Choosing a Restaurant for Family Gatherings: What to Consider

Whether it’s for a family reunion or a pre-wedding family dinner, gathering at a restaurant to catch up with loved ones is one of the great joys in life. That is if the restaurant you choose is accommodating and ready for a large group. To be sure you find the right restaurant for your family’s needs, check out this list of things to consider so that your family gathering goes off without a hitch.

History with Big Groups

One of the first things you should look for when researching restaurants for your family gathering is their history with big groups. If you visit their web page, you will likely be able to find a section on how well they can accommodate big groups or private parties. If the restaurant has a specific room allocated to big groups, that is ideal because then your family will not only have a space where they can spread out and talk, but it will also feel like you have the restaurant to yourselves. 

It is also important to read reviews of potential restaurants to see if anyone has brought a big group there in the past. You can get a feel for whether or not they had a good or a bad experience from their reviews. 

Menu Variety for Dietary Restrictions

Between picky eaters, allergies, and intolerances, it is hard to find a restaurant that everyone in your extended family will be happy with. To ensure that everyone is satisfied, you can take a look at the online menu on restaurant websites like https://www.thetwentytwo.com/ where you can see all that the restaurant has to offer. Take screenshots of the menu and send them to your family group chat so everyone approves before booking. 

If you are unsure about a restaurant’s allergy policies, give the restaurant a call and ask specifically how they can accommodate allergies to things like gluten and nuts. This will give your family members peace of mind before they ever even walk through the doors of the restaurant.

Location and Parking

Depending on the size of your family, the location of the restaurant and the available parking will be important factors to consider. If you are all meeting up for a special event like a wedding and most people are coming from out of town, try to pick a place that is near the accommodations where most people are staying. This means that they can either walk or drive only a short distance to get to the restaurant. Make sure the restaurant you choose has a big enough parking lot to accommodate everyone, even if they are carpooling. 

Kid-Friendly Amenities

With big family gatherings, there are bound to be lots of little kids running around. Finding a restaurant that will accommodate children or even has an area for children is ideal so that the adults can talk while the kids play. Usually, family-friendly restaurants will have kid’s menus with crayons or other activities to keep kids occupied during the meal.

Choosing a restaurant for family gatherings can be stressful, but once you find one that fits your family well, you will go back to it time and time again.