GUIDESDINING OUT WITH THE FAMILY
Your Easy, Everyday Guide to Eating Out as a Family
When it comes to eating out as a family you may well be feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension! Often parents find themselves under the scrutiny of fellow diners when their little ones begin to behave, well, like typical children. Here, misbehaviour is not the issue â rather, it is a childâs natural way of exploring and interacting with their surroundings. By choosing family restaurants, all worries can be put to one side.
Weâve made it easy for you by pulling together our perfect guide to eating out as a family. Read on to find out our top things to look out for in child-friendly restaurants, why timing is key to a great dining experience and why food should always come first when it comes to restaurants with kidsâ menus.
1) SERVICE
Letâs start with service. This is crucial â get it right and everyone is happy, get it wrong and it will end in tears, most likely yours! Child-friendly restaurants should be all big smiles, warm welcomes and friendly staff, poised ready to help. Quick seating, fast ordering and meals that donât take ages to arrive should come as standard. Look for restaurants that add those extra little touches such as child-sized cutlery and food served on cooler plates. Here at ASK, kids are number one and we serve their meals first to keep rumbling tummies at bay.
IT'S ALL IN THE TIMING...
Timing really can make or break an outing. It honestly doesnât matter whether you have small children or big kids, picking the best time to eat is going to make your life so much easier. Most family-friendly restaurants will offer an early sitting from around 4.30pm. If you eat early, the kitchen should be quieter and grumbling tummies will get fed faster.
If youâre looking for lunch then aim for an early one, before midday is ideal to avoid the rush. Those child-friendly restaurants that welcome early dinners or offâpeak visits make life easier for families with tired little ones. Always avoid the âdanger zoneâ during late afternoons and evenings when children can be tired and at their most grizzly â especially the youngest of the group. Opting for weekdays over weekends can often guarantee a quieter, calmer and usually faster service.
Book a table. No one wants to be hanging around with hungry children. It also gives the restaurant a head-ups that they know to expect little people.
And if nothing else, follow this one simple rule: go before the kids get hungry or tired, not after! But whatever the time, you can expect a warm welcome at ASK.
4) FACILITIES
If you are planning ahead and searching for âfamily restaurants near meâ make sure to check out the facilities as a priority â especially if you have very little ones in your party. Clean loos with baby changing facilities are non-negotiable.
Find out about your local ASKâs facilities by searching your local ASK here.
FOOD THAT EVEN THE FUSSIEST OF EATERS WILL LOVE...
Letâs take a deeper dive into the main event â eating! When it comes to family dining restaurants scroll down to find out what menus really work when eating out as a family.
Keep things simple
Children thrive on predictability, especially in unfamiliar environments. So, when you are searching for child-friendly restaurants, pay attention to the menu and even better, take a quick peek before you visit.
Look out for the crowd-pleasers â those straightforward dishes that you just know are a winner with kids â think pizza, pasta, grilled chicken, burgers, simple sandwiches, fruit and veg sticks.
Minimise unwelcome surprises like unexpected spices, sauces and look out for âtwistsâ on a classic dish. No parent wants their child to have a surprise encounter with a flaming hot chilli!
A flexible approach. Choose a menu that can adapt to your familyâs needs. Can you swap the salty chips for a baked potato or ask for your sauce on the side? These swaps can make all the difference to your childâs meal and their whole experience of eating out.
Portion control. Are there smaller portions available for little appetites? If this isnât an option some family dining restaurants will offer child-size portions of an adult meal. This can be a great option if the childâs menu only offers fried, beige food.
Quick order items such as bread and veg sticks with a dip on the side can be an absolute life saver if you arrive with âhangryâ children.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO LOOK AT WHEN CHOOSING A KIDS' MENU
When it comes to family dining restaurants, you want the menu to be varied enough to keep everyone happy but not so overwhelming it distracts you from spending time together as a family. Kidsâ menus donât need to be huge but they do need to have variety and balance. Weâve put together some top tips to help you along the way:
Choose a menu with a mix of familiar favourites as well as healthier choices â comforting yet nutritious. Our great value kidsâ menu offers plenty of choice â from Crinkle Cut Veggies to Build Your Own Pasta â so even the fussy ones will find something theyâll love.
Look for clear labelling of allergens, vegetarian and vegan options, and spice levels should always be obvious.
Buildâyourâown choices such as our âHappy Face Pizzaâ are a great option and the best way to get kids interested in their meal, as well as keeping them entertained. Cue, mini masterchefs!
Shared dishes such as platters, pizzas and sides are a great way to get everyone involved. Just remember to share!
And as you are eating out as a family, donât neglect the adults, as it shouldnât all be about the kids!
And so, with a little preparation and the right mindset child-friendly restaurants should be a joyful experience for the whole family. Dining out really can be fantastic for kids â they get the chance to build their social skills, practice table manners and indulge their developing taste buds all at the same time!
