Bring your kids to Alice’s Tea Cup for an English high tea service with a quirky Mad Hatter twist. The small and cozy café is brightly painted and decorated with lines from the Lewis Carroll tale. The menu offers sandwiches, cakes, cookies and yummy scones with clotted cream, along with a wide selection of teas, which are charmingly served on mismatched china. Little guests can order grilled cheese, PB& J, homemade graham crackers with honey and even pureed baby food for the smallest of guests.

Everything about Serendipity3 is a little extra: the decor (stained-glass lamps, disco balls, puppet of Andy Warhol—a fan—suspended from the ceiling), the menu, giant both literally and figuratively, and the food. From foot-long hot dogs to towering sundaes and of course, its famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, which draws fans from near and far. Make a reservation before heading over. Note: if you're a fan of Christmas decor, this is a place to hit during the holidays—they go all out (of course!).

You can "waste away" in the center of Times Square! Located in the Margaritaville Resort Times Square (a hotel with the only year-round heated outdoor pool in NYC, FYI) this spacious mashup of Key West culture and NYC kitsch features a huge menu (both literally and figuratively) of beachy-inspired dishes, generous apps and even a Cheeseburger in Paradise. And of course, margaritas of all kinds, which you can sip beneath the almost life-size Lady Liberty—who of course is lifting her own glass.

We don't know if you could really call this mega doughnut Mecca a restaurant, but if you're looking for over-the-top eating experiences, this probably qualifies. Head to Times Square to visit a giant Krispy Kreme store, churning out soft and warm classic glazed doughnuts on a conveyor belt (there is, indeed, a "glaze" waterfall you can behold) as well as specialty varieties like "The Big Apple." (Cream-filled with candy apple glaze.) Don't miss the Krispy Kreme merch.

While it's not in New York City, if you love Oreos, you may want to make a trip to the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where you can visit the first-ever Oreo Cafe! In addition to serving decadent desserts featuring the iconic cookie, the store sells Oreo-branded apparel and accessories (Oreo-scented candle anyone?), as well as every kind of Oreo under the sun, including gluten-free Oreos and specialty flavors like mint, java chip, birthday cake and MEGA stuffed!

This is an extreme burger joint (Mac and cheese burger, Nutella burger, etc.) combined with a superhero, sci-fi and comic book haven, and a retro arcade where you can place more than 50,000 video games from the 80s and 90s for free. You can also do an affordable, small birthday party here, with rentals starting at $30 for two hours for four people.

The brainchild of Bronx natives, Beatstro is a local effort with area businesses and artists sourcing everything inside—even the selection of classic LPs from the likes of Tupac, Biggie, and other greats. The food stays true to the theme, blending dishes from Afro, Latin, and Caribbean cultures. Offerings range from kid-friendly avocado toast, mac and cheese, and a "Boogie Down Burger", to elevated fried chicken, low country shrimp and grits, and fried green tomatoes.

There’s no shortage of atmosphere at Lillie’s, an inviting space that harkens back to Victorian times. We’re talking furnishings acquired from a Belfast mansion, stained glass from Milan and an antique marble bar. What’s on the ‘elevated American pub fare’ menu is equally appealing. Your kids will go nuts for the buttermilk pancakes (available without gluten, FYI) and you’ll love the eggs benny and guac toast.

You may be shocked at how much fun you and the kids have at this over-the-top experience. A tiny corner of Lyndhurst, New Jersey has been transformed into (an admittedly cleaned-up) 11th-century Spain. A real falcon swoops over your head, horses dance, and yes, knights (specially-trained performers/stuntmen) actually joust in a sand-filled arena.

This old-fashioned soda shop welcomes guest to perch on a stool, place an order with a friendly Farmacy “jerk” and slurp down an artisanal egg cream. Originally a pharmacy, the beloved neighborhood “Farm” has preserved its apothecary roots so this vintage vibe is unmistakable and authentic. The menu features many seasonal, locally sourced ingredients along with classic soda shop confections, like banana splits, milkshakes, root beer floats and even a cherry lime rickey.

Fearless kids and teens will love the sight of Beetle Juice walking around this dark and haunting restaurant. It’s Halloween, it’s horror, and it’s a Tim Burton extravaganza. The décor is pure movie memorabilia, think Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas, Alice in Wonderland, Sweeney Todd and more. And it is every bit as spooky and eerie as each movie. If you like the idea of dining next to creepy characters, then Beetle House is for you.

Whether you have a pet dog or a love for cute little pups, the Barking Dog is your spot. This full-service restaurant with a dog-friendly atmosphere caters to canines. Adorable dog photos cover the walls, there is a watering fountain outside for dogs to socialize with other dogs, and the vibe is relaxed and casual. Must-orders include American classics like grilled cheese, meatloaf, mac ‘n’ cheese, ribs and burgers.

If you need dogs literally in the restaurant, Boris & Horton—named for two canines, of course—is the place to go. Department of Health-approved, the menu at this cafe includes light fare like assorted avocado toast, grilled cheese sandwiches, and lots of libations from coffee and tea to wine and bubbly. You'll also find a store stocked with toys and treats for four-legged friends, and events ranging from trivia night and bingo to adopt-a-thons.

Calling all cat lovers, the Koneko is hailed as America’s first Japanese cat café, this bright and airy space serves delicious coffee, pastries and light bites alongside cute little kittens for adoption. The café and cats are separated by a soundproof glass wall to create quiet and calm for the cats. The “cattery” side is filled with scratch pads, cushions and of course, cats galore. You can choose to eat and observe the fun or you can bring your food into the cattery and play.

For the little Broadway lover, Ellen’s Stardust is a must. Ellen Hart, a former Miss Subway, came up with the idea to pair a 1950s-themed diner with singing wait staff, after 30 years it's still a huge hit. The wait staff are real Broadway hopefuls ("Stardusters”) that will stand atop the tables, in the balcony and more belting out your favorite show tunes. Before you know it, you and your little ones will be singing along with everything from the Lion King to Aladdin.

Welcome to the ultimate dessert destination, complete with a café, gift shop and chocolate in syringes for true chocoholics. The kids’ menu has decadent bites like melting marshmallow crepes filled with gummy bears and a chocolate pizza topped with an ice cream snowball. But you may just want to share the fondue tower (complete with bananas, strawberries, chocolate chunk cookies, marshmallows, fluffy chocolate sponge cake and waffles) from the regular menu. Prepare to get messy.

Tucked inside the newly-relocated American Girl toy store, this enchanting destination caters to little girls and their plastic BFF's. The restaurant serves brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. The adult and kid menus are both great, but the real reason you dine here is to see your little one’s face light up as the restaurant staff provides a clip-on highchair and proper place setting for their doll. Forgot your doll? No worries. You can borrow a loaner during your meal.