Life changed when my favourite coffee shop stopped serving my favourite cold brew blend, but it became unrecognisable after having a child. And even though I don’t have wide swathes of free time and flexibility — I still choose to go out for dinner as a family. I refuse to change that part of my pre-parenthood life. In the beginning it can be a little painful or stressful, but over time kids understand dining out is different and begin to enjoy it. It’s also great to expose them to new foods and experiences. Not all restaurants cater to kids, and that’s okay! But for those days when you want to dine out as a whole family, go to one of these establishments that have menus for picky eaters and activities to pass their time.
I Can Flyy Tea Kafi!
Established in 2017 by founder Dr. Minu Budhia and daughter and co-founder Preeyam, ICanFlyy Tea Kafi is a cozy, quirky 50-seater cafe created around the theme of ‘happiness’. Located near Maddox Square, has indoor and outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi, karaoke, a kids’ play area, board games, books, etc. The cafe also hosts creative workshops for children and adults.
The Salt House
The Salt House in Shakespeare Sarani serves up some of the freshest Italian and European food in the city. It is designed keeping in mind families and even has a live pizza kitchen. The best part? They make fun shaped pizzas for kids! You can sip on an exquisite cocktail while your child enjoys his bunny-shaped pizza… it’s a win-win.
Kurry Patta
Kurry Patta is the quintessential family restaurant. This-kid friendly vegetarian spot serves south Indian and north Indian food and has the cutest kids’ menu around. The pyramid cheese dosa and mini idlis are foolproof. They have toddler and baby chairs for the little ones too at this 6 Hungerford Street address.
8th Day Cafe and Bakery
An American cafe with a strong sense of community, 8th Day is very child-friendly. Across all their outlets in West Range, Southern Avenue and Salt Lake, the staff takes extra effort to entertain and cater to children. The menu has everything from French fries, seasonal shakes and cupcakes to healthier options like granola and yoghurt. You can take your children and fur babies to their Southern Avenue location and enjoy a perfect cuppa.
Pinkk Sugars
Tucked away in Salt Lake, Pinkk Sugars offers Mediterranean and Italian food, with ample vegan and gluten-free options. The burst of the pink candy wall makes children feel excited and the staff is warm and accommodating to their demands.
Chili’s Grill & Bar
All the outlets of Chili’s waste no time in winning over your little ones. They hand out crayons and a kids menu from which they get to decide what to order. Puzzle sheets and balloons are also thrown in the mix. A warm and relaxed casual dine-in with scrumptious Tex Mex food and clear allergen information makes this dining experience as smooth as it’s going to get.
Having a good restaurant experience with kids isn’t impossible, but it’s going to vary from child to child, day to day, and meal to meal. The trick to dining out with kids is starting them early, and it’s an additional bonus if the restaurant is supportive and conducive to a family meal.
The author is an economist and full-time millennial mother, struggling to cope with daily chores
