Fellow travelers, there are thousands of restaurants in New York City, but why sift through them all when we've done it for you? Squirrel this list away for the next time you're in the Big Apple and your tummy is rumbling. These great options were a big hit for my eight culinary guinea pigs, including four kids from 12-17 years old:

Eataly
Celeb chef Mario Batali’s brilliant creation is part market, part stand up snack bar, part roof top beer garden and it 'shas several other restaurants. Oh, and there’s also a Nutella bar, cheese bar, vegetarian bar, fish bar and more. Travel from one to the next or stay put for an entire meal. Despite being crowded and noisy, we loved it!  www.eataly.com

Katz's Deli
This is home of one of the most famous scenes from the film “When Harry Met Sally.” Kids might not know the movie, but they’ll definitely love the food. The specialty is house made pastrami and corned beef sandwiches that are ginormous. The casual atmosphere is all New York hustle and bustle. This place is a classic and dates back to 1910. www.katzsdelicatessen.com

Nobu
There are two NYC locations that are slightly different. We chose the one in TriBeCa and it ranked as one our favorite meals anywhere in the world. The Japanese fusion menu is creative and fun for adventurous adults and there are also safer options for teens and older children. This is a great place to share dishes. Beware, this won’t be a cheap meal, but it will definitely be memorable!  www.noburestaurants.com

Pizzarte
Amazing wood oven pizzas in a family friendly art gallery atmosphere. We loved this mid-town restaurant that also offers salads and delicious pastas courtesy of the executive chef from Italy. Large groups: request the table upstairs next to a huge plate glass window that overlooks West 55th Street. www.pizzarteny.com

Ess-a Bagels
A New York institution for nearly 40 years and consistently chosen as the best bagels in the Tri-State area. They have sandwiches and salads, too. Beware their First Avenue location has closed due to lease issues, but the Third Avenue shop is going strong. Lines out the door are not unusual in the morning. www.ess-a-bagel.com

Keens Steak House
This place is a culinary and historical gem! Known for steak and mutton chop (their specialty), Keens offers lots of other options, too, and no wonder it’s all good. They’ve been at it since 1885, when it opened as a pipe smoking club. While there’s no longer smoke in the air, the ceiling is lined with thousands of clay pipes, the largest collection of its kind in the world that includes those of Teddy Roosevelt, Babe Ruth, Albert Einstein and more. www.keens.com

Fig and Olive
This hip restaurant has several NY locations. The one on Fifth Avenue was jam packed for lunch during Restaurant Week. Olive oil is used instead of butter in dishes from the south of France, Italy and Spain. This one has a lot of options for adults, but even picky kids will like the burger or a variety of crostini.
www.figandolive.com

I receive no compensation from the places mentioned; these are straight up reviews.

Tomorrow, you won’t believe the incredible and unusual sweet treats we found in NYC. C’mon back, or click the “like” and “follow” button at the top of this page for more travel and inspiration to come to you.

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