Amazing service. Delicious food. Complete with a special chair, plate, and cup for your doll. I can’t rave enough about how special eating in the American Girl Cafe in New York City was for our family. I highly recommend visiting – reservations are a must – especially for weekends or holidays. This past Monday we had the 11 AM seating for lunch for our little family of 4 to celebrate Kenzie’s 5th birthday. Being a Monday it was fairly quiet in the restaurant and we had non-stop service catering to our every whim.
We all got party hats to celebrate Kenzie’s birthday. Even Kyle and our “Just Like You” doll that is named Felicity of American Girl fame.
Even the boys love American Girl. My mom thought it was “weird” that we were bringing the guys (aka Daddy & little brother Kyle) to our luncheon. However, there were many families eating together and both Kyle & Mike had a great time.
I especially like that it is a price fixed menu for everyone – $24 per person. Each meal starts with a warm cinnamon roll welcome – which we devoured in an instant!
Next comes a starter tray for the family to share veggies, fruit, and cheese.
Everyone chooses their own entree. From nuggets, mini hot dogs, and mac ‘n cheese for the kids to Quiche or Portabello Mushroom sandwiches for the adults with mor refined tastes.
And Pink Lemonade for everyone!
( If you are on a budget, I recommend just sticking to this Fixed Price Meal offering. This fixed price is ideal making the dining experience affordable compared to buying an expensive lunch or dinner “package” whichalso includes a photo shoot for your daughter and shopping money to use in the store – which can run you up to $256 for just 2 people to eat at the Cafe )
The store itself is incredible too. Dolls galore. A whole floor dedicated to Bitty Baby, one floor for all the historical dolls, and one floor for all the “Just Like You” dolls and their irresistable outfits.
Our favorite floor to explore was the area with all the historical dolls. Kitt Kittredge and Felicity were favorites as we own those movies on DVD and the kids adore the characters. And this Tee Pee was our fave find of all. How cool is this collection? Each window has a little video playing within the display about each American Girl doll too – my kids loved watching each little vignette.
And their souvenirs were these little order tickets for all the items. The kids were thrilled with collecting all these bits of paper showcasing each particular piece of doll furniture or accessory.
We didn’t buy any real souvenirs for the kids as we decided the lunch itself would be our special experience. Plus, sometimes less really is more. For a year before owning an American Girl doll, Kenzie pined after the dolls and their outfits in the catalog. I still think she loved that catalog and the hope of owning her doll more than she’ll ever love her doll.
And the infamous doll hairstyling salon. So cute. You can get 1 pony tail for $10 or an adorable little braid for $15. More expensive fancy hairstyles will run you more. We opted to skip a styling for our doll Felicity. The dream of visiting again is worth more than just saying yes to every activity possible.
It was a day to remember! And regardless of whether or not you decide to splurge on tea or lunch at the Cafe, be sure to visit the store with your little girls. The kids and Mom will love spending hours seeing all the collections.
We’d love to go back for lunch or afternoon tea again soon! And I will definitely order this frozen hot chocolate. It was divine!
You can see a video of us eating at the restaurant here!
Disclosure: American Girl provided us with a complimentary meal. As always, all thoughts and opinions on our experience are our own.
About Colleen Padilla
This share was a top-notch read. Thanks a lot for the info. I am looking forward for your next post!
You’re daughter @ 5yrs of age is @ the absolute youngest age I’ve come upon in my search. Do you think this place is “too old” for 2.5 yr and 3.5 yr old girls? thanks.
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my first reson y i shoud get the doll is iam so insperd by the story and cod not get the doll but i got the book on ebay now i want her so bad it wode mean a lot to me secont reson is ive ben saveing up but im i only have 10 dolers last reson it wode keep a smiell on my face for a long time and i want have to borow my bff doll so thanks and have a nice day