For the stroller set, dining out in our space-poor borough can feel like an assault course of tiny, multi-level dining rooms, two-hour waits, eye-rolling patrons and push chair parking. Spare yourself the back sweat and read on for our 7 go-to spots for eating out with strollers in tow.
Celebrating its first anniversary in December, Threes Brewing is a true brew-pub, crafting all of its IPAs, ales, saisons and barrel-aged beers in the 5,000-square-foot space on Douglass Street. Local families flock here for the stroller-sized footprint, double garage door entrance, absence of steps (except up to the Ninth Street Cafe outpost), huge backyard, and rotating cast of chefs from standout local restaurants (Roberta’s Pizza, the Meat Hook, Pies ‘n’ Thighs, the Sussman Brothers and more) in the kitchen. Euro Premier League games are shown from 8 a.m. at weekends, making this a haven for footie fans with infants and early risers. Sadly no changing tables, but we’ll take a Cirque-du-Soleil-esque diaper swap for a hassle-free afternoon of good food, better beer and an occasional live music troupe.
http://www.threesbrewing.com/
Northern Territory, Greenpoint
Bigger is always better when rolling with strollers, which is why beer halls with food can feel like boozy creches until 5 p.m. some weekends. This is especially true at Greenpoint’s Northern Territory, which opens at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, has a make-your-own Bloody Mary bar and serves kid-friendly eats like mushy peas, chicken skewers, and banana pancakes. There are high chairs but no changing tables, and the open-plan layout means that you’ll be chasing early walkers who just want to run, but staff are very friendly and patrons likely fellow parents. There’s also a rooftop bar in the summer months, but this gets packed and is better for kid-free nights out.
http://northernterritorybk.com/
Not an obvious choice as there are always lines out the door and a hodge podge of tables and chairs to navigate with a stroller, but the staff at this Middle Eastern brunch favorite make it a hit with families. They know the best corner tables to tuck away a bulky pushchair, will generally squeeze in a highchair to your four top and remember that hot coffee and grabby one-year-olds don’t mix. There’s no kids’ menu, but lots of options for sharing your plate with early eaters, especially the egg and oatmeal dishes at breakfast and avocado sandwiches and spice-free falafel at lunch. If possible, try and sit in the airy conservatory away from the hubbub up front where waiting diners crowd around the bar and hostess stand.
http://www.cafemogador.com/williamsburg/
On Henry Street just south of Atlantic Ave, Henry Public has a locals’ vibe, old timey saloon look and easy-to-maneuver dining room with a large entrance area, a skinny run of booths (good only if you can ditch the stroller at the front), and large back dining room with a hodge podge of tables, benches and chairs. They open at 11 a.m. on weekends, and early birds catch the best tables, fastest service and undivided attention of the always-lovely bartenders who turn out perfectly spiced Bloody Henry cocktails. There are good grilled cheeses for your minis and the messiest, most delicious turkey leg sandwiches for you. This huge dish is best shared and followed with an order of fresh Wilkinsons — decadent little cousins of the donut, served with caramel dipping sauce.
http://www.henrypublic.com/
Pre-baby you went to Lucali’s and happily joined the two-hour wait with (byo)bottle of wine in hand and eyes peeled for chance sightings of Jay, Bey or Beckham. Post-baby, you head farther south for a pizza fix at Giuseppina’s, which is run by the brother of Lucali’s owner and has the same winning mix of epic, thin-crust pizza and ricotta-stuffed calzones. You’ll pay for wine by the glass here and, for better or worse, the look is a touch more polished than at Lucali’s, but these are small concessions for getting your Brooklyn babe into good pizza habits early. Open for dinner, except on Tuesdays.
691 6th Ave, no website
From the chef and owner behind Pies ‘n’ Thighs, Seersucker (sadly shuttered) and Nightingale 9, Smith Street’s Wilma Jean is a model of family- and stroller-friendly dining. There’s just one wee step into the uncluttered dining room, a good-fast-food menu that includes fried chicken in a bucket, on a stick, in a roll or bathed in buttermilk dressing, and there’s a happy hour (beer and wine only) from 3 – 6 p.m. daily. Prime stroller parking is by window at the entrance, or, if you’re with infants or nappers, at the bar.
http://wilmajean345.com/
Die StammKneipe (DSK), Fort Greene
Fort Greene’s favorite beer hall is seriously kinder friendly. There are Wednesday singalongs with borough-favorite entertainers like Hopalong Andrew and twice weekly “Babies & Bier” hangouts for new moms. Organized events aside, you’ll always find families sharing paper plates of (very affordable) brat, chicken or currywurst, piping hot brezels and potato fritters on the long tables, or outside on picnic tables in the summer months. Gourmet it aint, but for a good beer, friendly staff, and a mostly open-plan layout, it has a loyal following of Fort Greene residents and their broods.
Nikki Ridgway is editor/co-founder at Passported, the travel website for globetrotting families. Visit www.passported.com