https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Jul 2026 05:50:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037832 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 14:49:55 +0000 daniellemybelle 2037832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>High chairs are my indicator. Once we went to a pub-type restaurant and had to leave because they didn't have a high chair... oops! I guess we could have stayed but that was a tip off to me.</p> <p>And we are Those People with the toddler running around. These days it feels like we either let her get up and let off some steam (closely supervised and not in close quarters) or we become Those Other People with the kid glued to the iPad all night. You can't win. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037534 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 12:21:02 +0000 macintosh 2037534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with pp that it depends on your child. I don't have kids yet (still cooking!) but it doesn't bother me seeing kids out at restaurants as long as they are well behaved. I also never go out past 8 pm, lol!</p> <p>For example, a few months ago I was picking up dinner at a fast casual restaurant which is totally family friendly. While waiting for my order I observed 2 moms with about 4 kids who were all acting ridiculous. The older kids were jumping on the booth while their mom was on her cell phone. The baby was feeding herself noodles and getting them all over the floor. I was really irritated because these moms weren't being attentive to their kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037465 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 11:52:52 +0000 jedeve 2037465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To me the question is if your kid is restaurant friendly more than the other way around. If they do well at restaurants and you are prepared for contingencies, then it's fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037449 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 11:47:16 +0000 Anagram 2037449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, I assume any place with high chairs or boosters are kid friendly--almost every place in my town is, including pubs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037359 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 11:05:00 +0000 cascademom 2037359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Going there early, scoping out FB parent groups recommendations, and making sure LO is fed or occupied while there. We've had great luck with restaurants in our area being pretty family friendly. My FB parent groups also help give a scoop on restaurants where they're treated well with kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037354 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 11:01:44 +0000 avivoca 2037354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most restaurants are fair game to me, especially because we go early and never eat at true white-linen dining establishments. However, I do stay away from restaurants that don't have a changing table in the bathroom. I can't tell you how many times I've gone someplace that had high chairs but no changing table. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037337 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 10:52:46 +0000 ShootingStar 2037337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with what others have said - most anywhere is fine if you go early-ish. We tend to stick to more moderate priced places when we have DS. We bring him out to eat a lot, but I don't want to be rushed through an expensive dinner where my food gets cold because I'm too busy cutting his up and making sure it's cool enough to eat. And while he's good about 95% of the time, I don't want that 5% to be too expensive ;). </p> <p>I also agree with a previous poster about the kids' menus. They tend to be utter garbage. In a lot of cases I'd rather get a larger meal for myself and share it, or DH and I will get a couple things to share between all 3 of us. I'm not a huge food snob, but I also would rather not feed him fried food and/or mac n cheese every time we go out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037301 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 10:40:41 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2037301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We usually go at 5 or 5:30 which seems to be "family time." We even go to trendy bar/restaurants, etc. which often work the best because they have cement floors and are already loud. There are actually quite a few bars and restaurants in my area that have play areas for kids. They are in the hipster-y neighborhoods. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037216 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 10:07:28 +0000 regberadaisy 2037216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think any restaurant can be kid friendly from depending on the child. We actually very rarely take our LO to places like chili, Applebee's because we don't like their food. </p> <p>When we were in Boston we took LO to an upscale restaurant that you definitely wouldn't expect be kid friendly. But there were other families and they had high chair / booster seat. Our server was awesome with LO and even brought her free treats. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037198 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:57:51 +0000 yoursilverlining 2037198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only restaurants I don’t consider fair game for well behaved children are places that are genuine “white-linen dining” – IMO, everything else is fair game. </p> <p>One note about kid’s menus; they often are crap, and you’ll do just as well ordering off an adult menu for a kid. Don’t discount a place because it doesn’t have a kids menu, many places we regularly go with LO don’t have printed kids menus. Some have “silent” kids menus (i.e., the waiter tells us the kitchen can make so-and-so for LO), and plenty have appetizers or sides that will constitute a totally valid meal for LO, while still being cheaper than ordering her an entree. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037177 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:45:55 +0000 Mamaof2 2037177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: Pat's!!!! YUMMY :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037176 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:45:24 +0000 fancyfunction 2037176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Check on Mommy Poppins or Mommy Nearest - they have lots of kid-friendly restaurant suggestions in the city! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037172 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:43:48 +0000 looch 2037172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You will be though, no matter where you go, it's a fact of parenting life! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037160 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:38:22 +0000 PinkElephant 2037160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in probably one of the most kid-populated neighborhoods in NYC (well, in Brooklyn), so at this point I'll take my kids just about anywhere! I'd echo what others said:</p> <p>- Be willing to fold your stroller/leave it at the door if space is tight, or take a crummy table near the kitchen if you want to set up the stroller at the table (so that </p> <p>- Calling ahead to ask about high chairs is smart - I try to do this, or I pop my head in before we actually head to the restaurant</p> <p>- As long as you're going to be out before "prime time" dining starts for dates/couples without kids, I think any restaurant is fair game</p> <p>- If you feel better having your little one contained, invest in a TotSeat - they're great when places don't have high chairs (or are so busy they run out) and there's no room for your stroller: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Totseat-Chair-Harness-Squashable-Chocolate/dp/B001QC77W0" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Totseat-Chair-Harness-Squashable-Chocolate/dp/B001QC77W0</a></p> <p>I'm a big believer in taking kids to restaurants/other places from an early age - it's a great way to teach them social skills and proper behavior. My goofball 2.5 year old loves making silly banter with the waitresses - she tells them she'd like a coffee, please, and loves the reaction she gets.</p> <p>Have fun exploring! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037148 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:32:58 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2037148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks all! I have to admit that even in restaurants I'd consider "kid friendly" in my neighborhood (burger places, bbq) don't have kids' menus or high chairs :(. </p> <p>Seems like timing/behavior/common sense are the biggest considerations. </p> <p>@mrsshinerbock: the dim sum place was on my "list"! Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037137 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:26:36 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2037137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with PP that it is more about timing and how your LO behaves/how you handle them. Most mid-price restaurants are pretty kid friendly in the afternoon/early evening. You might check out a "things to do with kids" website. I know one of the more popular sites in my city has a list of family friendly restaurants that are good restaurants that are kid friendly without being kid centric (no Chucky Cheese or McDonalds Playlands.)</p> <p>We stayed in that area of Philly for a girl's weekend a few years ago. We had a lot of great meals by checking out yelp. The best one that I remeber was the Original Dim Sum Garden on 11th St. It's a little hole in the wall, but it was really good. We did dessert at Max Brenner's which was yummy too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037134 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:21:58 +0000 mediagirl 2037134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: lol I like that rule a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037130 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:19:05 +0000 blackbird 2037130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: Rules: "Don't be a jackass parent". The fact that you're concerned means you'll be fine :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037123 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:17:03 +0000 spaniellove 2037123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: This isn't a super exciting recommendation, but if you're walking near Broad St and just need a quieter place to sit/hang out/go to the bathroom, there's a food court in the basement of the Bellevue at Broad and Walnut. It wouldn't be the hugest deal if he made some noise or ran around a little!</p> <p>(Oh wait, scratch the running part. :wink: ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037122 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:15:31 +0000 catlady 2037122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I call and ask if they have high chairs. To me, that's code for "can I bring a baby/toddler"? Kids menus are like the next step up.</p> <p>The other thing we do is just poke our head in and see how many kids are already there and/or the noise level. We avoid places where it is very quiet and it looks like no other kids are present. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037113 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:09:07 +0000 MrsSCB 2037113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally I don't think it's a certain restaurant as much as timing and how your child (and you) behave. On the earlier side, I have no problem...Unless people do particularly annoying things like play iPad movies or games out loud. That drives me nuts. Or the other day, this adorable little girl's mother kept encouraging her to bang a toy super loud on the table. Like the mom would actually take the toy, whack it on the table and then give it to her daughter, like, "here, do what I just did!" I know kids make noise, but don't encourage it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037109 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:05:34 +0000 rachiecakes 2037109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If they have high chairs and/or a "kids" menu. But if it's early enough, I wouldn't worry about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037107 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:05:26 +0000 LuLu Mom 2037107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with most PP, we take LO everywhere early enough and she's (usually) well behaved enough to sit and eat like a big girl. I will say nothing drives me more nuts than kids running around tables, I think that is parenting more than the child. We were eating at a super kid friendly place not long ago, however there was a 3-4 year old running CRAZY up and down for a good 20 minutes, no one stopped him, I thought that was disrespectful of the parents to not stop or even acknowledge it was happening (or management to stop it) and even my 2 year old daughter said "what's that boy doing, he being naughty?" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037106 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:05:17 +0000 pui 2037106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah if it has a kids menu than I would consider it a kid-friendly place. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037104 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:04:56 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2037104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: I agree. I can't stand kids running around either.</p> <p>We took him to a bbq place for lunch a few weeks ago and he just sat and played with cars and everyone was smiling at him. But it was definitely a trendy place with a full bar and live music. </p> <p> @jetsa: @jerricabenton: thanks! I'd like to think we can take him most places because he is a really chill, laid back kid. But I don't know the "rules" for this type of thing.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037099 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:02:06 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2037099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: I'm a pat's girl myself ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037097 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:01:04 +0000 mediagirl 2037097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: well I'm not from Philly but I know you have to eat at Jim's Steaks. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037095 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:00:44 +0000 blackbird 2037095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You're eating early, so you're already golden. Nothing super fancy. Just a casual eatery. I don't mind kids as long as the parents don't let them run around the tables and chairs (i hate this) or they shriek the whole time and the parents don't remove them. So i think if you pick affordable eateries, you'll be fine! And your kid will see other kids eating, too. </p> <p>Ask the concierge, too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037094 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:00:36 +0000 jetsa 2037094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with Jerricabenton we take our LO everywhere. He loves live music, which is our area means winerys because they typically have a 2-6 show. Everyone loves him and thinks it's the cutest to see him "dance" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-tell-if-a-restaurant-is-kid-friendly#post-2037092 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 08:59:47 +0000 Mama Bird 2037092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's kid friendly if it has high chairs! </p>