Best of Brooklyn: Kid-Friendly Restaurants

After last week's unexpected and overwhelming controversy about a Park Slope mom who tried to warm up a bottle in a restaurant, we thought it might be a good idea to poll our readers on the best kid-friendly restaurants Brooklyn. After all, it'll give the parents out there new places to try — and for those who'd prefer to banish all children to the suburbs, now you'll know which spots to steer clear of in the afternoons and early evenings. Any suggestions?
Photo by drewbic

Comments

ici! it's on vanderbilt and dekalb and super yummy
relish in williamsburg in the warm weather - great outdoors

Posted by: miss priss at October 2, 2006 11:54 AM

Willy B's in W'burg is great for kids but the food absolutely sucks.

Posted by: Anon at October 2, 2006 12:10 PM

Most places are nice for brunch/lunch or an early dinner. I often check re the early dinner (say 6pm or 6.30) thing and mention bringing kids. Ici is good as noted above.

I never really encounter these crazy kid haters from the PS Mom bottle story.

Posted by: lp at October 2, 2006 12:30 PM

I can only speak about what I know of in my neighborhood, but for me it's gotta be Two Boots (2nd Street off Seventh Avenue in Park Slope). Children's menu, bright colors, crayons at the tables, and tops on the cups brought to the table. The chef gives kids dough to play with, and there are steps for the little ones to watch the kitchen in action.

Posted by: Frank Lynch at October 2, 2006 12:57 PM

I agree with lp that a lot of it has to do with the time. If I go to a nice restaurant like ici at 6:30 and there are some kids running around, that's cool. But if I go at 8:30, I'd expect the parents to have the judgement not to be shlepping the rugrats along.

Posted by: Anon at October 2, 2006 2:34 PM

laconda in greenpoint...on graham ave...real italian cooking and the family that owns it is REALLY nice to kids...been taking my 2 kids there for years...willy b's too...the food is not that great but if you want to drink a coffee and read a book while your kids play this is the place for you to go

Posted by: Anonymous at October 2, 2006 3:06 PM

paninoteca in cobble hill on smith street. great food for grown ups, outdoor seating and kids menu too...
also, agree about timing. I have 2 small kids and I feel badly for other patrons when it's past the kids bedtime and they're being a little nuts...that said, once the kids are over about 5, they are pretty easy to mix in. it's the really little ones (like our 18 month old) that are a bit all over the place and spill everything, break things, etc...
my gratitude goes out to the brave and sweet waitstaffs who aren't mean about it. have had really good experience with this at ici too, byt the way...

Posted by: Anonymous at October 2, 2006 3:11 PM

We went to Chip Shop on Atlantic Avenue and they have an earlybird family discount before 6 or 6:30. The food is kid friendly but I wouldn't take a kid that can read or they might see the fried candy bars on the menu and really want one.

Apartment 138 (or whatever) on Smith between Dean and Bergen has a pool table and games in the basement. The food is only so so but the wine list is pretty nice and they have a couple of good food choices. Our kids (9 and 11) always disappear downstairs and my partner and I can have a nice dinner (almost) alone.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 2, 2006 3:29 PM

Pit Stop Cafe on Columbia Street. Great food, great prices and kid friendly. Don't tell anyone or it'll get too popular.

Posted by: cb at October 2, 2006 3:33 PM

2nd St. Grill and DIzzy's in PS are the most child-friendly I've been to. 2nd St. actually lends the kids a box of toys to play with at dinner. I mean, sure, Two Boots is probably the best but that place is such a zoo I would rather stay home.

Posted by: west at October 2, 2006 4:02 PM

I totaly disagree about 2nd street - we went there with a 2 year old friend and the hostess (who has seated us as a couple multiple times in the past) would not seat us. She kept telling us it would be at least 1/2 hour wait even though there was really no one else waiting for a table. After 10 minutes, it was still a 30 minute wait. Plus, she kept eyeing the kid. We did not get a good vibe and have never been back.

Posted by: Anon at October 2, 2006 4:22 PM

From what I've observed, most bars in Park Slope are welcoming to kids. It seems that every drinking establishment I enter is full of children (and dogs).

Posted by: Anonymous at October 2, 2006 5:00 PM

Picket Fence in Flatbush has a great (healthy) kids menu. The newer place, the Farm, has a more grown up vibe, but also has a nice (if pricey) kids menu and highchairs available. Both have back gardens which are great in summer.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 3, 2006 8:47 AM

Liberty Heights Tap Room in Red Hook wins hands down. Tasty beer and pizza with plenty of room.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 3, 2006 10:10 AM

Johnny Macks at 8th Ave. and 12th street in Park Slope has a kids menu, pinball, old arcade games an other diversions for the younger crowd. I always see the kids living large there. Plus the grownups have lots of beers on tap to choose from and the food is alright too.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 3, 2006 2:48 PM

Most parents in the slope do a terrible job of raising and training thier children to eat in restaurants as i have discovered working in one in brooklyn.It's all about them and thier darling chidren all the time. The level of entitlement makes one want to puke.
Starting with the monster size strollers that block anyone from walking through the restaurant to children running rampant, and ending with food all over the table and floor.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 3, 2006 5:22 PM

Applewood. The owners have kids and are very accomodating -- and the food is the best in Brooklyn.

Posted by: mdr at October 3, 2006 6:35 PM

Bubby's in DUMBO... being kid friendly is their mantra. Bubby's has a cool play area to keep the kids busy if you want some alone time too... There's also one of the coolest childrens parks I've seen directly across from the restaurant.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 4, 2006 3:06 PM

« Woodframey Goodness on Kenmore Terrace House of the Day: 38 Berkeley Place »

October 2, 2006

Best of Brooklyn: Kid-Friendly Restaurants

Comments

Post a comment

Latest Restaurant Additions