East Side Eats for Picky Lil Peeps
🎉 Welcome to our east side restaurant guide 🎉
As feeding therapists, we know how limited eating out with a picky eater can feel. That’s why want to do the research for you. With our list and tips, we want you to feel empowered to take your little ones out on the town. Doesn’t everyone in New York deserve to be a foodie? Even the lil picky ones?
Tune in each week for a new restaurant/cuisine!
WEEK 1: THAI FOOD
Bangrak Thai Cuisine
1750 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10128
Why we like it for picky eaters:
- They can use an all done bowl. This will give them autonomy of what’s on their plate and help them stay at the table if they don’t like something being served.
- Wide variety of options and a great lunch special.
- Calming environment.
WEEK 2: ITALIAN FOOD
Bigio VeneziaÂ
1415 2nd Ave. New York, NY 10021
Why we like it for picky eaters:
- Â Sauce without visible herbs or chunks is a must for picky lil peeps.Â
- Consistent noodle texture helps them trust each bite.Â
- Sauces packed with veggies are a great way to help them get the nutrients they need 🥕Â
WEEK 3: COFFEE
Madame BonteÂ
1834 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10128
Why we like it for picky eaters:
- A calm relaxing environment with low pressure and low lighting is helpful when eating out
- Parents and kids get their own order (aka adorable cups of milk!)
- Soft pastries are great for those with jaw weakness and they get to see a fun variety of food in the case without having to order it
WEEK 4: FRO-YO
Forty Carrots (in Bloomingdales on 59th)
 1000 3rd Ave 7th floor, New York, NY 10022
Why we like it for picky eaters:
- Forty Carrots has less options for yogurt, aka less overwhelming!
- Fun mix-ins and fruit smoothies are a great way to try fruit in a fun, choice based way
- Their smooth consistency is great for eaters who struggle with mixed texture foodsÂ
WEEK 5: THAI/CURRY
Kati Shop
 162 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022
Why we like it for picky eaters:
- Cozy, quiet environments are key to a picky eater feeling up to eating Â
- Thai food is a great cuisine for customization and often you can see the chefs preparing it!Â
- Â Sauces are a great way to mask a scarier food like veggies. Pouring some curry sauce on green beans is our go to!Â
WEEK 6: AMERICAN DINER
The Mansion
 1634 York Ave, New York, NY 10028
Why we like it for picky eaters:
- Family owned businesses create warm and welcoming atmospheres for those with picky eating difficultiesÂ
- Diners have so many options! If your little one wants cold cereal for dinner or chicken fingers for breakfast, they have those options.Â
- Â Most upscale diners use better, fresher ingredients so your child will still get adequate nutrition regardless of their restrictionsÂ
WEEK 7: PIZZA
Marinara
1376 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10128
Why we like it for picky eaters:
- Many places now offer yummy gluten free crusts for little ones with allergies.Â
- Sauce without specks (herbs) is much more welcome and less scary than the alternative. Eating is very visual!
- Â Familiar favorites/chains are a great way to find accessibility in every neighborhood.Â
WEEK 8: JAPANESE
Amura
1567 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028
Why we like it for picky eaters:
- We always love a quiet environment for picky peeps with sensory needs
- Miso soup is a very simple and comforting warm dish for a rainy day and for a picky eater branching out from the classic chicken noodle soup
- Japanese noodles (soba) are soft snd flavorful for those who have weakness in their jaw but still want flavor. And any noodle dish can usually be made vegetarian.
- White rice and chicken teriyaki are always there if your picky eater isn’t feeling too adventurous.
WEEK 9: AMERICAN BRUNCH
The Barking Dog
1678 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10128
Why we like it for picky eaters:
- We always love a quiet environment for picky peeps with sensory needs
- Their menu is very approachable with great sides like fruit with their filling breakfast entrees
WEEK 10: GELATO
Anita La Mamma del Gelato
1561 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028
Why we like it for picky eaters:
- Gelato/ice cream establishments often have fresh fruit or fruit flavors so little guys can try fruit while still having dessert (that goes for toppings too!)
- Anita Gelato has SO many flavors! It’s a great way to expand their palette to try pistachio or something more tart. This food chaining can lead to other non-dessert foods later on.Â
- Big scoops of ice cream with different flavor options are a great chance to learn to share and tolerate new flavors next to preferred ones.Â