Watching planes take off and land is thrilling for kids and weirdly relaxing for parents.
So why not turn it into an easy family outing?
Weโve found the best airplane-themed restaurants and aviation-inspired dining spots, not far from New York City, where you can enjoy a meal with a front-row seat to the runway.
Many of these kid-friendly spots lean into the theme with flight dรฉcor, pilot-approved menus, and even aviation exhibits.
Imagine yourself watching double-decker planes land from the rooftop of the TWA Hotel or enjoying lunch runway-side at a regional airport with planes just beyond your table.
Either way, these fun family restaurants turn plane-spotting into part of the meal.
Picnic Tables & Propellers:
Outdoor Fun Family Restaurants to Watch Planes
These plane-watching spots keep it simple…great food, plenty of grass to run on, and small planes taxiing just feet away.
Runway Cafe
Fuel up while the planes take off…
๐ Runway Cafe ~ Lumberton, NJ
The Runway Cafe in Lumberton, NJ, is a laid-back cafe so close to the runway that youโll feel like youโre in the pilotโs seat.
Sit indoors or grab an outdoor seat at a picnic table (tables have umbrellas) and watch as small planes taxi just feet away while you enjoy a solid diner-style breakfast or lunch.
๐ Location: 68 Stacy Haines Rd, Lumberton Township, NJ 08048 ~ South Jersey Regional Airport
๐ Website: Runway Cafe
๐ Hours: Daily, 8 am – 3 pm
ย
๐ Why Families Love Runway Cafe:
โ๏ธ Outdoor patio with picnic tables right next to the runway
โ๏ธ Casual, kid-friendly vibe
โ๏ธ Classic breakfast menu with great pancakes
ย
โ๏ธ What You Need to Know About Runway Cafe:
Situated at South Jersey Regional Airport, Runway Cafe is a fun family restaurant right next to the New Jersey Air Victory Museum.
Itโs a perfect place to enjoy a quick meal before diving into a full day of aviation fun!
Do your kids love planes and trains?? Check out our full guide to the best plane and train museums in NJ, and keep the transportation-themed adventure going!
Wings Cafe
Pancakes with a little extra lift!
๐ Wings Cafe ~ Blairstown, NJ
A true aviation loverโs dreamโฆ Wings Cafeย leans into the theme with a runway-patterned floor, planes hanging from the ceiling, and even airplane shapes pressed into the pancakes.
Inside, the booth seating makes for a unique family meal, but the real draw is the outdoor picnic tables and grassy area, just steps from the runway.
๐ Location: 36 Lambert Rd., Blairstown, NJ 07825 ~ Blairstown Airport
๐ Website: Wings Cafe
๐ Hours: Open daily, 7 am – 3 pm
ย
๐ Why Families Love Wings Cafe:
โ๏ธ Outdoor picnic tables right next to the runway
โ๏ธ Plane-themed dรฉcor, from the runway floor to the hanging planes from the ceiling
โ๏ธ Airplane shapes on pancakes that kids love
ย
โ๏ธ What You Need to Know About Wings Cafe:
The outdoor seating has no umbrellas, so plan accordingly if itโs a hot day.
The space around Blairstown Airport is only lightly fenced, so if you have younger kids who like to wander, you may need to stay close.
Burgers, Brews & Runway Views
More pub than a diner, these relaxed restaurants serve hearty meals with a view of the runway actionโperfect for families with older kids or plane-loving parents.
Sunset Pub & Grill
Dine outside and watch the runway action.
๐ Sunset Pub & Grill ~ Lincoln Park, NJ
With plenty of outdoor tables on the patio right next to the airfield, Sunset Pub & Grill is a fun family restaurant with unbeatable runway views.
While itโs not an aviation-themed restaurant, the casual American-meets-Irish pub vibe pairs well with the view of small planes and helicopters taking off from Lincoln Park Airport.
๐ Location: 425 Beaverbrook Rd., Lincoln Park, NJ, United States, New Jersey ~ Lincoln Park Airport
๐ Website: Sunset Pub & Grill
๐ Hours: Thursday – Monday, Weekdays: Opens at 11:30 am, Weekends at 11 am (Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays)
ย
๐ Why Families Love Sunset Pub & Grill:
โ๏ธ Outdoor tables with runway views (many with umbrellas for shade)
โ๏ธ Lively weekend atmosphere with occasional live music
โ๏ธ Known for their pizzas, plus a kid-friendly menu
ย
โ๏ธ What You Need to Know About Sunset Pub & Grill:
This is more of a laid-back pub-style restaurant than a diner, with a full bar and covered outdoor seating.
While thereโs no strong aviation theme, the runway-side location makes it a fun pick for kids who love watching planes.
Dine with a View...And a Jet-Set Twist
Infinity pools, rooftop patios, and luxury private jets? These fun family restaurants turn plane-watching into a full-on event.
TWA Hotel Rooftop
Sip, eat, and plane-watch in style.
๐ TWA Hotel ~ Queens, NY
For the ultimate plane-watching and poolside dining experience, head to the rooftop of the TWA Hotel.
Located next to the JetBlue terminal 5 at JFK Airport, this sleek rooftop restaurant and year-round heated infinity pool offer unmatched views of one of the busiest runways in the world.
๐ Location: 1 Idlewild Dr, Queens, NY 11430, JFK Airport
๐ Website: TWA Hotel
๐ Hours: Open daily, 11 am – 11 pm
ย
๐ Why Families Love the TWA Hotel:
โ๏ธ Incredible runway views from the rooftop
โ๏ธ Shallow infinity pool perfect for kids
โ๏ธ Flatbreads, wraps, and kid-friendly bites
ย
โ๏ธ What You Need to Know About the TWA Hotel Rooftop:
To dine at the rooftop restaurant, you must be a guest of the hotel (which is a fun experience on its own) or book a โpool passโ through Resort Pass.
From May 1 to November 1, a summer pool reservation costs around $70 for two adults and two kids and includes 105 minutes of dining and pool access.
The Pool Bar menu changes seasonally but typically features flatbreads, salads, wraps, chicken tenders, and hot dogs, with gluten-free options available.
You can park in any of the JFK parking lots and take the Airtrain to the TWA Hotel, or on-site Valet parking is available… You can save money by booking in advance on SpotHero.
Got extra time after plane-watching at the TWA rooftop?
Check out this amazing list of Free Things to Do in NYC with Kids.
Cafe Volo
Pancakes so pretty, they almost fly off the plate.
๐ Cafe Volo ~ Westhampton Beach, NY
Hidden inside the terminal at Francis S. Gabreski Airport, Cafe Volo feels more Hamptons-chic than airport grub.ย
This fun family restaurant in Westhampton Beach is a delightful blend of an espresso bar, a cozy breakfast spot, and an upscale lunch cafรฉ.ย
This is the kind of place where you can sip a lavender latte while your kids point out private jets and helicopters taxiing across the tarmac.
๐ Location: 335 Sheldon Way, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978, Francis S. Gabreski Airport
๐ Website: Cafe Volo
๐ Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 8 am – 3 pm (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
ย
๐ Why Families Love Cafe Volo:
โ๏ธ Patio seating with views of small planes and helicopters
โ๏ธ Great coffee and fresh, seasonal menu options
โ๏ธ Quiet, relaxed vibe that still feels special
ย
โ๏ธ What You Need to Know About Cafe Volo:
Cafe Volo is open five days a week, so plan your visit midweek or on the weekend for the best chance to catch some airfield activity.
The menu leans fresh and flavorful, with options like frittatas, pressed sandwiches, and house-baked pastries.ย
Tiny Terminals, Big Flavor:
Hidden Airport Cafes Worth the Trip
These restaurants may be off the radar, but they still manage to sneak in great food and quiet runway views…and theyโre just the kind of fun family restaurants that make for a cool day trip.
Hangars Cafe
Grab a seat and watch planes take off while you eat.
๐ Hangars Cafe ~ Lagrangeville, NY
Where pilots refuel with pancakes and locals chat like itโs their second kitchen.
Hangars Cafe is the kind of no-frills airport restaurant that nails the basics: good food, good views, and regulars who probably could land a plane if they had to.
๐ Location: 32 Airway Dr, Lagrangeville, NY 12540, Sky Acres Airport
๐ Website: Hangars Cafe
๐ Hours: Friday – Sunday, 7 am – 2 pm
ย
๐ Why Families Love Hangars Cafe:
โ๏ธ Big windows for prime plane-watching
โ๏ธ Elevated diner menu with locally sourced ingredientsย
โ๏ธ Relaxed, no-frills vibe with a local crowd
ย
โ๏ธ What You Need to Know About Hangars Cafe:
This cozy airport cafe draws a steady crowd of regulars and aviation lovers, especially since it is only open on weekends.
Grab a window seat to watch small planes take off while you enjoy scratch-made dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients.
Hangars Cafe is only open three days a week…ย so plan your visit accordingly.
Aviation Lovers Rejoice!
Fun Family Restaurants That Deliver
These fun family restaurants near NYC prove that you donโt need a pat down at security to enjoy runway views with your meal.
From tiny airfields with pancake breakfasts to rooftop pools beside jumbo jets, every spot on this list turns plane-watching into part of the experience.
โ๏ธ Want a casual spot with picnic tables? โ Runway Cafeย (Planes taxi by just feet from your table)
โ๏ธ Need a fun theme to keep kids entertained? โ Wings Cafeย (Pancakes with airplane shapes and aviation dรฉcor all around)
โ๏ธ Looking for live music and runway views? โ Sunset Pub & Grill (Runway-side patio with great food and a lively vibe)
โ๏ธ Craving diner classics and a local feel? โ Hangars Cafeย (Big windows, hearty breakfasts, and a laid-back crowd)
โ๏ธ Love a retro experience? โ TWA Hotel Rooftop (Infinity pool, runway views, and serious Jet Age vibes)
โ๏ธ Want a hidden gem in the Hamptons? โ Cafe Volo (Fresh food and runway views at a private airport in the Hamptons)
Wherever you land, these fun family restaurants turn an ordinary meal into a mini adventure.
Happy Travelsโฆ
