Kid-Friendly New York Guide

New York is one of the most kid-friendly cities out there, with wide sidewalks for stroller-pushing, great parks and activities, and of course, a whole wealth of amazing stores to pick up the cutest togs for tots! The lovely Karmell, NYC mama to two gorgeous little boys, lets us in on the secrets of her Sassy Mama City…

Raising the bar – Mama needs a drinkies and bub can come too!

Reservoir Bar (70 University Place, Greenwich Village)
Daytime, local laid-back, sports bar with lots of TV’s in every corner so mom and dad can drink beer, watch the game and feed the kids simultaneously. Convenient location between Union Square and Washington Square Park, the menu of comfort food like chicken fingers, hamburgers and tuna melt in addition to the NYU co-ed waitress will keeps the kiddos occupied will you order another round.

Brass Monkey (55 Little West 12^th Street)
The kids menu is almost as good as the beer menu at this Meat Packing District bar. With classics below $7, parents and kids can enjoy the outdoor rooftop space, and with live Irish music the entire family can drink, eat, and be entertained.

Rosa Mexicano (7 East 18^th Street) (61 Columbus Avenue)
Guacamole made at your table as you watch while sipping icy Pomegranate margaritas. Sounds like a date night, but at these authentic Mexicana retreats, the kiddos are welcome too. With large spaces, big tables and a lively and noisy atmosphere this is a great place to bring the family for lunch or a very early dinner. While is no kids menu, the cooks will make you basic quesadilla and tacos minus the spice.

 

Grab a bite to eat post-playdate at these family-friendly spots

Bubby’s (120 Hudson Street)
Traditional family recipes in a Tribeca family setting; complete with highchairs, booster seats, crayons, and food to please. Kids can order “Chickens ‘have no’ Fingers” while parents relax with the Country Pork Chop and a side of Rosemary and Bacon Mac n’ Cheese. For dessert, everyone will have fun sharing one of Buddy’s famous Salted Caramel Apple pies.

EJ’s Luncheonette (1271 Third Avenue)
Serving the best pancakes in town, this Upper Eastside diner is comfort food at its finest. While it can get very cramped on the weekends, weekdays are the best time to get together with other moms and tots for that after-school snack.

Moomah (161 Hudson Street, Tribeca)
If there’s one place you must not miss in NYC it’s Moomah – it’ll have you screaming, “Why doesn’t this exist in Hong Kong?!” Moomah is a cafe for kids, a creative space where they can play and and make their own art, and quite simply the coolest thing for kids we’ve come across. After hours they hold “Mom’s Night Out” events where mamas can get creative too!

Shake Shack (Madison Avenue and East 23^rd Street)
This modern day ‘roadside’ burger stand not only has a terrific location, Madison Square Park, but also serves designer burgers, hot dogs, and shakes. Most NYers agree that there is no better place to eat a Shake Shack burger than on a city bench or picnic style in the grass. Lines can be grueling, but well worth the wait.

Sweet Treats

Magnolia Bakery (200 Columbus Avenue)
Not only are Magnolia cupcakes considered to be the tastiest in Manhattan, but with their perfectly pastel frosted tops, they are also the prettiest. Now that this sweet mainstay has expanded from its original Greenwich Village shop to the Westside, moms and tots can enjoy a treat and coffee in this spacious, kid-friendly setting. Be sure to try the Hummingbird: pineapple, banana and pecans topped with cream cheese icing.

Sundaes and Cones (95 East 10th Street # A)
Classic homemade ice-cream reinvented in an adorable old fashioned setting that kids and parents adore. Flavors range from the predictable chocolate and vanilla to the Asian-influenced flavors, Black Sesame and Wasabi. Whether you are feeling like a scoop of lychee or corn (yes, corn) the whole family will be smiling.

Peanut Butter & Co. (240 Sullivan Street)
Just like mom makes, but way better, this gourmet shop offers more than just the old-fashioned PB&J on white. On the menu, Pregnant Lady (Peanut butter and pickle), Ants on a Log (Celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins, and the popular Chocolate Dream (dark chocolate peanut butter and cherry jam, stuffed with coconut) Oh, and they’ll even cut the crusts off for you.

 

Mama’s Going Shopping!

Calypso (935 Madison Avenue)
What mama doesn’t love clothes that make her feel like frolicking and on island beach when in reality she is wandering the supermarket aisles? Inspired by exotic destinations, Bali and Rajasthan’s eclectic color palette, these no-fuss Bohemian type pieces aren’t lacking in frills.

Scoop NYC (1273 – 1277 Third Avenue) (473 – 475 Broadway)
Described as the ‘Ultimate Closet’ this iconic NYC boutique offers the best of all worlds; designs from established fashion houses Zac Posen and Missoni, as well as new designers like Richard Chai Love. Scoop is truly one stop shopping for the NYC fashionista.

Barneys Co-op (236 West 18th Street)
No mom jeans here. Barneys Co-Op, where downtown hip meets uptown chic, is the perfect venue when you find yourself in need of the hottest new jeans or those Phillip Lim stilettos to make those jeans look ever hotter.

Clothes for Kiddos!

Babesta (66 West Broadway)
This is the store for the tot with a personality, or rather for the mom that doesn’t always conform to lace and pastels. You can dress your kid in a Ramones T-shirt paired with Love Graffiti half pants and light bright yellow kicks… Now how cool is that?

Estella (493 Sixth Avenue)
Mini hipsters will adore this boutique opened by a former buyer for Bergdorf Goodman. The go-to place for celebs and stylists looking for togs, gifts and toys!

Crembebe (68 2nd Avenue, between 3rd & 4th St)
Kidswear gets edgy and downtown at Crembebe – for little ones with attitude!

Let us know if you have any more New York tips in the comments below!