Caribbean, Mexican, and Spanish
El Cid ($$)
322 West 15th Street (between 8th and 9th avenues)
14th Street station (A, C, or E train)
212-929-9332
People rave about the tapas in this cozy and unpretentious place. It's great for families because you can make a meal of whatever number of small portions you want of such morsels as garlic shrimp, seasoned sausages, or the wonderful Spanish torta of egg and potatoes. Full meals are also available from a small but interesting menu. Try the white sangria.
El Faro ($$)
823 Greenwich Street (between Jane and Horatio streets)
West 14th Street station (A, C, or E train); 8th Avenue station (L train)
212-929-8210
This place has been packing them in since 1927. It's small, but it's as close you're going to get to an authentic Spanish tapas bar in the city. El Faro uses the same recipes the founders brought from Spain almost a hundred years ago. Order tapas plates or the many delicious entrées, and don't forget the sangria. El Faro is child friendly and will make kid's half portions on request.
Francisco's Centro Vasco ($$-$$$)
159 West 23rd Street (between 6th and 7th avenues)
West 23rd Street station (1 train)
212-645-6224
When you want to splurge just a little on something a bit different, Francisco's is one of the best restaurants in town. This Basque restaurant specializes in shellfish, but its fish, beef, veal, and poultry dishes are great too. Its trademark is gargantuan lobsters (up to forty pounds), and the décor features huge lobster claws hanging from the ceiling. No half portions, but you can share or give the kids appetizers.
MaryAnn's ($$)
2454 Broadway (at 90th Street)
West 86th Street station (1 train)
212-877-0132
1503 2nd Avenue (at 77th Street)
East 77th Street station (6 train)
212-249-6165
116 8th Avenue (between West 15th and West 16th streets)
West 14th Street station (A, C, or E train); 8th Avenue station (L train)
212-633-0877
An all-time favorite little Mexican restaurant in New York, Mary-Ann's is open late and very kid friendly. Your best bet is to visit during the day; people come late at night for the margaritas. The house salsa is good too.
Negril ($)
362 West 23rd Street (between 8th and 9th avenues)
West 23rd Street station (C or E train)
212-807-6411
Authentic Jamaican home cooking in an unpretentious setting make this a good choice for a change of pace. A sister restaurant to the Negril Village, Negril serves solid, traditional Caribbean food. The kids will love the large fish tank. No kids menu, but half portions are available. Serves a Sunday brunch.
Negril Village ($$)
70 West 3rd Street (between LaGuardia and Thompson
212-477-2804
West 4th Street-Washington Square station (A, B, C, D, E, F, or V train)
This pan-Islands restaurant is tastefully designed and swathed in happy colors. There's a separate kids menu and a Sunday brunch, plus good desserts.
Victor's Café 52 ($$-$$$)
236 West 52nd Street (between 8th Avenue and Broadway)
West 49th Street station (N, R, or W train)
212-586-7714
A New York institution since 1963, Victor's has never varied from its excellent preparation of traditional Cuban cuisine and an exciting menu of fusion recipes. There is no kids menu, but Victor's encourages sharing and waiters may suggest appetizers. It offers a three-course prix fixe lunch and dinner option. Make a reservation if you're theater-bound so you get out in time.
