Traveling with a baby is a unique adventure, especially when it comes to dining out. We have been taking trips together as a family since Brantley was around 5 months old and have been finding our right balance when it comes to eating out at restaurants. While we often order some takeout and enjoy some meals on our hotel balcony, we also like to experience the local restaurants. We love keeping breakfast simple—either in the room or on-the-go in a park—but for those times when we want to sit down at a restaurant, we have found a few strategies that made eating out not only manageable but more enjoyable for all of us. Here’s what worked for us:
1. Make Reservations Slightly Before Normal Eating Times
One of the first things we learned was the importance of timing. Brantley usually eats dinner around 5:30 PM, so we made our restaurant reservations for 5:00 PM. This gave us a buffer to get settled before his usual mealtime. By the time we were seated and ordered, Brantley was just starting to get hungry, which helped us avoid any pre-meal meltdowns
2. Choose Restaurants with Outdoor Seating or a Bustling Atmosphere
When picking a restaurant, we found that outdoor spaces or places with a lively atmosphere worked best. The extra noise helped mask baby chatter and the busy environment provided plenty of distractions for Brantley. He loved watching people walk by, listening to the background music, and taking in all the new sights and sounds. This kept him entertained and allowed us to relax a bit more, knowing that a little noise from him wouldn’t be a big deal.
3. Bring Snacks as an Appetizer
Waiting for food to arrive can be tough for a little one. We found that bringing along some of Brantley’s favorite snacks was a game changer. We used them as a kind of appetizer to keep him content while we waited for our meals. Whether it was a handful of puffs or a few slices of fruit, having something for him to nibble on kept him occupied and happy in his high chair.
4. Be Prepared for a Mess
Eating out with a baby inevitably means dealing with a mess, and we were prepared. We always packed a silicone bib, a placemat, plenty of wipes, his sippy cup, and a couple of toys. These essentials helped contain the mess as much as possible. We embraced the chaos that ended up on the floor, did our best to clean up afterwards, and always made sure to leave a generous tip for the extra work.
5. Take Turns Going for Walks
Brantley is a busy baby who doesn’t like to sit still for long. To keep him entertained, we took turns taking him for a lap around the restaurant or outside. One of us would walk him around before the food arrived, and the other would take over as we were finishing our meal. This way, he got a change of scenery, and we both got a chance to enjoy our meals.
6. Plan to Share Your Meal
When we’re eating, Brantley of course wants to eat too. To make things easier, we often ordered dishes that we knew we could share with him. Whether it was a side of vegetables or a small portion of our entrée, having something on our plate that he could eat kept him engaged and allowed us all to enjoy the meal together.
Dining out on vacation with a baby might seem daunting, but with a little planning and flexibility, it can be a fun experience. By making small adjustments, like tweaking reservation times, choosing the right restaurants, and being prepared for messes, we found that eating out on our family trips was not only possible but also such a sweet part of our trip.