What is the best Friendly restaurant in Murray Hill & Kips Bay?

Sarge's Delicatessen & Diner is our top pick for Friendly restaurants in Murray Hill & Kips Bay, scoring 8.8/10. Old-school deli where crinkle-cut fries share top billing with stacked pastrami.

Any insider tips for Sarge's Delicatessen & Diner?

Order fries on the side even if your sandwich already comes with them—they disappear fast at the table.

What should I order at Sarge's Delicatessen & Diner?

Crinkle-cut fries, pastrami Reuben, matzo ball soup.

When should I visit Sarge's Delicatessen & Diner?

Midday or early evening before peak dinner crowds hit.

Who should go to Sarge's Delicatessen & Diner?

Diners craving classic New York deli fare and fries.

Any insider tips for Vatan Indian Vegetarian?

Choose spice level carefully—the set menu keeps refilling all night.

What should I order at Vatan Indian Vegetarian?

Pre-fixe vegetarian thali, papdi chaat, sweet dessert course.

When should I visit Vatan Indian Vegetarian?

Leisurely dinners; allow extra time for the full experience.

Who should go to Vatan Indian Vegetarian?

Groups wanting a long, feast-style vegetarian dinner.

Any insider tips for Patrizia's of Manhattan?

Book a patio table and choose the family-style menu to simplify ordering.

What should I order at Patrizia's of Manhattan?

Family-style rigatoni vodka, margherita pizza, meatballs.

When should I visit Patrizia's of Manhattan?

Weekend evenings for full party energy on the patio.

Who should go to Patrizia's of Manhattan?

Groups planning birthday dinners with hearty shared Italian plates.

Any insider tips for Little Ruby's Murray Hill?

Join the waitlist early on weekends; seats go quickly.

What should I order at Little Ruby's Murray Hill?

Bronte Burger, Classic Cheeseburger, fries or hash browns.

When should I visit Little Ruby's Murray Hill?

Weekday lunches or early dinners to skip peak waits.

Who should go to Little Ruby's Murray Hill?

Brunch lovers who still prioritize a serious burger.

Any insider tips for Pongal?

Use the lunch hour for quickest turnover and best value combos.

What should I order at Pongal?

Masala dosa, a thali, and a chili cheese dosa to share

When should I visit Pongal?

Lunch or early dinner before the queue builds

Who should go to Pongal?

Vegetarians and dosa fans wanting affordable comfort

Any insider tips for Jackson Hole Burgers?

Consider sharing a burger if you plan to sample sides.

What should I order at Jackson Hole Burgers?

Santa Fe Burger, Mexican Burger, thick shake on the side.

When should I visit Jackson Hole Burgers?

Early evenings or weekend lunches to avoid peak crowds.

Who should go to Jackson Hole Burgers?

Burger fans wanting classic, overstuffed patties and nostalgia.

Any insider tips for Hill and Bay?

Weekday early dinners are the easiest time to snag a roomy table for families.

What should I order at Hill and Bay?

Fish and chips, signature burger, chopped salad with chicken.

When should I visit Hill and Bay?

Early evenings when the bar scene is quieter and kid-friendly.

Who should go to Hill and Bay?

Families wanting burgers and salads without leaving Kips Bay.

Best Family Friendly Restaurants in Murray Hill & Kips Bay (10016)

7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: January 2026

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Our Top Pick

Sarge's Delicatessen & Diner

Old-school deli where crinkle-cut fries share top billing with stacked pastrami.

Notable Picks

#1 Sarge's Delicatessen & Diner

8.8

$$$ Murray Hill

Vibes: Comfort Food Classics Family Friendly Favorites Business Lunch Power Players Quick Bites Champions

Open since 1964, Sarge’s is a classic Jewish deli in Murray Hill where families share giant pastrami sandwiches, matzo ball soup, and cheesecake in roomy booths. High review counts and decades of loyal regulars make it one of the most reliable family-friendly spots in the neighborhood for hearty, old-school comfort food.

Must-Try Dishes: Crinkle-Cut French Fries, Pastrami Reuben, Open-Faced Hot Turkey Sandwich with Fries

What makes it special: Old-school deli where crinkle-cut fries share top billing with stacked pastrami.

View Full Review →

#2 Vatan Indian Vegetarian

8.6

$$$ Kips Bay

Vibes: Group Dining Gatherings Birthday & Celebration Central Comfort Food Classics Hidden Gems Heaven

Vatan is an immersive, courtyard-themed Indian vegetarian restaurant offering an all-you-can-eat, fixed-price Gujarati feast in Kips Bay. Families settle into carved booths for a long, set-menu experience where platters of chaats, curries, breads, and desserts are refilled throughout the meal.

Must-Try Dishes: All-you-can-eat vegetarian thali, Papdi chaat platter, Gujarat-style kadhi and curries

What makes it special: Immersive courtyard setting with an all-you-can-eat vegetarian thali.

View Full Review →

#3 Patrizia's of Manhattan

8.4

$$$$ Kips Bay

Vibes: Birthday & Celebration Central Group Dining Gatherings Outdoor Dining Oasis Pet Friendly Paradise

Patrizia’s of Manhattan is a high-energy, family-style Italian restaurant where big groups share endless pies, pastas, and platters under loud music and a celebratory atmosphere. It’s one of Kips Bay’s most popular spots for birthdays, multi-generational dinners, and family celebrations built around long tables and fixed-price feasts.

Must-Try Dishes: Family-style rigatoni alla vodka, Wood-fired margherita pizza, Nonna-style meatballs

What makes it special: Rowdy, family-style Italian with a dog-friendly patio built for celebrations.

View Full Review →

#4 Little Ruby's Murray Hill

8.3

$$ Murray Hill

Vibes: Brunch Bliss Spots Group Dining Gatherings Trendy Table Hotspots Instagram Worthy Wonders

Little Ruby’s Murray Hill is an Australian-style cafe where all-day brunch, burgers, and bowls share space with a kids-friendly atmosphere and outdoor seating. Families use it for relaxed weekend brunches and early dinners when they want something livelier than a diner but still approachable.

Must-Try Dishes: Bronte Burger, Classic Cheeseburger, Fried Chicken Burger

What makes it special: Australian-style café where the signature Bronte Burger rivals brunch.

View Full Review →

#5 Pongal

8.2

$$$ Curry Hill

Vibes: Hidden Gems Heaven Healthy Haven Group Dining Gatherings Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance

Pongal is a vegetarian South Indian restaurant in the heart of Curry Hill, known for its long dosa menu, uttapams, and thali-style plates. Families come for shareable dosas and kid-pleasing idlis in a busy, compact dining room that still manages to turn tables quickly.

Must-Try Dishes: Masala dosa, South Indian thali, Chili cheese dosa

What makes it special: All-vegetarian South Indian menu with deep neighborhood roots.

View Full Review →

#6 Jackson Hole Burgers

8.0

$ Murray Hill

Vibes: Comfort Food Classics Family Friendly Favorites Group Dining Gatherings Quick Bites Champions

Jackson Hole’s Murray Hill location has been serving oversized griddled burgers and fries since the early 1980s, with a family-owned, Western-themed dining room that kids tend to remember. It’s a go-to for casual, shareable plates where the focus is big burgers, shakes, and relaxed, all-ages energy.

Must-Try Dishes: Santa Fe Burger, Mexican Burger, Soul Burger

What makes it special: Decades-old spot famous for enormous, overflowing burgers and shakes.

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Worthy Picks

#7 Hill and Bay

7.6

$$$$ Kips Bay

Vibes: Family Friendly Favorites Business Lunch Power Players Group Dining Gatherings Happy Hour Hotspots

Hill and Bay is a neighborhood American spot on 2nd Avenue where burgers, fish and chips, and salads anchor a menu built for both office workers and families. It’s casual enough for kids but still comfortable for a drink or a quick weeknight dinner with something for everyone.

Must-Try Dishes: Fish and chips, Hill and Bay burger, Chopped salad with grilled chicken

What makes it special: Neighborhood American restaurant that works for both strollers and after-work drinks.

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