Family-Friendly Lincoln Center Restaurants – Mommy Poppins

Though many of the restaurants and cafés surrounding Lincoln Center might seem too upscale for family dining or a quick, inexpensive snack, there are plenty of affordable, family-friendly restaurants near Lincoln Center hidden in plain sight. Most of these restaurants cater to the pre-theater crowd, know local productions and schedules, and are more than happy to make sure you’re in and out with time to spare before the curtain rises.

Whether you’re in the neighborhood for a concert, to see the Big Apple Circus, The Nutcracker, or just to check out the famous fountain, here are our favorite family-friendly restaurants near Lincoln Center to grab a bite without breaking the bank—or your patience.

Find more great kid-friendly eateries in our NYC Kids’ Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants.

Best Sit-Down Lincoln Center Restaurants for Families

1. Brooklyn Diner

Conveniently located between Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, this fun, pseudo-classic diner has a Brooklyn sense of humor. The gigantic 15-bite hot dogs are sure to impress kids (how many bites can they eat it in?), and with other comfort-food choices like sandwiches, pasta, and fajitas, your family will be as happy as the diner’s famous pigs in a blanket.

2. Shun Lee West and Shun Lee Café

For some class-act Chinese food in a retro setting, the decades-old Shun Lee is one of the city’s standbys. There are two dining options to choose from. Well-behaved kids can enjoy fine dining—and ogle the wraparound glowing dragon on the wall—at the main restaurant, Shun Lee West, where dishes include the intriguing ants climb on a tree and slippery chicken. For a more casual setting, head to the café for dim sum. Kids love selecting dumplings and other treats from the carts that circle the tables.

3. Café Fiorello

For lovers of all things pasta and pizza, Café Fiorello, right across from Lincoln Center, is a perfect choice. Another plus: Since this is a busy restaurant, noisy kids are no problem. If there’s time for dessert, don’t miss the café’s famous chocolate mousse. Though the food is delicious, the prices can be steep.

4. P.J. Clarke’s

This outpost of the historic NYC pub can be loud and crowded, but its traditional surf-and-turf menu—and breezy corner location directly across from Lincoln Center—can’t be beat. The mini cheeseburgers and shoestring fries are great for smaller appetites, while older kids will dig into the famous bacon cheeseburger and cast-iron mac and cheese.

Dig into guac, beans, and chips at Rosa Mexicano. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

5. Rosa Mexicano

We’re not talking standard taco stand fare at this favorite family-friendly restaurant near Lincoln Center. The cuisine is upscale Mexican, but there are plenty of yummy choices for all ages, including a Young Amigos menu (with an activity sheet), and the restaurant is happy to tone down the spices. Kids will delight in watching the fast-fingered waiters manhandling avocados as they whip up the restaurant’s famous table-side guacamole.

6. The Smith

Conveniently located right across the street from Lincoln Center, this spot is spacious and noisy, so you can feel zero guilt about strollers and meltdowns. The atmosphere is causal with crowd-pleasing burgers and mounds of fries. The sidewalk seating is a huge bonus in the warmer months.

7. Old John’s

This old-school diner has been in existence for more than 70 years. All the cool diner features are here, including a semi-circular bar and a classic dessert display. The food is standard diner fare with a kids’ menu and lots of sweet treats for dessert, including a decadent five-layer chocolate cake. Reserve ahead to snag a booth.

Fast-Casual Restaurants near Lincoln Center for Families

8. Breads Bakery

As its name implies, this bakery churns out delectable breads and pastries from early morning into the evening. This is a great spot to come for a late afternoon tea and treat. The chocolate babka and rugelach are local favorites, but if you’re in the mood for something savory, the tuna sandwich and cheese straws are just as delicious.

9. La Traviata Pizza

A hole-in-the-wall is often where you’ll find the best NYC slices, and La Traviata is no exception. An off-the-beaten-track Lincoln Center mainstay, it offers the usual pizzeria fare—slices, garlic knots, and calzones—for the right price in a no-frills setting. Note: Table seating is limited, but you can teach the kids how to eat pizza on a folded paper plate while walking down the street like a real New Yorker.

10. Le Pain Quotidien

Tucked just off Broadway’s restaurant row, this cozy, casual café features huge wooden family-style tables and organic, Belgian-inspired eats. The affordable bites range from delectable baked goods to soups, quiches, and open-faced “tartine” sandwiches served on boards. It’s a great spot for a pre-Nutcracker hot chocolate served in a bowl, naturellement.

11. Emmy Squared

If your family is a fan of Detroit-style pizza, this spot doesn’t disappoint. The pies are cooked perfectly, with a crunch on the crust and the perfect chew in the middle. The cozy ambiance and great service make this a great family pit stop.

RELATED: 30 Things To Do on the Upper West Sid with Kids

Magnolia Bakery’s cupcakes are a must-try for all. Photo courtesy of the bakery

Where to Find Sweet Treats near Lincoln Center

12. Magnolia Bakery

This NYC-founded chain bakery offers delicious baked goods of all varieties (brownies, cakes, icebox treats), but its cupcakes have become a local mainstay. What kid passes up the chance to lick the pastel frosting off of one of these deservedly famous confections? For a more grown-up bite, indulge in the equally celebrated banana pudding.

13. Levain Bakery

This subterranean bakery’s signature gigantic, brownie-like cookies may be the most decadent in the city. Opt for the original chocolate chip walnut or one of its other varieties, which change by the day and with the seasons.

14. Rosetta Bakery

Stop here for a variety of upscale but casual food, including sandwiches, pizza, cake, bite-size treats, and coffee. Take your sweet treats to-go or grab a seat indoors or al fresco. It does get fairly busy, but the service is quick and friendly, and there is usually no problem getting a place to sit.

Originally published in 2009.