Talk to Organix about taking your child out for a meal: you could win £100 restaurant voucher - NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

Organix are interested in your views on the standards of food served to children and experiences of families when eating out in the UK.

Organix say "We're working in partnership with the Soil Association to inspire restaurants and pubs to provide real food, real choices and a great experience for children. We have created a league table of the top 21 restaurant chains in the UK and their offering for children. Now we'd like to know what you think about this topic".

Please share on this thread what you think about the below:

~ Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?
~ Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them?
~ In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why?
~ Have you any good or bad experiences to share about breastfeeding your child in restaurants?
~ What more could restaurants do to make breastfeeding mums feel welcome?

Add your comment and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win £100 of Love2Shop Restaurant vouchers (valid at hundreds of restaurants across the UK). The prize draw will happen on Monday 30 September.

You can read all about Organix, the Out to Lunch campaign and how you can get involved on their special pages on MN.

thanks and good luck.
MNHQ

[Wallison]

Actually, a children's entertainer would be my idea of hell. Why can't parents just teach their children that if they're out for a meal they should sit down and eat, rather than fondly watching on as the kids rampage around disturbing other people?

[stealthsquiggle]

I'm with Wallison.

[stephgr]

~ Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK? Yes, there needs to be more variety and a move away from the standard mini pizzas, spaghetti, nuggets and things with chips.


~ Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them? I haven't found anywhere yet which has a interesting and very healthy childrens menus. Giraffe has salmon with veg on its menu but the last time I coerced my daughter into ordering it the veg was like mush.

~ In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why? I haven't noticed a big difference in menu items but I've found independent ones more willing to adapt items on the menu

~ Have you any good or bad experiences to share about breastfeeding your child in restaurants? No

~ What more could restaurants do to make breastfeeding mums feel welcome? I guess employ staff actually make who Mums and children feel really welcome

[pussinwellyboots]

~ Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?
Some places have got it really right and spot on, others could do a lot better. It annoys me when going to a high end restaurant (as we did for a recent family wedding) and the kids are offered chicken nuggets/fish fingers/sausages - my kids (and most others) are able to be much more adventurous!

~ Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them?
see above - I like it when children can have a half portion of adult food rather than a separate menu.

~ In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why?
Probably, although we've had some good meals in eg pizza express - much more varied with independent places - perhaps there should be some national awards/standards.
~ Have you any good or bad experiences to share about breastfeeding your child in restaurants?
Bad experience - celebrating my dads 60th in a very upmarket country house hotel was asked to breastfeed in the ladies toilet. Consequently spent most of the meal in there as he was having a growth spurt.

~ What more could restaurants do to make breastfeeding mums feel welcome?
Allow them to breastfeed discreetly in the restaurant, bring them a glass of water and have breastfeeding covers available if required, not make a big thing of it.

[BadlyWrittenPoem]

~ Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?
We have only once bought DD1 a meal off a children's menu as they usually seem to be mainly based around "yellow food" and we don't eat out to have that. On the occasion we did, we regretted it as the "spaghetti with chicken pieces and tomato sauce" was not chicken and tomato pasta as we had envisaged but spaghetti with chicken nuggets and ketchup which is not what we go to an italian restaurant for. Usually we just get two main courses and either a side or starter and share the food so that DD gets a sensible meal. What I would like to see is all restaurants offering child sized portions (maybe a half sized and a toddler sized one) of all the standard main meals on the menu at sensible prices. Currently IME restaurants offering child sized versions charge a disproportinate price for them and those with children's menus offer junk food.

~ Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them?
See previous answer.

~ In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why?
In terms of things like providing highchairs, cutlery, etc I would say that they are fairly even. I had one meal at an independent pub where we had to ask for cutlery for our child because it wasn't provided, were repeatedly asked if everything was okay for us "both" (when there were clearly three of us!) and when we asked for a dessert to share between the three of us we were brought two spoons. But on the other hand I have been to an independent cafe where the lady provided special small cutlery for our daughter and went and got extra cushions for her seat. Likewise, some chains provide drinks for us all when we ask for water and some just for the adults unless we specify that the children need drinks too.

~ Have you any good or bad experiences to share about breastfeeding your child in restaurants?
No. If my child needs to be breastfed while in a restaurant I just do it. If they don't I don't.

~ What more could restaurants do to make breastfeeding mums feel welcome?
To be honest I dislike the whole "breastfeeding welcome here" thing because it implies that there is question over whether it is welcome and that it might not be welcome everywhere/all the time when it should be. Giving "permission" to breastfeed implies that permission is needed so there should not be signs up giving "permission". If somebody asks if it's okay then of course they should be told it is fine but the signs imply that people shouldn't without permission.

[BadlyWrittenPoem]

Just been reading other people's replies and I like the suggestion of knorks/sporks for breastfeeding mums - it would make eating one handed a lot easier!

[TenaciousOne]

Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?
I agree that childrens menus needs to be improved, DS doesn't eat burgers, fish fingers or chicken nuggets. He does eat chips but only when we are eating them. I prefer to be able to choose similar to what we are eating. Also meal sizes needs to be looked at they shouldn't be the same from 1 all the way up to 12.

Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them?
We have started to go to restaurants that do Mezze type meals so you order sharing plates. Mainly as DS wants to eat what we are eating. We also go to a lovely local cafe that has blackboard tables which is brilliant at keeping DS entertained and they have dairy free food which is even better as DS is dairy intolerant.

In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why?
It depends on the chain and the independent.

Have you any good or bad experiences to share about breastfeeding your child in restaurants?

No good or bad experiences.

[majjsu]

General standard - think it is ok
Good examples - there is an independent pub which offers fresh cooked food and entertainment for the children.
Independent restaurants - most tend to be good, offer good customer service and tend to go the extra mile.
Breastfeeding - I used to breastfeed in restaurants. I was ok, others used to stare. Think it would be good to have a childrens area where you can sit and feel comfortable.

[CMOTDibbler]

Generally, I think childrens menus are yuck, and so does ds. I much prefer it when somewhere offers small portions of everything on the main menu. Or he chooses a starter and a side dish to make up a main.

Of our favoured lunch places, one offers a small or large plate choice for everyone, and the other will do a small plate or offers an extra plate for those small enough to just graze from their parents plates. Both are v child friendly in an understated way - no toys or bright tat, just very welcome with clean highchairs, childrens cutlery, and understanding.

[Turnipvontrapp]

Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?

Yes they need to stop offering chicken nuggets all the time, be more adventurous.

~ Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them?

Bad examples are chicken nuggets and chips with everything.

~ In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why?

Depends, there are good and bad chains and independents.

~ Have you any good or bad experiences to share about breastfeeding your child in restaurants?

Can't remember any sorry!


~ What more could restaurants do to make breastfeeding mums feel welcome?

Give breastfeeding mums free drinks (non-alcoholic).

[MrsAJB]

Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?

Yes!! I agree that it needs to improve. I hate the generic kids meal options at most chain restaurants. If you’re going to entice them with photograph menus full of chicken nuggats, pizza and fruit shoots then it's an easy decision for children to make. I'm not against my dc having a treat and an occasional McDonald's for example, so when I take him there, I know that's exactly what he will order. Restaurants should offer all adult meals in child size portions at a reduced cost.

Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes?

Local independent restaurant does a lovely carvery with a wide selection so my LO can choose a variety of foods. I prefer taking my family to independent restaurants over a chain company, particularly if it offers a play area.

[red23]

My children , age 1 and 2 both love the food in Ikea -the play area is also a bonus to blow off some steam.

[katiewalters]

General standard for kids meals are ok, but think they could be better. You only seem to get the same few meals everywhere you go. I've found before, my sons wanted something we are having, but they don't do it on the kids menu, and if we got him an adult one we would be wasting money as he wouldn't eat it all, so sometimes he's shared with me or had to have something else. I ate at a fort jester pub and liked their kids menu, they had a Good variety of meals and liked that the kids could pick which veg they wanted with their meal.
I breast feed, and will breast feed wherever I need to as I do it discreetly. I've done it when eating out, only thing I would say is depending on what the tables and seats are like it can be a squeeze or awkward to feed the baby at the table. A comfy chair in the baby facility would be good for those people that don't like to feed in front of others, or a separate feeding room

[maxmissie]

~ Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?

Agree, most places have the standard list of sausages, fishfingers, burger etc with chips/mash and beans or pizza. Sometimes there is a pasta option. Often doesn't appear to be very appetising or the portions are very large or too small. Small versions of all adult meals would be a great idea - not sure why this isn't more commonly done anyway.

~ Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them?

None locally but when on holiday in Devon this summer we went to an independent restaurant which was great for the kids; they did starters that the kids loved (dough balls, nachos, garlic bread), my daughter predictablly had a pizza (which was freshly made and tasty) and they did a small portion of an adult's meal of meatballs for my son (which were also delicious) and we took home what we didn't eat in a doggy bag.

~ In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why?

Doesn't seem to be much difference to me; some chains are good and some are not; same for independents.

~ Have you any good or bad experiences to share about breastfeeding your child in restaurants?

N/A as didn't breastfeed.

~ What more could restaurants do to make breastfeeding mums feel welcome?

Space for people to sit comfortably and allow them some privacy if required.

[Babycarmen]

~ Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?
Yeah I would agree, there usually isn't much choice for kids or it is the usual, burger, nuggets, sausages or pizza to choose from no matter where you go!

~ Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them?
Most of the local ones are what I said above, there is a big lack of healthy options.

~ In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why?
In my experience worse, although I would expect it to be different. It doesn't seem like a lot of independent places think about childrens needs.

~ Have you any good or bad experiences to share about breastfeeding your child in restaurants?
I have had bad experiences from other customers, but staff are usually fine.

~ What more could restaurants do to make breastfeeding mums feel welcome?
Have a comfortable seating area and maybe even signs up saying breastfeeding is welcome so other customers dont feel the need to comment.

[Theimpossiblegirl]

~ Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?
It does need to improve- most of the food on offer is friend junk.

~ Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them?
Our local pub does child sized portions of adult meals, including steak. It makes a nice change.

~ In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why?
They vary but all seem to lack imagination.

~ Have you any good or bad experiences to share about breastfeeding your child in restaurants?
I haven't breastfed for a few years but never had any problems as a discrete feeder. Someone I know recently got told they couldn't feed in our local Costa though.

~ What more could restaurants do to make breastfeeding mums feel welcome?
Maybe a universal sign in the door to show they are breastfeeding friendly. That would be a good campaign.

[asuwere]

~ Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?

I would say there is a big tendency for child menus to just be hot dogs or nuggets and chips which is quite disappointing and could be improved.

~ Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them?

As I said, child menus often seem to be 'beige food'. I like places where they just have a menu and you can order half/child size portions of anything -makes it more of a family meal, rather than adults having proper food while kids are fobbed off with rubbish nuggets.

~ In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why?

I think independent places are generally more interested in their food in general so have a better menu and may be fore likely to offer child sizes of their real food. There are some chains which are very good though.

~ Have you any good or bad experiences to share about breastfeeding your child in restaurants?

I've breastfed in many restaurants but I can't think of any bad or good experiences. I've never really thought of it as an issue and really can't think what would make it a good experience. Worst that I can think of is finding it really awkward to feed if in a booth but it's not a big problem.

~ What more could restaurants do to make breastfeeding mums feel welcome?

I can't think of anything and not sure that they do need to make them feel welcome - they are just people so same as anyone else.

[kateandme]

Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?
i think the restaurant that have higher cliental arent into kids being around much.many people seem to alsmost sniff at them when your bring them in.
i think it is difficult.children should be taught to be in the eating out situation.its all part of growing up.weve had some of our best times as a big family out togetrher during a meal so its good to get them started when you can.
id like some places to be more welcming with the children.
~ Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them?
generally they are very good.but the pubs,chains seemto makret for them better which isnt so nice becasue sometimes you want to go somewhere a bit more "pricey"for a special meal and its a bit tricky to feel wanted.
~ In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why?i think asking helps.when we go to independant places if we ask for half portions of a standard meal they can be very helpful.
but chains are good for kids menus but whats on them isnt fantastic.its can be same old meals but i want my children to be ableto experience new stuff too.if we out and they want beans and nuggest great,thats their treat when they are that age,but what if they wanted something like us or a bit more exciting,id liek them to be able to do that too.
~ Have you any good or bad experiences to share about breastfeeding your child in restaurants? n/a
~ What more could restaurants do to make breastfeeding mums feel welcome?n/a

[snowlie]

~ Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?

I don't think the standard of food for kids in the UK is any better or any worse than other countries we have visited. Many good restaurants and unfortunately a few bad ones too. And the quality of food can always improve, especially in chains. We've had a few occasions where the adults food was freshly prepared and cooked and the kids food was a processed pile of beige oven food. Even the quality of kids ice cream will be poor compared to the main menu.

~ Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them?
We go to a great localish pub who can't do enough to please the kids - they offer smaller portions of the adult menu or the usual kiddie favourites cooked properly from scratch - not a nugget or fish finger in sight.
A good restaurant will be happy to cook anything simple for a kid - chicken breast, a bit if fish, some minced steak....it's not hard if the restaurant are in the business of cooking not just heating up.

~ In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why?
In general we do our best to avoid chain restaurant's as the food is predictably dull for the adults never mind the kids. We've mostly had great experiences in Wagamama - when they were smaller the kids made a huge mess and the staff were fantastic, as were the menus, loads of high chairs, interesting juices and interesting food of the adults too.

[LaTrucha]

~ Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?
In all honesty, not for me. My children are not mad keen on trying new things, so I'm always relieved when I see the same old same old. I even went through a phase of avoiding anywhere that advertised 'handcut chips' or the like as I knew DD wouldn't touch them and she'd be hungry. A little more variety aswell as the standards, I am all for.

~ Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them? I like it when cafes do lunchboxes - by which I mean a selection of about a dozen things from which you can choose 5 to go in a box. That way I can usually get some sort of fruit and vegetables that DD will eat (ie raw) and soemthing else that she will eat willingly. I don't like to have to coax my children to eat, so if they can choose, that's good for me.
~ In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why? Worse. They try and do good food. This si not on for a meal out for my kids. I would never take them in. It sounds like I am a terrible mother, but it's my experience.

~ Have you any good or bad experiences to share about breastfeeding your child in restaurants? Only good.

~ What more could restaurants do to make breastfeeding mums feel welcome? Perhaps if they displayed some sort of message to say it was welcome mothers would feel more confident that they wouldn't be challenged, or if they were, that the restaurant would back them up.

[SacreBlue]

Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?

It depends on the restaurant and on expectations. I have never chosen for my DS from kids menus were 'chips, beans & random meat' were the only options - he just had a starter or part of mine but I know others like to see this on the menu

Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them?

Nearly every place I have seen a kids menu it has been the above chips, beans etc - not for me or my DS but again, some parents prefer this choice.

In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why?

Independents have nearly always been more suitable for our needs - no idea why this is, perhaps because a chain has to cater for 'everyone' while independents can concentrate on the food and let parents decide. I prefer menus for me at independents so assume my food preferences have informed my DS choices

[Davinaaddict]

~ Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?

Yes definitely. It's always the same boring and unhealthy options. Some make a bit of an effort, but generally I'd prefer it if they offered smaller versions of the adults choices. Also, and I know it's not easy to solve, but my 1yo doesn't eat the same amount as a 7 yo would, yet the portion size is always the same,waning either loads go to waste or my children eat more than they would normally.


~ Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them?

Not really, but they do generally all follow the theme of sausages or chicken dippers and chips, with maybe some token peas.

~ In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why?

Generally speaking, I'd say the independents tend to be marginally better as they tend to offer something different overall.

~ Have you any good or bad experiences to share about breastfeeding your child in restaurants?

I've not had any noticeably good or bad experiences. I've just got on and done it, and never been bothered.

~ What more could restaurants do to make breastfeeding mums feel welcome?

Given my experience, not much! However, I know some people have had some terrible experiences. If I was opening a restaurant, I may consider offering a feeding room for those mums that like to have some privacy (new or not very confident feeders). Having said that, I would never ask someone to use it, just an extra facility for customer use.

[RubySparks]

Never had any problem breastfeeding in cafe or restaurant so that was non issue for me. The one thing that might improve that experience would be for food to be kept hot if the ,othe ris unable to eat due to feeding the baby. I think it is bizarre to have children's menus which are generally fast food type not very healthy stuff e.g. Chicken nuggets, fish fingers - not so bad if they are homemade but usually would just be bought in and reheated. It would be preferable to be given a children's portion option where it would basically be similar to the adult's choice but half the size (and half the price!).

Offering some kind of taster platter would be good too so that children get a chance to try out new foods without wasting much food or costing a lot. It would be particularly nice to see fresh fruit offered rather than always ice cream. Having said that mine are now teenagers so paying for adult meals now anyway! Taster platter would still work though.

[clabsyqueen]

I have breastfed 2 children in many chain restaurants and cafes with no problem ever - pizza express zizzi nandos John Lewis. Neither have I had any problem in independent cafes.
The chain restaurants offer good children's options in my experience and will always give empty plates for sharing and omit sauces when requested eg zizzi Nandos
My only negative comment is that the staff at Jamie oliver restaurants sprinkle sea salt over children's portions.
Overall John Lewis is my favourite. I go nearly every day! And have probably breastfed in every department!

[Halfbaked]

~ Do you agree or disagree that the general standard of children food and eating experience needs to improve in restaurants in the UK?
I think generally choice is poor and limited to nuggets/sausage/chips/ pasta. I would think if your child was veggie it would be very difficult. I think training of staff needs to improve, especially in "family friendly" places as just little things could make the experience more pleasant, like where you are seated, getting a highchair having space for buggies, quick service and actually engaging with the children. Clean highchairs too, some are utterly disgraceful.
~ Do you have any good or bad examples of kids menus in your local independent restaurants, pubs and cafes? What do you like or not like about them?
I think places that offer the same as adult but smaller portions are good, but agree with many that what a 2year old will eat is not the same as a 12 year old. I hate food waste, so serving 5 fish fingers to my 2 year old is just ridiculous, for us and the restaurant. The standard ice cream for dessert is rubbish too, often not the same quality as for the adults.
Giraffe have been good for making orders quick, bringing lidded drinks with straws in them, plus crayons paper and a balloon over when my toddler started to get grumpy.
I wish places would bring the food quickly and at a temperature that a small child could eat. It's normally piping hot and trying to cool it down before my toddler grabs and burns herself just makes it stressful.
Independent place Waffle House in Norwich is great for kids menu as mainly smaller version of adult dishes (although still too big for a toddler) there's a bit of mix and match which is good for picky eaters.
~ In your experience, are independent restaurants worse or better than the chains at catering for your and child’s needs? Why?
I think some chains are good- weatherspoons/giraffe/ pizza express and some are poor cafe rouge/ prezzo
Some chains have more stuff like highchairs/ space but I think it's often down to the staff that makes it for me. Just a bit of customer service can go a long way. That differs and I don't think being a chain or independent makes a difference. I think generally our attitudes to children eating out in the Uk need to improve, we should teach our children how to eat out but be supported by restaurants to do so.
~ Have you any good or bad experiences to share about breastfeeding your child in restaurants?
Never had any issues
~ What more could restaurants do to make breastfeeding mums feel welcome?
Quiet place, space staff who provide water and discretion. Love the spork/knork idea.