Children and babies dining at expensive restaurants
Posted by: Darren31985665
11th Aug 2025 06:56pm
Should expensive restaurants prevent parents from bringing babies and toddlers when they come to dine, I have experienced an evening when a young couple had obviously planned a special evening looked like he was going to propose only to be seated next to a couple with a crying baby and a toddler throwing a tantrum, I believe if you can afford a $400 meal you can afford a baby sitter don’t ruin every one else’s night
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Comments 4
Ramsay123
Take your baby/children but be prepared to leave if they don’t behave well.
abarnes
I have never been a parent so I can’t begin to guess at what would compel a couple to take a baby or toddler out to dinner. At that age, they certainly won’t recall the evening, nor will the occasion provide any respite for the couple, who in my mind, would be in desperate need of some time alone, together. So go figure…
I think jt and Sahida have both got it right… wouldn’t it be nice if everyone considered others as part of the process of ALL their decision making and behaviour? Wouldn’t the world be a beautiful place.
But as Sahida points out the burden for your experience rests at the feet of the restaurant manager/owner. I would think that when they made the reservation, there would have been a request for a highchair. At that point the seating should have been set furthest away from the majority of patrons who had the good sense not to bring a baby to a restaurant.
That said, I have been to a reasonably high-end restaurant and a couple with a baby were seated one table away. The baby was left in its stroller which was positioned in a way that kept pathways clear. After a short cry the baby was comforted, and it was pleasant to occasionally glance over to see the baby quietly enjoying its meal as mum and dad ate theirs. Very cute. 😊
Sahida31983077
Some high-end restaurants already have policies that discourage or restrict children. For example, some fine dining establishments have an age limit for diners or even reserve certain sections for adults only. The key is communication. If the restaurant has a no-child policy, it's crucial that it's clearly communicated in the reservations process so that parents can plan accordingly
jtmorri
I agree if they can afford a very expensive meal they can afford a babysitter for a few hours. I do find parents of young child very inconsiderate of other people's enjoyment and generally never think about their rudeness, inappropriateness or the inconvenience they cause others. A bit of forward planning and thought would improve social interactions for sure.