker store Kith opened up shop Prospect Heights, it added a cereal bar to the mix. Kith Treats Cereal Bar offers 23 different cereals, including classics like Fruity Pebbles and Cinnamon Toast Crunch, 22 toppings and four milk options. Not only can you make custom cereal combos, but other cereal-based goodies like cereal ice cream swirls and cereal milkshakes are also on the menu. The Brooklyn shop features a menu of special mixes created by celebs and friends of the brand while their newest location, Nike x Kith Shop in Lower Manhattan, is a partnership that combines the sneaker brand’s iconic elements with Kith’s rise in cereal expertise.

This New York institution's claim to fame is the rich, fluffy cheesecake, which comes in several varieties like red velvet and devil’s food—but we like to work our way up to the sweet slab of loveliness. Beginning with the perfectly salty-sour pickles and other crunchy bites that are served before every meal, little ones can peruse the appropriately-titled Junior Menu and choose from a selection of kiddie diner favorites like grilled cheese and chicken fingers.

Whether or not you've seen Forest Gump, chances are you've made a pitstop at this Times Square seafood spot with an affinity for shrimp. The famous Tom Hanks flick inspired the menu with items such as Run Forrest Run (a fruit smoothie) and Bubba’s After the Storm Bucket of Boat Trash (shrimp, lobster, mahimahi, coleslaw and fries). Let's not forget the fish boat décor, which makes it a prime-time summer go-to. Though it's in the heart of a tourist-populated neighborhood, we won't judge you for making reservations at this kitchy restaurant.