New York City is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world. People from all over the globe fly here to pursue their biggest dreams. The city’s nightlife and restaurant scene is also pretty great. Some of the best restaurants in the country can be found in New York City. Are you planning to visit the Big Apple with a teenager soon? There are so many great restaurants to try, that picking just one can be difficult. Whether you’re craving a New York style bagel or a bowl of authentic Italian pasta, you can find all of this and more in the Big Apple. To help you out, we’ve provided a list of fun restaurants in NYC that your teen will love. Check them out now!
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1601 Broadway b/t 48th St. and 49th St. | Theater District, Midtown West | krispykreme.com
Located in Times Square is the largest Krispy Kreme retail store around. This first-of-its-kind store boasts 4,500 square feet of space for serving the hottest and freshest donuts in New York City.
At this bustling donut store, you can find a wide selection of styles, such as the chocolate iced glazed donut with sprinkles, Oreo® cookies and cream donut, and cake batter donut. Along with its extensive donut selection, Krispy Kreme in Times Square also serves coffee, lattes, hot chocolate, and other popular breakfast beverages.
If you need to stop by somewhere for a quick breakfast, Krispy Kreme in Times Square is the perfect spot for you! Just grab a donut and head out to the first destination spot in your New York City trip itinerary.
“As a donut connoisseur, going to Krispy Kreme's Time Square location was magical, I cried. These are my favorite donuts of all time and this location in particular is spotless, huge, and the staff is very friendly!” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Krispy Kreme at Times Square.
2723 Broadway b/t 104th St. and 105th St. | Manhattan Valley | cafedusoleilny.com
While we won’t be able to take a plane ride to France anytime soon, we can still celebrate the country’s delicious cuisine at home. Café Du Soleil is a popular French cafe located in Manhattan Valley. Guests can either dine inside or on its cozy patio. For the winter, Café Du Soleil has also added extra equipment outside to help block the winter chill.
This charming bistro offers savory French dishes such as the Merguez Grillées, La Choucroute Garnie Alsacienne, and Le Coq Au Vin. Elegant steak and fish dishes are also served in this colorful and rustic restaurant. Coming for brunch? Café Du Soleil also services delicious brunch dishes like the Boudin Blanc and Pancakes Aux Fruits Rouges. A small wine selection is also available if you want some rose or white wine to accompany your meal.
“The meal was fabulous and special requests were accommodated. Brunch cocktails were reasonably priced and delicious. I was very pleased with our bill, and delighted that there was no COVID-19 surcharge. This restaurant is doing an excellent job of meeting new social distancing standards while still keeping competitive prices and serving fantastic food. I can't wait to return for dinner!” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Café Du Soleil.
513 Henry St. | Carroll Gardens | brooklynfarmacyandsodafountain.com
Once you’ve gotten the main meal down, it’s time to look for a dessert spot. Looking for something unique and different from the places you usually visit back home? Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain is a whimsical dessert spot that is known for its creative ice cream dishes. Situated inside a 1920s apothecary, this Brooklyn cafe serves some of the sweetest dessert in the city.
Specialty ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches, and more are offered at this popular dessert spot. Are you a fan of caramel? Try the Sir Twix-A-Lot. This popular treat features chunks of shortcake crumbles topped with gooey caramel and a chocolate hard shell. Want something with a little more chocolate? The Brownie Sundae is filled with chunks of homemade brownie and your choice of ice cream inside a chocolate hard shell.
“This dessert parlor is what dreams are made of — the decor will transport you back in time and the sundaes are piled high with all things delicious. A creature of habit, I tend to always order the Warm Brownie Sundae, but they have a lot of other menu items that look equally as delicious. If you're getting a sundae, you'll want to share, unless you are filming the next episode of Man vs. Food. They really don't skimp on toppings and the ice cream scoops are really generous.” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain.
1678 3rd Ave. | Yorkville, Upper East Side | barkingdognyc.com
Located on the Upper East Side, the Barking Dog is a popular dog-friendly restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A full-service bar is also offered. Whenever you come, you are sure to have a fun and enjoyable meal with your favorite four-legged friend. Your dog will also enjoy their visit, as the restaurant offers special doggy watering fountains outside!
As for the food, you can find a fine selection of classic American dishes like the Crispy Buttermilk Battered Chicken, Lobster Five Cheese Macaroni, and Turkey Breast Sandwich. The Barking Dog also serves brunch on the weekends.
“This neighborhood staple has been around for as long as I can remember, and for good reason. They have a pretty extensive menu (even during COVID-19 times, it's large although smaller than before understandably) and everything I've ordered has been delicious. It's quite popular for brunch but I enjoy visiting at dinner time since it's less busy and I like their dinner offerings.” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for the Barking Dog.
1650 Broadway b/t 51St. And 50th St. | Theater District, Midtown West | ellensstardustdiner.com
If you want to enjoy a true New York City experience with your teenager, you need to visit Ellen’s Stardust Diner. This famous 1950s-style diner is known for its incredibly talented waitstaff. At any time, you can find someone serenading someone else in the diner. Many of the diner’s staff members even go on to perform on Broadway.
On the menu, you can find classic diner dishes like the Fried Chicken Sandwich, Lenox Ave Chicken and Waffles, and The Plain Jane Omelette. Wine is also served by either the bottle or the glass. Want something a little sweeter? Try one of their delicious milkshakes. Specialty cocktails including Pina Colodas and Red Sangria are also available for your enjoyment.
“This place gets five stars for the talent alone! I know several of the wait staff go on to be on Broadway and I can see why! I went on Halloween and there was always someone singing. It was literally dinner with a show. One waitress even sang a Taylor Swift song I requested and did an amazing performance! I would definitely come back here again!” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Ellen’s Stardust Diner.
New York City is home to an exciting selection of trendy and unique restaurants. Whether you are visiting the city with your teen or they are taking a day trip with their friends, you’ll want to suggest these popular restaurants to them. Which ones do you plan on visiting next? Let us know in the comments!
