Dining out with a toddler?

Submitted by salem913 t3_11qcr0a in providence

We live about 30 minutes from Providence, and love to come in for a meal and walk around on the weekends. The only issue is - we have a 1 year old kid. I have a long list of restaurants I want to try, but I’d love to know which ones are kid-friendly. This would specifically be for either lunch or a very early dinner.

He’s a good eater, so we don’t need a kids menu or anything, but don’t want to go somewhere super quiet or romantic and ruin the vibe.

(Some places on my list are: Aleppo Sweets, Los Andes, Jahunger, Den Den, Nick’s, Al Forni, Aspara, Pizza Marvin, CAV, Oberlin, Rasoi, Pho Zap Zap, Chengdu Taste…)

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HotConcrete t1_jc2shzx wrote

Hey OP, can I give you some unsolicited parenting advice? When my first kid was the same age as yours is, my wife and I loved going to restaurants. We kept a shoebox of rarely-used toys that we would bring with us: play doh, board books, a big crayon or other interesting things. As we were sitting at the restaurant, every 5 minutes or so we’d give him a new thing from the box and remove the old one. It was a pretty easy way to keep him entertained and let us actually talk to each other.

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blahberrry t1_jc2fxor wrote

Bayberry Beer Hall is very kid friendly. I went for brunch recently and I was one of the few people in there without kids.

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skippyspk t1_jc3bp9e wrote

They have a special where kids drink free!

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listen_youse t1_jc4s5v9 wrote

The scene was nice with kids but no changing table in the restrooms.

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bungocheese t1_jc6akw0 wrote

This sucks but what really sucks is people that then change their kids on the chairs or worse on tables. That grosses me out so much..

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mary_wren11 t1_jc2i9js wrote

I would go to any of those places with a toddler. In my experience restaurant staff and patrons don't have attitude about people showing up with little kids.

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saucyname t1_jc2p2jp wrote

The only one I would probably think twice about bringing a kid to is Oberlin and more because it’s nicer and on the small side and I could see other patrons not easily ignoring a kid there.

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Ants1nmyplants t1_jc2k9cu wrote

I’ve taken my kids to restaurants since they were babies. In fact rasoi was my oldest son’s first outing when he was a newborn! Many restaurants are accommodating. Make sure you bring things to occupy your toddler in case he gets bored if the food is taking too long. I used to have a bag of things to bring to restaurants like toys, snacks, and coloring books.

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OGAnnie t1_jc2lnmb wrote

You’re a good parent. Thanks.

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bungocheese t1_jc37zau wrote

The only place I would advise against would be oberlin since it's small, and maybe Cav since there's a lot of things on the walls and floors to grab and potentially break. I've taken my son out since he was around 1 (he's a bit over 2 now) to many of those places. Personally, even though I try and say I want my kid to be used to some non-kid spaces, my play is always to err on the side of too early to avoid people that are trying to have their night out without their kids. Another tip is we bought some placemats with double sided tape on them so that he doesn't mess up people's tables, and it has pictures on it you can make a game out of.

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FabulousTiger t1_jc2ikdd wrote

I've been to a handful of the restaurants that you listed, and I wouldn't worry about taking your kid to any of the following places (none are particular quiet): Aleppo Sweets, Los Andes, Den Den, Apsara, Chengdu Taste. I've been past Pizza Marvin and you should be totally fine there too, as it's very casual!

I've been to Nick's, CAV, and Rasoi, but couldn't say one way or another how bringing a 1 year old would go. Al Forno and Oberlin are nicer restaurants.

(Disclaimer: I don't have any kids myself.)

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citrus_mystic t1_jc3x07n wrote

I work at Al Forno- we don’t have high chairs or a kids menu, but as long as your kid can sit in a chair they’re more than welcome and we will have something they’ll enjoy. (The 5 cheese baked pasta is basically the fine dining equivalent to mac and cheese).

I’d also recommend Red Stripe in Wayland Square, it’s great for families.

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WetNetBet t1_jc2z9b9 wrote

B.B.Q chicken on thayer 🔥🔥

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nbreadcrumb t1_jc35cs2 wrote

Love Durk’s BBQ and they have amazing banana pudding

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TheMetRi t1_jc45ofy wrote

And they have cute dinosaur toys for the kids.

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proviethrow t1_jc478n4 wrote

Pizza Marvin has stand up/bar height seating inside only. But outside is kid friendly, picnic tables and room for stroller. Allepo is good for kids but can get insanely busy at it's peak hours, it is cafe style you get your own table.

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boulevardofdef t1_jc3nx83 wrote

Any Newport Restaurant Group restaurant is kid friendly. In Providence that's Hemenway's and Waterman Grille.

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Llfeofjerm t1_jc477ls wrote

Bayberry beer hall is ver kid friendly. They have high chairs and nice plants and scenery that could amuse a small baby. Also great food.

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listen_youse t1_jc4t22j wrote

No one should be bothered to see a toddler in any restaurant. People rightly expect you to remove the child if they set up a fuss.

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