Casual American Fare to Feed (and Seat) the Whole Family
Five places in FiDi where you don’t have to stress about taking a moment to pause and enjoy a delicious meal with your loved ones.
The density of downtown Manhattan makes most restaurants tiny. When you need a high chair, five seats, and a little bit of room, finding a spot for a sit-down meal can be challenging.
Here are the places in FiDi where you don’t have to stress about taking a moment to pause and enjoy a delicious meal with your loved ones:
Stage Door Delicatessen: 26 Vesey St.
Positioning themselves as an “old world staple and tradition of NYC,” Stage Door Deli is everything you think of when mentioning a diner. It’s convenient, fast, and affordable (for FiDi): $2 Coffee & $9 Burger.
Stage Door Deli is ideal around the clock, but especially for a sleepy breakfast, especially Nutella French Toast, grits, and healthy wraps. While they don’t have booth seating, the tables at Stage Door Deli are lightweight and easy to push together. This may be difficult during peak hours, but they can usually fit the whole family in for a reliable, familiar deli meal.
Their adjoining pizzeria is available on Slice.
George’s: 89 Greenwich St.
A dependable mainstay. A neighborhood staple. A peaceful haven in the hustle and bustle of FiDi.
Two blocks from the NY Stock Exchange, George’s is an essential FiDi eatery with a robust full-day menu. Opened in 1950, the restaurant was rebuilt after 9/11 with a second story, opening up space for the whole family. Known for abundant portions, a relaxed atmosphere, and classic American fare, it’s a must to go at least once while you live in FiDi.
George’s offers a wide range of desserts, including milkshakes, pastries, pies, and cakes. They have a kids menu including a notable fried sole filet sandwich. They have vegan and vegetarian options (I like the loaded baked potatoes) and an otherwise wide-ranging menu.
With reasonable pricing, a relaxed atmosphere, and the love of the neighborhood, George’s is worth a try.
Cowgirl Seahorse: 259 Front St.
A delightful Southwestern surf and turf joint with offbeat nautical decor, Cowgirl Seahorse describes themselves as “Where Coney Island meets the rodeo!”
Right under the Brooklyn Bridge, Cowgirl Seahorse blends vintage aesthetics with light-hearted kitsch. Kids will love the decorations, imagining they are under the sea as exploratory divers, pirates, or mermaids.
Cowgirl Seahorse’s signature dishes, including seafood baskets, deviled eggs, and a burrito boat, are Southern Comfort with a twist, and the quesadillas, nachos, fried chicken, and other TexMex classics often appeal to picky kids. For lighter palates, their salads, fajitas, and sandwiches are delightful.
Note: While the venue offers delightful vibes, great service, and delicious food for every family member, this is the riskiest seating situation on the list. Cowgirl Seahorse does not take reservations and often hosts events after 8 p.m.
Industry Kitchen: 70 South Street
Located near Pier 15, Industry Kitchen is a spacious pizza joint in an industrial setting. Though it is an indoor-outdoor venue, Industry Kitchen is possible to enjoy in any weather, because the outdoor tables are enclosed in pods. Offering four-tops, bench seating, and high chairs in every section, Industry Kitchen can accommodate everyone.
Despite a heavy focus on pizzas, Industry Kitchen also has diverse, healthy meat and veggie options. From Spanish octopus to fattoush salad to pan-seared ahi tuna, there’s a choice for every type of diet.
Industry Kitchen runs events during Mother’s Day and Father’s Day with additional menu items, so this could be somewhere to celebrate one of these special days. While they do not offer a kids’ menu, they can do olive oil or buttered pasta and simple pizzas.
Malibu Farm NYC: 89 South Street
When I want a casual atmosphere offering an upscale dining experience, Malibu Farm is an instant go-to. Their NYC venue boasts two family-friendly styles of seating for reservations: benches and a bench-chair hybrid, both seating six.
The service is consistently amazing and the food is delicious, fresh, and healthy. There is no kids’ menu. However, the main menu offerings include widely familiar dishes like chicken soup, tacos, and pizza.
Personally, I find myself constantly reordering the tofu-coconut curry. The veggies are fresh, the flavors are delicate but strong, and the lentil rice maintains a crunch even when drenched in sauce. For dessert, the vanilla panna cotta is perfect as the weather warms.
The Miami Beach location has a stash of blankets to borrow for the outdoor patios, so ask if you get chilly.