5 Rules for Dining Out With Baby

on November 8, 2010 at 1:15 PM

Is it okay to dine out with the kids in tow? Every now and again in Internet world, this debate comes up. Chow's Etiquette columnist Helena Echlin (soon to become a mom) asked her readers if babies belonged in restaurants.

Some restaurateurs weighed in, and most said they enjoyed having families visit their establishments, within limits. The comments are a different story. Some people just really hate kids.

It is possible to take your baby out to eat without causing a scene. A baby is much, much more fun to take to a restaurant than a toddler. But there are rules we should follow ...

1. Go at "early-bird special" hours. The restaurant is not usually too busy right after it opens, so it's quiet and the servers can get your food to you more quickly, minimizing the chances of a meltdown. And you won't get the stink eye from child haters out on a date (or, more likely, dining alone).

2. Plan to tip very well. Start at a 20 percent tip and go up from there, depending on the friendliness and efficiency of the waitstaff and how big a mess your baby leaves. One place we go always brings a little plate of fruit to the table for the baby without being asked; those waitresses get 30 percent.

3. Don't eat anywhere that doesn't have high chairs (even if you won't be using one). That's the dead giveaway the place isn't baby-friendly, and you won't be welcome even if they do seat you and take your money.

4. Always ask for the check and a takeout container as soon as your food comes. Maybe you'll be able to linger, maybe you won't, but if your baby becomes inconsolable, at least you won't be desperately scanning the place for your server as her wails get louder and louder and you can actually feel the hateful glares from other patrons.

5. Leave the Michelin-starred palaces of cuisine until they are much older. Or for date night. Brewpubs, neighborhood joints, and ethnic restaurants all tend to be more child-friendly, and you can have some outstanding food there, too.

Do you bring your baby to restaurants?

Image via LelandsMommy/CafeMom

About the author Amy Kuras

writes from the urban stew of Detroit, where she lives with her husband and two seriously funny kids. She's got an inappropriate sense of humor and a wicked caffeine habit and has just decided she "gets" texting.

Filed Under: mom secrets, post-birth outings

Comments (39)

KTMOM

on Nov 8, 2010 at 1:27 PM

We took our son out to eat all the time and still do. He was always well behaved because he was just used to going places with us and has always been an easy going kid. I think it is fine to take babies to family friendly places, but it is for the best of everyone to avoid taking a baby to a place that just does not accomodate them well.

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Nonmember comment from anon

on Nov 8, 2010 at 1:28 PM

I've been taking my son to restaurants since he was born (he's now 21 months). He's a gem at restaurants, really. Eats Cheerios and whatever I am eating, plays with forks and spoons and the toys I bring with me. He IS NOT allowed to get out of his chair, ever. That's my biggest pet peeve for kids in restaurants. Kids running amok in an eating establishment is annoying, not to mention unsafe for the poor restaurant workers trying to avoid them while carrying big trays of food.

HazenMommy

on Nov 8, 2010 at 1:30 PM

We all take our kids out to eat with us. It's an important learning opportunity for all concerned. And, the above 5 suggestions are wonderful. Unfortunately, there are parents who have turned "ignore the screaming baby" into an art form and take their kids out at or past their bedtimes and plan to dine well beyond their child's 'internal time limit' will allow...it's a shame that those parents ruin it for all parents. Sure, we all have that one time where we may have pushed it a little but on the whole, I think most of us try pretty hard to enjoy ourselves without ruining someone else's meal. So, if you're at a restaurant with me....and one of my kids starts to act up....please don't be hateful to me....just give me a chance to get packed up and leave.

Nonmember comment from Kathleen

on Nov 8, 2010 at 1:44 PM

My daughter is almost one year old, and we've been taking her out to restaurant at least once a week since she was 4 weeks old. She NEVER had a tantrum or misbehaved because she is used to eat out with us. We never go out during rush hours and never passed her bed time. We also always bring our own booster seat so she's always comfortable. We don't leave extra tips but we do clean up after ourselves.

466mom

on Nov 8, 2010 at 2:30 PM

Our rule is steer clear of places w/ tablecloths. It's basically a refinement of the high-chair rule, except you don't have to ask. DD is fantastic in restaurants - and we love the freedom and semblance of social life this allows. Hopefully this continues after she starts walking!

Nonmember comment from Gertie

on Nov 8, 2010 at 2:59 PM

Baby? Yes. Our two year old? No. He doesn't enjoy it. We don't enjoy it.

CAMERONSMOM24

on Nov 8, 2010 at 3:20 PM

YEP. I TOOK MY LITTLE MAN TO COTTON PATCH. AND HE CLEARED THE RESTRAUNT WHEN HE THREW UP. LOL I WASNT MAD OR ANYTHING. PART OF BEING MOMMY I GUESS.

Facebook comment from Jade Litnosky

on Nov 8, 2010 at 3:58 PM

Yes, we take our children out for dinner at nice restaurants. We started when the first was a baby and have continued over the last nine years and are expecting number five now. We follow the above suggestions. Most important, arrive early so you are finishing up by the time more serious diners are coming in and before children are starting to get tired. Know the limits of your children, come prepared with entertainment and snacks. Make sure your children know your expectations. Start the way you mean to continue. I never let my children leave the table. While a one year old walking around your table is cute and easy to contain, a two year old and older is not and they won't understand why it was okay yesterday but not today. We also model the same expectations at home. If they don't know how to behave at home you can't expect them to manage in a restaurant. We don't tip any extra unless the staff has gone out of their way for the children or for us to make sure we are enjoying our evening as well. I am not really concerned if there are highchairs or table clothes. My children behave well and if they are not we are always prepared to leave before dinner is done.

twinmama2five

on Nov 8, 2010 at 4:05 PM

We don't go out to eat much with the kids and didn't take them much when they were babies. We usually reserve eating out for our date nights.

Facebook comment from Diane Aguilar

on Nov 8, 2010 at 4:17 PM

I'm not a parent, but seeing well-behaved children eating at a slightly more formal sit-down restaurant always charms me. I love that HazenMommy and Jade Litnosky know what to do in terms of controlling their children and would love to see more parents acting like that. Sit-down restaurants should not be treated like the play areas at McDonald's or Burger King. Not even the eating areas at McDonald's or Burger King should be treated that way. And as long as you're a good, strict parent who knows how to control your kids, all but the most child-unfriendly will love to observe your kids eating out.