What makes a good vacation great?
Hint: it’s not the hotel pool.
Vacations are only as good as the restaurants you eat at.
Traveling with kids only increases the importance of finding good restaurants.
That’s why.
This simple guide covers kid-friendly dining while traveling.
Whether you’re planning a summer beach vacation or a family-friendly road trip, these tips will help make every meal feel like a destination.
You’ll learn:
- Why Food Is Integral To Amazing Family Travel Experiences
- What To Look For In The Best Kid Friendly Restaurants
- How To Scout Out Restaurants While on Vacation
- Tips to Make Dining Out With Kids While Traveling Stress Free
Why Food Is Integral To Amazing Family Travel Experiences
Traveling is about experiencing new things.
Eating meals at restaurants while on vacation is one of those things.
In fact… it might be the main thing.
Over half of travelers say that unique food experiences factor into their decision on where to go. Restaurants aren’t just amenities anymore… They’re reasons for traveling in the first place.
This should come as no surprise.
When was the last time you went somewhere and had a truly awesome time? More than likely you were enjoying good food and drink with family and friends.
Sharing a memorable meal doesn’t just create a great time. Restaurants help you experience a place like few other things can.
Here’s the cool part…
Restaurant dining isn’t just a huge part of traveling. According to recent data, it makes up 44.1% of all culinary tourism spending worldwide.
That’s right. Where families travel to eat is far more important than where they sleep.
With that in mind…
Imagine the impact restaurants have on families with kids.
Create a fantastic dining experience and you’ve crafted an unforgettable vacation memory.
Kill it with dinner and you might as well pack everyone up and head home.
What To Look For In The Best Kid Friendly Restaurants
All meals should be delicious and memorable.
That can be difficult when half the table is a toddler.
Finding restaurants that please everyone can feel impossible.
Luckily, it doesn’t have to be.
There are several commonalities that all the best kid-friendly restaurants have.
Look for varied menus that offer something for everyone. Parents should be excited about food they order too. A great kids menu is fantastic, but so is sharing dishes from the regular menu.
Atmosphere matters too. Restaurants with outdoor seating, easy parking and playful decor are much more approachable for families.
Keep beachside restaurants in mind as well. Places like the oceanfront restaurant in Coconut Grove are perfect for families. Waterfront views entertain the kids, and parents can sip on a cocktail while waiting for food.
View this post on Instagram
Parent pro-tip ─ Just because a restaurant is kid friendly doesn’t mean they don’t have quality food.
Most adults examine menus like professional chefs. Just because your food comes with crayons doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be tasty too.
When dining with kids, look for restaurants that make adults happy while keeping little ones full and entertained.
How To Scout Out Restaurants While on Vacation
Finding good restaurants while traveling takes effort.
Planning that effort ahead of time will prevent wasted time scouting around when you should be eating.
Do your homework. Find restaurants ahead of time that get high reviews from families. Sites like TripAdvisor and Google Reviews let you filter by “family friendly”.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when researching restaurants online:
- Do they have a good kids menu? And quality options for adults as well?
- Is the seating comfortable and family-friendly?
- Are they close to where you’re staying or touring?
- Do they have outdoor seating?
Once you’ve identified some possible places to eat, ask locals when you get there.
Hotel staff, taxi drivers and even tour guides can offer some solid recommendations that you won’t find online.
Another trick is to eat earlier. You’ll beat the dinner rush and spend less time waiting for your food.
Tips to Make Dining Out With Kids While Traveling Stress Free
A family dining out at a restaurant is a lot like shooting for vacation perfection. Totally possible, but some things have to go just right.
To make sure your trips to restaurants are enjoyable for everyone:
Make sure your kids know where you’re going and what delicious foods you’ll get to enjoy there. Getting pumped about the restaurant is half the battle when it comes to good kid behavior.
Bring distractions. While most family-friendly restaurants will have crayons and activities to keep little ones busy, it doesn’t hurt to bring a goody bag or two. Inside jokes about finishing meals faster for dessert toys are great family vacation memories!
Choose restaurants with ambiance. Waterfront dining, kitchens that customers can see or quirky decor can occupy kids imaginations while you eat. The less bored they are, the better dinner will be for everyone.
Don’t feel like you need to book every meal. Some nights you’ll want to sit-down and relax with the fam. Other nights might be better suited for burger joints by the beach or food markets where kids can pick what they want.
The important thing is to not put too much pressure on dining experiences. If dinner becomes a fight… Order takeout and try again tomorrow.
Bottom Line ─ Find Restaurants Your Whole Family Will Enjoy
The memories your family makes while traveling are built around restaurants.
Food is the cornerstone of every great vacation.
When going on vacation with your kids, factoring in meals at unique and enjoyable restaurants can mean the difference between a mediocre trip and one for the books.
To recap:
- Food creates memories and is one of the best ways to experience a place
- Research restaurants with good reviews from families online before you travel
- Don’t be afraid to ask locals for restaurant recommendations while on vacation
- Make dining part of the experience. Excited kids + good food = happy parents
- Remember that every meal doesn’t have to happen at a restaurant
Planning meals around your travels will ensure you don’t miss out on hidden gems. Taking the time to find fun and unique dining experiences will enrich your vacations and give your kids stories to tell for years to come.
Follow these tips and your family will have the meals to last a lifetime.