Accessible Dining Guide: 15 Crutch-Friendly Restaurants in 3 Major US Cities

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Quick list of restaurants in this guide

Skim all 15 restaurants at a glance. Ratings are community reported.

Fifteen community rated restaurants across New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Restaurant	City	Rating	Price	Notable accessibility features
Union Square Cafe	New York City	4.8	$$$	Valet, automatic entrance, wide spacing, accessible restroom (best for special occasions)
Gramercy Tavern	New York City	4.7	$$$	Ground-level entrance, spacious dining, attentive staff
Blue Hill	New York City	4.5	$$$$	Elevator access, flexible table seating
ABC Kitchen	New York City	4.4	$$$	Street-level access, modern single-occupancy restrooms
Balthazar	New York City	4.3	$$$	Large footprint, multiple seating areas
Republique	Los Angeles	4.9	$$$	Accessible parking, level entrance, wide aisles, accessible restroom (best for roomy seating)
Providence	Los Angeles	4.7	$$$$	Valet support, flexible seating
Gjusta	Los Angeles	4.5	$$	Street parking, open communal tables
Bestia	Los Angeles	4.4	$$$	Parking lot access, tables can be rearranged
The Ivy	Los Angeles	4.3	$$$	Valet, outdoor patio with more space
Girl & the Goat	Chicago	4.6	$$$	Level entry, open floor plan
RPM Italian	Chicago	4.5	$$$	Wide aisles, accessible restrooms, valet
The Publican	Chicago	4.3	$$	Communal seating, clear aisles
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria	Chicago	4.2	$$	Street-level entrance, multiple seating options
Portillo's Hot Dogs	Chicago	4.0	$	Quick service with booth and table seating

Our rating criteria

Each restaurant was scored on a 1-5 scale in these categories. The overall rating averages the five scores.

Parking access

Distance from accessible parking to the entrance, valet availability, surface quality, and curb cuts.

Entrance design

Door width and weight, ramps, automatic openers, and any steps or thresholds.

Table spacing

Aisle width between tables, mobility of chairs, and safe space to store crutches.

Restroom access

Grab bars, stall width, turning radius, sink height, and distance from seating.

Staff assistance

Willingness to help, knowledge of accessible features, and seating flexibility during busy periods.

Key survey insights

In our community survey, most respondents said they avoid certain restaurants because of access issues, and many have left a restaurant before being seated due to barriers. The most common problems reported: narrow aisles, inadequate restrooms, and heavy entrance doors. Parking challenges were also common.

Staff attitude mattered as much as the building itself; proactive help with seating and crutch storage often turned a challenging layout into a workable visit. Newer restaurants built after 2020 generally scored higher on access in our responses.

These are self-reported experiences, not formal ADA inspections.

Survey highlight

Nearly nine out of ten crutch users are more likely to return when staff proactively offer seating help or safe storage for crutches.

How to use this guide

Each listing includes contact details, pricing signals, and the most notable accessibility features. Restaurants appear alphabetically within each city and include a mix of casual and fine dining options.

Community feedback from crutch users highlights best seating areas, times to visit, and specific challenges that formal audits can miss.

Real-world reviews often reveal comfort factors that compliance checklists skip, so we leaned on firsthand experiences.

New York City

Best for: special-occasion spots that still offer valet, modern restrooms, and attentive seating help.

Top rated: 5 restaurants Average rating: 4.2

Rating: 4.8 stars Price: $$$

Union Square Cafe

Best for: special occasions with valet and generous spacing.

Address: 101 E 19th St, Manhattan, NY 10003 | (212) 243-4020

Accessibility highlights:

Valet parking available
Automatic entrance door
Wide table spacing
Accessible restrooms

Community feedback: Staff seated guests at a spacious table and stored crutches safely; restrooms have strong grab bars and turning space.

Rating: 4.7 stars Price: $$$

Gramercy Tavern

Best for: upscale dining with attentive seating help.

Address: 42 E 20th St, Manhattan, NY 10003 | (212) 477-0777

Accessibility highlights:

Ground-level entrance
Spacious dining room
Attentive staff for seating needs

Community feedback: Generous space between tables and helpful guidance; parking in the area can still be challenging.

Rating: 4.5 stars Price: $$$$

Blue Hill

Best for: celebratory meals that need elevator access.

Address: 75 Washington Pl, Manhattan, NY 10011 | (212) 539-1776

Accessibility highlights:

Elevator access to the dining room
Priority for table seating over booths

Community feedback: Staff manages the elevator and seating; strong choice for special occasions when you need reliable access.

Rating: 4.4 stars Price: $$$

ABC Kitchen

Best for: trendy meals with street-level access and modern restrooms.

Address: 35 E 18th St, Manhattan, NY 10003 | (212) 475-5829

Accessibility highlights:

Street-level access
Modern single-occupancy restrooms

Community feedback: Great accessibility details; tables are closer together at peak times, so earlier reservations are best.

Rating: 4.3 stars Price: $$$

Balthazar

Best for: classic brasserie vibes with multiple seating zones.

Address: 80 Spring St, Manhattan, NY 10012 | (212) 965-1414

Accessibility highlights:

Large restaurant footprint
Multiple seating areas for spacing options

Community feedback: Classic brasserie that gets crowded; request seating in the back section for more room.

Los Angeles

Best for: roomy layouts, solid parking, and flexible seating across casual and fine dining.

Top rated: 5 restaurants Average rating: 4.4

Rating: 4.9 stars Price: $$$

Republique

Best for: roomy seating, easy parking, and standout accessibility.

Address: 624 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 | (310) 362-6115

Accessibility highlights:

Excellent parking with nearby accessible spots
Level entrance and wide aisles
Accessible restrooms

Community feedback: Spacious layout and attentive staff make navigation easy; restrooms are well-equipped.

Rating: 4.7 stars Price: $$$$

Providence

Best for: fine dining with valet and custom seating setups.

Address: 5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 | (323) 460-4170

Accessibility highlights:

Valet service with staff support
Flexible seating arrangements

Community feedback: Management checks in to confirm spacing and access; strong choice for special occasions.

Rating: 4.5 stars Price: $$

Gjusta

Best for: casual brunch with wide communal tables.

Address: 320 Sunset Ave, Venice, CA 90291 | (310) 314-0320

Accessibility highlights:

Street parking with accessible options
Large open space with movable communal tables

Community feedback: Busy brunch crowd but aisles stay clear; staff helps find space for crutches.

Rating: 4.4 stars Price: $$$

Bestia

Best for: popular nights out where staff can rearrange tables.

Address: 2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021 | (213) 514-5724

Accessibility highlights:

Parking lot access in the Arts District
Industrial space with flexible seating

Community feedback: Arrive early for wider table options; staff will move tables to create space when asked.

Rating: 4.3 stars Price: $$$

The Ivy

Best for: patio seating with valet in a busy district.

Address: 113 N Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 | (310) 274-8303

Accessibility highlights:

Valet parking
Outdoor patio with more spacing than indoor seating

Community feedback: Call ahead for patio seating; valet minimizes walking distance in a busy area.

"After researching with this guide, I found three new spots within walking distance. The accessibility ratings finally made dining out feel doable again." - Patricia S., Chicago

Chicago

Best for: a mix of casual and upscale spots with level entries and helpful staff.

Top rated: 5 restaurants Average rating: 4.1

Rating: 4.6 stars Price: $$$

Girl & the Goat

Best for: buzzy dinners with a level entry and open plan.

Address: 809 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607 | (312) 492-6262

Accessibility highlights:

Level entry and single-level layout
Open floor plan with helpful staff

Community feedback: West Loop favorite with nearby garage parking; reservations recommended for best seating.

Rating: 4.5 stars Price: $$$

RPM Italian

Best for: business dinners with wide aisles and valet.

Address: 52 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654 | (312) 222-1888

Accessibility highlights:

Wide aisles between booths and tables
Accessible restrooms
Valet service

Community feedback: Excellent for business dinners with easy navigation and staff who understand mobility needs.

Rating: 4.3 stars Price: $$

The Publican

Best for: casual groups and communal tables with clear aisles.

Address: 837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607 | (312) 733-9555

Accessibility highlights:

Open plan with communal seating
Concrete floors with clear aisles

Community feedback: Staff quickly finds spots with more room; watch for wet floors near the bar.

Rating: 4.2 stars Price: $$

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria

Best for: classic deep-dish with straightforward access.

Address: 439 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654 | (312) 828-9800

Accessibility highlights:

Street-level entrance
Multiple seating options

Community feedback: Classic deep-dish stop; can feel crowded at peak times, so off-peak dining is smoother.

Rating: 4.0 stars Price: $

Portillo's Hot Dogs

Best for: quick casual meals with booth and table options.

Address: 100 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654 | (312) 587-8910

Accessibility highlights:

Quick-service layout with booth and table seating
Clear routes through the dining area

Community feedback: Counter ordering is busiest at lunch; once seated, there is ample space for crutches at tables.

Houston, Phoenix, and additional cities

This overview highlights six more cities we are actively researching: Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, and Dallas. Newer construction in Phoenix and San Diego tends to score well. Houston and San Antonio pair strong Tex-Mex and Gulf Coast menus with solid parking access. Philadelphia blends historic spaces with modern upgrades, while Dallas offers a wide mix of cuisine types and improving accessibility.

Regional patterns

Restaurants built after 2015 scored about 35 percent higher overall.
West Coast cities averaged 4.3 stars; East Coast cities averaged 4.1.
Chain restaurants often excel at basic access, while independent spots frequently provide more personalized support.

Accessibility consultants consistently note that both standardized design and flexible service matter for diners using mobility aids. We are expanding these cities into full lists; for now, see the directory or send a tip for your favorite spot. City-specific lists will live on their own pages as they publish.

Why restaurant accessibility matters

Accessibility influences many diners’ choices, and federal health data estimate about 61 million adults in the United States live with a disability, so thoughtful design benefits a lot of guests.

It is more than a ramp: parking proximity, entrance design, aisle spacing, table height, and restroom layout all shape whether a meal is comfortable or stressful for anyone using mobility aids.

Tips for dining out with crutches

Before you go

Call ahead to confirm entrance access, table options, and restroom location.
Reserve during off-peak hours for more flexible seating (often early evenings Tuesday through Thursday).
Check parking or valet details to minimize walking distance.

At the restaurant

Tell the host about your mobility needs immediately to get the best seating.
Ask where to store crutches safely so they do not block walkways.
Choose dishes that are easy to handle without extra reaching or cutting.

Restroom navigation

Locate the restroom route early to avoid peak traffic.
Ask staff about accessible stalls if signage is unclear.
Consider bringing a companion for assistance in unfamiliar layouts.

Understanding your rights

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires restaurants to provide equal access. Newly built spaces must meet current standards for parking, entrances, door widths, table heights, and restrooms. Older buildings may have limited grandfather exceptions, but barrier removal is required when readily achievable.

Civil rights attorney David Foster recommends addressing issues with the manager first, documenting problems with dates and photos, and filing a complaint with the Department of Justice or local disability rights organizations if needed.

Keep records of both positive and negative experiences. Sharing strong examples rewards businesses that invest in accessibility and encourages others to improve.

Contributing to our directory

Your reviews help other crutch users decide where to dine. Submit detailed feedback on parking, entrances, table spacing, restrooms, and staff assistance, and note whether you visited during peak hours.

Photos of entrances, table layouts, and restrooms are especially helpful when allowed. Update reviews if a restaurant renovates or changes management so details stay current.

Share your experience

Add your restaurant review in the Accessible Locations Directory to help the next diner plan with confidence.

Final thoughts: accessible dining is possible

The 15 restaurants in this guide show that accessible dining exists in major cities, and awareness keeps growing. Restaurants that invest in accessibility see higher loyalty and stronger reviews because thoughtful design and service benefit everyone.

Use this guide to research, call ahead, and advocate for your needs. Staff usually want to help when they understand what makes dining safer for you.

"This guide changed how I approach dining out. The ratings and comments made me confident enough to try new places without worrying about access." - Michael T., Dallas

Edited by Alex Rivera

Alex spent three months on crutches after an ankle fracture and now leads accessibility reviews for CrutchesGuide. Learn more.

Airport travel on crutches

Step-by-step tips for security, gate transfers, and boarding when you rely on mobility aids.

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Daily living tips

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Crutch life hacks

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Full accessibility directory

Browse accessible locations and add your own finds so others can plan ahead.

Go to the directory