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1. Slice Astoria – Astoria

With kids, you can never go wrong with pizza, and even in a city full of great pizza options, Slice Astoria is a winner. For pizza-wary parents, there are lots of great alternatives on the menu; the eggplant Parm hero and polenta fries are particular highlights. It took me a few visits before I realized that hidden out back is a giant, beautiful patio, which immediately moved Slice to the top of my family’s pizza night out list. The wooden patio is lined with bench seating and tables, leaving the middle area open for kids to run a little wild while you finish your craft beer or San Pellegrino.

2. The Bonnie – Astoria

Though brunch is the real draw here, this dog-friendly spot offers tasty food throughout the day. Located in the heart of Astoria's restaurant scene, the sweet garden feels far less rowdy than some of the other outdoor spots in the neighborhood. The varied menu boasts lots of kid-friendly and vegan options. Make a reservation ahead on weekends to avoid a lengthy wait.

3.  Bareburger – Astoria

This local chain offers plenty of organic options, including vegetarian dishes, salads, and the star: a dizzying number of burgers and toppings. There's also a kids' meal that comes with a main dish, a juice, and a side of fries. Many moms go here after classes with their kids to meet up for a yummy lunch. This location is spacious and has a lush backyard seating area. My girls love the wooden statue of a bear in the restaurant's front and all the other bear decor.

4. John Brown BBQ – Long Island City

Enjoy some authentic Kansas City-style barbecue at John Brown BBQ. The atmosphere is chill, and the service is super-friendly and fast. Order your barbecue at the counter and sit on the outdoor patio. Kids love the mac and cheese and baked beans. There's also live music on select nights.

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There are plenty of tables to accommodate families—wait-free—at Anable Basin.

5. Anable Basin Sailing Bar & Grill – Long Island City

My family just discovered this spot tucked away in an industrial area of Long Island City right across the way from The Water's Edge. My girls loved watching the wildlife on the water—ducklings, a mama duck, and geese—and we all enjoyed the colorful sunset. Anable is only open during the summer, as its entire seating area is outdoors. There are picnic tables right next to the water with a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline. This eatery is also dog-friendly—quite entertaining for little ones. Overall, expect a relaxed ambiance, a lovely view, and good food. Kid-friendly staples include sausages, hamburgers, hot dogs, and corn on the cob.

6. Veranda – Bayside

True to its name, this eatery features a beautiful veranda with major West Coast vibes. The Mediterranean-American restaurant is kid-friendly, has stroller parking and high chairs, and the staff whips up all the typical mini-meals for kids on request.

7. Bungalow Bar – Rockaway Beach

Every Queens family should hit Rockaway Beach at least once a summer, and no Rockaway trip would be complete without a stop at a surf-themed bar. Bungalow Bar, right on Jamaica Bay just over the bridge from Broad Channel, offers classic beach fare with phenomenal views. With its big deck overlooking the water (and a retractable roof to provide some shade), various seafood offerings, fun cocktails, and live music, Bungalow is the quintessential beach bar. The deck can get crowded, but the service is attentive even when the bar is packed.

8. Telly's Taverna – Astoria

Though it doesn't have an actual yard per se, this Astoria favorite serves traditional Greek fare with plenty of outdoor seating. Choose from generous portions of grilled seafood or meat or, better yet, a combo that the whole family can share. Telly's strives to use the freshest produce, fish, and meats available. Dinner ends with a pleasant surprise: an order of Loukoumades—fried dough with honey! (Not available on Saturdays.)

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Enjoy brunch, dinner, and cocktails at Victory Garden's beautiful patio!

9. Victory Garden Cafe – Astoria

The cozy outdoor area is the star at this quiet oasis in the heart of busy Astoria. With flowing fountains, comfy cushioned wicker seating, and overhead shade to protect against sun and rain, this is the perfect place to enjoy a pastry and coffee while relaxing with friends and family. Greek brunch options include traditional puff pastry cheese pie (sfoliata tiropita) and Mediterranean toast served with sausage and goat cheese.

10. Cobblestones Pub and Biergarten – Forest Hills

Head to this friendly neighborhood spot for standard pub fare with some German menu options thrown in as well. Parents love the full-fledged beer menu, and kids appreciate the extra space to roam. Be forewarned: The single bathroom is not equipped with a changing table.

11. Aliada Restaurant – Astoria

Aliada is a Mediterranean restaurant that specializes in Greek and Cypriot fare. The focus is on fresh seafood in a low-key environment. There are also a ton of vegetarian options like Greek salad and falafel. The outdoor patio is the perfect place to dine on a summer evening.

Photos courtesy of the restaurants

A version of this story was published in 2015; it has since been updated.