Dining Out with Kids - Top Tips for a Great Experience

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The thought of stepping into a restaurant with your toddler, or even teen, may leave you a little hot under the collar. You might be wondering if your child will behave or if the menu will cater to their needs but these top tips for dining out with kids will hopefully make your night away from the kitchen an unforgettable experience, for all of the right reasons.

Be prepared

Before booking a table at your usual establishment, take a look at Square Meal which shows the best restaurants that are local to you. The website provides details on cuisines, ambience, food safety ratings and average price per person so you can feel confident when trying somewhere new and ensure that you eat somewhere that is both affordable and best suited for your family before you even step outside.

Check the menu 

It's definitely best to check the menu in advance to ensure there is a dish or two that appeals to everyone in your party. Not only does this save time upon arrival, when it comes to placing your order, but it helps if there is anyone with a food allergy or intolerance too. Don't forget to check each course - if you have a sweet tooth and love a brownie or torte you'll probably want to make certain there's a dessert that you'll love beforehand!

Ordering

If you're planning on enjoying a meal of many courses, you may wish to order any food for the kids at the same time as organising your starter, or even your drinks. Generally kids can be quite impatient when it comes to meal time and they often eat at a slower pace. Getting their dishes on the table ASAP can prevent any negative behaviour due to hunger and ensure you all finish eating at around the same time.

Entertainment

Little ones can become bored when seated for too long so it may be wise to have some entertainment to hand. That could be in the form of a book, toys or a tablet with a TV show or educational game to keep them occupied. You might even find a scribble board useful for some doodling or noughts and crosses with your tweens. Themed restaurants like Jurassic Grill, with dinosaurs galore, have plenty to look at or you could choose somewhere like Playhouse to dine where there are arcades and a vintage photo booth you can have fun with while you wait to be served.

The Bill

It can sometimes be difficult to catch the waiters eye when seeking the bill for a swift exit, so you can always ask for it when your last plates arrive for you, if you won't be ordering anything else. Look out for QR codes on your table or menu to pay with ease while seated too.