Adventure, baby!

breakfast

Aroma Espresso Bar; Kid-friendly Restaurants, TriBeCa, Manhattan, New York

We stopped by Aroma after a trip to nearby 9/11 Memorial, badly in need of a place to replenish strength with some out-of-town visitors. The casual vibe at Aroma is perfect for families, particularly those with young infants. Toddlers, too, are welcome – they can happily run around without bothering other diners. Cheese particularly loved the stands with packets of chips on them at a perfect height for little fingers to grab. Thank you Aroma staff for your tolerance!

Order and pay at the counter, then take a seat at one of several long tables. High chairs are available, or you can park your stroller at the table with you.

Aroma is a huge, modern cafe with lots of tables with plenty of room between them, and large, comfy chairs. Add in free wi-fi, fast service and delicious sandwiches, and you’ve got a solid, reliable place to stop and take a breath in the busy city.

Cheese loves the carbs.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes. This is a huge space, plenty of room for your SUV-sized stroller.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.
Kid-friendly rating: ♥♥♥♥-

Aroma Espresso Bar
100 Church Street,
New York, NY 10007
Phone: (212) 346 0095

Hours:
Daily 7am-11pm

River Deli; Kid-friendly Restaurants, Brooklyn Heights, New York

The River Deli is run by Sardinian expats Giovanna Fadda and her husband, Andrea Mocci. It’s a cosy, family-oriented restaurant, serving delicious, pan-regional Italian food.

We weren’t thrilled about leaving our stroller on the sidewalk, but we sat by the window so we could keep an eye on it and had no problems.

The food was really tasty, the staff friendly, and the baby happily entertained by other local families sitting around us. She made new fans, we had a great brunch – a winning situation all around.

Please, sir, can I have some more?
Please, sir, can I have some more?
Traditional Sardinian breakfast dish
Traditional Sardinian breakfast dish. Yum!

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Strollers are parked out the front. There is no room inside for strollers.
Easy access: Yes – wide entrance door and one step in.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

River Deli
32 Joralemon Street,
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 254 9200
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 5pm–11pm Sat-Sun 11am – 11pm
Get directions.

River Deli on Urbanspoon

The Atlantic ChipShop; Kid-friendly Restaurants, Brooklyn

Deep-fried pizza, deep-fried burgers, deep-fried chocolate. You want it, they fry it. Seriously. If this sounds like the sort of heart attack-inducing lunch you’re after, step on down to the ChipShop for authentic British fare like Haggis, baked beans on toast, fried fish and British-style chips (thick wedges of potato – fried, of course), mushy peas and fried mac and cheese (the menu says “sounds weird but it’s bloody lovely”).

We ventured into the ChipShop after feeling homesick for some British-style chips. This divey little pub feels a bit grotty (sticky tables, sticky chairs, sticky everything!), but on the plus side, no-one cares if your toddler throws their entire meal on the floor.

All this food, for 2.5 people?!

Atlantic Chip Shop

Highchairs: Yes. They also have booster seats.
Stroller storage: Yes – room for strollers. Bring a folding stroller, however, if you’re coming at a busy time, just to be on the safe side.
Easy access: Yes – one step to enter.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

The Atlantic ChipShop
129 Atlantic Ave (Between Clinton and Henry),
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Phone: (718) 855 7775
Prices: $$
Hours:
Mon-Fri 12pm-12am (bar until midnight)
Sat-Sun 10am-12am (bar until 12am)
Get directions.

Chip Shop on Urbanspoon

Additional image thanks to Yelp.

Sugar and Plumm: Kid-friendly Restaurants, UWS, New York

Post by guest blogger, Beverly Burgess.

If you’re after a place that’s super-girly AND baby-friendly, you can’t go wrong with Sugar & Plumm. If you have a daughter, you simply must check this place out! She will love it 🙂 Their tagline is “a spoonful of whimsy on the Upper West Side” and it is spot on.

The place is pretty spacious, and divided into a cafe on one side and a little shop and bakery on the other. The staff are dressed in these pretty purple dresses, and are really sweet and friendly. The place is unbelievably baby-friendly, with loads of high chairs, areas to park your stroller, and even super-cute plastic cups with lids that they serve (complimentary) water in for the kids!! LOVE it.

The whimsical Sugar & Plumm
Pretty shop with super adorable eats and knick knacks

Their desserts are the stars of their menu, and the GRASSHOPPER (mint chocolate chip ice cream, chocolate sauce, peppermint patty) was a winner. It came in a tall frosted glass and was pretty luscious. Very filling, so two can probably share a milkshake!

GRASSHOPPER (mint chocolate chip ice cream, chocolate sauce, peppermint patty)

I opted for the SMORE’S SUNDAE (chocolate ice cream, marshmallow, graham cracker, chocolate sauce) and really gave myself an ice cream overdose! It was 3 or 4 scoops of ice cream in there, and basically one gigantic sugar overload 😉

SMORE’S SUNDAE (chocolate ice cream, marshmallow, graham cracker, chocolate sauce)

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: No.

Sugar and Plumm
377 Amsterdam Avenue,
New York, New York 10024
Phone: (212) 787 8778

Hours: Sun -Wed 8:30am-10:30pm, Thur -Sat 8:30am-11:30pm

One Girl Cookies Cobble Hill: Kid-friendly Cafes, Brooklyn

Delicious cookies are not the only offering from this adorable cafe, but you’ll find it hard to leave without eating a few. Great for breakfast, brunch or afternoon tea, One Girl is the perfect place to meet friends for a catch up, especially during the week days when it’s quiet. Order a hot chocolate with a marshmallow and whoopie pie (their speciality), sit back and prepare to while away the afternoon with your babe.

Whoopie pie! Yay!

Highchairs: No, but you can park your stroller at the tables.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: Kind of  – entrance has only one step, but also has two doorways in a row on an awkward angle, making it a bit tricky to get in if you’re on your own with a stroller.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

One Girl Cookies Cobble Hill
68 Dean Street,
New York, NY 11201
Phone: (212) 675 4996
Prices: $
Hours:
Mon-Thu 8am–7pm
Fri 8am–8pm
Sat 9am–8pm
Sun 10am–7pm
Get directions.

One Girl Cookies on Urbanspoon

Building On Bond: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Boerum Hill, New York

A total hipster hangout – with delish, reasonably-priced food? It’s true, it does exist. Quarters are a little tight indoors, but still workable with a stroller or highchair. The food is stellar – our budding gourmet loved the egg scramble with mushroom, gruyere and broccoli. You can also order easy add-ons like a cup of yoghurt or side of toast for babies on solids.

Giant side of yoghurt = happy baby.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes – and you can park your stroller at the table if you prefer.
Easy access: Yes (one step to get in).
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Building On Bond
112 Bond Street (at Pacific st),
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: (347) 853 8687
Prices: $$
Hours:
Mon-Thu 12–4pm, 5–10pm
Fri 12–4pm, 5–11pm
Sat 11am–3pm, 5–11pm
Sun 11am–3pm, 5–10pm
Get directions.

Building on Bond on Urbanspoon

Additional image thanks to Yelp.

Watty & Meg: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Cobble Hill, New York

A neighbourhood brunch favourite, Watty & Meg is happy to accommodate Brooklyn’s littlest diners. Friendly staff create a fun vibe as well as providing good service. Add in solid food and a relaxed atmosphere, and you’re in for an enjoyable brunch for the whole family. The omelets in particular are very good.

The menu is the tastiest dish of all.

Watty & Meg

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes – but minimal, so bring a fold-up stroller if possible, or park your larger stroller at an outdoor table in warm weather.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Watty & Meg
248 Court Street (at Kane St),
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 643 0007
Prices: $$
Hours:
Mon-Thu 12–4pm, 5–10pm
Fri 12–4pm, 5–11pm
Sat 11am–3pm, 5–11pm
Sun 11am–3pm, 5–10pm
Get directions.

Watty & Meg on Urbanspoon

Bien Cuit: Pastries And Coffee, Brooklyn, New York

Bien Cuit

The smell of caramelised sugar wafting out of this cafe makes it near impossible to pass on by. A thoughtful ramp at the entrance makes it easy to roll up with your stroller and order treats that were definitely not on your daily diet plan. While there aren’t high chairs, there is enough space to stop by with your babe in their stroller as long as it’s not too busy. Their white blossom hot chocolate is a speciality that’s hard to say no to.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Bien Cuit
120 Smith St
(between Pacific St & Dean St)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 852 0200
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat 7am-8pm Sun 8am-8pm
Get directions.

Bien Cuit on Urbanspoon

Image thanks to Yelp.

Alice’s Tea Cup

A little girl’s dream come true, this cafe chain is heaven for kids and adults alike. Delightful scones, a large menu of tea and whimsical decor make this a fun place to eat. While it’s definitely kid-friendly, it’s not so great for young toddlers and babies. On weekends there is a long wait (usually an hour), no reservations, and slow service.

Give me!
Three tiers of awesome.

Highchairs: Yes – a limited amount however. We were told during one visit that if wanted a table with a high chair it would be an additional wait time.
Stroller storage: Limited space. Bring a stroller that folds up if possible.
Easy access: No – lots of steps.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: Yes.
Kid-friendly rating: ♥♥♥–

Alice’s Tea Cup
102 West 73rd St
New York
Phone (212) 799 3006

156 East 64th Street
Manhattan
Phone (212) 486 9200

220 East 81st Street
New York
Phone (212) 734 4832

Hours:
Daily: 8am-8pm

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=alice's+tea+cup&fb=1&gl=us&hq=alices+tea+cup&hnear=New+York&ll=40.746537,-73.980674&spn=0.077243,0.060719&t=m&output=embed&w=425&h=350%5D

Alice's Tea Cup Chapter I on Urbanspoon

Alice's Tea Cup Chapter II on Urbanspoon

The Sweet Little Cafe: Crepes and Coffee, Brooklyn, New York

Sweet Little Cafe

The Sweet Little Cafe recently re-opened with new management. It’s a cute little cafe that serves crepes, sandwiches, pastries and coffee. While the food is good, it’s sadly not baby-friendly in the least. Housed in a very small space, there are few tables, definitely no room for strollers, and the wait on the crepes has been an hour each of the two times that we have dropped by. Stop by with older kids only!

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: Yes (One step).
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

The Sweet Little Cafe
73 Hoyt St
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: (718) 858 8998
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm Sat 9am-5pm Sun 10am-3pm
Get directions.

The Little Sweet Cafe on Urbanspoon

Image thanks to Yelp.