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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Birthday dinner ruined - restaurant refused eat free offer!

674 replies

Heatherstory · 09/10/2025 22:12

NC’d for this.

Birthday meal out at a local restaurant - they do an offer where the birthday person eats free as long as 1. It’s their actual birthday date and ID is provided to confirm and 2. There’s a minimum party size of 5.

It’s an all you can eat concept where food is brought to the table rather than you go and get it, a great deal as the food is lovely and the offer saves £30.

When we asked for the bill, we mentioned it was my birthday and I said I’d get my ID out of my bag. Someone came over (not the person we asked for the bill) and explained we were not eligible for the offer as only 4 of us had the all you can eat. My 2 year old DD was with us and obviously had a small meal (which we were to pay for).

My DH asked to speak to the manager - the person who came over said that he is the manager and refused to budge. We reluctantly paid.

We’ve checked the offer wording and it’s clearly stated it’s based on 5 dining (doesn’t specify it has to be the all you can eat) which we fulfilled.

It really soured the evening and we will not be returning which is a real shame as it’s a lovely restaurant, but they have been so underhand with this.

OP posts:
thisishowloween · 09/10/2025 22:42

OP, you’re embarrassing yourself.

TokyoSushi · 09/10/2025 22:42

Heatherstory · 09/10/2025 22:32

My DH is going to leave a Google review this weekend. They’ve recently moved venue and won’t want adverse impressions for any potential new customers.

Please don’t say you’re going to leave a Google review saying a 2 year old didn’t count, surely it’s obvious they wouldn’t count!

Hankunamatata · 09/10/2025 22:42

Show us the offer on here then

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/10/2025 22:44

OP is too busy having her day ruined to write her own cringe/worthy bad review.

BlakeCarrington · 09/10/2025 22:44

Heatherstory · 09/10/2025 22:32

My DH is going to leave a Google review this weekend. They’ve recently moved venue and won’t want adverse impressions for any potential new customers.

How spiteful you are.

ItWasTheBabycham · 09/10/2025 22:44

it feels like common sense that it’s adults on the all you can eat price… next time pay £30 for your child and get your meal free.

Homegrownberries · 09/10/2025 22:44

Were there by any change more children with you that did have all you can eat? If so, did they pay full price or was there a childs all you can eat price?

Sausageplait · 09/10/2025 22:45

If you review the restaurant negatively, they will reply stating exactly what happened. Everybody reading it will be wowed by your complete lack of common sense. You didn't have 5 people you had four and an extremely small person who was not involved in the buffet at all but was sitting at the table with you.

Bobiverse · 09/10/2025 22:45

We have a few of these types of places in the city nearest me, and every one of them has it very clear in large text that only adult diners count (or people ordering adults meals). Kids meals do not count.

If it’s not written on the terms of the offer then they can’t say they. All they said was 5 diners, they messed up. So yes, leave a review and be very clear that the offer simply says 5 diners, it doesn’t stipulate a minimum spend per guest or what type of meal they can order.

notacooldad · 09/10/2025 22:45

Given the challenges faced by that industry, and that we go multiple times a year - I doubt they’d be jumping for joy, no.
Seeing that youve said it's a lovely restaurant, you are just cutting your nose off to spite your face.

I honestly don't think the restaurant is in the wrong tbh.

DH is going to pen a suitably toned review this weekend, and I’m sure it won’t disappoint! My MiL says that restaurant usually replies to each review so it wouldn’t be a shock if on reflection, we get a voucher to settle the matter.
Pathetic.
Anyway you won't need a voucher as you are not going back.

Cucy · 09/10/2025 22:46

YABU I rarely eat out but even I would assume a kids meal wouldn’t count.

Even when there is something to do with kids eating/going in free, it’s often when 2 adults are paying.

You wouldn’t go with 4 kids at £5 each and expect the £30 adult to eat for free.

Always double check the details, especially if money is so tight.

There’s being disappointed and then there’s throwing your toys out of the pram.

BlakeCarrington · 09/10/2025 22:46

Heatherstory · 09/10/2025 22:36

DH is going to pen a suitably toned review this weekend, and I’m sure it won’t disappoint! My MiL says that restaurant usually replies to each review so it wouldn’t be a shock if on reflection, we get a voucher to settle the matter.

Edited
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You’re just trying it on and threatening to try to harm the restaurant’s reputation if you don’t get your own way. I hope they wipe the floor with you in their response.

ThePoshUns · 09/10/2025 22:46

Go ahead and write your review, let everyone know how foolish you are.

LynetteScavo · 09/10/2025 22:48

But if you’d paid for your 2yo to have the £30 eat all you want, you would have got your meal free? You’d have then saved the price of the small meal.

SnoreyCat · 09/10/2025 22:48

PlaceIntheClouds · 09/10/2025 22:34

If the restaurants terms did not state that the party must all be adults they are very much in the wrong.

It does not matter one jot what people on here assume the terms to be.

Leave them an appropriate review on Google.

Edited

Oh come on, one iota of common sense is all it takes to know that a toddler would not count as one of the five diners. OP, do not embarrass yourselves further by leaving a review.

PixieTales · 09/10/2025 22:48

I’m actually embarrassed for you.

As if your £5 kids meal would count towards the deal. Give over.

YourPeppyAmberTraybake · 09/10/2025 22:48

TwinklyStork · 09/10/2025 22:23

Good lord, what a cheapskate and how embarrassing to have made a fuss.

I disagree and I think the restaurant were wrong, it didn’t say five adults in the terms and conditions it said five people.

viques · 09/10/2025 22:48

Heatherstory · 09/10/2025 22:32

My DH is going to leave a Google review this weekend. They’ve recently moved venue and won’t want adverse impressions for any potential new customers.

I’m sure they will be very glad of the opportunity to reinforce the idea that a toddler doesn’t count as an adult in this offer.

Delphiniumandlupins · 09/10/2025 22:49

Hopefully they will update their wording on the offer but it's hardly surprising that a toddler doesn't count as one of your 5 diners. Perhaps they should have given you that meal free? Most vouchers/offers to use in restaurants say that you should show them when you order so, in future, you could make sure that you are eligible before you get the bill.

Anyusernamewilldo8963 · 09/10/2025 22:49

Heatherstory · 09/10/2025 22:36

DH is going to pen a suitably toned review this weekend, and I’m sure it won’t disappoint! My MiL says that restaurant usually replies to each review so it wouldn’t be a shock if on reflection, we get a voucher to settle the matter.

Edited
Show quote history

But you're never going back there so a voucher wouldn't settle anything as it would be worthless to you.... you can't serious expect to get a free £30 because you paid £5 for a 2yr old to eat, this is seriously CF behaviour

Princessconsuelabananahammock9 · 09/10/2025 22:49

You know when you read things on bottles like “ don’t ingest” and it’s floor cleaner?

I always think how absurd it is they even have to write that.

This situation reminds me of that.

The fact you didn’t mention the offer until after the meal makes me think you knew how this would go.

Squarestones · 09/10/2025 22:49

As a pp asked, why can't you write your own review?

Also, this is why it's always best to mention at the start of you're hoping to use a voucher or claim a deal. They could have explained, you could have either ordered your toddler the £30 meal or left or just shrugged and enjoyed your meal without feeling defensive and let down at the end of it.

Magnalux · 09/10/2025 22:50

How could you genuinely think a 2yr old counted as a diner ? They don’t stipulate it on their website I’m guessing because no one does this! Common sense should kick in

ladyamy · 09/10/2025 22:50

Based on 5 adults eating and paying adult prices, I would have assumed. Birthday dinner ruined, really?

Cucy · 09/10/2025 22:50

What is the restaurant called?

i’ve never heard of one that brings all you can eat to your table and it’s something that I would love!

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