WHY IT’S DELICIOUS: Acuario Restaurant specializes in Peruvian seafood - a heavenly combination. I crave their Ceviche often (get the mixed version or fish only - the tender fish just soaks up the delicious lime based sauce perfectly). The garlic shrimp at Acuario is so flavorful, I also save bread to dip in the sauce in between bites of shrimp.

WHY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT: The atmosphere at Acuario is fun and happening, but still friendly and casual enough to welcome families and children. Plus roast chicken and rice is about as kid friendly as you can get.

WHY IT’S DELICIOUS: Noches De Colombia has locations all over New Jersey. It’s now in Port Chester and Stamford, CT. Port Chester and Stamford each have a large Latin community, including Colombians, and so there are several Colombian spots worth visiting in town. At Noches, I often get the Arepa Con Queso for breakfast and the Shrimp and Garlic Sauce when there for lunch or dinner. Your kids will love the Salchipapas (cut up beef hot dog mixed with fries) at Noches, where the beef pieces come out looking like little flowers.

WHY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT: Noches De Colombia is a very large space and it opens really early (7am!), so it works really well for families with young kids. Plus there’s a kids menu AND pictures of most of the dishes on the menu.

WHY IT’S DELICIOUS: Years ago, we used to regularly drive the 25 minutes from Greenwich to Armonk for the deliciousness served at Fortina. Today, there are locations in two of the towns bordering Greenwich - Rye Brook and Stamford - plus a location in Yonkers and Downtown Brooklyn.

We love Fortina - heck, we threw our younger daughter’s first birthday there - and we’re pretty sure we’re not the only ones. Pizza, pasta, salads, veggies, chicken parm - it’s all great and I think the right move at Fortina is to order a bunch of dishes and eat family style. If you somehow have not yet been, no first visit to Fortina is complete without the Luigi Bianco pizza (the LB) shown below.

WHY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT: Pizza and pasta. Enough said.

WHY IT’S DELICIOUS: Bridge View Tavern, as you might have guessed, offers some lovely views of a bridge - the Tappan Zee Bridge, in particular. It sits right along the Hudson River and in warm weather, there’s even a great outdoor beer garden in the restaurant’s yard. But the restaurant is a great spot in all weather. Bridge View rocks a killer craft beer list and it offers up a solid menu of comfort foods and pub favorites. Adding to its cozy vibes, Bridge View Tavern staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming  - they make first time guests feel just like regulars. This trifecta of loveliness adds up to become a perfect choice for any day.

WHY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT: That same friendly, inviting staff will be good to your kiddies. And the pub menu on offer is perfect for little ones.

WHY IT’S DELICIOUS: There are a ton of places to get pizza in the burbs, but most of them are not as tasty as Wood & Fire Pizza. Come with a group, come with the kids and go wild on Neapolitan pizzas, house made pastas, heroes and salads. Wood & Fire is open for lunch and for dinner. And now, there are two Westchester locations in Pleasantville and Scarsdale. PSA: the Pappardelle Bolognese is insane. Perfect for the cold nights of winter.

WHY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT: Again - pizza and pasta.

WHY IT’S DELICIOUS: Oh boy. Candlelight Inn is a Westchester institution and I’m guessing you’ve heard of it already.  Candlelight opened in 1955 and basically has been mobbed ever since. Folks come from all over the area to have Candlelight’s famous meaty buffalo wings - served here with the drumette and wing attached as one to become a somewhat creepy but totally delish wing. 

Offered in sauces such as traditional buffalo, barbecue and teriyaki and heat levels all the way up to the dangerous “Chernobyl,” Candlelight wings are a must do. They go perfectly with NFL Sundays. They also go perfectly with Candlelight’s waffle fries (get those waffle fries with cheese on top). 

You can order anything from Candlelight to go at the little takeout shack next door to the restaurant. Or try your luck sitting in the small, no frills and usually packed dining room. It’s really fun to dine in if you can handle a wait. 

WHY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT: It’s a dive but that means your kids can get a little rowdy. Also, waffle fries are fun for everyone.

WHY IT’S DELICIOUS: From the same folks who brought us Wood & Fire, Pleasantville’s Southern Table is a Westchester must do. How often can you find really good Southern inspired dishes up here in the Northeast?

The whole menu at Southern Table is great - you really can’t go wrong - but their fried chicken is otherworldly. Get it as is or “Nashville Hot Chicken” style and either way, bring your appetite. It’s a very large dish.

For seafood fans, I’ve also enjoy Southern Table’s Shrimp and Grits and a Crab Cake Sandwich. Another must order is the restaurant’s perfectly crisp Fried Green Tomatoes. I’m a sucker for their Iceberg Wedge, too. And save room for dessert - they’re as gloriously tasty and heavy as the mains.

WHY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT: Those desserts. Lots of fried foods.

WHY IT’S DELICIOUS: The ambiance at Brothers Fish & Chips in Ossining is classy but relaxed. The food, however, is all elegance. Even the restaurant’s typically low brow eponymous dish of fish and chips is gorgeously plated here and elevated by virtue of the diner’s choice of fish and the chef’s signature beer battered fry mix. If you prefer your fish a little lighter, Brothers also excels at its paella dishes and other pan-Latin seafood specialties, like fish tacos and ceviches.

WHY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT: If your kid loves fried chicken fingers, its time to introduce him to fried fish. And if that doesn’t work, Chef Elmer makes homemade ice creams. Bonus - if your kids truly can’t hack a sit down meal yet, right next door to the restaurant and bar is the owners’ affiliated take out operation.

WHY IT’S DELICIOUS: Village Social, with locations in both Rye and Mount Kisco, is part of a mini-chain of great local restaurants that includes Fatt Root (counter style Asian) and Pub Street (seafood focused sit down) in Pleasantville, NY and Locali (pizza) in Mount Kisco, NY and New Canaan, CT. All the spots are great but I think Village Social may be my #1 choice with kids because there’s just something for everyone on this eclectic menu.

WHY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT: There’s a kids menu and the desserts are tasty, too. The atmosphere is friendly and casual.

WHY IT’S DELICIOUS: Walter’s is an iconic Westchester institution dating back all the way to 1919. Since that long ago time, Walter and family have been slinging hot dogs out of a pagoda on Palmer Avenue in Mamaroneck.

And these aren’t just any hot dogs. Folks come from all over the world to sample Walter’s blend of beef, pork and veal hot dog that’s then butterflied and grilled in a “secret sauce” and served on a toasted bun with Walter’s signature mustard blend.

WHY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT: Grab dogs for the crew and a round of curly fries, grab a picnic table and you have yourself a delish, inexpensive and entirely kid friendly meal!

WHY IT’S DELICIOUS: Recently, 273 Kitchen in Harrison has been revamped, like its sister spot in Nyack, to become a Greek meze focused and more casual spot by the same owners, The Greekish. Think lots of dips and vegetable and seafood based small plates. Then maybe finish the meal off with some chicken souvlaki skewers.

WHY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT: The kids menu at the Greekish is adorable and unique. There are mini versions of your adult Greek favorites, as well as some standard children’s fare. And the kids meals come with ice cream!

WHY IT’S DELICIOUS: It’s not every day that you find a suburban spot that focuses on Asian Street Foods. Fatt Root is a huge win for parents who love good eats and who crave quick service options beyond the usual. The menu offerings at Fatt Root focus on dumplings, noodle dishes, and rice bowls, but Chef Mogan Anthony regularly supplements with delicious specials, including dishes from his home country of Malaysia. Oh and I think the last 3 times I visited, I got a salad there. Fatt Root is excellent for vegetarians.

WHY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT: There is a whole dedicated Kid’s Menu at Fatt Root. My girls love going to Fatt Root. The chicken teriyaki bowl is probably their favorite item on the menu.

WHY IT’S DELICIOUS: This pasta shop and casual restaurant was started by a local chef with big pasta pedigree. And it shows. The fresh pastas, homemade sauces and other composed dishes at DPNB Pasta and Provisions are absolutely stellar. I’d cross a bridge for this food any day.

WHY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT: Kids love pasta. Not only is the pasta here insanely delicious and house made daily, but DPNB knows their audience includes kids. Buttered pasta is a menu item.

WHY IT’S DELICIOUS: Casa Di’talia has been a Harrison staple for along time because it is an elite Italian deli. It’s well run and well staffed and the sandwiches here are made with extreme care. Casa has a long menu of sandwiches and it also allows you to create your own. But I get the same sandwich every time because it is EPIC. The Bronx Tale is Breaded Chicken Cutlet, Melted Fresh Mozzarella, Sundried Peppers, Pesto & Spicy Capicollo Grilled On The Panini Press. Even if that’s not your style, I strongly suggest finding a cutlet sandwich that involves the panini press.

WHY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT: It’s a counter service deli with yummy chicken cutlets. It also has a little Italian pastry stand in the front with cappuccinos for mom and dad.

WHY IT’S DELICIOUS: Milton Point Provisions is a casual sit down restaurant and to-go/grocery spot right off Playland Parkway in Rye. It has a menu that features many of your favorite American dishes elevated by use of prime ingredients and unique spins on the traditional recipes.

WHY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT:. After your kids eat through the delicious kids menu, send them over the grocery area to pick out a candy bar or baked goods.