The list below contains just some things to check before going out for a family meal. It is not a complete list (but we'll add to it

Ask

Don’t be shy about asking the restaurant questions to determine if they are suitable for you and your family.

Always check ahead if you are unsure.

Access

• Ask if a pram will fit.

Age

• Children’s Guide is from 0-teens. Some of these restaurants may suit school aged children who are learning to read a menu and expand their palettes, rather than infants.

• Ask each restaurant if they recommend or don’t recommend for particular age groups.

Bookings

• Book in advance, advise that you are bringing children and view online menus if available.

• Check whether bookings are preferred or not.

Budget

• Check menus beforehand for prices and ingredients.

• Determine what your own budget is.

• Research the prices and determine what you are prepared to pay. Budgets vary between families.

BYO

Facilities

Ingredients

• Think outside nuggets and fries.

• Check menus beforehand for prices and ingredients.

• Eating in vs take away – food can be different.

• Perhaps try going just for lunch or a light meal with kids before trying dinners.

• Allergies

• Faith based diets

• Spices

Noise

• Be aware that some restaurants on a Friday and Saturday night turn up the music and becomes more of a lounge or cocktail environment.

Playing

• If you take something to occupy the kids at the table, such as colouring in or lego, make sure they don’t use the items away from the table, such as turning their colouring in into paper planes and flying them around the restaurant.

• Restaurants and cafes are not playgrounds. If they have on site playgrounds, restrict playing to these areas and sitting and eating to the dining areas.

Reviews

• Browse review sites – someone’s review saying pizza too thin might be exactly what you’re after.

• Read reviews from reviewers who have reviewed more than just one restaurant. One-off reviewers who are overly positive and give 10/10 may be friends of the restaurant owners. One-off negative reviewers leaving the lowest results can be competing restaurants.

Timing

• Some of these venues are more family friendly for breakfast or lunch meals, rather than dinner.

• Perhaps try going just for lunch or a light meal with kids before trying dinners.