Battery Gardens Restaurant

A literal oasis Battery Gardens sits on the southern most tip of Manhattan. A little pricey but worth it for the ease, view and Sippy Cup Approved amenities. One could argue they have a built in “table activity” for the kids…..feeding the table rolls to the birds!

Basics:

Kid Friendliness:

* Re: Kids Menu – There isn’t a physical kids menu however pasta and chicken fingers/fries are available as is a plain chicken breast
** Re: Changing Table Women’s – There isn’t an actual changing table however a freestanding marble ledge by the sinks serves well, minus the security  straps

The Verdict:

Good for infants, toddlers or kids who don’t require a booster seat.
Appropriate for lunch or early dinner

Sippy Cup Rating:

(3.5 / 5)

It’s a funny thing about New Yorkers, myself included. We relish dining outside, even if the outside means sitting at a cramped table on a dirty sidewalk as taxi horns and loud cell-phone talkers fill the air. I was reminded just how ludicrous this notion was when I experienced one of the first truly enjoyable outdoor dining experiences I had ever had in the city in, oh, probably 15 years at Battery Gardens. We stumbled upon Battery Gardens Restaurant after our Labor Day outing with Chloe and her mom Kathy to the infamous aquatic themed Seaglass Carousel. 

It was a gorgeous day so we sat in the large outdoor area, which quite frankly is the only way to make eating at this restaurant worth it. The girls loved the paper balloon lanterns hanging from the trees and running to the waterfront to see the fisherman and birds as we waited for our food.

The staff, outside of the snooty bartender, were very friendly. The waitress let us know about the off-menu kids items which included chicken fingers/fries and pasta. She also graciously accommodated Sunny’s request for apple juice in a wine glass (ahem, the only way she drinks it and why not?!). The space around the tables (both inside and out) could allow for a stroller or two, plus there was lots of space in an area beyond the bar for strollers. Plus the maitre d’ said she could store “one or two” strollers in the back if when people eat inside.

The food was good but probably not worth the price. However the ambiance together with the Carousel rides made for a great experience. If you’re not in the mood for a lengthy and costly lunch though you can check out a few other options nearby. Steps away are the outdoor cafes Table Green and Table Green Cafe which offer hamburgers, PB&J, grilled sandwiches and pastries.  Either way, the Seaglass Carousel is a worthwhile destination while your kiddies are still young enough to appreciate it.

Exploring the waterfront while waiting for our food

Bonus Points:

• Outdoor dining with views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. (Note – outdoor seating is seasonal. It closes at the end of October.)
  
• Next door to the Seaglass Carousel and beautiful gardens

Chloe on the Seaglass carousel

Insider Tips:

• Don’t be shy to ask for special requests. They won’t offer you a kids menu but they have chicken fingers & fries, pasta, plain chicken – just ask!
• The pizza is very large – more than enough for two kids to share.
• Go while the weather’s still nice. Sitting outside is what makes this restaurant fun.
  
• A note about the carousel – kids must be over 42 inches tall to ride alone. If your child is shorter than that (on average 3 yrs or younger) they must ride on your lap with only one child per lap. Both children and accompanying parents must have a ticket and they are $5 a pop!

Gotta love some good chicken fingers am I right?

Battery Park Map