Midtown West
Midtown Manhattan between West Thirtieth and West Fifty-ninth streets (that's west of Fifth Avenue) is the most popular section of town because so many of the big New York attractions are here, from the Empire State Building to Times Square.
B. Smith's ($$)
320 West 46th Street (between 8th and 9th avenues)
Times Square station (A, B, or C train)
212-315-1100
This is the flagship of a trio of notable restaurants owned by former Oil of Olay beauty Barbara Smith, now a radio and television personality, author, and successful entrepreneur. The cuisine is global eclectic, with international influences added to her exquisite American soul food. She loves her restaurant, so she may be on the premises when you come by, to say nothing of her celebrity friends and acquaintances, some of whose photos line the walls.
Food is serious business in New York. Most waiters are professionals or performers with a college degree who work the late shift. You must tip, and you should tip like a New Yorker. Since the sales tax in the city is 8.375 percent, most New Yorkers simply double the tax, which leaves your server a bit more than a 16 percent tip.
You can get as brave or down-home as you want here. The macaroni and a plethora of cheeses dish is great for both kids and adults, as are the sweet potatoes (as a side dish or in pie). People come back again and again for the crab cakes, ribs, and stuffed chicken. There are also many vegetarian dishes to choose from. If you fall in love with your meal, you can download the recipes from the Web site.
Desserts can be served as a pick-me-up later in the evening. The Sunday brunch is spectacular, with wonderful waffles and sweet potato pancakes among a huge selection of goodies.
Open seven days for lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch. All credit cards accepted.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. ($$)
1501 Broadway (44th Street)
42nd Street-Times Square station (N, Q, R, S, W, 1, 2, 3, or 7 train)
212-391-7100
Life might be like a box of chocolates to Forrest Gump, but this wonderful family place in the very heart of the Big Apple is warm and friendly and full of down-home southern cooking. Unpretentious to the max, everyone in the family will feel comfortable munching on po' boys, cajun shrimp, or BBQ pork. The place is based on the movie
Open seven days for lunch and until well after midnight. Takes all credit cards.
The most famous concentration of restaurants in New York is along Forty-sixth Street between Eighth and Ninth avenues, known as Restaurant Row. There are at least twenty places to eat along the way, all geared toward the theater crowd. But the city also has other, more exotic restaurant rows. East Sixth Street, between First and Second avenues, has an amazing number of Indian restaurants, most at unbelievably low prices. Chinatown's Mott Street will transport you to Asia as your family explores the many cuisines of that continent.
Carmine's Midtown ($$–$$$)
200 West 44th Street (8th Avenue and Broadway)
Times Square-42 Street (N, R, Q, S, W, 1, 2, 3, or 7 train); 42 Street-Port Authority (A,C, or E train)
212-221-3800
Carmine's is big, bold, brassy, and loud — in other words, great for kids. And the food is as big as its environment. Carmine's offers traditional Southern Italian fare in gargantuan portions you can split three ways and never go hungry — in fact, do not place a single order per person. The taste is so bold the restrooms come equipped with mouthwash.
This is an extremely popular place, so get there before 5
Carnegie Deli ($–$$)
854 7th Avenue (55th Street)
7th Avenue station (B, D, or E train)
212-757-2245
One of the last remaining authentic New York delicatessens, this famous and popular midtown icon has been around since 1937. It is often crowded and hectic, especially during lunch, but it's also a great off-hours spot (late lunch after 2:00
Docks Oyster Bar ($$)
2427 Broadway, at 89th Street
East 86th Street station (4, 5, or 6 train)
212-986-8080
This is the Upper West Side location of a New York favorite. See the full listing in the Midtown East section.
Ellen's Stardust Diner ($–$$)
1650 Broadway, near 51st Street
West 50th Street station (1 train); West 49th Street station (N, R, or W train); 7th Avenue station (B, D, or E train)
212-956-5151
This is a great place for families. It's a re-creation of a 1950s diner with period memorabilia, including old televisions playing videos of the time. The singing wait staff performs several shows a night, and there's even the city's largest indoor train chugging around the mezzanine (kids love to wave to the conductor). The menu is huge and features familiar American fare from the 1950s supplemented with updated popular items, so every mood and taste is covered.
At the same location is the Iridium Jazz club, which has carried over the jazz tradition to a new generation. If this interests you, check the Web site of the diner or
Macy's Cellar Bar and Grill ($)
34th Street at Herald Square (in Macy's)
West 34th Street-Herald Square station (B, D, F, N, Q, R, V, or W train)
212-868-3001
Who would believe that the famous store houses one of the best family restaurants in the city? The location is fantastic and the décor is fun — there are displays of great moments in Macy's history, from a diorama from
New York is a smoke-free town. Smoking is not permitted in any public areas, including subway stations, restaurants, taxis, and bars!Cigar smoking is permitted in registered cigar bars, however.
Mickey Mantle's ($–$$)
42 Central Park South (5th and 6th avenues)
West 59th Street-Columbus Circle station (A, B, C, D, or 1 train)
212-688-7777
Mickey Mantle's is host to many live sports broadcasts and is the place to go to watch the games on twenty-eight high-def plasma/LCD televisions. It is an absolute favorite among kids, and it's a popular spot for birthday parties. In the summer or spring it's really lovely to sit outside and eat your burger and fries and watch the horse-drawn carriages go up and down Central Park South. All credit cards are accepted.
Mars 2112 ($–$$)
1633 Broadway (51st Street)
West 50th Street station (1 train)
212-582-2112
Mars 2112 is a not-to-be missed kid pleaser on any trip to New York. This is a one-of-a-kind restaurant/theme park/interactive video game that's just as much fun for the grownups. The year is 2112, Mars is colonized, and your family has decided to vacation there. You enter the premises via a “ride” to the planet Mars — there's a side entrance if your kids are easily scared or someone in your party gets motion sickness — and are seated at a table deep inside the red rock. There are a number of alien servers, and a screen shows space-related scenes. Bring a camera to take pictures with the costumed aliens who regularly make the rounds. An excellent kids' menu offers burgers and chicken fingers, and the adults will find more refined fare to suit any mood, supplemented by a full bar with cosmic concoctions. There's an arcade for the kids to play in and a gift shop with all sorts of Mars-related gizmos and gadgets.
Planet Hollywood ($$)
1540 Broadway (at West 45th Street)
West 42nd Street-Times Square station (N, Q, R, S, W, 1, 2, 3, or 7 train)
212-333-7827
Located in the heart of Times Square, Planet Hollywood offers some imaginative takes on pastas, grilled meats, and cocktails. For kids, visiting Planet Hollywood is like going to a museum, but one that interests them. Here you may find John Travolta's black leather jacket from
Rock Center Café ($$$)
20 West 50th Street (in Rockefeller Center)
West 47th-50th Street-Rockefeller Center station (B, D, F, or V train)
212-332-7620
This new, upscale incarnation of the former American Festival Café is a stunner. Located at Rockefeller Center, it is a popular spot all year round, so reservations are recommended.
The menu is contemporary Italian-influenced American. There are extensive menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, and a kids' menu as well. Food ranges from the sublime to the standard sandwiches and salads. Special prix fixe meals are offered daily and are a bargain if you consider the à la carte prices. There are also special prix fixe meals for all the holidays — the Thanksgiving, Year-End Holiday, and Easter menus are wonderful, and the atmosphere is one of a kind. Rock Center also runs special promotions throughout the year; go to the Web site for details. All credit cards are accepted.
Seppi's ($$-$$$)
123 West 56th Street (between 6th and 7th avenues)
West 59th Street-Columbus Circle station (A, B, C, D, or 1 train); West 57th Street station (N, Q, R, or W train)
212-708-7444
Right next door to Le Parker Meridien hotel, this delightful French restaurant serves an array of creative meals in a distinctly French/ Swiss style. This is really for the big folks, but kids are welcome, albeit with limited choices — pasta, burgers, or omelets. The terrine of foie gras is perfect, as are the escargots; the shrimp and artichoke risotto is a signature dish. There are daily specials of foie gras, omelets, pasta, meats, and fish. There are even sandwiches at dinner, a rarity. On Sundays Seppi's serves a chocolate brunch, where every dish has a hint of chocolate (even chocolate mimosas). Desserts are extraordinary. The white chocolate soufflé is perfect, and the ice creams and sorbets are all homemade. There are prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner.
21 Club ($$$)
21 West 52nd Street (between 6th Avenue and Broadway)
212-582-7200
Who would believe the site of New York's most infamous speak-easy would become one of the best restaurants to take children who know how to dine? This is one of the best and classiest restaurants in the city (jacket and ties for all men, no matter the age, and positively no jeans for either men or women). New York's families often celebrate their great moments here. Sit in the main dining room, where sports memorabilia and toys from the rich and famous hang above your head. The foie gras is among the best in the city, and the steak and chops are wonderful, but the chicken hash is absolutely divine and worth every penny. Be sure to order a Shirley Temple for the kids. If you ask (and you should ask), your server will arrange a tour of the wine cellar, where you and the kids will be shown Richard Nixon's personal stash, and you can push the big brick door that was used to hide the speakeasy during raids. This is a classic New York experience. The food is excellent, and so is the service.
