Great restaurants in New York City for Teens: 9 Big-Kid Tested Options
Wondering where to eat in New York City with teens (and their younger siblings) for a special meal? This is your guide to grabbing a fantastic, teen-worthy meal in NYC.
Hangry kids are no fun at any age. The best laid family travel plans can be spoiled quickly by kids who just need a little food.
But a city as unique and with as much to offer as New York calls for places to eat that are equally as great. Traveling with kids doesn’t mean you should have to miss out on the very best the destination has to offer.
In fact, every family trip should, and can be, extraordinary, especially when sampling the local restaurants.
Traveling with teens is a great time to make eating in the city especially fun and worthwhile.
And, luckily, NYC is a city with a plethora of restaurants. So there are more than a few sure hits with the big-kid crowd. And these same spots offer just as much for us parents too.
We’ve found some favorite, special places to eat in New York City with kids.
No chains.
No mediocre, check-the-box places.
Just the wonderful New York City restaurants that happen to not require you to be an adult to dine there.
These teen-friendly NYC restaurants are close to the best things to do in New York City.
They may not have a dedicated kid’s menu, although some do. (The days when you need it are gone - yea!) But, they do have teen-approved choices.
They also offer a fun atmosphere for a truly special meal.
And of course the food is delicious.
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P.S. Kitchen: A Great NYC Restaurant for Teens That Gives Back
Topping our list of the best restaurants in NYC for families is P.S. Kitchen. Even though it’s a vegan restaurant, I promise your non-vegetarian kids may never even know it.
You’ll find a cozy but lively space with brick-exposed walls in a super convenient location. It’s perched in Broadway’s Theater District, near shows and other attractions.
You should go to P.S. Kitchen for the food, the atmosphere and the well-priced meals.
But you should leave knowing 100% of the profits from the restaurant are donated to charity.
P.S. Kitchen partners with organizations locally, nationally, and globally that work to break the cycle of poverty.
Food for the body and nourishment for the community. Not sure it gets any better than that.
2. RH Rooftop: A Sophisticated New York City Restaurant For Teens
During a recent trip to NYC, I was on a mission.
Because by the time we venture out on a family vacation, there have inevitably been a few small mountains moved. (Clearing schedules, packing, and making sure all the arrangements are made for our family of six is no joke.)
I was determined to make our experiences special on our trip.
And I figured one way to do that was find some rooftop restaurants that allowed kids.
Many rooftop restaurants in the city are only for the over 21 crowd. But what phone camera-wielding teen doesn’t love an awesome background to capture those selfies?
And RH Rooftop definitely hits the mark in the special category. It’s the enviable style of Restoration Hardware in the form of a place to eat.
The restaurant also has the all-important teen favorite of a burger and fries, among lots of other options.
Its beautiful interior includes cozy settees, glistening chandeliers, and hanging greenery. It’s matched by an equally gorgeous outdoor space.
RH Rooftop is located in the meatpacking district. So, it’s near The High Line and shopping. It’s a great in-between locale from the Theater District to lower Manhattan for things like Soho and the Statue of Liberty.
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3. The Whitby: An Upscale, Artsy Restaurant With Tea Service
If your teen loved tea parties as much as my girls did, the next place on the list will be a hit. The much-loved Whitbey Bar and Restaurant is Alice in Wonderland meets New York City.
It’s grown up in all the right ways. It’s comfy banquets, vibrant colors and something inviting to see around every corner. And just nostalgic enough to bring out the tea-party loving kid in all of us.
The Whitby’s upscale, eclectic interior is the perfect spot to celebrate a special day with your teen. If splurging for the afternoon tea doesn’t fit into your schedule in NYC, lunch or brunch is great as well. Teen friendly choices mix with American classics so there’s something for everyone.
The Whitbey is centrally located at 18 West 56th Street. It’s close to all the things your teen will want to see and do.
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4. Refinery Rooftop: A Chic Spot Your Teen Will Adore
Another great rooftop spot for brunch and lunch dining in New York City with teens is the Refinery Rooftop Restaurant.
After 4:30, guest must be 21 to enter. But prior to that, more than just the over 21 crowd is welcome in this industrial style space. Teens and families will feel right at home too.
Because, like any great rooftop space, the view is a showstopper.
But, the food includes teen friendly options like burgers, wings, and mac and cheese. (They’re offered in addition to mom-and-dad friendly favorites too.)
And the warm, inviting staff never even blinked an eye when my 10-year-old spilled her drink. Win, win, win.
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5. Sugar Factory: The Ultimate Dessert Restaurant For Teens and Families In New York City
Chances are good that even if you haven’t heard of the Sugar Factory, your teen has.
It’s the celebrity-touted New York City restaurant that is all over Instagram. And it’s fun, over-the-top vibe is a huge hit with teens too.
As the name suggests, this option is best suited for satisfying your sweet tooth. Although they offer meal options as well, it’s the desserts that really take center stage here.
The monstrous size sundaes are awesome but the deliciously decorated shakes are even better. Fish bowl size drinks, that can be done without alcohol, are fun too.
A visit to the Sugar Factory is sure to give you brownie points with your teen. And knowing the portions are more than large enough to split will make your wallet a little happier too.
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6. Ellen’s Stardust Diner: The Broadway Inspired Restaurant You Can’t Miss
Our next suggestion for a New York City restaurant for teens is truly iconic and unique to the city. It’s a popular spot that often has a line wrapped around the block to get in. And for good reason.
Ellen’s Stardust Diner is the only place in town where aspiring Broadway actors not only serve you a meal. They also serenade you in the process.
And what could possibly be more fun than listening to your server singing “Cabaret” as he or she catwalks on the counter?
But don’t expect a “B’’-grade rendition just because the performer served you a milkshake just before belting out that tune. The performers are amazingly talented. You’ll leave swearing you’ve just seen the next Broadway stars.
As the name suggests, the food in typical of a diner, a.k.a. picky eater approved. We’ve found our meals to be really good. Nothing fancy. Which is sometimes perfect after sampling lots of the rich foods the city has to offer.
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7. Calle Dao: Unique Food But Oh-So-Teen Approved
One of the best things about traveling with kids to new cities is having the opportunity to expose them to different cultures.
Traveling is learning after all. And one of our favorite ways to travel and learn is with great and unique food.
Calle Dao fits that bill perfectly. The Cuban Chinese cuisine in a vibrant space offers a chance to try something new. It’s one part social studies lesson mixed with two parts culinary experience. It’s like visiting just a bit of Havana without stamping your passport.
The Bryant Park location is close to lots of things to do in the city. If you want a bit of an escape from the Times Square area, try the Chelsea location.
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8. Tao: The Hip New York City Restaurant Your Teen Will Love
Tao is a restaurant we’ve been back to several times because of the fun atmosphere and good food.
This Pan-Asian spot has two locations, making it an easy choice for a great restaurant in New York City with teens. And unlike some of the other restaurants we’ve mentioned with a trendy vibe, there’s no minimum age after 4:30.
Both NYC locations are dimly lit, themed restaurants with a super cool Asian flare.
Tao Uptown features a huge Buddha statue and is located between Park and Madison Avenues. The multi-level, themed space is an easy walk from some of the most popular places to stay in the city.
Tao Downtown is in the Chelsea district. It’s slightly less touristy location makes it a bit more of an escape from the throngs of crowds.
Weathered, brick exposed walls and carefully created decor in both are meant to transport guests to another era and place. You and your teen will find a wonderfully themed dining choice in either Tao restaurant.
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9. The Terrace at Times Square Edition: An Oasis-Style Restaurant That’s A Stone’s Throw From All The New York City Action
Another great spot for making teens feel grown up in all the right ways is The Terrace and Gardens at the Time Square Edition.
The lushly decorated inside-meets-outside space is both beautiful and refined. It’s casual and comfy enough to make your teen feel welcome. And fancy enough to make your teen feel like their trip to New York is special.
Your teen, and you, will be impressed with the gorgeous Zen-like atmosphere. In fact, the motto of the hotel that houses the restaurant is “an oasis above the bustle”.
And this restaurant feels like it’s just that. It’s just steps away from the heart of Times Square. Yet the roomy, plush design takes all the stress out of being in a city that never sleeps.
The restaurant offers breakfast, brunch, dinner, and desserts. Even if you’re not a guest at the hotel, stopping by is worth it.
