Restaurants: Find Out Where the Family-Friendly Eateries Are

Some restaurants are more family-friendly than others, making you feel comfortable with bringing your kids to dinner. However, when you get to a place that is not kid-friendly, it can be embarrassing since you feel out of place. Consider some ways to tell ahead of time whether a restaurant welcomes your entire family, not just the adults.

In general, places that try to attract families will make it obvious through their marketing efforts. They might advertise that kids eat free, or if you buy one kids' meal, you get another one for free. This may occur everyday, though most restaurants just do this once or twice per week. This allows you to both figure out whether children are invited, and also save money.

Many restaurants have a website where they post their menu. If they have a kids' menu, you can be sure that they expect children to come in with their parents. This means that you should feel comfortable bringing them, and you also know that they will have something to eat that appeals to them. This way, you do not have to spend all your money on a larger adult meal that they will not eat, so this option is good for your wallet, too.

Places with websites may also say whether they have other family-friendly features, such as high chairs and changing tables. If you are not sure, consider calling ahead. You can also prepare on your own, just in case they do not have these features, as you may bring a small booster seat and changing pad. However, most restaurants with kid menus will offer these amenities to make your life a little easier.

If you are worried about bringing your children to a restaurant that is inappropriate for people under 18 or 21, you should consider the atmosphere and the events. If they have poker, wrestling, or adult-themed contests during dinner, you probably don't want your kids there. It will most likely turn out to be adults drinking alcohol and occasionally ordering bar food, not a typical family-friendly restaurant. Some restaurants consider themselves a fun, all ages place by day, and an adult-oriented bar by night, so check the time before you go out. The earlier, the better, as most such places are tailored toward adults by 9 pm or so. In fact, some do not even allow people under 21 at a certain time, so find out when this is if you suspect the restaurant you are considering to be this type.

It can be hard to discern which eateries are happy to serve families, and which would consider kids a bother to have around. If you want your whole household to feel welcome, find out the answers to these questions by either calling or checking the website. You can also look at direct mail ads to get a feel for what they offer. Asking friends and relatives for the names of nearby eateries where you would comfortable taking your children can also help you choose a place.