Family-Friendly Restaurants Near Lincoln Center

Standing in front of Lincoln Center one can feel a bit lost. Unlike most of Manhattan, where from any spot you can see a handful of restaurants of many varieties, the Lincoln Center area hides its bounty. But, rest-assured, there are plenty of fun and kid-friendly eats, you just have to know where to look. Whether you're there for the Circus, The Nutcracker, or one of the other cultural experiences of Lincoln Center, here are some of my favorite family friendly restaurants near Lincoln Center to get you through the holiday season and beyond.

Shun Lee and Shun Lee Café
43 West 65th Street between Broadway and Central Park West
For some class-act Chinese, this is one of the city’s best and you have two choices. You can go fine-dining with well-behaved kids at the main restaurant, or head next door for dim sum all day. Kids love to pick their choice of dumplings from the carts that circle the tables non-stop.

Rosa Mexicano
61 Columbus Avenue at 62nd Street
We’re not talking taco stand at this Lincoln Center Mexican. The cuisine is Mexican upscale, for sure, but there are plenty of things to eat. And the restaurant will gladly tone down the spice for more sensitive palates. It’s always fun to watch the waiters concoct your guacamole appetizer tableside, too.

Ed’s Chowder House
Empire Hotel, 44 West 63rd Street
We’re very grateful for Ed’s Chowder House. Starting at 11:30am, the restaurants serves non-stop. If you’re hungry between normal meal hours, the wonderful Chowder Bar offers a menu with something for everyone. And, if you don’t see what you want (or your kids want), they’ll find a way to make it for you, too. Some favorites are the clam chowder, lobster roll, fish ’n chips, burger and fries. And desserts are a real hit as well: what kid doesn’t love a cream-filled donut or a banana split?

PJ Clarke’s
44 West 63rd Street
This traditional pub, now in its second location on the West Side, is busy and loud, with a menu that will please all kids. The cheeseburger sliders are great for smaller appetites. Older kids will love the regular hamburgers and waffle fries, a staple in Manhattan for generations. There’s also a nice selection of sandwiches, all at wallet-friendly prices.

Brooklyn Diner
212 West 57th Street
It’s closer to Carnegie Hall than Lincoln Center, but that’s OK, too, because you might find yourself needing somewhere to stop in that area. This is a fun, pseudo-classic New York City diner, albeit with a Brooklyn sense of humor. The hot dogs are enormous – there’s a reason they’re called 15 Bite Hot Dogs. Sandwiches, eggs, chicken wings – your kids will be happy as a “pig in a blanket.”

Café Fiorello
1900 Broadway, Bet. 63rd and 64th streets
Another choice that’s open from 11:30 nonstop, Café Fiorello has more selections in pasta and pizza than your kids have ever seen. This is also a busy restaurant, so noisy kids are no problem. Because it’s right across the street from Lincoln Center, the prices can be a bit steep but half-portions should be fine.

Ollie’s Noodle Shop
1991 Broadway, near 68th Street
They’ll teach your kids how to use chopsticks here with kiddie versions clipped together with rubber bands. The menu is enormous and you’ll find everything Chinatown here, going well beyond the restaurant’s noodle name. Ollie’s is far less expensive than Shun Lee and is better for younger kids as well.

Nanoosh Hummus Bar
2012 Broadway between 68th and 69th Streets
If eating organic is your thing, this cute sliver of a restaurant is for you. You’ll find an extensive menu of hummus dishes, plus salads, soups and organic beverages. The restaurant is casual and sleek and perfect for a quick bite.

By Meryl D. Pearlstein, author Fodor’s Family: New York City with Kids, Travel and Food Notes, Gayot.com (contributor)

Find more helpful holiday info in The Mommy Poppins Holiday Guide and find great gift ideas in our NYC Shopping Local Gift Guide.