While a family-friendly restaurant might conjure images of messy tables, juvenile design, and boring menus with chicken fingers and buttered pasta where adults are forced to eat poorly, this doesn’t have to be the case. Luckily, in Brooklyn, there are plenty of restaurants that might be considered kid-friendly and are also adult-friendly.
Parents shouldn’t have to compromise on their own preferences, and these restaurants don’t make them. Brooklyn is an ideal borough to find spots that welcome children, because so many families live here—especially in neighborhoods like Park Slope and Carroll Gardens. And although they may not have kids menus, many family friendly spots do have crayons, high chairs, and ample space for littles to let loose a bit—and plenty of dishes to order off the regular menu that will satisfy littles and their parents.
Gertrude’s
Located on a leafy corner of brownstone Brooklyn, families usually take up about half of the tables at Gertrude’s in the early dinner hours and at brunch. Jewish New York classics with a twist are the speciality here, mostly showing up in the appetizers like crispy latkes with trout roe (on the side for the kiddos), an overflowing pickle plate, and a purple sweet potato knish.
Entrees include roast chicken and a burger, and the whole family should save room for a slice of the black and white layered cake. The more kid-friendly menu might be at brunch, where you’ll see bagels and shmear, challah cinnamon sticks, and the outrageous Babka French Toast. 605 Carlton Ave., Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, gertrudes.nyc
Ziggy’s Roman Café
The founders of this spot are both industry veterans who live in the neighborhood. They finally heeded the call of their friends to open a family-friendly restaurant at the end of 2025, and they hit all the right notes. The bi-level space allows for date-night vibes on the first floor, and a kid-friendly oasis resides on the second floor, complete with a chalkboard wall, Magnatiles, blocks, and other toys.
The menu is approachable and fun, with Roman-style pastas, pizzas, and salads—and brioche ice-cream sandwiches for dessert. Parents will especially appreciate the cocktail menu, developed by Jason Kosmas, co-founder of Employees Only and Ford’s Gin. 15 Main St., DUMBO, Brooklyn, ziggysromancafe.com
Little Egg
When Williamsburg’s now-closed Egg restaurant reopened as Little Egg in Prospect Heights in 2023, it was a boon for the family-filled neighborhood. Although it retains its hipster roots, it also has a cup of crayons and white butcher paper covering at every table for built-in entertainment.
The all-day breakfast and lunch menu (they close at 3 p.m.) includes creative takes like the excellent Egg Katsu Sando, as well as classics like fluffy pancakes, grits, and a cheesy omelet for breakfast, or grilled cheese and tomato soup and a chicken cutlet sandwich at lunch. Don’t miss the excellent pastries, especially a doughnut. 657 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, eggrestaurant.com
Lingo
Lingo is an on-the-fancier-side Japanese-American restaurant that might not seem like the place to enjoy a kid-friendly meal at first glance, but it’s actually a great spot for those looking to introduce their little ones to more upscale dining. The spacious dining room in the back allows for maneuvering and the occasional walkabout, while the menu features more adventurous dishes that can still appeal to younger palettes, like Hokkaido Milk Bread, Crispy Skin Half-Chicken, and the stunning Lingo Beef Pie.
But if those don’t work, there is a kids menu (with an activity sheet) offering Butter Udon Noodles and Egg Fried Rice. Lingo has brunch on the weekends, and that kids menu features Chocolate Chip Pancakes and Milk Bread Grilled Cheese. Meanwhile, parents can dig into Apple Tart Tatin Pancakes, Miso Black Cod Sando, and a classic Japanese breakfast set. 27 Greenpoint Ave., Greenpoint, Brooklyn, lingobk.com
Juliana’s
Of course, pizza restaurants are typically kid-friendly, and Brooklyn has some of the best around. A favorite for kids and adults is Juliana’s, right by the waterfront. It was founded by pizza legend Patsy Grimaldi, who passed away last year, and is actually located in the original Grimaldi’s space with its original coal oven (Patsy retired from Grimaldi’s, which then moved next door in 2011—and hasn’t been the same since).
At Juliana’s, named after Patsy’s mother, thin crust pies are the thing, and they’re perfectly charred in the beautiful oven you’ll see in the back of the restaurant. Add an egg cream to drink, and you’ll have a perfect Brooklyn experience. 19 Old Fulton St., DUMBO, Brooklyn, julianaspizza.com
Kellogg’s Diner
Kellogg’s has been a 24/7 Williamsburg mainstay for decades, previously serving club kids and hipsters less-than-fresh diner staples. But when it closed amid bankruptcy in 2023 and then reopened under new ownership in 2024, it unveiled a menu fit for Williamsburg’s modern dining landscape.
Now the food skews Tex-Mex, with crowd-pleasing dishes like a Patty Melt, Fried Pickles & Ranch, Southwestern Salad, Chicken and Waffles, and several kinds of nachos and enchiladas—perfect for kids and grown-ups alike. Best part, it’s still open at all hours, key for those early-rising toddlers demanding breakfast at 6 a.m. 518 Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, kelloggsdinernyc.com
Laser Wolf
This spacious rooftop Israeli restaurant atop the Hoxton hotel offers incredible Manhattan skyline views and is ideal for groups—families included. Diners choose a grilled protein such as chicken shishlik, lamb kofta, trout, or eggplant, and it comes on a platter with nearly a dozen salads and dips like babaganoush, hummus, cabbage and fennel, pickles, and fluffy pitas. A soft serve dessert is also included in the price, making the meal complete. 97 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn, Williamsburg, laserwolfbrooklyn.com
Fontainhas
Fontainhas is a casual, walk-in only Indian café. Tables are low, with poufs and stools perfect for little ones, and there are games and coloring materials on the shelves by the window. The menu features smaller bites like samosa, Kathi-rito wraps, chili cheese toasts, avocado toast, and bun maskas, which are fluffy rolls with butter. The chai is strong and delicious, and at night, the cafe turns into a wine bar. 28 Jay St., DUMBO, Brooklyn, fontainhasnyc.com
Noodle Lane
Noodle Lane grew out of chef and owner Lane Li’s popular Smorgasburg stall serving authentic Chinese cuisine. Li, who emigrated from China and graduated from New York’s Institute of Culinary Education, cooks her standout Sichuan dishes in a casual 7th Avenue space, in an effort to make authentic Chinese food more approachable.
The menu, which features fun notations on the menu, like “Chef’s childhood favorite” and “A little funky, but delicious, eat with rice,” offers crowd-pleasers including a variety of dumplings and buns, Dan Dan noodles, and Mala dry pots, as well as more adventurous dishes for anyone willing. 230 7th Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn, noodlelane.com
Café Spaghetti
This restaurant welcomes families all year round but when the weather warms up, the ivy-lined backyard terrace (which has a parked Vespa in it) is especially hospitable to parents and their kids. The homestyle Italian menu features recipes from owner Sal Lamboglia’s family and boasts excellent pastas, plus Chicken Milanese, Eggplant Parm, and branzino that are also delicious.
Always start with the cacio e pepe rice balls. In addition to dinner, Café Spaghetti is open for weekday lunch and brunch, with sandwiches, frittatas, and ricotta pancakes rounding out the pasta menu. 126 Union St., Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, cafespaghetti.com
Chavela’s
A lively Mexican cantina that’s always bustling, Chavela’s is loud and fun—the kind of place where no one notices if a kid yells or spills some chips on the ground. There’s a variety of tacos, quesadillas, and entrees including mole chicken, enchiladas, and chile relleno. Start with the guacamole and a round of margaritas for the parents, and agua frescas for the kids. 736 Franklin Ave., Crown Heights, Brooklyn, chavelasnyc.com
Lore
Lore doesn’t fit into a clear cuisine category, but owner chef Jayesh Kumar’s Indian heritage and time spent cooking in Europe come through in dishes like the kid-friendly Fermented Dosa, Fish and Chips, Lamb Sheesh Kebab, while is inspiration goes further afield in the Sea Bream Ssam. If you’re there for dinner between Tuesday and Thursday there’s a three-course prix-fixe for only $47, one of the best deals in the city. 441 7th Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn, lorebrooklyn.com
Pasta Louise
Every day this bright and bustling restaurant chooses a pasta shape that they make in-house. You select your choice of sauce and toppings ranging from shrimp to housemade ricotta, making it ideal for picky kids and their parents—who you’ll see lots of anytime you come in.
There’s also mac and cheese, meatballs, and hearty salads. Desserts include tiramisu, strawberry shortcake, and cookies and milk. So basically, all a kid dreams about, and more. 1114 8th Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn, pastalouise.com
L&B Spumoni Gardens
A landmark red sauce joint, L&B Spumoni Gardens is an 87-year-old South Brooklyn institution. Inside you’ll see families celebrating birthdays and special occasions, as well as those sitting outside at one of the picnic tables eating a pie they bought from the take-out window.
Aside from the rightly famous square Sicilian pies, if you’re eating indoors, also try the calamari, fried zucchini, and garlic bread. Of course no meal is complete without the eponymous tricolored frozen dessert, spumoni. 2725 86th St., Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, spumonigardens.com
Sukh
If your kid is a train lover, this Thai restaurant is for you. The design brings to mind the golden age of train travel in Thailand, and features wood paneling on all sides, dark red booths with velour curtains that evoke train seats, and details like vintage phones and records as art. The menu pulls from across Thailand: kids will like flaky curry samosa, pumpkin curry, pad thai, and pad se-ew, but there’s a roster of spicier dishes for anyone who can handle heat. 723 Fulton St., Fort Greene, Brooklyn, sukhnyc.com
